Tailgate or no tailgate?

Do you drag race with your tailgate on or off?

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bgreen776

bgreen776

White Collar Fabricator
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Do you run the 1/4 mile (or 1/8 mile) with or without your tailgate? Have you proven to yourself your chosen method is better than the alternative?
 
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Back in my younger years, I street raced a slow old Chevy 1/2ton I had against a buddies slow Honda, once with the tailgate on, once off. I lost by about the same amount both times. Not exactly scientific, but for me it didn't make a noticeable difference.
 
I saw some data on drag with a rclb.

Tailgate down was best.
Tailgate up was second best
Tailgate off was worst.
 
It was close to 10% increase in drag coefficient with it off. Tailgate weighs 60# which is probably good for .03-.04 in the 1/4 mi.
 
In for info. My buddy has a rclb we always take the tail gate off of.
 
I'm pretty sure my track wont let me run with it down, but I'll ask this weekend. I'd like to build a tonneau cover and just run a tailgate skin, and would build a spoiler of some sort if it would help, so long as I could make it removable in the off-season. My times, to this point, are so inconsistent, that I can't really do any valid testing. I just want to go faster. :)
 
I've always ran with my tailgate off. It may or may not make a difference but piece of mine to me always took it off!
 
MY tailgate is junk so I've always ran without one. Be good to know if I'm hurting myself any.


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Didn't Mythbusters try this? I thought it went topper>tonneau>gate closed>gate down>gate off.

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It was on their Toyota if I remember it right. I would think the aerodynamic principle would still apply.
 
according to wind tunnel testing, it doesn't. Granted, i'm sure the cab size and shape has a lot to do with it.
 
I leave mine on and up. Some tracks that I race at won't allow runs with it down. Between running with it off and with it up, it makes less then .03 difference in the 1/4 mile, with it being quicker with it up. I think it looks better with it up, and it gives another area to put sponsor stickers. :doh:

What I would like to test, is the difference between a bed cover, and running with the tail gate up.

So I run with it up, AND I like bacon. LOL

Paul
 
All my fastest times are with the tailgate off, quad cab short bed.
 
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