Gas Mileage

[BrokeRecord]

Something I became aware of this week. My 07 has 18,000 miles. 4wd and 4.0 XLT. I have always got 19 mpg on the hi-way and about 13-14 in town. I recently put a tool box in the bed made for the Ranger. With the last 2 tanks of gas, about 17 gals each, my mileage was a flat 21.
Wonder if the box catches and deflects the wind over the tailgate instead of slamming against the tailgate like a wind sail??
Anyone else notice an increase ,too?

 

[Big Jim M]

All of the actual tests that I have ever read, of tailgate up vs tailgate down were in favor of leaving it UP! So it isn't in effect a "sail" as it looks. I have seen many guys in the past with the gate in the down position...but not lately.
21 is good milage for our little truck, good job.
Big JIm

 

[sun417]

Myth Busters did a series on this and found that up is the way to go. However you may have changed the wind flow with your addition who knows but I would suspect the weight to closer to the problem. Just my thoughts

Here is something you might want to look into ford's suggests the following;

Ford says simply installing a bed cover on a pickup can improve fuel economy by 7 to 11 percent. (More stats and tips here.)

 

[Big Jim M]

SUN...I may be wrong...but isn't 50mpg bout what HARLEYS get? Those are near unbelievable stats you have posted.

My personal best is 4 city blocks on a biscuit! Others may differ.
Big Jim