2019 Ram 1500 adds split-opening Multifunction tailgate for easier bed access
Cars
You might think that pick-up truck tailgates are pretty simple.
They just need to open and close, right?
Well, truck makers are showing us that things can get a whole lot more complicated than that.
Take a look at the 2019 Ram 1500 behind me for instance.
It's got a new multi-function tailgate and as you can see Well it's a little bit different then the ones you're familiar with.
The multi-function tailgate has a 60/40 split down the middle.
So you can swing open one side or both sides as far as 88 degrees.
To make access to the bed even easier, there's also an optional fold-out step.
Of course, the tailgate still folds down in the traditional manner.
It's still dampened when you do so.
And Ram says the tailgate can support 2000 pounds of weight on it.
That's enough to put I don't know 12 clones of me on it if you wanted.
So what's the benefit of this tailgate?
Well, for starters because the gate opens sideways instead of down like this you get a lot closer to the bed.
Ram says that makes it easier for you to load stuff in and out.
You can also still open and close the tailgate when you go to trailer hitch, which could be useful if you're towing something all day long.
And although this is only going to be useful to a certain subset of Ram buyers, well apparently this makes it a little easier to load stuff with a forklift into the back.
The multifunction tailgate will cost $995, it's going to be available for all seven of the Ram 1500's trim levels later this year.
Now is there any competition to this?
Well the GMC Sierra has a clever tailgate of its own.
It's called Multipro tailgate.
It's a little bit different, it folds out in multiple steps to turn into a bed extender or a step or a little workstation.
You could also look at the Honda Ridgeline's tailgate.
That one opens out sideways too, but to be honest, the Ridgeline is a size and capability class down from the Ram 1500.
Now if you want to know more about the 2019 Ram 1500's multifunction tailgate, be sure to visit us at TheRoadshow.com.
[MUSIC]
