The 2021 Ford F-150 debuted as an all-new, redesigned version of the long-running pickup, but even though it introduced a host of new innovative features, one was curiously missing – a multifunction tailgate. This came as a bit of a surprise, but as Ford Authority reported back in July of 2020, the automaker relied on customer feedback to add some features to the truck’s tailgate, but ultimately decided not to take things a step further, even though its competition did so years ago. Now, however, it seems as if the forthcoming refreshed 2024 Ford F-150 might mark the debut of a multifunction tailgate for the popular pickup.
As Ford Authority exclusively reported in August of 2020, The Blue Oval has been working on a multifunction tailgate for the F-150 for a few years now, one that can help it better compete against the Chevy Silverado, GMC Sierra, and Ram 1500, all of which feature multifunction tailgates of some sort. The automaker has considered more than one type of design for this new offering, and has used several rapid prototyping techniques like packing foam and even plywood to quickly test the new multifunction tailgate.
Then, this past January, Ford filed a patent depicting a tailgate that features three separate sections with a side-hinged swing door in the center. This center section, along with the rest of the tailgate’s components, would be power-operated via the key fob, physical controls, the pickup’s infotainment screen, or perhaps all three.
Adding more fuel to this fire, Ford Authority spotted a 2024 Ford F-150 prototype driving around for the very first time earlier this month, and that pickup was wearing camouflage at both the front and rear of the vehicle. The front end of the 2024 F-150 is set to receive some styling updates, but the ultra-heavy camo present on the truck’s rear section seems to indicate that there is, in fact, a multifunction tailgate hiding underneath, meaning that our long wait for the debut of such a feature may be on the verge of ending.
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Comments
George Floyd is SOBER
Any improvement that gets a Ford gate closer to the feature and functional vicinity of a GM gate seems a good thing.
Gm stole a march on Ford here.
Using the space between the inner bed and outer bed body for storage would make more sense IMO. Otherwise tailgate oneupmanship is gimmickry.
They likely have to get around previous patents.
Foot steps in the rear bumper and on the side in SD, multi-function tailgate, they trying to be GMC?
Maybe they are just trying to make ease of use a thing after not innovating in these two areas.
Smart people don’t avoid adopting something beneficial just because they didn’t think of it first.