The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is due for an extensive redesign for the 2019 model year, coinciding with the release of an updated RAM 1500, in a bid to snatch up as much leftover full-size pickup market share as possible after Ford’s best-selling F-150. Brand loyalists can be counted upon to look no deeper than the badge on the hood, but for those who will cross-shop the Silverado against the RAM, the latter truck might have at least one big trick up its sleeve.
According to our sister site, Fiat Chrysler Authority, the 2019 RAM 1500 could debut a new split tailgate feature that FCA patented back in 2014. The patent described a tailgate that could not only drop down as usual, but also open “barn door”-style, with each side of the tailgate swinging open horizontally to provide cargo bed access. It may seem like a small thing, but such a system could add meaningful flexibility when it comes to loading and unloading certain cargo, and the latest Ram 1500 spy shots show a truck whose tailgate FCA engineers obviously took great pains to obscure.
Of course, we really can’t say with any certainty whether the 2019 RAM 1500 will feature a split tailgate, but the feature could lure a great many on-the-fence truck shoppers – especially because the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado likely won’t have it. Previous spy shots of that truck didn’t contain any of the big, heavy tailgate cladding deployed on some RAM prototypes.
The 2019 RAM 1500 is reportedly set to debut at the 2018 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, around the same time as Chevrolet’s new Silverado. We’ll find out then which light-duty pickup truly has what it takes to attract the brand-ambivalent truck shoppers.
Comments
More thing to rattle on the Ram !!
I think it would be a lot simpler (engineering wise) to have a system like the Honda Ridgeline VS a barn door style tailgate, not to mention more durable.
Even the Honda while a better set up is still not as strong as a good traditional tailgate.
I really have no use for the split gate.
The Honda it works as it is a truck for people that generally don’t like trucks. It is more SUV than truck. Not a bad thing just different. With the trunk in the bed you need a swing out gate to get to it. But the Honda pays the price for a shallow bed.
I like what I have now with a full gate, a deep bed and a bumper step on the corner.
Didn’t the GM station wagons from the 70’s and 80’s have a tailgate like the RAM mentioned above? How is this revolutionary?
GM had a Dutch door on the Astro vans and everyone had the Dodge style gate on their wagons.
GM in the 70’s has the drop power gate. It was great when it worked and it was heavy.
Cross shop is a term I have never used in my life and never will! A different tail gate will not make me leave GM ever! Nor will price! Or A/C vents or well you get the point!
I will never leave GM ether but lets get some of the stuff we can use. Brian I think that it interesting because it could go like this. We don’t need—-Rear A/C vents, rear USB plugs, Heated seats, Heated mirrors, Cameras, A different tailgate, Better mileage, remote start, A diesel engine, 4 wheel drive, power steering, power breaks, power windows, cruise control, anti lock breaks, automatic transmission, air conditioner, Radial tires, tire pressure monitors, you get the drift. I want at least, at least, what others offer on a $70,000 truck, and yes I could go buy another brand, but I don’t want to. I want GM to compete. Get it done. Show us your better.
The one thing to consider is tail gates take a beating, how often do you see them bent? Getting fancy with them may make them more damage prone and make them more expensive to replace.
GM just needs to add a remote lock, standard bed lights and may be a storage option of some kind.
I have the bed lights on my GMC and they are great.
I get the premise that Chevrolet would want to get as many potential ‘leftover’ buyers before Dodge (Ram) got them. However, why should it be a given that Ford will always be #1 so Chevrolet should just be happy to settle for second place? And I’m not talking Chevrolet combined with GMC, I’m talking straight up Chevrolet taking on Ford. It’s nice to go after Dodge and keep them in 3rd, but why not put a target straight on Ford? Once upon a time, Chevrolet trucks outsold Ford trucks. No GMC was necessary to do it either. Chevy needs to go back to the mindset itself of being #1 period. Not fighting Ram for potential buyers who haven’t yet bought a Ford.
This author obviously drives fords. Why would ram only take a chip at chevy sales? are ford loyalist so loyal as to buy fords even at the price of their souls? I dont think so. Fords top sales numbers is a result of two things, older competition and Gm holding back for higher margines over volume. When both the new ram and new Gm’s come out next year they will BOTH steal predominantly from ford and Nissan, even though Nissan doesn’t have much market share. Those will be the old geezers in the race and will look highly dated. Even with the fords sporting newer powertrains than the chevys and newer styling, the chevy’s powertrains are still holding their own. Chevy will blow them away next year
I’ll start by saying right now I own a 2017 Denali 2500 HD Duramax and a 2015 GMC Canyon SLE. All only GM in 34 years. I am 49 years old. First truck1962,1969,1982,1980,1982,2000,2005,2007,2015,2017, in that order, and will never buy anything else. All you other GM owners, have you driven a new Ford lately. If not you should. Just so you get on all the sites you can to say come on GM. Steve Chevy’s powertrains are holding there own. I want better, not hold your own. And yes a loaded 2017 or 2018 Ford most expensive truck is that much better than a 2017 or 2018 GMC most expensive truck. Drive one. Why do you think Denali and High Country out sell GMC and Chevy. We are just trying to get what our brother in laws have without buying a Ford.
I want somebody to put a link that shows 1/2 ton full size truck sales! Then 3/4 ton, then 1 ton sales
See the industry has allowed Ford to get away with combining all of their truck sales even thou they make two different versions of their trucks.
All depends what truck is used for. Contractor needs more than soccer mom.
Assumption: … that GM Execs read this forum. .. If so, food for thought.
I have been a LOYAL GM BUYER since 1964 when I bought a new Chevelle 300. Never have I purchased another domestic or oriental manufactured vehicle but GM and currently own a GMC pickup with many, many new cars/trucks over the years. But, but, but, I want a new truck right now and am in a “funk” because FLAT FENDERS above the wheel wells are a huge ‘turn-off’ to me. GM Execs, 1. round the fender wells 2. offer exciting colors 3. add some exciting trim (Ram and Ford do in a big way). Chevrolet pickups are ‘boring’ compared to other manufactures. Oh yeah, some high level options are nice, but 85 percent of Chevrolets are boring looking and “”thats what the buying public sees””. WAKE-UP GM. …. my opinion — just trying to help — and I hear the above from many others. ……. …. THANKS, gene
Ummmm, yea wake up call, they already do. Dont know which ford loving web sites you been reading.
1) most gm buyers love the squared off wheels. Is it really that big of an issue? i thought you were just asking for louder trims?
2) does ford offer coper green or Cadillac white color options for their trucks?
3) havent you even seen the realtree, midnight or redline editions?
BTW, Chevrolet’s z71 package with the low end gear ratio and standard rancho shocks is everything the new raptor has – 30Hp and three inches of lift. They have the same locking 4X4 system and skidplates. you cant see them in the chevy because the wind bill, but all it takes to have the z71 compete with the raptor is a lift and tire swap
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