GM has filed a patent application for a cable-free pickup truck tailgate system. The application was assigned patent number US 2025/0043605 with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and was published on February 6th, 2025. The GM patent application was originally submitted on July 31st, 2023, and lists several Michigan-based engineer Scott Lee Bodell as the inventor.
The patent application describes a pickup truck tailgate system that eliminates the support cables traditional used in tailgates. Rather than cables, the system described in the patent relies on a pair of adjustable hinges that allow the tailgate to be positioned in multiple ways, giving truck owners more flexibility in how they use their truck bed.
The patent describes a truck cargo box with a base, side walls, and tailgate, with the tailgate attached using the specialized hinges. The hinges allow the tailgate to pivot freely while also securing it in different positions without the need for external support.
In the fully closed position, the tailgate is upright and flush against the truck bed, just like a standard tailgate. It can also be placed in an intermediate position, where it’s slightly open at a set angle, offering partial access to the truck bed. A second intermediate position allows the tailgate to be opened even further, but still not fully extended. Finally, the tailgate can be moved to a fully open position, where it lays completely flat, extending the truck bed for easy loading and unloading.
A key feature of this system is a release mechanism that lets the user easily transition between these positions. The hinges also include a control system, such as a cam or locking pawl, that prevents the tailgate from moving unexpectedly.
Unlike traditional tailgates, which use cables to stop the tailgate at a fixed open position, this system removes cables entirely. The multiple lockable positions make the tailgate more versatile, allowing truck owners to adjust it based on their needs. Another advantage is improved safety, as the system prevents sudden drops or unintended movement.
Comments
Useless gimmick that will unjustifiably drive up the price of what is essentially a work vehicle, moronic
Cables are cheap this is not.
Probably will end up on upper trim levels/optional tailgates.
I’ve never had a need to open a tailgate halfway.
This is all about saving a buck on the cables. If they need to do that, bring back the bars, which won’t break and are probably cheaper to make.
I do not know about saving a buck on the cables, this contraption has the appearance of being complicated & expensive. I wholeheartedly agree with you about the bars, that is the best & safest. I would like to see them with the option to open at different angles. That would be useful when hauling an atv, lawn tractor or trail bike .
There is nothing new about this concept, this system was doable during the 1940’s but the cost would have prohibitive at that time and even today the cost of such a mechanism is likely to be extremely expensive unless it is incorporated in every Chevy and GMC truck model.
NEVER WORK. GM WILL FIND A WAY TO SCREW UP ANYTHING. THEY SHOULD CHANGE THEIR NAME TO ” RECALL MOTORS”
So another thing that can break on my Chevy before it reaches 20k? If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. I still don’t get why guys switch from cables to hydraulics so the slow open.
All those engineers have to be designing some new wizbang to keep their jobs. I still say they are missing a massive market of simple, no frills trucks, vinyl floor mats, cloth plain seats, no power doors, no emissions(charge a fee like dodge did for the longest), smaller tires/wheels, no fancy lights or mirrors or computers running everything. They would sell.
Eliminating the cables will transfer load directly to the hinge/pawl mechanism, not to mention the needed strengthening of the tailgate sides to carry the load. As others have said, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”.
I don’t own a pickup as I borrow my son’s 2024 Silverado when necessary. Currently when I need to load something heavy such as my 30 year old Troy Bilt Horse rototiller (350 lbs or so) I just open the tailgate, attach a loading ramp and drive it on. For some reason I would have to see someone try loading something heavy before I would try loading on this new tailgate design.
Also, how would the new design hold up to the salty environment here in the Northeast and the coastal areas?
I hope that gm doesn’t adopt this new design.
faulty design from the get go, if it aint broke dont fix it, will be a hard to fix,replacing cables is easy
Interesting idea. I can imagine a few situations where it could be useful. I would suggest, however, that their energy would be better on increasing the reliability of their power trains. Lifter failure on an $80,000.00 pickup truck before 40,000 miles deserves resources devoted to a fix before yet another gimmicky tailgate does. Just saying.