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Knickell

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Ford Working on Trick Tailgate Says Patent Filings
(
Ford Working on Trick Tailgate Says Patent Filings - Motor Illustrated )


New tailgate in development:


Ford F-150 Ford Files Patent For Multifunction Tailgate 1642009655642

  • Combines folding and opening features from GM and Ram
  • No name yet for extra-intricate tailgate
Ford has been tailing behind GM and Ram in the pickup gate department ever since GMC launched its Multipro configurable part and Ram launched its own barn-door design. Now reports from CarBuzz have uncovered a patent filing that suggest the Ford F-150 will show up with a tailgate that aims to beat both.

Ford F-150 Ford Files Patent For Multifunction Tailgate 1642009671674


The big four pickups fight tooth and nail to one-up each other with every model year. Sometimes it’s more power, sometimes it is high-tech towing, and sometimes it’s trick features you never knew you needed. This new Ford tailgate is one of those.
Ford F-150 Ford Files Patent For Multifunction Tailgate 1642009686970

Patent drawings filed with the US PTO show a tailgate that is divided into three horizontal sections. One figure shows the gate opening flat like a conventional tailgate. Another shows the center section opening sideways, like the rear door on a Ford Bronco. That lets you store longer items in the box while keeping shorter items inside thanks to dividers that can be installed in the bed.
Ford F-150 Ford Files Patent For Multifunction Tailgate 1642009707891

The side-opening door also makes it easier for the average person to reach into the ever-increasing pickup box to store and remove their cargo without having to climb up into the box.
Ford F-150 Ford Files Patent For Multifunction Tailgate 1642009722109

The GM tailgate opens and then folds down to make a step. Handy, but the step interferes with the trailer hitch, so the two can’t be used at the same time without damage. Ford’s patent filings show a new bed access step that is integrated into the bumper rather than the tailgate. This means it can be used with the gate up or the tailgate door open, though it’s not clear if it could be used with the tailgate open conventionally. The drawings do show an in-tailgate step much like Ford’s current step that would come out of the tri-split tailgate’s top lid.
Ford F-150 Ford Files Patent For Multifunction Tailgate 1642009890373

Ford F-150 Ford Files Patent For Multifunction Tailgate 1642009912601

There’s no name yet for the new Ford tailgate, but expect it to be something cool by the time this clever new idea sees production.


Additional sources:
New Ford F-150 Tailgate Combines The Best Of Ram And Chevy | CarBuzz
TAILGATE WARS: Ford Files Patent For New Multifunction F-150 Tailgate - AutoSpies Auto News
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Bannerman

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Looks complicated.
 

GolfR

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Hope you aren't worried about payload, that looks heavy and it will require electric assistance to get it up and down.
 

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Pedaldude

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Absolutely no improvement over the old school station wagon style multi function tailgate that the Ridgeline has been using.

The Ridgeline style is nice, since you can sweep leaves, gravel and other crap out of the pickup box without having to remove the tailgate or have it get stuck between the tailgate/bed gap.

Ford F-150 Ford Files Patent For Multifunction Tailgate F9219EA8-95F8-43CB-AC1A-6B8EECC190A7
Ford F-150 Ford Files Patent For Multifunction Tailgate A167B0B8-8618-4899-81E0-4B191CA3E6B6
 

UGADawg96

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Absolutely no improvement over the old school station wagon style multi function tailgate that the Ridgeline has been using.

The Ridgeline style is nice, since you can sweep leaves, gravel and other crap out of the pickup box without having to remove the tailgate or have it get stuck between the tailgate/bed gap.

F9219EA8-95F8-43CB-AC1A-6B8EECC190A7.jpeg
A167B0B8-8618-4899-81E0-4B191CA3E6B6.jpeg
I remember growing up in the 80s and all the moms had these reverse rear seat wagons. Kids would fight over who got to sit in the way back. Oh the nostalgia. :)

Ford F-150 Ford Files Patent For Multifunction Tailgate 1642037143004


Ford F-150 Ford Files Patent For Multifunction Tailgate 1642038371443
 
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Pedaldude

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...Kids would fight over who got to sit in the way back...
It's all fun and games until the dude behind you pulls up next to the driver at a traffic light, honks and says "Hey, lady; those kids in the back have been giving me the finger for the last ten miles."
:oops: :p
 

Platinum Peasant

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Maybe they can get OTA updates working smoothly first? LOL
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