Just last week, we covered the news that General Motors’ crosstown rival, Ford Motor Company, was working on a new multifunction tailgate for the F-150. Now, per a new report from our sister publication, Ford Authority, photographic evidence reveals that the new Ford tailgate has yet to advance beyond the plywood stages.
These new photos reveal Ford employees prototyping a 13th-generation F-150 with a barn-style tailgate made out of plywood. The prototype Ford tailgate appears to have an 80-20 split, and comes with a vertical pull handle located on the passenger side.
As we’ve reported previously, the Blue Oval brand has already benchmarked rival offerings from General Motors and FCA, the former of which offers the MultiPro Tailgate on the GMC Sierra, and the latter of which offers a multifunction tailgate on the Ram Pickup. As it just so happens, a GMC Sierra can be seen parked next to the prototype F-150 with the plywood Ford tailgate prototype in these new photos.
Ford is notable as the only automaker of the Big Three not to offer a multifunction tailgate.
Luckily for Blue Oval fans, the new Ford tailgate won’t actually be made from plywood in some bizarre attempt to shave weight. Rather, the automaker is simply using the material as a rapid prototyping technique similar to those used for development of the 2021 Bronco. Still, this prototype looks like something you’d expect on a shed, not a truck.
This barn-style design is reportedly one of several designs current under consideration. Another design under consideration incorporates three vertical sections in a barn-style layout capable of opening individually in thirds, including left-to-right, and right-to-left. Presumably, the three sections could also drop down as a single unit like a traditional drop-down tailgate.
It’s unclear at this time which design the new Ford tailgate will eventually adopt, or the exact launch schedule. That said, the Ford F-150 will be the first model to offer the automaker’s new multifunction design.
New multifunction tailgate on Silverado HD prototype
As we reported previously, General Motors is expanding the availability of its multifunction tailgate to the Chevy Silverado, with the latest indicating the use of the name “MultiFlex,” and arrival for the 2021i (2021 interim) model year, or possibly with the 2022 model year mid-cycle refresh.
Subscribe to GM Authority for ongoing General Motors news coverage.
This post was created in collaboration with our sister publication, Ford Authority.
Comments
Correction that is military grade plywood sir!
😂 😂 😂
And a little stronger than the aluminum bed!
Just as I predicted.
You predicted Ford would bring back the barn door tailgate from the Lincoln truck?
Anybody have a Sierra with the multipro and can chime in on how often you use the extra functions in the real world? I personally don’t think I’d use it very often but maybe I’m not realizing it would be handy. I sure don’t think the Ram’s split tailgate would be worth it.
I think the split tailgate idea would be pretty handy. When it’s opened you’re that much closer to the actual bed, rather than being positioned way past the bumper with whatever you’re handling.
I have it on my 2020 SLT and can say that i use most of the features quite frequently. Sometimes its just a party trick, but often time its function is actually very handy. Couple situations where i find it quite handy:
1) when i am connected to a trailer, i can open up the top section to access the bed (i have tonneau cover) and slide things in and out, without risking dropping the whole tailgate on the jacks
2) when i am unloading cargo, dropping the midgate so i can get closer to the bed
3) i have used it as a load stop in both configurations and it has been very helpful when using that.
4) less frequently, but i have used it as a step to get into the bed….and on occasion as a seat…but that is more of a party trick
I don’t have it but sure could use it often the flip up panel to hold cargo would really help.
Nah that’s just it’s production tailgate……
Fixed On Road Devices…
This is old hat, the barn style tailgate was on the Lincoln truck.
Swing out tailgates were pretty standard on 60s and 70s station wagons, too. This is just a modern interpretation with more electronic gadgets.
That is nothing new. We have lots of old Ford trucks here with similar tailgates. Not kidding!
Just a regular, run-of-the-mill redneck tailgate. Nothing to see here.
I’m more interested in the contraption on the truck to the left.
I have a reliable source from Ford, Mr. Jethro Bo Dean. He measured up and personally cut it out of “Grannys #2 Out-house.” Jethro says Granny likes it attached to her Model A proto-type D. (D-4-Dump) She says she can watch the deer rut, and still work her quilt. all why “do’n her bezzniz. Who ever knew that Granny was head of R&D?
It’s actually a very clever design in that it hides the bungy cord that keeps the side beds walls vertical.