Ford is working on a new multifunction tailgate for the Ford F-150, as reported by our sister publication, Ford Authority.
Citing sources familiar with the project, Ford Authority reports that the Blue Oval brand has already benchmarked rival features from General Motors and FCA, including the GMC Sierra’s MultiPro tailgate, and the multifunction tailgate offered on the Ram Pickup. Now, Ford is prototyping its own version of the feature for the full-size Ford F-150.
Among the ideas under consideration is a “barn-door” layout broken up into three sections, with each section opening up individually either left to right, or right to left. The design would also allow the entire tailgate to drop down as a single piece, much like a traditional tailgate.
To speed up development, Ford is currently employing rapid prototyping techniques similar to those used with the 2021 Bronco, including the use of packing foam and plywood.
The new tailgate concept will first see use in the F-Series line of pickups, specifically the Ford F-150, assuming it passes the necessary durability testing and development stages. Ford Authority reports that exact launch timeline is unclear at this point.
Tailgate work surface on the current 2021 Ford F-150
For now, the 2021 Ford F-150 does not offer a multifunction tailgate, making Ford the only automaker of the Big Three not to offer such a feature. Rather, the latest fourteenth-generation Ford pickup offers new tie-downs for extra-long items, and an optional Tailgate Work Surface with a mobile device holder, pencil holder, and integrated rulers. A power up and down tailgate is also optional.
As we reported just last week, General Motors is interested in expanding its line of multifunction tailgates beyond the GMC Sierra MultiPro feature, with plans to add something similar to the Chevy Silverado. The new feature may be called “MultiFlex” when offered on the Silverado, and could arrive for the 2021i (2021 interim) model year, or possibly with the 2022 model year mid-cycle refresh.
Chevy Silverado HD prototype with multifunction tailgate
The new Chevy multifunction tailgate has been spotted numerous times in the past, including on several Chevy Silverado HD prototypes. GM Authority has also learned that there could be something unique to differentiate the MultiFlex tailgate from the MultiPro tailgate, or both tailgates could have identical new features.
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This post was created in collaboration with our sister publication, Ford Authority.
Comments
People let’s not forget when GM made those ads about how stronger the steel bed was in the trucks and how they mocked ford for using aluminum and then when chevy switched to using aluminum door panels all the ford bois were like “gM sToOpiD DeY mOcK fOrD fOr UsInG aLuMiNuM nOw DeY uSe aLuMInUm” and they continued to brag about how all GM does is copy ford…… well bois….. now it’s our time to shine
Copied the front end too.
Another terrible argument that we should stop making. Ford introduced the C-shaped LED lights in 2015. The GMC Sierra didn’t even get LED headlights until a year later when it was refreshed in 2016. The F-150 had the design element of the grille protruding into the headlights for the C-shaped look in 2015. GMC did not add this until the 2019 redesign.
if we want to be technical, GMC introduced c shaped lights on the 2013 acadia
And they followed that with the 2015 Yukon headlights and taillights.
The Arcadia doesn’t have a C-shaped headlight you are referring to a accent light which Jaguar and other European manufacturers did first. Just like Yukon and Expedition copied the high belt, slope roof from Range Rover. Come to think of it I remember seeing the Ford Atlas with C-shaped headlights on the TFL truck YouTube channel. Look it up for yourself.
Then I guess the 2015 F150 doesn’t have C-shaped headlights. The 2015 and atlas headlights are squareish, while to whole lighting assembly and accent lighting is a very odd shaped C. The 2018 is more of an E or 2 C‘s close together. The 2021 accent lighting is more C than all the others f150s when you add all the sections up.
C-shaped as in the grill protruding into the headlight area to give the effect that the housing is wrapping around the grill. Also see the 2018 F-150 or Super Duty.
So the 2021 f150 abandoned the C-shaped headlights? There’s no grill in the light. And we can’t go by accent lighting. Right?
Again, The Ford trucks had the C-shaped headlights and accent lights before the GMC trucks. If you want to go the brand route, then Ford had the C-shaped headlights first and Euro brands had the accent lights first. It’s that simple.
Not really, GM brings it on themselves with smear campaigns in their commercials. As another guy pointed out in another comment section, the whole idea of the multi feature tailgate started with Ford’s tailgate step. GM ran a smear campaign about Ford’s tailgate features only to copy it. They maybe different but all bias aside we know that GM got the Idea from Ford.
The brand new Silverado and Sierra still use high strength steel beds, so that argument is tired and just dumb. They’ve used aluminum body parts for decades on their trucks. Hoods were aluminum. My 2000 Tahoe had an aluminum tailgate too.
Ford copies, it’s what they do. They do it very quickly too where GM usually drags their feet then copies. As a lifelong GM buyer there needs to be big changes to keep me for another purchase because lately it’s been “bare minimum is good enough” over at GM.
The whole argument is just dumb anyway. Peterbilt has been building aluminum trucks for years. The Walmart trailers are made of aluminum, drywall and plywood. Even the flatbeds and cattle trailers are made of aluminum. The big boys have been using it for years to haul 78k pounds.
that comparison still is not accurate. mainly because one is a pickup and the other is a semi but a more accurate comparison if you want to compare pickups to semis would be a pickup to a dump truck. Most dump trucks that haul harsher solid materials (rocks, broken asphalt, etc) use steel bodies while trucks with aluminum bodies haul less harsher materials like dirt, grain, fresh asphalt etc.
It’s not a comparison sir. The point is that the big boys have been using it for years so whats the big deal about a pickup using aluminum. Also there are aluminum dump trucks. Some are for sale on commercial truck trader.
you’re literally comparing them as we speak. the aluminum on semis is not the same as aluminum on pickups. they have 2 completely different uses. and I literally pointed that out already. those aluminum bodies haul finer materials like sand or dirt etc.
You literally just moved the goal post again. You just said that dumps were made of steel not aluminum. I showed you there are aluminum dumps and now you are claiming the aluminium is not the same. Just because I said both use aluminum doesn’t mean I am comparing them. You are trying to move the goal post again. If one is made to haul 78k pounds while the other is made to haul 2k, of course they are not going to be the same. Fact remains it’s aluminum. No different than steel on a class truck is going to be different from the steel on a pickup truck. That’s not even something worth mentioning. Come on man.
I would personally love my F150 to have a tailgate open option like the Ridgeline.
Well the tailgate have to be strong for the owner to push the truck….
For Organized Rejection Delivery…..
Monkey see, monkey do.
The arguments here need to be taken into real context.
The bed argument was Steel vs Aluminum that was damaged. But keeping this in context GM had the Carbon Pro beds coming that will expand as the price comes down with more production. No holes, dents or debate.
As for the tail gate the Ford was just a flimsy man step. The GM gate is not just a step but a multi functional gate that does many useful things. Also many don’t realize that you can even option it with a Kicker sound system with blue tooth.
All the Aluminum did was hurt the profits as the Aluminum added more cost and Ford held the line as much as they could on price. GM did the mixed materials plan that other MFGs are adopting today to reduce weight but also keep rising material cost balanced to keep the profit up. Mixed materials is not a sexy marketing thing but is was the right way forward.
Might note Ford is not going aluminum on the Ranger. I think they learned from their mistakes.
The Ridgeline swing gate really does nothing but swings. It is still in the way and still has no assist.
The Ram doubles down on being in the way and do you really want a split gate?
GM solved the step is due much better with the bumper steps. They are much easier and useful to use.
The argument is garbage because class A trucks have been aluminum for years. Peterbilt trucks have been aluminum for years and the trailers that they pull are made of aluminum. Your claim Ford lost money for using aluminum and GM made money by going aluminum makes no sense at all. Per the Detroit free press, Ford full size trucks have a higher average transaction price than all other trucks. Meaning people are willing to pay more for Ford trucks than any other brand. Next the carbron bed can’t be repaired. If it is damaged in an accident the whole thing has to be replaced. The real context is Ford does it first, GM tries to smear it and then puts their own twist on it. Foot wear and shoes are the same thing. Just because you give it a new name doesn’t mean it’s original. GM can call it whatever they want but we know the idea comes from the Ford “man step”. No different than Ford going aluminum then GM sees that people accept it so they go aluminium. Ford introduces the King Ranch and shows GM there is a market for upper trim trucks then GM makes a Sierra Denali to answer it. Ford makes the Raptor now Ram answers it. Ford starts the Eddie Bauer upper trim in the 80’s, GM sees its successful and starts the Denali lineup.
The 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche introduced the corner step in the bumper. Based on your thinking, Ford copied GM by adding a flimsy pull out step in their tailgate.
In reality, who cares? What’s the benefit of one coming out with a feature first? Most truck buyers are dedicated to their brand. Obviously you won’t consider anything but Ford and will do anything you can to place them above any manufacturer despite their flaws
What does a bumper have to do with the tailgate? My point is anyone can see the step and pull out bar on the GMC tailgate was inspired by Ford. Who can deny that? The people making the replies obviously care. You don’t know what I would consider sir. If you want to bring up the bumper step then let’s go back to 1957 when Ford introduced the Flareside. It had a step on the side so you could gain access to the truck bed. GM once again ran a smear campaign saying how it took away so much cargo room. Then in typical GM media style they came out with their own version two years later in 1959 and called it the Stepside. And would you know it, they advertised it like it was something that has never been seen before. I don’t hate GM trucks but the marketing department with their smear campaigns has been terrible for years.
Crock how fitting,,,,, You are trying to compare a semi to a high volume pick up truck. The scale changes everything here Also the semi cab is not the same thing or used the same way as a pick up other than towing, they do not have to meet the same crash or roll over standards either.
I did not say Ford is not making any money. I said they are not realizing as high profits as they had anticipated. The higher cost of the aluminum has resulted in lower profits and to compensate less discounts hence the higher transaction price.
Ford trucks cost more to build + Less rebates = higher transaction price with less profits.
So Ford has refused the Aluminum for the Ranger and it will be interesting if they keep the high aluminum content in future half tons.
GM took the step from the Avalanche to start with. As for the GM gate they actually made it something worth while in holding cargo and more than just being a one trick pony,
Sure Ford has done many great things yet they are still nearly broke and only the Family ownership has saved the company from being broken or bought up.
Ford has a long history of great people working for them but a longer history of poor business decisions going back to Henry Ford refusing to move on from the T, Edsel got them going right then died. Henry II was nothing but a drunk and did as much damage as good. Right now they are. Lee did good but today the ship is looking for a strong captain and they have made another change recently.
Ford is in dire need of a partner to go electric and the real question is will it be Ford or GM? They are already working with both now, The Mach E was seen at the GM proving ground.
No, the big boys haul freight 24/7 365 using aluminium and have been for years. Showing that all the stink kicked up by the GM camp over aluminum was a stupid argument from the start. Next Aluminum Ford trucks had a better crash ratings than the steel ones. Feel free to research it yourself my friend.
No, you have to consider volume. Ford sold almost one million F-series trucks in 2019. The Ranger doesn’t come near that amount. Ford can keep the cost lower with an all aluminum F-series because of the amount that are sold. They a lot less Rangers so it doesn’t make sense to go all aluminum.
The first bed step appeared on the 1957 Ford Flareside.
Yea, and the same thing was being clamored back in 08 but it turned out GM filed for bankruptcy.
Poor business decisions? Who doesn’t?? Ford announced they were getting out of building sedans. GM got word of it and jumped on it with both feet. Mary Barra quickly took to the podium and claimed Ford owners would want their sedans. GM dealer lots quickly became bloated and GM dumped the sedans onto rental lots quickly driving down the resale value of sedans. Or the millions GM blew moving the Cadillac headquarters back and forth from Michigan. Or the millions wasted developing the Black wing V8 Only to never see it make it to production. Or jumping the gun and losing money on every Bolt built.
Way ahead of yourself my friend. It will be years before EV’s are affordable and we have the proper infrastructure for it.
That truck is ugly and screams, ” Look at me, I’m a RAM”