Patent ID: 6012762
Filing Date: 2000-01-11
Classification: B62D,Y02T

Abstract:
In an improved pickup truck including a cargo bed and an opening tailgate positioned proximal an aft end of said cargo bed, the improvement comprising:an aerostabilizer in mechanical communication with said tailgate such that said aerostabilizer moves with the tailgate during opening and closing of said tailgate, said aerostabilizer positioned, at least in its majority, above and proximal to said tailgate, as seen with the tailgate in its closed or vertical orientation, and also, at least in its majority, aft of a forward portion of said tailgate, as seen with the tailgate in its closed or vertical orientation, whereby there is an air gap made up of one or more spanwise portions and extending over at least a majority of a spanwise width of said aerostabilizer where said air gap is disposed between said aerostabilizer and said tailgate, whereby air from a forward portion of said tailgate, when said tailgate is closed in its vertical position and the pickup truck is moving forward, passes freely through said air gap thereby relieving air pressure from a forward portion of the tailgate, and wherein said aerostabilizer is attached to the tailgate by attachment means that attaches to a rear portion of the tailgate.