General Motors introduced the Multi-Flex tailgate with the 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500, offering a Chevy-branded version of GMC’s MultiPro tailgate that includes the same capabilities and functions. However, the Multi-Flex tailgate can also result in damage when dropped on a ball hitch, as GM Authority covered previously. There is, however, a solution to this problem.
As a brief recap, the Chevy Silverado’s Multi-Flex tailgate includes an inner tailgate function that hinges the upper-most portion of the tailgate, thus allowing it to swing down and provide the user with things like a full-width step up into the bed, an inner gate load stop, and an inner gate work surface. However, if the inner gate is dropped with the primary gate already lowered and the vehicle is equipped with a ball hitch, then it could be damaged.
With that in mind, a recent post from GM TechLink outlines how to disable the inner tailgate from dropping in order to prevent any potential damage.
Looking at the Chevy Silverado Multi-Flex tailgate, we see two buttons located on the tailgate itself, including an upper button and a lower button. The lower button opens the primary gate, while the upper button opens the inner gate. Press both to open both gates at the same time.
To disable the inner gate, users can press and hold the upper tailgate button for three seconds. The key fob must by within three feet of the rear bumper for this to work. After three seconds, the taillights will flash, indicating that the inner tailgate has been disabled.
To reenable the inner gate function, once again press and hold the upper tailgate button for three seconds. The taillights will flash, indicating that the function is once again active.
As GM Authority covered previously, tailgatefix.com developed a product that also prevents the inner gate from dropping when a ball hitch is attached, with customers offered a manual override switch and an auto-engage override switch.
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Comments
Its a STUPID complicated tail gate and it has been since the day it came out.
It’s only complicated for those who are drowning in a sea of intellectual uncertainty….
Kapow!
I’m sure you would know all about that considering the only place you are going to sell your book is cheap crappy amazon.
What is complicated about this tailgate? I have one and there is absolutely nothing complicated about it. If you find this complicated I wonder what other simple things in life you find complicated.
It’s so simple a caveman can do it.
Lol, that’s just something Ford and Dodge owners say when asked about GMs great tailgate feature. I’ve owned two and my current AT4 multi use tailgate is used all the time, especially when chilling with the kicker system playing favorite tunes. I mean, why hate progress and innovation. It’s very useful and purposefully built. Period.
I agree with Ry. I thought the MultiPro was just a gimmick, till I got my 21 Denali. It makes the truck much easier to get in and out of, and to load things.
It’s great for loading an engine. By dropping the center section you to get the engine hoist further into the bed, placing the engine over the rear axle, instead of behind it. For those that aren’t aware of what happens when you get that kind of weight behind the axle, let’s just say a truck’s a lot safer, and better handling with all the weight over the axle. The step also makes it a lot easier and safer when loading 5 gallon cans of race fuel, mounted 10″ wide race tires, spare rears, etc.
If I have a complaint it’s that the gate is pretty heavy, especially with the Kicker system. Still, it’s probably no harder to lift than the old gates were, before GM came up with the EZ Lift hinges.
same guy that has his neighbour over to build his new bbq. tooooo complicated.
Why do it yourself when you can have a sucker do it for you.
The real problem is too many leave the ball hitch in place when they are rarely used. Many think it helps prevent damage to their truck on a light rear end collision and in some cases it might. But cracking your shines on one hurts more. On my Silverado, the rear backup sensors would fire off an alarm while backing up when the ball hitch was left in, therefore, I always removed it.
Some states have laws prohibiting leaving them in when not in use, specifically because it causes more damage during an accident (defeats the purpose of low speed collision bumpers). And B&W makes a stow & go hitch for both 1500 and HD trucks with this tailgate allowing the ball to be stored under the truck when not in use, and avoiding collision with the sub-gate. (The 1500/2″ receiver style has a recess cut into the back relative to its predecessor, while the HD/2.5″ has an angled bracket.)
I’ve been selling GMCs since well before these were introduced. To date I’ve seen precisely one damaged tailgate. The vast majority of owners grasp that the two can’t occupy the same space, so take the hitch out when not in use. If that’s too complicated for some then they shouldn’t be driving, period.
Why should I care about the damage to someone’s vehicle that rear ends me? I had a person rear end me while I was taking my son to the hospital. Being that I was in a hurry and there wasn’t even a scratch on my Chevy truck and his front end was destroyed I said I was not going to hang around to report an accident. It was his lucky day I could have claimed whiplash.
Or you guy buy a hitch that is made to match with these tailgates and prevents the tailgate from hitting altogether.
B&W makes several.
Exactly, it’s nice that you can override the upper gate but the best solution is to get the right hitch for the job and not worry about it.
Most people don’t need a drop hitch, let alone a $280 B&W. My truck has a 2.5 lift and I run a straight hitch for my boat and 7T dump. My 5×8 utility can use a 2″ drop but most times I have the bed loaded so the squat works in my favor.
Nice love the bro-dozer look. Have you widened it yet? You no you are not official unless you have a pair of nuts swinging from the back.
What brodozer? I said I don’t have a drop hitch. What is it with people named Jake on GMA Sheesh
A 2.5 lift that is the start of making a bro-dozer, you need to widen it and put big rims minimum of 24s and make sure you have the pair of nuts swinging from the rear bumper. You will be official then.
No it’s not you goof. AT4, TrailBoss, Rebel. None are brodozers. Troll away, you don’t even know what a brodozer is, lol you think 2.5″ is brodozer? GTFO
Sir 2.5″ is not any where near ‘brodozer’ type customization. 6″ MINIMUM, 24″ dished rims, HUGE chrome drop hitch, recovery chains or shackles hanging off the front. You’re being a punk. The guy said he runs a straight hitch, that’s anti-dozer.
Never heard someone call a person sir and punk at the same time. Did you take your psyche meds today?
I did, ma’am.
You need to ask your doctor for an increase then they aren’t working.
Will this work on the 2019 Sierra ?
Yes, same
Isn’t this for old people so they can actually get in the back of the truck?
Old people just lay the regular tailgate down and roll into the bed of the truck. Personally I wouldn’t have a use for this tailgate. I can reach almost everything that happens to be in the bed of my truck.
Best tail gate ever. I use it every day
They is also a aftermarket switch than can be installed that if a hitch is in the receiver the upper tailgate piece will not function
They also sell a aftermarket switch that can be installed and when something is slid into the receiver it disables the upper part of the tailgate
Well, maybe don’t open the inner portion when the tailgate is down to avoid hitting the hitch. I know it sounds complicated, but it’s doable.
So, yeah it’s a great tailgate for OGs. Easy to get in and out of, easy to load and unload as you can get closer with having to climb in, and the flip up to extend the short bed is really cool. I also have the Kicker entertainment system. Wish it gad better sound quality but still love it. I have a 2019 GMC Sierra Denali with the ultimate package and 6.2 V8 with the Catback exhaust and factory cold air intake. Truly a man’s truck. Y’all can trash the tailgate all ya want. You won’t change my mind. I love it… and my truck.
Man’s truck? You buy the box checker edition in suburbia, GTFO here with that. You’re the reason the trucks have been going downhill the past decade or two. Let me guess, you tell everyone you talk to exactly what you have down to the options and accessories and the truck has never seen a dirt road, load in the bed or weight on the hitch with those rubber band tires…
I didn’t know that a truck had to be driven on dirt roads, to qualify as a truck. I avoid dirt roads with my truck, at all costs, yet I still use as a truck.
Now I don’t know what M Jarvis does with his Denali, but mine gets used as a truck all the time. I tow a cargo trailer to auto swap meets with it, tow race cars, haul car parts (even engines), and still manage to keep it spotless and brand new looking. I have a Denali because I like having a comfortable truck. Road America’s a 14 hour ride for me, and Sebring, where I’m going next moth, is over 17.
I don’t know, maybe you think a truck’s only a truck if it has crank windows and rubber mats. I drove trucks like that years ago, and I can tell you there’s nothing wrong with having a comfortable “work truck”, especially when you’re looking at an 1100 mile road trip.
Take it hunting all the time. Iff road mode works well. I’m an OG so I.really like the retractable running boards and the multi-pro tailgate. Step up makes it easy on the knees especially after 26 years walking on the hard decks of a nuclear submarine… so yeah, I think it’s the truck I’ve always wanted. Versitile, tough, and a true pleasure to drive… looks cool too!
Will the tailgate still work properly when it gets all rusted. Alot of people should learn how to spell properly on this forumn, ha. Lol.
Does NOT work on my 2021 Sierra 3500. Tried 6 times. The gate opens when pressed and held and nothing else.
Seems like a design flaw if it requires human intervention to prevent it from damaging itself.
This doesn’t work on my 2022 Denali refresh? If you press and hold the power button it just flashes the lights and opens.