Tailgates Are Getting Complex

[Ben]

Ford is coming out with a fancy new tailgate, I guess because they were behind the other guys in fancy new tailgates.

I remember a couple of trucks ago when I was looking, I think Ford was the first to come out with a modification - the foldout step and lever handle to support yourself getting up and down. Seemed kinda "meh" to me, and I saw it on very few of that year's trucks.

I can see where this new stuff could be handy and convenient from the "loading and unloading the bed" side. I'm not crazy about the added expense it will all be, so I'm kinda hoping it stays a "luxury" add-on vs becoming standard.

Really, whatever they do, as long as the tailgate can still fully open down, I guess I'm okay with it. With long beds being non-standard these days, you kinda need the open tailgate for plywood and stuff.

https://www.foxnews.com/auto/ford-patents-new-pickup-tailgate-hidden-door

[fifth_column]

The first one to come out with a built-in BBQ grill is going to make a killing . . . .

[Ben]

The first one to come out with a built-in BBQ grill is going to make a killing . . . .

 

[K Frame]

That I could see being VERY useful.

[dogmush]

I have the pull out step in the tailgate of my '14 FX4.  I was very meh on the idea when I got it, but my wife loves it.  A lot of camping gear is up inthe bed on top of my drawer system and she really appreciates the extra step up to get into the bed.  Even more once I lifted the truck a little.

Like K-Frame I could see this being pretty handy, as long as it's not flimsy.

[MechAg94]

With the short pickup beds, that makes a bit of sense.  With the tailgate not in the way, you can almost reach the entire bed. 



I am also guessing that Ford will make the whole thing very very easy to remove so that theft will be a big problem. 

A co-worker nearly had his big Ford truck stolen at a Buc-ee's gas station in Wharton.  He left it at the pump and went inside.  Apparently there were some people off to the side looking for opportunities.  Another guy getting gas noticed what was happening and yelled at them so they left.  In less than a minute or more, they had jammed a screw driver in the door lock and plugged something into the computer that wiped the settings so they could start it without the key fob.  He wasn't entirely sure what they did, but they knew what they were about.  He was lucky. 

[Ben]

I am also guessing that Ford will make the whole thing very very easy to remove so that theft will be a big problem. 

I was kinda thinking that they would make it more difficult and complicated to remove the tailgates to prevent theft. I've always (while hating thieves) thought that tailgate theft was an interesting phenomenon. I've never really seen it as a problem anywhere I have lived, but I understand that it is a really big criminal business.

On the step, and really a lot of the "easy access" stuff, I'm sure my height makes me biased regarding their utility. If I were shorter, I'm sure I'd be more excited about it. 

[Nick1911]

By a long shot, the most useful tailgate I've ever owned is a 70's vintage tommy gate.  $25 from the scrapyard, cut down and welded 4-1/8" narrower to fit on my F250.  Cleaned it up, serviced the hydraulics, repainted and installed it.

I don't think I'll own another pickup without one.  I wonder if a manufacturer will ever build that feature in from the factory?

[MechAg94]

I was kinda thinking that they would make it more difficult and complicated to remove the tailgates to prevent theft. I've always (while hating thieves) thought that tailgate theft was an interesting phenomenon. I've never really seen it as a problem anywhere I have lived, but I understand that it is a really big criminal business.

On the step, and really a lot of the "easy access" stuff, I'm sure my height makes me biased regarding their utility. If I were shorter, I'm sure I'd be more excited about it. 

It seems to me they haven't made their trucks less easy to steal so I don't know why they would worry about the tailgate.

[charby]

I'm on gravel roads, mud roads, off road and in the snow. Salt on the winter roads. The more moving parts, the more opportunity for failure. I guess if you never get mud on the tires and your Sunday pickup lives in a garage, the Swiss army tailgate will be just fine.

[BobR]

Ford tailgates and the tail lights with the blind spot radar in them are high theft items. Even with tailgate closed and locked it can be opened in a matter of seconds if you know how to do it, hand drill and bit for the tail lights and a thief can have several thousand dollars worth of stuff to put on ebay within 60 seconds, if even that long.

bob

[230RN]

"Swiss Army Tailgate."  Love it. 

[Perd Hapley]

Is it just me, or do most of the truck commercials look like commercials for a tailgate these days?

And this bizarre piece of work:
https://youtu.be/iNBxRCPALKQ
What were they thinking?

[Fly320s]

The first one to come out with a built-in BBQ grill is going to make a killing . . . .

Would you settle for an electric cooktop and sink?

https://www.tuvie.com/wp-content/uploads/rivian-r1t-electric-pickup-with-camp-kitchen1.jpg

[230RN]

We had a farrier who had a 6" bench vise bolted to his tailgate.  But that was in days of yore, before Swiss Army Tailgates.

[Bogie]

We had tailgates for our rangers stolen at work.
 
If it can break, and is expensive, it will break.