Hello - 1999 Ford Ranger 3.0L, question

[BruceC]

Hello.

I have about a 26 mile commute in my 1999 Ford Ranger 3.0L (it's flex capable, never used anything but dead dinosaurs in it though). I inherited this truck from my Dad's estate a few years ago, and thus have quite a sentimental attachment to it.

Anyway, I live in Phoenix Arizona and am fortunate enough that 95 percent of my commute is freeway AND my employer allows flexible hours so that I can avoid the morning and evening parking lots that form due to rush hour traffic. Being that my commute is all over flat ground usually at constant speed I'm allowed for some of the best driving conditions for saving fuel.

By my rough estimations based on the trip meter between fill-ups, I'm seeing somewhere between 25-27 mpg. Most of this I attribute to just slowing down. I keep her at about 55-57 on the freeway and stay well to the right out of peoples' way. What is with everybody being SO anxious to get to their jobs anyway? Also, I always try to coast as far as I can to a light that's red and take it easy on the throttle when starting. And I only run the air conditioner when it's actually uncomfortable in the cab, while keeping the windows up at speed to avoid the effects of drag. Just your most basic fuel saving techniques really.

I've looked and the vehicle is rated at 22 mpg under the old 'flawed' EPA scheme. I'm kind of amazed that I'm able to beat that number by close to 25%, and I've debated getting a scanner or gauge to test how accurate it is. But I'd rather just keep that money and be pleased with my results.

My question is whether or not anyone thinks one of those webbed tailgates would help a truck's mileage that much. I searched the forums but couldn't find a lot of information.

What I've seen indicates that the tailgate serves an important aerodynamic function for a pickup, trapping a pocket of rotating air in the bed which serves to reduce the base drag of the flat backed cab, and keeping air flowing over the cab from slamming down into the bed, adding to the surface drag (at least, that's my understanding, I could be wrong). Thus it seems the only benefit of a webbed tailgate would be reducing the weight of the vehicle and MAYBE reducing some of the drag from air slamming into it by letting it pass through, while still maintaining normal circulation in the truck bed. I know the Mythbusters found a small increase with the net, but I'd like to hear from people who have done more extensive testing with them, if possible.

[Lurch]

Myth busters did an episode where they test out a pickup trucks mileage with the tailgate in various positions and replaced with a net. I believe they found the tailgate was indeed as you say an important aerodynamic component.

[southerncannuck]

Your doing well. My son had the same truck and got 17 MPG.

[SlowHands]

For a 6' bed pickup, the best results are:
half-tonneau cover (rear 1/2 of the bed)
full tonneau cover
tail gate up
tail gate down
tail gate net
This is per wind tunnel tests shown at the following link:
http://ecow.engr.wisc.edu/cgi-bin/ge...hi1/pickup.pdf

[ILAveo]

Originally Posted by SlowHands

For a 6' bed pickup, the best results are:
half-tonneau cover (rear 1/2 of the bed)
full tonneau cover
tail gate up
tail gate down
tail gate net
This is per wind tunnel tests shown at the following link:
http://ecow.engr.wisc.edu/cgi-bin/ge...hi1/pickup.pdf

Good advice.

You are already doing a lot right. You're lucky to be able to avoid rush hour.

What sort of transmission do you have? If you have a MT and add pulse and glide to your techniques and press up your tires you may be able to beat Slow Hands % of EPA after a little practice and feedback from a gauge. (His truck TorqueNada has been torturing me.)