Why do you think the released the 6 function tailgate on the GMC? Because it is the Escalade version of a truck. That truck will not see jobsites and abuse or even really be a work truck. Like the commercials show, an exec type guy with dress shoes using the tail hair to get in the back of the truck. It will tow a camper, carry some items which the owner does not want inside the truck and will never see real truck work. It's is put on the expensive status style truck and I doubt it will see a Silverado because those are work trucks.

 

If my next truck is a Ram I would definitely get the multifunction tailgate.

 

That's because they've been designated as permanent 3rd p[lace in trucks. So I guess the tailgate that can't be used when your trailer ball is installed isn't panning out as they had hoped. https://jalopnik.com/the-chevy-silve...eat-1838740389

 

Obviously no one truly remembers those POS tailgates Ford had in the late 60's & early 70's. Up here in central Wisconsin about every one hung low and had to be lifted to close after being hinged open. The fancy worn off real fast when Mom couldn't get the darn thing closed. Remember many a times closing it for her. Then the glass would hang up mid way up then the snow, rain and exhaust would be sucked in the back making for a marvelous ride in the rear.

That was a wagon with overhead structure and the tailgates hung low, on a modern pickup with absolutely no overhead structure one can only see trips to the dealer with the weight of a tailgate in these modern light structure trucks.

Get the truck height to a decent level where one can once again reach over the bed side. Let the people who need a jacked up vehicle pay the cost to jack-em up and add huge tires. But leave the rest of us with a truck with reasonable working height.
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18 Lariat 502a Max tow

 

I only remember riding in the back of an early 70s Country Squire, but what a vacation mobile! ( que Chevy Chase and summer vacation)

I'd guess to make it structurally sound it would add a couple hundred pounds to the bed and tailgate vs current? And gas isn't 35 cents a gallon anymore!
But id' take one if WELL executed! Imagine the torsion on the hinge side....

 

The double-acting tailgate works fine on the Ridgeline. I’m sure Ford could manufacture one that would function without any problems. The ‘67 Country Squire was a heavy steel tank. Modern lightweight materials and construction techniques produce vehicles that are infinitely superior to those made 50 years ago.

 

I've had a chance to look at the GMC tailgate, and while I think it is cool in some ways, the fold down step would hit your hitch, so that is probably going to cause more than a few guys a lot of headaches when they forget and drop it with a hitch in place. The one thing I think Ford is lacking in, is the tie downs. Here's a pic of the GMC's tie downs. They have the same setup at front as well. Beats Ford's weird mid to high placement in my opinion. Other than that, I will keep my F150.

 

As do I. They're very useful when you want to reach into the bed and grab something without lowering the tailgate and deploying the tailgate step. I'd like to see Ford incorporate something like the bumper steps in addition to the traditional tailgate step.

 

The one thing I remember about those tailgates was that they seemed to weigh half a ton. Thick steel sheetmetal, electric window. I remember feeling a sense of accomplishment when I was finally big enough to close it myself.

I'd venture a guess that an aluminum F150 tailgate, even with the current step, weighs half what those old ones from the wagons did.

 

The double-swing tailgate works just fine on the Honda Ridgeline. I had one and never had an issue with it.