Genius Truck Bed Innovations

March 1, 2023February 24, 2023 Lisa Conant 0 Comments BAK, BAK Industries, Chevy, Dodge RAM, Ford, GMC, Honda, tailgate, Tonneau Covers, Towing, Toyota, Truck Bed, Truck Bed Storage

Hard to believe, but it’s been almost an entire century since Henry Ford introduced the world to the first factory-built pickup truck. While America’s motorized workhorse has come a long way since the first Model T Ford, the vehicle’s cargo bed still remains its most defining feature.

Thankfully that hasn’t stopped automakers from reimagining the space, constantly one-upping each other by introducing new truck bed innovations centered on improving capability, capacity, convenience, and in some cases, even comfort.

As you’ve probably noticed, today’s modern pickups are a lesson in luxury – a far cry from the bare-bones utilitarian dinosaurs of the past. While inventions like truck bed liners, tonneau covers, and material and lighting innovations certainly deserve their due diligence, today’s truck designers are offering up some insanely clever and hyper-competitive features all designed to catch your eye (and your loyalty).

Cargo Management

No longer simply a place to toss in tools and equipment, the truck bed has graduated to a true cargo management solution thanks to automakers’ smart engineering.

RamBox Cargo Management System

Making the most of unused space

Ram’s clever RamBox system consists of two weather-resistant storage compartments built right into the bed rails of the truck and accessed like a toolbox from the outside of the vehicle. Designed for storing and organizing tools and equipment, RamBox also doubles as a cooler. Simply toss in some ice, and you have the perfect way to keep food and beverages cold at the next tailgate. The easy-to-use drain plug makes quick work of emptying out melted ice.

The compartments also feature LED lighting, making it easy to find items in low-light conditions, and come equipped with a 115-volt auxiliary power outlet, and adjustable tie-downs to secure items. Security comes complements of a locking mechanism controlled by the truck’s key fob.

Honda Ridgeline

Thinking underneath the box

The Honda Ridgeline shares its platform with the Pilot SUV, which makes it the only half-ton pickup truck with a unibody construction. While this may lose it a few “toughness” points with the body-on-frame crowd, the vehicle’s architecture allows it to ride smoother (like an SUV) and offer a particularly unique feature – an in-bed trunk.

Sitting underneath the truck bed is a 7.3 cubic foot storage compartment which, like the RamBox system, can be used to securely stow tools and equipment or serve as a party cooler thanks to some handy drain plugs. It is made of a tough, molded-in resin construction that is able to withstand the rigors of everyday use, and even features built-in grocery-bag hooks and guides for dividers.

Ford Maverick FLEXBED

Getting DIY-friendly

When Ford debuted its little Maverick, many folks were just so happy to see a compact truck back on the market that they may have missed one of the most interesting features on the new ride – its “FLEXBED” out back.

Not just limiting itself to funky cooler and tool storage, the Ford Maverick FLEXBED is setting a new standard in versatility. Loaded with organization and storage features, it’s designed to provide a flexible and adaptable cargo management solution for almost any kind of truck owner.

In addition to offering low bed sides for easy access, the Maverick’s FLEXBED features the ability to create your own segmented storage spaces and cargo racks by placing standard 2X6 or 2X4 boards into the supplied horizontal and vertical slots. The tailgate locks in mid-position simply by repositioning the support cables, and even sports its own little built-in bottle opener.

Got work to do? Power laptops, corded tools, cell phones, and battery chargers using the 120-volt power outlet or run air compressors, lighting, and more using the 12-volt circuit. This little hauler has it all.

Tailgate Functionality

There seems to be a bit of a war going on amid pickup truck manufacturers to see who can come up with a tailgate that can do more than… be a tailgate. Multi-functionality is the name of the game in this department – and it’s been in motion for longer than you might think.

Honda Ridgeline Dual-Action Tailgate

Coming out swinging

Honda was early to the Tailgate Wars, introducing its Dual-Action model way back in 2017. Capable of either folding down like a traditional tailgate or opening sideways like a door, it was one of those truck bed innovations that had people saying, “Now, why didn’t I think of that?”

GMC MultiPro Tailgate

Finding the inner tailgate

It didn’t take long for other automakers to pick up what Honda was putting down. First introduced on the 2019 GMC Sierra pickup, the MultiPro tailgate also showcases a unique dual operation.

MultiPro can function like a primary tailgate that can be lowered conventionally (or automatically) but it also features a smaller, inner tailgate hinged within the primary gate that can be opened independently or used as a work surface or step. This allows you to get up to 7-9 inches closer to the truck bed, allowing easier access to cargo.

Thanks to some mix-and-match capability, GMC says the MultiPro Tailgate can offer six different functions: a primary gate, primary gate with load stop, primary gate with full-width step, inner gate, inner gate with work surface, and inner gate with full-width step.

Did you know…? Despite sharing a common platform, the Chevy Silverado didn’t get its own upgraded tailgate until the 2021 model year. Branded as “MultiFlex,” it offers the same construction and features as the MultiPro does on the Sierra.

Ram Multifunction Tailgate

Opening up

Also debuting in 2019 was the Ram Multifunction Tailgate, which features a first-of-its-kind truck bed innovation: a 60/40 split-door design with swing-away functionality.

That means, in addition to operating like a traditional drop-down gate, the Ram Multifunction Tailgate can also open like an ambulance with each door swinging out 88 degrees. The ability to open the two doors independently provides easier access to the bed, while the traditional downward-opening gate provides a convenient platform for loading and unloading cargo.

Unlike its competitors, the Ram Multifunction Tailgate is trailer-friendly and doesn’t require the removal of hitches or other towing equipment. It also offers an optional built-in, retractable step that can be deployed from the corner of the tailgate, providing a more convenient way to climb into the truck bed. Additionally, the tailgate can support up to a whopping 2,000 pounds, making it an ideal choice for heavy-duty use.

Ford F-150 Tailgate

Getting a little complicated…

New Ford Tailgate patent photos — Ford’s patent filing included photos, alongside illustrations of how its new tailgate will function.

A little late to the party, but coming in hot, is the brand-new Ford Tailgate. Slated to be released in 2024, Ford has filed multiple patents that strive to combine the best of everything from the above-mentioned automakers.

The design seems to blend the Ridgeline’s swing-out tailgate with Ram’s swing-out doors by creating what appears to be an entire center section that opens and closes like an embedded door. There’s still the well-known fold-out step that the Ford tailgate has been offering for years now, but it also looks like the automaker is adding a very cleverly orchestrated fold-down bumper step that allows for a hitch accommodation.

This tailgate design also features the user-friendly workbench design that provides a handy tape measure and room to clamp materials securely. The bed itself looks like it’s taking a page from the Maverick’s playbook and offering differently-spaced vertical slots that will allow you to secure dividers that can shorten the bed to accommodate and secure smaller cargo items. Who knows what else will be revealed on this newly redesigned tailgate? Anticipation is high.

Towing Safety

From tie-down security to simple ergonomics, today’s new pickups address safety in many ways. However, one major focus for automakers continues to be towing – and they’ve made some incredible strides in innovation as of late.

Ford Onboard Scales and Smart Hitch

Weighing it safe

Available as an upgrade, Ford’s class-exclusive Onboard Scales and Smart Hitch help ensure safe and confident towing. The integrated scales use sensors in the suspension to measure payload weight in real time and then display it on the truck’s infotainment screen. This can help drivers ensure they are not exceeding the weight limit of their vehicle. Similarly, Smart Hitch measures and displays tongue weight so customers can properly hitch up and reduce the possibility of trailer sway when towing.

Chevy & GMC Transparent Trailer View

Seeing is believing

Both of GM’s truck brands offer drivers Transparent Trailer View — a cool futuristic feature that combines images from the truck’s tailgate camera with an accessory camera on the back of the trailer to create a “see-through” rear view image on the truck’s infotainment screen.

This can help drivers maneuver their trailer more easily (especially in tight spaces) by providing a better view of what’s behind the trailer. The system also includes a “Trailer Guidance” feature that overlays guidelines on the camera view to help drivers align the truck and trailer properly.

Toyota Truck Bed Camera

Getting the full picture

The Toyota Tundra comes with so many built-in cameras, it’s almost overwhelming. However, it gives you one of the most complete and thorough views of your surroundings of any truck on the market.

One of the most useful features of the Tundra’s camera system is the ability to see fully into the truck bed with the simple selection of the truck bed camera on the vehicle’s large infotainment system. It allows you to quickly assess whether all your cargo items are safely secured or not, how your fifth-wheel hitch is performing, and even see behind the truck bed while driving to check surrounding traffic and your blind spots.