07/17/2026
Does Dropping Your Pickup's Tailgate Really Improve Fuel Economy❓
It's one of the oldest debates among truck owners:
Does driving with the tailgate down save fuel❓
Many people assume lowering the tailgate lets air flow through the bed more easily, reducing drag. It sounds logical—but testing shows the opposite is generally true.
Using the Chevrolet Silverado as an example, Chevrolet engineers and independent aerodynamic testing have found that keeping the tailgate up typically results in better fuel efficiency than driving with it down.
Here's why.
When the tailgate is up, ⬆️air flowing over the cab creates a circulating pocket of air inside the bed. This "air bubble" allows much of the airflow to pass over the bed instead of tumbling into it, reducing aerodynamic drag.
When the tailgate is down,⬇️ that pocket disappears, allowing more turbulent airflow to enter the bed and increasing drag.
What about a tonneau (bed) cover?
A properly fitted hard or soft tonneau cover can further smooth airflow over the truck. Depending on the design, driving conditions, and speed, most testing shows improvements of approximately 1–5% in fuel economy, with the greatest benefit typically seen during steady highway driving.
The Bottom Line
For most Silverado owners:
✅ Tailgate UP = Better aerodynamics than tailgate down.
✅ A quality tonneau cover can provide a small additional improvement.
✅ The biggest gains still come from consistent highway speeds, proper tire inflation, and avoiding unnecessary weight.
Sometimes the most common automotive myths stick around simply because they seem like they should be true—but modern aerodynamic testing tells a different story.
**What do you think?** Have you noticed a difference in fuel economy with your pickup?
**Sources**
* General Motors aerodynamic engineering research on pickup truck airflow and tailgate performance.
* SAE International (Society of Automotive Engineers) papers on pickup truck aerodynamics and drag reduction.
* MythBusters (Discovery Channel), Season 9 – pickup truck tailgate aerodynamic testing.
* U.S. Department of Energy – Fuel economy and driving efficiency guidance❓
