MythBusters find out for definite if a truck is more fuel efficient with its tailgate up or down

MythBusters decided to find out if driving with the tailgate down was more fuel efficient by taking to the open road.

The guys tested two identical trucks with the same tire pressure and fuel levels.

At first, it appeared the two trucks performed the exact same way, using the same amount of fuel.

But things to a turn when the pair were almost in San Francisco, and it turns out they got their answer.

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So does the tailgate affect fuel efficiency?

Spoiler alert, yes.

Many drivers have long wondered if driving with it down gave you better fuel efficiency, so to really put that theory to the test, Mythbusters got to work.

The two presenters from the popular YouTube channel drove to the desert and back to see who would run out of gas first.

After 300 miles, there appeared to be no difference between the truck with its tailgate up and the truck with its tailgate down.

But that didn’t last.

As the journey continued, the driver with the tailgate down ran out of gas just outside San Francisco, seemingly pouring cold water on the myth that driving with it down would be better for fuel efficiency.

According to this particular test, more drag was evident when the tailgate was down.

“I just wouldn’t have guessed that, it’s totally surprising,” they said.

You can catch the science in action here.

Is the Cybertruck taking over the pickup truck market?

Thanks to the recent shift towards EVs, many drivers who would usually buy a gas-guzzling pickup truck are choosing to give the Cybertruck a go.

In fact, a man from Arizona tried a Cybertruck for just 48 hours and decided he wanted to make the switch from his Ford F-150.

Plus, another Tesla Cybertruck owner claimed that he has managed to make ‘1,000 haters become fans’ thanks to his incredible wrap.

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