Learning how to drive a Jeep Wrangler with an open tailgate can be an exhilarating means of enhancing your driving experience, with more cargo space and an open-air atmosphere.
That being said, it’s important to keep in mind how this will affect your vehicle’s performance and safety. When you know how to drive jeep wrangler with the tailgate open properly, you can enjoy the benefits while minimizing any downsides.
In this article, we’ll cover the key aspects you need to consider to safely and effectively drive your Jeep with the tailgate open.
Why Would You Drive with the Tailgate Open?
There are a variety of reasons why Jeep Wrangler drivers would drive with the tailgate open. One of the most common is the additional cargo room that it provides. With the tailgate open, you can transport longer or bulkier loads that otherwise would not fit within the vehicle. The open tailgate also provides better air flow, which on sweltering days can be a welcome relief.
Other drivers also enjoy the adventurous open-air ride, especially when off-roading or on nature adventures, to provide an added flavor to the overall driving experience of their Jeep. It’s essentially a way to experience a more rough-and-tumble and utilitarian ride.
Safety Considerations When Driving with the Tailgate Open
While traveling with the tailgate down may be a thrilling alternative, it is not entirely free of safety concerns. The most significant is visibility. When the tailgate is down, your rearview mirror might not give an accurate view of what’s following you, making reversing or merging more difficult.
Secondarily, there is a chance loose cargo might tumble out while in transit and cause harm to other motorists. It is important to have these safety issues in mind and be constantly aware of what’s around you and the stability of your load when traveling with an open tailgate.
The Impact on Car Performance and Fuel Efficiency
Driving with the tailgate open can have a noticeable effect on your Jeep Wrangler’s performance, particularly in terms of aerodynamics. The open tailgate can disrupt the airflow around the vehicle, increasing drag and causing your engine to work harder, especially at higher speeds.
Driving with the tailgate open is likely to result in a decrease in fuel efficiency due to this disruption. Being aware of this impact enables you to make more intelligent decisions about where and when you drive with the tailgate down so that you’re not sacrificing unnecessary fuel economy.
How to Secure Your Load and Prevent Items from Falling Out
If you are driving with the tailgate open, it is even more important that you tie down your cargo. Unsecured or loose items will easily fall off, causing danger to you and other users of the road. To prevent this, secure your items with cargo nets, straps, or tie-downs. Load larger cargo to the front of the truck and smaller cargo to the rear, as this will create balance.
Additionally, pack the items snugly and in a way that they will not shift while driving. Properly securing your cargo will give you peace of mind and reduce the risk of accidents caused by falling items.
Can You Legally Drive with the Tailgate Down?
Whether you can legally drive with the tailgate down is determined by where you are. Most states have laws that do not allow drivers to carry open loads which may endanger other vehicles or pedestrians. In other locations, laws require a load to be enclosed or secured so that items are not lost out.
Before driving with the tailgate down, one must inspect local traffic laws to ensure that you are complying with them. No matter where you are, always make sure you are following the law because breaking it can lead to fines or penalties.
Driving Practices for Comfort and Safety with the Tailgate Down
In tailgate-down driving, embracing different driving practices is crucial in issues of comfort and safety. First of all, slow down, since speeding up only will aggravate the negative effects on your car’s fuel efficiency and stability.
Be additionally careful about road conditions since the open tailgate will expose the car to more wind gusts and turbulence. And always maintain a sufficient distance from other cars so that the dropped debris or objects from your Jeep do not cause a crash. Through knowledge of these techniques, you can safely drive with the tailgate open without risking your comfort or safety.
Alternatives to Tailgate-Open Driving
If you want the benefits of having extra cargo room or cooler air but don’t require the risk of driving with the tailgate open, there are a few alternatives. Consider employing the use of a cargo net or roof rack to secure larger items without compromising the integrity of your vehicle.
Roof racks provide ample space for storing equipment with the tailgate of your Jeep securely closed. A cargo box can also be utilized for additional storage space and eliminate the risk of an open tailgate. These options are convenient and flexible without exposing you to the same risk as opening the tailgate while driving.
Conclusion
The decision to drive with the tailgate open ultimately falls on your priorities and the specific circumstances of your trip. On the one hand, it can provide you with extra room for cargo, better airflow, and an exhilarating driving experience.
Additionally, safety, performance, and potential legal limitation risks are some of the things that exist. Having knowledge of these will help you make an informed choice regarding driving with the tailgate open or not, and if so, when. Weighing the pros and cons lets you drive your Jeep Wrangler to the absolute maximum while not partaking in any potential negative.
Hello there, this is Thomas Byrd. I am a professional car mechanic who leads a team of junior mechanics in a repair and restoration shop. In the beginning, I used to work for a jeep service center as a basic worker. From there I keep learning, changed my job 2 times and now I am a professional who leads a group of mechanics. Though a have expertise in the jeep, I know very well about all types of cars. To share my knowledge and skills with others I have created this blog website. Whenever I get free time from work I give my time to my blog.