tbone Posted February 11, 2019 Share Posted February 11, 2019 As many of you have seen recently, there has been quite a bit of competition on who can build the best tailgate. There’s the GMC take on it and now the Ram: https://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/future-cars/amp26147245/ram-1500-multifunction-tailgate-pickup-truck/ I wanted to hear people’s thoughts on these designs. I understand the other manufacturers are trying to be innovative, so I’m not knocking them, but I’m not sure if it was necessary to try and reinvent the wheel. I have not seen either of these in person so these are just my thoughts what l’ve seen online. GMC’s version seems to be overly complicated in order to add a step to the rear of the truck. Seems like it could be useful to haul some boards or other longer objects to keep them from sliding left or right, but also has clearance issues with the hitch when down. Im really not sure what the objective of the Ram tailgate is. Is the point to be closer to the bed to reach into the bed? You now have an offset character line, which bugs me, as I like things to be symmetrical. In each case, the tailgate is likely heavier, does not have the same integrity as a regular tailgate, and has increased opportunity for sqeeks and rattles, which those drive me insane. I know how I use my tailgate and I’m not really seeing the benefit these designs. I have had the tailgate step option for a long time on my trucks. I absolutely love that option and use it all the time. I’m not being a Ford fanboy here, and I am being intellectually honest. I think Ford’s hidden tailgate step remains the best, most simple and functional option, and I hope Ford does not try to unnecessarily outdo the competition. Thoughts?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthony Posted February 11, 2019 Share Posted February 11, 2019 The Ram tailgate is brilliant in its simplicity and solves one of the main problems with a pickup bed......reaching over the tailgate to access your load. Is it necessary? No. Does it make work easier? Yes. It's a convenience, but one of the better thought-out ones when it comes to using a truck like a truck is meant to be used. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twintornados Posted February 11, 2019 Share Posted February 11, 2019 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted February 11, 2019 Share Posted February 11, 2019 The GMC thing just looks unnecessarily complicated. Ford's pull out step is the simplest but I do like the RAM setup for accessing cargo. If Ford just added a split opening option and kept the step it would be perfect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ovaltine Posted February 11, 2019 Share Posted February 11, 2019 Other than incorporating the "split", Ford had the Ram's technology down pat back in the '60s! LOL We LOVED the "Magic Doorgate" in our '68 LTD Country Squire when I was growing up. It was the usual lime-ish green w/fake wood sides, common for the era. DEFINITELY the inspiration for Clark and Ellen's "Wagon Queen - Family Truckster"! I've attached a pic of a '66 version - which is the essential the same setup we had. Btw - that 390 CID in that wagon hauled a** - quite literally! ? -Ovaltine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
92merc Posted February 11, 2019 Share Posted February 11, 2019 For what I use a truck for, the Ford tailgate with step is just fine. For stuff longer, I usually need a trailer. Nobody's tailgate will help me there. The GMC gate would work for me because most stuff I'd haul is either too long for that tailgate, or short enough I'd have it full up. Plus, I bet that tailgate is heavier than a regular one. Not that stronger torsion springs wouldn't help the lift part. But it's added weight to the overall truck weight that I wouldn't utilize. The RAM product I like a littler better. For my short stuff that would fit, it would be easier to load. But again, I'm betting it's heavier. Plus, I wonder about the safety factor. Are these going to pop open in an accident? Are they as secure as car doors? A tailgate pops down in an accident is usually no big deal. These suckers swinging out could do some serious damage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthony Posted February 11, 2019 Share Posted February 11, 2019 1 minute ago, Ovaltine said: Other than incorporating the "split", Ford had the Ram's technology down pat back in the '60s! LOL We LOVED the "Magic Doorgate" in our '68 LTD Country Squire when I was growing up. It was the usual lime-ish green w/fake wood sides, common for the era. DEFINITELY the inspiration for Clark and Ellen's "Wagon Queen - Family Truckster"! I've attached a pic of a '66 version - which is the essential the same setup we had. Btw - that 390 CID in that wagon hauled a** - quite literally! ? -Ovaltine Now try that full-width side opener with a trailer! ? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmc523 Posted February 11, 2019 Share Posted February 11, 2019 36 minutes ago, akirby said: The GMC thing just looks unnecessarily complicated. Ford's pull out step is the simplest but I do like the RAM setup for accessing cargo. If Ford just added a split opening option and kept the step it would be perfect. Agree. I do think some of the side benefits of the GMC's setup are cool, but that's a lot of parts! You know what'd be cool - if they could have the flip open barn doors, and have ramps that could slide out from under the bed or something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twintornados Posted February 11, 2019 Share Posted February 11, 2019 3 minutes ago, Anthony said: Now try that full-width side opener with a trailer! ? It's why it needs to open both ways...drop down when trailer is attached, or side swing open when no trailer is there...imagine that wagon with a trailer hitch, same issue then as you bring up now. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthony Posted February 12, 2019 Share Posted February 12, 2019 That's the point I was making. You could swing open the 40% side with a trailer or pull down the tailgate (on the Ram). You couldn't do that with a 100% width swing-out. That is (one of) the reasons they went with that design. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbone Posted February 12, 2019 Author Share Posted February 12, 2019 I would have to use the Ram tailgate to determine the usefulness. For longer loads I use the tailgate for additional support so it seems like that would defeat the purpose of the split gate. I guess we will see what people think after they have lived with it for a while. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted February 12, 2019 Share Posted February 12, 2019 2 hours ago, tbone said: I would have to use the Ram tailgate to determine the usefulness. For longer loads I use the tailgate for additional support so it seems like that would defeat the purpose of the split gate. I guess we will see what people think after they have lived with it for a while. I thought it also folded down like a normal tailgate to support longer loads. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbone Posted February 12, 2019 Author Share Posted February 12, 2019 1 hour ago, akirby said: I thought it also folded down like a normal tailgate to support longer loads. It does. I’m just trying to understand the value of swinging one side or the other of the tailgate out to access the bed of the Ram verses just putting my tailgate down on the Ford. I don’t know, I just don’t quite get it I guess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-150 Posted February 12, 2019 Share Posted February 12, 2019 Hmm, does no one think to load the bed before attaching a trailer? Kind of like how it's been done for several hundred years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthony Posted February 12, 2019 Share Posted February 12, 2019 33 minutes ago, J-150 said: Hmm, does no one think to load the bed before attaching a trailer? Kind of like how it's been done for several hundred years. Does no one ever need to access said bed while there is a trailer attached? ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trailhiker Posted February 12, 2019 Share Posted February 12, 2019 22 hours ago, Ovaltine said: Other than incorporating the "split", Ford had the Ram's technology down pat back in the '60s! LOL We LOVED the "Magic Doorgate" in our '68 LTD Country Squire when I was growing up. It was the usual lime-ish green w/fake wood sides, common for the era. DEFINITELY the inspiration for Clark and Ellen's "Wagon Queen - Family Truckster"! I've attached a pic of a '66 version - which is the essential the same setup we had. Btw - that 390 CID in that wagon hauled a** - quite literally! ? -Ovaltine We always climbed in through the window, so a trailer would not have been a problem! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbone Posted February 12, 2019 Author Share Posted February 12, 2019 52 minutes ago, J-150 said: Hmm, does no one think to load the bed before attaching a trailer? Kind of like how it's been done for several hundred years. The trailers I have had it has never been an issue and I could put the tailgate down. Apparently others have this issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-150 Posted February 12, 2019 Share Posted February 12, 2019 25 minutes ago, Anthony said: Does no one ever need to access said bed while there is a trailer attached? ? Planning your load. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted February 12, 2019 Share Posted February 12, 2019 8 hours ago, tbone said: It does. I’m just trying to understand the value of swinging one side or the other of the tailgate out to access the bed of the Ram verses just putting my tailgate down on the Ford. I don’t know, I just don’t quite get it I guess. Because with the tailgate down you can only reach into the bed a foot or two. With no tailgate in the way you can reach about 3-4 feet into the bed without having to climb into the bed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthony Posted February 12, 2019 Share Posted February 12, 2019 37 minutes ago, J-150 said: Planning your load. I'll remember that when I put the Twinkies in the middle of the bed next to the Funyuns. ? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbone Posted February 12, 2019 Author Share Posted February 12, 2019 38 minutes ago, akirby said: Because with the tailgate down you can only reach into the bed a foot or two. With no tailgate in the way you can reach about 3-4 feet into the bed without having to climb into the bed. Perhaps. I would like to use it to see how useful I thought it was. I’m not really knocking it. I like this more than I like the GMC tailgate, but there does not appear to be a step option for this tailgate, which is a huge deal to me. I’m also curious to know how it holds up after two years of use. I can appreciate Ram’s Innovation, and in my opinion they are Ford’s most dangerous competitor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmc523 Posted February 12, 2019 Share Posted February 12, 2019 1 minute ago, tbone said: Perhaps. I would like to use it to see how useful I thought it was. I’m not really knocking it. I like this more than I like the GMC tailgate, but there does not appear to be a step option for this tailgate, which is a huge deal to me. I’m also curious to know how it holds up after two years of use. I can appreciate Ram’s Innovation, and in my opinion they are Ford’s most dangerous competitor. It does. It articulates out from under the bumper, and retracts when not in use: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted February 12, 2019 Share Posted February 12, 2019 And that design isn't possible with a flip down tailgate. I like the RAM solution except for the line down the middle, especially when that line is off center. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twintornados Posted February 12, 2019 Share Posted February 12, 2019 You knew this would get posted here sooner or later....LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbone Posted February 12, 2019 Author Share Posted February 12, 2019 3 hours ago, rmc523 said: It does. It articulates out from under the bumper, and retracts when not in use: OK, that’s better than nothing. However that small step wouldn’t work well for me. I haul my motocross bike in the bed of the truck and i usually haul it with the tailgate down and bed extender out. That is also a really small step for me to hit when I’m running the bike up into the bed with the ramp. There aren’t really a ton of ways to innovate on a tailgate, so there has to be compromises in various ways to create something useful. So far you can’t have your cake and eat it too. I will be interested to see what the take rate is on that option for Ram. At $1300 for the tailgate and step, it isn’t cheap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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