The 2021 F-150 Tailgate Will Be Available With Power Up And Down Capability

When the all-new 2021 Ford F-150 was unveiled last week, it became abundantly clear that the 14^th generation pickup was packing some impressive and innovative new features. Many of which applied to the tailgate, which essentially provides owners a place to complete all sorts of activities. But one thing Ford didn’t mention about the 2021 F-150 tailgate is whether or not it would be offered with power up and/or down functionality.

However, Ford Authority has learned that the 2021 F-150 tailgate will in fact be available with both of those nifty features. On current F-150 models, Ford offers its Remote Tailgate Release function, which allows users to lower the tailgate with the press of a button on the key fob, or by pressing the soft button located underneath the tailgate’s “handle.” The struts then slowly lower the tailgate automatically, but it must be lifted and closed manually like a traditional tailgate.

The 2021 F-150 tailgate, however, will function much like the Power Up/Down Tailgate already available on the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and Silverado HD. Owners of those trucks can raise or lower the tailgate with the push of a key fob button, tailgate touchpad, or a button located inside the cab. GM’s power tailgate is standard on the Silverado 1500 High Country and available on the LTZ as part of the $1,550 convenience package.

GM’s Power Up/Down Tailgate also features a Lift-to-Close (Lift Assist) function, so if the user lifts up on the open gate slightly and holds it, the gate will power itself closed. A beep will sound and the tail lamps will flash as the tailgate is closing. When opened, the Power Up/Down Tailgate will automatically lower at a slow and steady speed. A beep will sound and the tail lamps will flash as the tailgate is lowering.  If the tailgate detects an object in the way, it will power open again. The system uses a motor and a module along the tailgate’s hinge to complete these functions.

We imagine that the 2021 F-150 tailgate will operate much the same way as GM’s. The biggest question is which trim levels or models will it be available on, or will it be available as a standalone option? Those are questions that we expect to be answered in the coming months as we get closer to the new F-150’s launch this fall.

We’ll have much more on the 2021 F-150’s many new features soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for the latest Ford F-Series news, Ford F-150 news, and continuous Ford news coverage.