A pickup truck is only a pickup truck with a proper bed to haul, carry, and store everything from building materials to tools to camping gear. However, accessing the bed to load and unload cargo can often be challenging with a traditional dropdown tailgate. For that reason, Ford has designed the Pro Access Tailgate, an innovative swing-out door configuration on the new 2024 Ford F-150 truck that makes it easier for users to reach items stored in the bed. Call it the latest in tailgate tech, and here's how it works.
General Motors and Ram were the first to market with newly imagined tailgates over the past few years. Ford might be late to the game, but sometimes last is best. As such, the Pro Access Tailgate's middle swing-out ability makes this setup a standout.
On Ford's new Pro Access Tailgate, the middle section of the tailgate swings out like a barn door. This door spans 37 inches at the center of the tailgate, or 60 percent of its entire length. The gate is hinged to make stops at 37, 70, and 100 degrees. Two fixed portions of equal length flank it on either side of the swing-out door for a 20-60-20 configuration. The left and right sections do not move as they are fixed. Ford says the Pro Access Tailgate has all the same weight capacities and structural integrity as a standard dropdown tailgate.
The sideways-swinging tailgate allows the driver to approach the edge of the bed without leaning across a dropped tailgate, making it easier to load or unload items of varying sizes and shapes. But if you need a wider opening, the entire tailgate will drop down as one solid piece, just like any traditional pickup truck.
According to Ford, the system adds about 62 pounds, including its standard power open/close function. In comparison, GMC's MultiPro tailgate adds 51 pounds to a truck's total curb weight, while Ram's multi-function tailgate adds 75 pounds and doesn't offer power closing.
When climbing into the truck's bed, the Ford Pro Access Tailgate is a departure from the traditional ladder step and extendable grab-handle setup. Instead, there's a footstep that stows under the bumper. The driver can pull this out as their initial step up. From there, an extended bumper section serves as a second step before climbing into the bed. The stationary sections of the tailgate to the left and right integrate a hand-hold so the person climbing in can pull themselves up. It also helps the user to keep an even balance while climbing up into the bed or down to the ground.
Ford designed the Pro Access Tailgate with trailering in mind—a big part of what truck owners do. Since the swing gate stops at 37 degrees, the user can open the door without hitting it against the hitch and trailer directly behind the truck. With a traditional dropdown tailgate, there is no way to open it when there's a trailer hooked up. The swing gate means someone in the bed no longer must climb over the side of the truck to get out. And they can continue to climb in and out of the bed despite the presence of a hitched trailer. In addition, Ford relocated all trailering cable ports to the other side of the truck to eliminate any potential tripping hazard.
The Pro Access Tailgate will be an optional feature on Lariat and Tremor trims and standard on uplevel King Ranch and Platinum versions. Ford will offer the pull-out step option with a power release or a power open/close feature.
It is a simple enough design. Take a pickup truck tailgate and add a swing-out door in the middle. The result is a more convenient, practical, and safe way to load and unload items from a truck bed. The Ford Pro Access Tailgate is a solution that undoubtedly enhances the truck ownership experience.
Jessica Shea Choksey is an experienced writer in the automotive field. In addition to JDPower.com, she was a correspondent for PBS's MotorWeek. Her work has also appeared in AutoTrader.
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