Mayfair,
Nice looking running board! Where does one get these?
WC

 

Ever since GM came out with the spoiler for the tailgate
I have had my eye out for information about how much
it improved either the MPG or the aerodynamics,
but I have never seen anything online or in print.

If anyone spots an article giving any hard info
please post it.

 

HankL, You're probably the one to ask... I have a fiberglass topper on the bed of my truck. I've looked everywhere for a deflector to put on the very back of the roof like they used to have on station wagons and vans back in the 70's and 80's. Might have to make something myself though. If nothing else just to keep the back window of the topper clear when it rains. But would also think that this might eliminate the turbulance back there as well. Any thoughts?
WC

 

I'm beginning to think it was more of a styling move by GM rather then a true aorodynamics device.

 

I am not sure about whether these spoilers would fit your particular bed cap,
but you might find a GM Yukon in your neighborhood and measure with a tape to see if it might fit:

http://www.innerauto.com/GMC_Parts/G...ukon_Spoilers/

I have seen rear window spoilers for Dodge Caravans and Chrysler Town & Country models but I suspect they would be too narrow for a truck cap.

If memory is not playing tricks on me
the book 'Race Car Aerodynamics'
by Joseph Katz



has some pictures about how to fit the rear window spoiler so that you get the best drag reduction and slightly improved MPG.

I might be mistaken and the stuff about rear window spoilers might be in this book by RH Barnard instead:



If you are of a DIY mind
you could probably roll a piece of aluminum sheet
or cut out a section of aluminum thin-wall electrical conduit
and make your own rear window spoiler.

Things very similar to rear window spoilers seem to work well at the back of big 18-wheeler trucks:

http://people.clarkson.edu/~visser/research/drag/truck/

 

It's definitely different if that's what you're going for...but I'd have to pass on it, even if it was free. Just looks too out of place.

 

I don't think it has anything to do with aerodynamics. It just makes it easier to lift the tailgate with wet or dirty hands. Ever had the regularly waxed tailgate slip and fall back open when lifting it in the rain with wet hands?
Drilling holes in your tailgate to mount it?[sm=badidea.gif][sm=smiley21.gif]

 

truck looks nice!

 

the only thing that sucks is if you drill the holes then really dont like it then what?. also what if someone comes by late at night and removes it.

 

im a sport truck kinda person and i think the big daytona one is a little much and this one also looks bulky i seen a tailgate spoiler the other day on gen 2 dodge that looked really good but dont know where to aquire one just my opinion ... iknow there like ******** and we all got one so.... good luck with it tho...jay