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Old 10-23-2012, 10:50 AM   #1
edmojenks
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Louvered tailgates

Okay you nonsalesmen. Do louvered tailgates really save you on gas mileage. I've gotta replace my tailgate so I'm trying to figure out which route to go.
 
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Old 10-23-2012, 11:39 AM   #2
bncinwv
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Carol, Carol, where are you??? (Oops sorry, newer member who never endured our previous marathon thread on louvered tailgates!!) In my opinion, I have no idea
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Old 10-23-2012, 11:45 AM   #3
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I have one, but it's because it's light weight, not that expensive, had a V for the hitch, had a place for my backup camera and happened to be louvered. My understanding is that a bed cover helps some and a louvered tail gate is MPH iffy at best.
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Old 10-23-2012, 12:08 PM   #4
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Oh, I am here Bingo, but, learned my lesson on that last mega thread. I refuse to respond on the grounds that I may be asked to remove myself from the forum. And, I will never ever mention diamon%# again either! LOL
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Old 10-23-2012, 12:08 PM   #5
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A friend of mine was planning on buying a louvered tailgate because he didn't want to risk hitting his regular tailgate, plus he thought he'd improve his fuel mileage. The shop selling the tailgate told him buying it to avoid the risk of hitting his regular tailgate is the only application, because if your pulling a 5th wheel behind the tow vehicle your not going to get improved fuel mileage. The wind will flow through the truck box, but hits the trailer behind the truck.
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Old 10-23-2012, 12:10 PM   #6
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However, I have discovered that Webmaster has a few links on this part of the new web pages. Make your own call. This does not seem to directly address the specific question posted by the OP. Read on - - and good luck!
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Old 10-23-2012, 12:14 PM   #7
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A google search for tail gate fuel ecomomy will keep you in reading material far longer than you would want aobut tailgate up, tailgate down, louvered tailgate. But the general consensus is stock tailgate up is best for fuel economy.
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Old 10-23-2012, 12:17 PM   #8
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Makes hooking up easier (with the V notch) and easier hooking up a tongue pull even without a notch due to the angle and being able to see through it, I don't think it saves fuel when pulling or not pulling. Mine is Handy Manufacture and for me the angle is perfect to see through.
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Old 10-23-2012, 01:50 PM   #9
ole dude
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Aw shucks Carol :-)
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Old 10-23-2012, 02:59 PM   #10
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Reliable sources say that a pickup gets best fuel economy with the stock tailgate up. However this all changes when you hook a fifthwheel to it. I have never seen a reliable test that claimed better fuel economy with a louvered tailgate but I think that may be because they didn't test one with jewels on it.
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Old 10-23-2012, 03:47 PM   #11
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You say you gotta replace your tailgate. I'd bet a louvered tailgate would be quite a bit cheaper...if that is also a factor.
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Old 10-23-2012, 05:27 PM   #12
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Eddie, the past louvered tailgate thread went on for over a hundred pages and lasted almost a year. It was mostly tongue in cheek and some of it was hilarious. I really wanted to replace my stock tailgate with rhinestone studded one since they are a lot cheaper then the diamond encrusted ones that SOME people touted. I still have my stock gate but it does have a ding or two and I am looking at other gates and a louvered gate is still in the running just because of low cost...
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Old 10-23-2012, 06:19 PM   #13
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Diamond studded is what a new stock tailgate should be for what they charge. I sold my stock tailgate for what I though was an unbelievable amount of difference after I paid for the new one. Probably not saving gas money, but had money in the bank to start with.
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Old 10-24-2012, 01:22 AM   #14
edmojenks
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Sorry I missed the previous thread (I guess). Yes, I am one of those who dropped the 5er on the tailgate. Happened about two years ago and though my factory tailgate is functional and doesn't really look that bent I'm tired of losing items that roll out of the now one inch gap where the tailgate meets the bed. Yes, I am looking at the least expensive option.
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Old 10-24-2012, 08:10 AM   #15
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I've ruined 2 tailgates so far and it's been an expensive body shop repair. If there's a next time, I'm going with the (much cheaper) louvered tailgate.
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