Last week, Ford Authority exclusively reported that FoMoco was working on a new multifunction tailgate. Now, new spy photos corroborate our report that a new Ford tailgate is in development.
The photos in question show a team of Ford employees prototyping a new tailgate on the outgoing, 13th-generation F-150. The particular prototype barn-style Ford tailgate seen here features an 80-20 split, with a pull handle toward the passenger side of the vehicle.
Sources familiar with the project tell Ford Authority that The Blue Oval has benchmarked the multifunction tailgate offerings, including the GMC MultiPro tailgate offered on the GMC Sierra as well as the Multifunction barn-style tailgate offered by Ram. Incidentally, rival trucks with these tailgate offers are present and accounted for in these spy shots.
According to Ford Authority sources, another design currently being considered is a barn-door-like layout with three vertical sections (not pictured here). These three sections would be capable of being opened individually in thirds – left to right or right to left. Alternatively, the three sections could theoretically be dropped down in unison, much like a traditional drop-down tailgate.
It’s unclear whether this particular proposal will make it to production, or whether Ford will instead continue with the 80-20 layout seen in the photos.
Exact timelines for launch are currently unclear, but we have been told that the new F-150 will be the first to receive it once it’s ready for production.
It’s worth reiterating that Ford did not include a multifunction tailgate on the 2021 Ford F-150. In doing so, it is the only one of the “Big Three” truck makers to not offer such a feature on a full-size truck. Instead, FoMoCo updated the traditional drop-down tailgate with cleats to act as tie-down locations for extra-long items in the bed.
We’ll report back with more on the new multifunction Ford tailgate, so be sure to subscribe to Ford Authority for more Ford F-150 news and 24/7 Ford news coverage.
Comments
I am a F150 owner and love Ford trucks but I think GM by far has got the best multifunction tailgate. It will be hard to beat that tailgate.
So this is quite interesting. Although at first glance it looks like a barn-door style prototype, you also see a step function in the next photo. This leads me to think there will be a multi-point latching system that will open both horizontally and vertically. That would be very cool allowing for 80/20 split for partial opening, while also allowing for what looks like a full-bed step function. Add some clever storage and they’ve got a winner!
Did FURD fix the Wobble of Death issues on the F-250s and F-350s? Would love to buy a FURD but don’t want to drop $90K on a Platinum F-250 and 2 months in experience the Wobble of Death.
When are the 2021 F-250 Tremor’s going to come out ??? We could not get a 2020 due to lack of availability here in Pennsylvania??? Thank y’all for any info on this…;)