Ford Motor Company has filed a patent for a multifunction bed extender that may be used in future Ford pickups, Ford Authority has learned.
The patent was filed on March 17th, 2023, published on September 19th, 2024, and assigned serial number 0308596.
The Ford Authority Take
Over the years, Ford has filed a bevy of patents aimed at improving the utility of its pickup trucks, including ideas for extendable beds and side walls, an extendable bed with a step, an extendable cargo bed floor, a bed utility system, and an extendable bed. Now, this newly published patent keeps that trend going yet again, this time, with an idea for a multifunction bed extender that may be used on future Ford pickups, too.
The concept behind this particular idea is to utilize a number of panels that can be configured in various ways, all while being stored away when not needed. However, when one does need extra space in the bed of their pickup, they can configure those same panels in a variety of ways, many of which simply extend the length of the bed in different fashions. This varies from a simple flat panel extension attached to the tailgate to a completely enclosed space that would keep cargo away from the elements – and the grasp of potential thieves.
Given how pickup beds have shrunken in terms of length as customers gravitate more toward SuperCab, SuperCrew, and CrewCab pickups, this kind of idea makes a ton of sense. Bed extenders are already popular add-ons for smaller pickups, and it stands to reason that owners of larger, mid- or full-size models may have times when they need some extra space as well. If this patent does indeed come to fruition, it could prove to be a great solution for that ages-old problem without having to opt for a long bed pickup.
Comments
I do have to say I have been 1/2 interested in one of these cars with a truck bed. Anyway I am commenting as I would like to know, really know who is the FINAL sign off for this ridiculous ugly change to the front end. Why was the front end not redesigned to look more like its bigger brothers? Again who is the final sign off’s, Bill Ford, Jim Farley? Does it even get to this level? I usually give Mr. Farley lots of positive credit for overall product. I don’t know if anyone with any juice at Ford actually reads comments on this site. But they should be, I really hope somebody reads this.
Small ev needs to come asap
How about a face lift… The 2025 Maverick us no longer the pride and joy of Ford. They’ve covered it up with their cheap new bumper look. They should fire the designer kid and whoever approved this foreign looking uglyyyyy look. It was originally modeled after the F150, it’s big brother. Now it looks like it came from a Korea or foreign designer. Ford is no longer the leader. They’re now a follower
That’s an interesting idea. I’d go for that as a feature. Beats the heck out of the automated parking systems (which I was one of the people who never used it and thought it was a waste of time and money).