Though it continues to dominate truck sales, the Ford F-150 has fallen behind in the trick tailgate game. Its full-size competitors from GMC and Ram both offer fancy multi-way tailgates, with the former blazing a trail with its MultiPro tailgate and the latter recently introducing the barn door-style Multifunction tailgate. Not to be outdone, Ford is reportedly working on a complex tailgate gimmick of its own.
According to Ford Authority, Ford is considering several prototype tailgate designs for development. Sources close to the project say a barn door setup like Ram’s is a top contender. The Ram 1500’s available Multifunction tailgate opens two ways: It can drop down like a traditional tailgate or swing open thanks to side-hinged 60/40 split barn doors. Those barn doors make stepping into the bed easier, and by swinging out up to 88 degrees they offer more loading options.
The proposed tailgate described in Ford Authority’s story has three vertical sections, which can open individually in thirds and likely also drop like a regular tailgate. Spy shots circulating the web show a different design comprised of two pieces in an 80/20 split, but the shots confirm the blog’s reporting of Ford engineers using plywood to mock up quick and dirty prototypes. The use of such materials could suggest the tailgate is still in the early stages of development, and Ford hasn’t decided on a final design yet.
The Blue Oval missed its chance to debut a trick tailgate on the 2021 Ford F-150, which is 92 percent new or revised despite looking largely the same as its predecessor. Instead, Ford opted to improve the existing tailgate with extra tie-down cleats that double as bottle openers and an available Tailgate Work Surface with integrated ruler markings, a pencil holder, and recesses for C-clamps. It’s unclear when Ford will launch its special tailgate option, but given how rough its test mules look, it could be a while.
