Looks like Ford is stepping up their game on tailgates. I will wait to get this.

New Ford F-150 Tailgate Combines The Best Of Ram And Chevy | CarBuzz

 

I started to type a reply about how no one actually needs this, but then I realized that we moved past "needing" any of the features on modern trucks long ago.

Would have to see it in person but right now I think I would pass. Hope its an option that can be removed or added even on the higher builds.

Sometimes I think Ford misses the mark on things. Like they spent a ton of time and effort designing a tailgate step that folds into the tailgate, meanwhile GM just put a step in the bumper. Sort of like the story about NASA taking time to design a pen to write in zero gravity while the USSR just used a pencil.

 

Simple to have a tailgate swing open and down like the RAM has, much better than the present tailgate step. I do believe it will be an option.

 

Totally agree, I have always liked the RAM or GM design over the tailgate step Ford has.

Perfect example, we went to the lake last year with a buddy who has a GMC. He was able to use the step in his bumper to get into the bed of his truck /w the boat hooked up. Not so much w/ the Ford Tailgate Step.

The Ford Step is nice, but its also heavy and complex where as GMC just put a cutout in the existing bumper. Just two different approaches, not saying I would trade my Ford for a GM but its interesting how they solved the problem.

 

https://www.scientificamerican.com/a...ion-nasa-spen/

cliffs notes: broken off pieces of graphite floating around aren't exactly ideal and pencils are flammable, something space programs try to avoid. Everyone now uses the same pens

 

Today I learned. Thanks, there is always more to the story.

 

Are they going to retain the step in the center section? I would not want to lose the step feature; ok if they provide an alternate step, though.

 

I think you swing open tailgate and step on center bumper which is lower than bumper height. Swing open tailgate is much easier to load heavy items into the back without having to lift over tailgate.

 

Oh, of course...duh...then use the unopened portion as your handle to pull yourself up if you need to climb in/climb out...let me go get some coffee...

 

I love the look. I would take this over the step we have now since it would be a lot more functional. Keeps you close to the bed and easy to get in. Doesn’t really have any negatives that I can see besides more moving parts. You still have the simple drop down gate and with more options. We all love more options dont we?