By Jeff Glucker
A pickup truck comes out with a new feature. Other truck makers deride that new feature. They then introduce the same feature with a different name and tout how it’s different and better than the competition’s feature, which was previously an object of ridicule. The latest such feature is the multi-function tailgate. Ford added a step to theirs years ago. Now GMC has its Swiss Army tailgate on the new Sierra. Ram can’t sit idly by in THE TAILGATE WARS, so the 2019 1500 is now available with a multifunction tailgate of its own.
The Ram version makes use of an cut line running down the back of the tailgate. It allows the rear swinger to open like a standard tailgate or swing open to the side. You can swing one side open or both sides open, like some offset barn doors. This setup reminds me of the old Magic Doorgate on Ford Country Sedans.
Ram takes a nice swipe at the GMC MultiPro tailgate in its press release. Apparently the GM setup has it so the inner portion of the multi-piece tailgate may hit a tow hitch. Per Ram:
Unlike other multi-element tailgates, the Ram multifunction tailgate is trailer-friendly and does not require that the trailer and hitch be removed before opening.
Boom! Multi-function tailgate shots fired! Who’s side are you on in THE 2019 TAILGATE WARS?
If it’s Ram, then you can add one of these onto the back of your truck starting in Q2 of 2019. It will cost an extra $995 to do so.
Ross Ballot 
Kamil Kaluski
As it should be on all pickups.
Nothin’ but net.
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/03d3c18735dc877d2667c051bc5465d96cc781129a5994e787e8492c00e9e13f.jpg
Don’t know where you got that photo but that is some heavy duty Photoshopping.
fordcargonethellaphotoshop dot com! Shopped Ford Tough!
Wow that is a thick tailgate. If it didn’t perform tricks, you’d have 6 more inches of load space. And it might be grain tight.
Just add pinstripes.
https://static01.nyt.com/images/2014/05/25/automobiles/Rust/Rust-articleLarge.jpg?quality=75&auto=webp&disable=upscale
Looks like a great idea, if you needed it.
I can’t believe the negative comments (especially over on “the J”) about this barn door/traditional tailgate combo. My guess is the haterz have never pulled a trailer with a pickup because this looks like one of the most ingenious, must haves ever created!
Only my boat trailer has a long enough tongue to let me lower the tailgate when I’m all hooked up – now, my snowmobile trailer and car trailer, ahhhh no, as is evident by the giant dent/scratch just below my tailgate handle. This clearly solves that dilemma. I must have it (yeah, I’m sure the MiSSus would be real happy if I brought home another brand new vehicle…)
Man, FCA is just killing it – arguably the best looking truck, the cleanest and nicest interior, this sweet, sweet new combo tailgate, just wow
Nicest interior… BY FAR.
I’m gonna guess some of the haters may not even be acquainted with anyone who owns a pickup truck. I’d have loved something like this all those times I needed to get something awkward & heavy into a pickup and had to decide between setting it on the tailgate then sliding it in, or trying to reach it into the box in one move. A person could load a pallet of farm supplies or construction materials using a regular forklift or a skid-steer loader with forks on it, without needing to shove the materials forward after hoisting it up because of the limited reach of the lifting vehicle.
meh
I’m 5’8 – if the bed heights are just going to keep rising, I won’t be wowed until dropsides start showing up in North America.
https://parkers-images.bauersecure.com/gallery-image/pagefiles/267170/1752×1168/03-vw-transporter-pickup.jpg
The Brazilian Fiat branch made a patent from a similar tailgate for the Fiat Toro, but released the mini-truck with sideways only opening. Probably Ram stole the idea
http://geral.hi7.co/geral/geral-56c21eac31279.jpg
http://s2.glbimg.com/-Dig__hll-Pd_By3srcfCbchjTE=/620×400/e.glbimg.com/og/ed/f/original/2016/02/15/0p0a8635.jpg
It’s almost like they’re the same company 🙂
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/2c5a73d914b04a23969aa5371efa042bf6b94dbae3df05effe3c4437c2902ffe.png https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/7419bd81113706caf1f93c5ad2da907713bed945838db4430add3413a6554ad6.png
https://media.giphy.com/media/EouEzI5bBR8uk/giphy.gif