Aerodynamics question

[gjallen3]

I’m not an off roader by any means, but the other day my wife and I took the Maverick on a day trip off the I-17 to Crown King AZ. It is a 25 mile trip up to the Bradshaw Mountains and it is 25 miles of Washboard Dirt Road. At the top, at about 6200 feet, we went into a saloon and I did a look back at the truck. My normal grey truck’s tailgate was completely brown from dust. I could not even read the letters on the gate. When we got home I opened the gate and was astonished to see how much dust was able to infiltrate into the bed. I do have a soft cover that until now I thought was sealed pretty well. I’m now thinking about those tailgate spoilers. Has anyone who is a regular off roader experienced this, and do you have any suggestions? Not complaining, just kind of surprised.

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[UpACurb]

I’m not an off roader by any means, but the other day my wife and I took the Maverick on a day trip off the I-17 to Crown King AZ. It is a 25 mile trip up to the Bradshaw Mountains and it is 25 miles of Washboard Dirt Road. At the top, at about 6200 feet, we went into a saloon and I did a look back at the truck. My normal grey truck’s tailgate was completely brown from dust. I could not even read the letters on the gate. When we got home I opened the gate and was astonished to see how much dust was able to infiltrate into the bed. I do have a soft cover that until now I thought was sealed pretty well. I’m now thinking about those tailgate spoilers. Has anyone who is a regular off roader experienced this, and do you have any suggestions? Not complaining, just kind of surprised.

When I was installing my tonneau cover I was in the truck bed with the tailgate shut.....(had the garage door closes)

At some point I opened the garage door- still lying down in the bed and I could see light coming through on the left and right of my tailgate ....so I dont think the tailgate is that sealed on the sides which would explain why you got so much dust in your bed.....

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

I’m not an off roader by any means, but the other day my wife and I took the Maverick on a day trip off the I-17 to Crown King AZ. It is a 25 mile trip up to the Bradshaw Mountains and it is 25 miles of Washboard Dirt Road. At the top, at about 6200 feet, we went into a saloon and I did a look back at the truck. My normal grey truck’s tailgate was completely brown from dust. I could not even read the letters on the gate. When we got home I opened the gate and was astonished to see how much dust was able to infiltrate into the bed. I do have a soft cover that until now I thought was sealed pretty well. I’m now thinking about those tailgate spoilers. Has anyone who is a regular off roader experienced this, and do you have any suggestions? Not complaining, just kind of surprised.

Jerry,
If you don't have a tailgate damper.
You can use a tailgate seal kit.

Good Luck
Link

 

[gjallen3]

Jerry,
If you don't have a tailgate damper.
You can use a tailgate seal kit.

Good Luck
Link

OR
If you have a tailgate damper. Perhaps a tailgate spoiler would help.

I do have a tailgate assist, but really appreciate the advice.

 

[gjallen3]

I do have a tailgate assist, but really appreciate the advice.

Glen, I think on your advice I'll get the seal kit anyway. I can always seal at least a couple of areas better then they are now. Thanks again.

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

Glen, I think on your advice I'll get the seal kit anyway. I can always seal at least a couple of areas better then they are now. Thanks again.

I was wondering, if you could somehow alter the seal around the damper?
In order to demonstrate how much of a gap there is around the tailgate.
I shot the below picture with a light inside the bed.
The tailgate is fully closed.
I do have a tailgate damper seen in the picture.

 

[icegradner]

I’m not an off roader by any means, but the other day my wife and I took the Maverick on a day trip off the I-17 to Crown King AZ. It is a 25 mile trip up to the Bradshaw Mountains and it is 25 miles of Washboard Dirt Road. At the top, at about 6200 feet, we went into a saloon and I did a look back at the truck. My normal grey truck’s tailgate was completely brown from dust. I could not even read the letters on the gate. When we got home I opened the gate and was astonished to see how much dust was able to infiltrate into the bed. I do have a soft cover that until now I thought was sealed pretty well. I’m now thinking about those tailgate spoilers. Has anyone who is a regular off roader experienced this, and do you have any suggestions? Not complaining, just kind of surprised.

The Maverick is your first truck? It was mine too, I asked other truck owners and it's just the norm. If it bothers you there are tailgate seal kits, that help.

 

[bgn]

Tailgate seal and bed mat both help tremendously, but nothing will truly seal your bed.

 

[Cancunbadlands]

Nothing will truly seal your bed for good

 

[gjallen3]

The Maverick is your first truck? It was mine too, I asked other truck owners and it's just the norm. If it bothers you there are tailgate seal kits, that help.

I pretty much figured it's not possible to seal completely, but what also surprised me was how much dust accumulated on the outside of the tailgate. I noticed all of the other vehicles parked near me did not have as much on their back bumpers or tail gates. That's why I'm wondering if a spoiler will create a better airflow that keeps the air from being stagnant around the tailgate allowing the dust to attach.

 

[Master Blaster]

Some of your dust issue is due to the Maverick sitting lower than the lifted crap that most offroaders buy, and the improved aerodynamics from sitting lower means that it does kick up more dust onto the tailgate. A tailgate seal would help with dust making it into the bed, but it won't help with the dust on the outside of the tailgate and license plate. Its designed as and on-road truck and there are some downsides to using it in offroad situations.

 

[gjallen3]

That makes a lot of sense. Thank you for that information.

 

[MikeS1942]

Glen, I think on your advice I'll get the seal kit anyway. I can always seal at least a couple of areas better then they are now. Thanks again.

I have the seal kit and damper. I had zero interference having them both. No cutting of any kind.

 

[Ray_B]

I could be wrong but I don't think a spoiler will do anything at the lower speeds you run off-road. Spoilers need lots of AIR to be effective.

 

[MikeS1942]

Some of your dust issue is due to the Maverick sitting lower than the lifted crap that most offroaders buy, and the improved aerodynamics from sitting lower means that it does kick up more dust onto the tailgate. A tailgate seal would help with dust making it into the bed, but it won't help with the dust on the outside of the tailgate and license plate. Its designed as and on-road truck and there are some downsides to using it in offroad situations.

All pickups have this issue, it's not just a Maverick issue. Had the same issue with my old Rangers, with dust, snow, and water even with tonneau covers and caps.

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