When GMC introduced the new MultiPro Tailgate on the 2019 Sierra 1500 last year, we were (and still are) impressed. Not only did it offer vastly expanded functionality thanks to its six configurable positions, including a primary gate load stop, a full-width step, and an inner gate work surface, but it managed to do so through clever engineering and no extra digital doodads. However, since its introduction, some Sierra owners have notified us of an “issue” that should probably be brought to light: in its lowest configuration, the GMC Sierra MultiPro Tailgate can hit a ball hitch.
We recently got a chance to test the claim for ourselves with a 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 AT4. Without the ball hitch, the tailgate’s mid-gate drops exactly as intended, providing easier bed access as well as an extra step-up, along with all of its other benefits.
However, when we attached a standard ball hitch to the truck, we found that the GMC Sierra MultiPro tailgate would actually sit at a 45-degree angle when the mid-gate was dropped.
Obviously, this is less than ideal, as not only does it prevent the use of the step feature along with easier access to the bed, but it could also potentially scratch the paint or even dent the tailgate for those who drop it without exercising care or caution.
Luckily, GMC is aware of the issue, and even included this handy little sticker on the inside of the bed to notify owners not to lower the mid-gate when using the hitch.
Quite frankly, we’re somewhat mystified why anyone would consider this to be a real “issue.” After all, one can still open the tailgate normally (without dropping the mid-gate) on the 2019 GMC Sierra when a ball hitch is attached. In addition, the Sierra also comes with the CornerStep rear bumper – cutouts in the bumper to make it easier and more convenient to step up into the bed – so it’s not like bed access is limited when there’s a hitch attached. To the contrary, access to the bed with a hitch is identical to any other pickup truck on the market.
To that end, we think it’s far better to have the GMC Sierra MultiPro Tailgate and to be aware of its one limitation with a hitch, rather than not have the MultiPro Tailgate at all. The tailgate works like a standard (traditional) tailgate when a hitch is attached, while gaining significantly expanded functionality when the hitch comes off. All this makes this entire scenario a non-issue to us.
So, what do you think, readers? Is this an issue GMC should (somehow) address, or is it fine exactly how it is? Let us know in the poll, and voice your opinions in the comments.
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Comments
Ouch!
Order OR purchase a 60K oh wait 80K plus truck, then forget to remove the hitch as it was kinda late OR u always have one as a parking lot or tail gater deterrent. Then you hit the remote tail gate open. You then drop the step as your hands are full so you can step in… massive ding on a expensive tailgate. A micro sw of some sort will keep that section from folding down. Oh well its too late for the 2020 models.
Chuck
Take the hitch off when you’re not using it. It normally just works like a bump stop damaging the cars of others when you leave the bar and almost never as a deterrent. Give others a break and don’t be so lazy. Oh and retract those trailer mirrors when not in use too, other need to share the road.
Well what if you are using the Hitch? How anyone doesn’t see an issue with this is ridiculous and just a GM fan no matter what and will never point to any flaws.
This is a Terrible design and I cannot believe GM thinks this was ok to Mass Produce. If I am a Rival Company, I am making so many Media and Commercials making fun of this that GM’s head will be spinning.
Man the 1500’s just keep getting worse and worse news by the Day. I hope GM knows what they are doing and are in Full Court Press to redesign all their weaknesses on these Trucks ASAP.
I bought one of these when they first came out and its worked well for me, and much cheaper than fixing a dented up tailgate.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B081245HDQ/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=splitgate+override&qid=1572983683&sr=8-1
I believe it’s actually illegal to drive with the hitch in the receiver in Minnesota. Also, if the hitch is left in the receiver, it’s so easily stolen. I know of few people that actually leave the hitch in the receiver. It’s great tailgate and the consumers I talk to love it.
Only happens to A..Holes that insist on leaving a ball sticking out and pull a trailer once a month or less.
I agree, this is unacceptable! If I stand too close to the tailgate on a truck, the tailgate hits my leg when I let it down. This is a definite design flaw!
If I’m parked too close to a car behind me, the tailgate hits their car hood when I drop it. This is also a design flaw!
We won’t stand for this! We demand the mandatory installation of hundreds or thousands of dollars worth of failure–prone sensors and electronics to prevent the tailgate from being opened when the trailer hitch is installed, or someone is standing too close, or when parked too close to something.
Or maybe, perhaps, people need to take responsibility for their actions…
This is no different than dropping the tailgate with a trailer on and denting the tailgate on the trailer jack. People will do it. GM isn’t responsible.
Ryan yes it IS a great tail gate. I totally agree, but personally I don’t leave my hitch with its giddy up in the reciever. But you have to think the some what bigger picture… there are 49 other states that utilize that tail gate AND there are people that WILL leave the hitch in and complain when it messes their tail gate. Remember Roy that professional fisherman that hit his shin on his hitch…. lol, In our community the hitch is the least of police enforcement. They have a lot bigger problems.
Illegal in PA as well. $300 fine and yes they have much better things to do but still write you up for it. But hey, It’s always someone else fault !
Serves them right! PU owners are the worst offenders for leaving their hitch installed when not using it. Has nobody else ever witnessed someone injuring themselves walking on a sidewalk near a truck backed over it so to not extend into an aisle?
I am a Chevy customer that just purchased a 2019 2500HD so this issue does not affect me. However I think that this is an obvious miss by their engineering staff in the development process of this feature. It is a cool feature, but not if there is an interference condition with such a common hitch configuration. I have always left my ball hitch in place and am sure that I am not alone.
Of course there are many who leave the ball hitch on all the time, or when they won’t be needing it. However the bottom line is that it is inconsiderate and causes unnecessary damage to other vehicles whose drivers may not be able to see it when parking. People can also get nasty cracks on the knee or shin while trying to walk past in parking lots. I wouldn’t blame someone victimized by your hitch for retaliating. Don’t be an obviously inconsiderate person, please.
While I don’t think it is a big deal, the fix would be fairly easy. Add a sensor to the receiver and if a hitch is inserted, don’t electronically allow the lower gate to drop down. Fixed!
Yeah, keep adding more features to the truck that 1. drive up the cost to unreasonable prices, 2 provide “convenience” add ons that will require the consumer returning to the dealer due for warranty work, 3. continue to have designers and engineers design and develop these “convenience packages” that appeal to only the folks that rarely use a truck for its intended purpose ( hauling & working)!
It’s Hillbilly Chic to leave the ball hitch in the receiver. Think about it.
How lazy must one be to think this is a design flaw?! It is to Alex on Autos etc…..
I own a Ram so this does not currently affect me. However, I do not leave my hitch on when I’m not towing something so this wouldn’t be a problem either. This is not nor should it be GMs responsibly especially considering they are already aware of it and put up a warning label to prevent people from doing it. People need to take ownership of their vehicles and take responsibility for their stupidity. If they dent their tailgate, that’s there fault.
I can see being careful and one day just forgetting and bang, you got a dent. Stuff happens.
Not a design issue, some people would complain that a free beer wasn’t their brand.
This is not unlike trying to use my Silverado back up assist with a ball in the receiver OR opening the tailgate. 45 deg open with the cables looped over the latch pins does work however!
Did anyone bother to test a drop hitch that gives clearance for the midgate to fully drop?!
And if your truck is too low to require that much of a drop get bigger wheels and tires or a suspension lift to make up the difference since you are already $60,000 deep in a new truck. Seriously I laugh at these first class problems.
I lifted my truck with a 7in lift on 35s and have a drop hitch, it still hits the hitch itself just not the ball so there needs to be a better fix by GMC, but u are right its definitely a first class kinda person problem….
I own the truck and feel ripped off, you have a awesome feature that is usable. Plus it’s kinda embarrassing when your out with the buddies and of course the Ford guys are having a good laugh at your expense. GMC should produce a trailer hitch that will work with it.
I love this tailgate.
As I have said before GM can fix this RIGHT NOW for FREE !!
If GM had any real tech people they can simply use the camera system already on the truck and stop the second tailgate button from working when the camera sees the anything protruding further in the hitch location.
Update the BCM over the air and DONE.
Will GM do this, NOPE.
Why, the just don’t care what the customer wants !!!
Just like the bed lights in the box, they could turn on just like a dome light off the tailgate signal, DONE.
GM simply has ZERO CUSTOMER SERVICE.
A real man has a B&W tow and stow hitch. When not in use a real man stores the ball in the stow position. Much ado about nothing.
This is like that problem when you leave your hitch in and you hit your shin on it. Here’s Your Sign.
How are you going to use your step when your towing a trailer. I guess some think GM need to come up with some voodoo to fix that also.
Just don’t get this tailgate if it’s too complicated to for you to figure out.
Nothing mentioned here yet…But what about those that use their hitch daily?
This is no different than when you open your door in a parking lot and if there is a pole in the way you just do not open it all the way.
The simple way to deal with this is if you are incapable of knowing your limits then buy the Chevy with the remote gate and if you need the gate and are responsible enough to deal with it buy the GMC.
Anyone who will dent it on the ball will dent it on the trailer jack anyways.
You can fool proof most things but it is difficult to idiot proof everything. At some point the owner needs to take responsibility for their own actions.
There is always some jerk that will push the bottom step button when vehicle is unlocked by mistake .. Not if it will happen ,its when it happens lol
If I was GM I would implement the Tow Hitch that the Land Rover Discovery utilizes ASAP. They cannot allow their Rivals to use this mistake against them. It is an easy Solution.
Put a tennis ball on the hitch ball or put a reminder label on top of the tailgate about the hitch.
nobody cares about what whoever doesnt like about something. dont like it scroll and laugh
I bought one of these over-ride switches when they first came out and it’s worked out great for me, and much cheaper than fixing a dented up tailgate.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B081245HDQ/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=splitgate+override&qid=1572983683&sr=8-1
Took me 5 minutes to disconnect the wire to the step .. I Dont use it and dont like it.. Problem solved. Oh im one of the azzholes that leaves his ball in the hitch year round
Disagree, it is clearly a design flaw, GM dropped the tailgates at the press release and looked foolish. I have the multi purpose tailgate on a 2020 GMC Sierra, the engineer team on this project should be fired for sucking at their jobs. I do remove my hitch when not in use, but when I am in northern Michigan and I am using trailers all day, i do not remove my hitch every couples of hours especially since not leaving my property. I agree that people that leave hitches in all the time are idiots looking to hurt other vehicles. GM should offer to fix all damaged tailgates and make the plastic on the tailgate cover this area with a rubber stopper of some sorts. i hope some GM engineers read this as it will be changed in next year or two. I just still can not understand how many people looked at this design and signed off on it, maybe I will throw some Buick stickers on it and everyone will understand.
Don’t consider it an issue ??? Luv my new Sierra . Got all the “bells & whistles”. BUT , GMC Engineering … how ‘bout showing up with me when my friends meet me at the cabin , boat still hooked up & help me make sure they don’t drop gate on trailer ball while helping me unload items fro bed. The TC
It SHOULDN’T be able to hit a ball hitch, period. It would still hit a trailer when connected to the hitch. If you know, you wanted to use the step feature to climb into a boat from the bed or something. Stop telling people it’s only a problem because they are too lazy to take off the hitch. Yeah, if you do clunk the trailer, on you I guess, but bad design. Also, if someone hits the hitch with their car, its THEIR FAULT they can’t drive! Why do you need to get so close!? Ya, best practice is to take it off, but don’t blame others for your clumsiness.
Stupid product anyways. All you need is a durable ass tailgate, possibly with a gas shock assist. Maybe a step (AT MOST) that drops out the bottom when in open position, with a latch mechanism that is DURABLE and doesn’t rattle. Outside of that, sheer gimmick. Just figure out how to use a ratchet strap ffs. The Dodge, Ford, tailgates from 08′ and earlier were heavy as hell, but guess what, they were STRONG. Rarely do I see a broken one. See broken GM, Dodge, sometimes Ford ones on newer trucks daily. GM handles falling off, Dodge gates getting dented or bent on top. They still probably take more abuse than this thing ever will.
really men!! whats the problem with leaving your hitch on your truck isnt that what a truck is for??? come on i leave my antenna on when im not listening to the radio whats up with this? most every truck that comes into the shop i work at has a hitch on it
how is cbd consumed
This is such a design flaw it is mind blowing. If you have a trailer on the full tailgate will hit the the trailer jack arm so it is nice the have the split gate to get access while connected. But then the split gate hits the hitch and you risk damage.
Simple fix is lower the main hitch bar a couple inches. Don’t just put a sticker that says caution we’re stupid and can’t fix this 80k-110k truck design.