Swinging Every Way: Ram Patents Split-Door Tailgate that Opens Multiple Ways

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Swinging Every Way: Ram Patents Split-Door Tailgate that Opens Multiple Ways

The latest hotness in full-size pickup rear ends has been the 2015 Ford F-150's power tailgate, which can be opened and closed smoothly and quietly via the key fob. Before that, it was the Chevy Silverado's integrated bumper step. The next Ram thinks that's all really cute.

According to a Chrysler patent filed last year and recently dug up by enthusiasts at Allpar, Ram Trucks will maximize tailgate functionality like no truck has before. Chrysler has drafted a split-door design that allows either half to independently pivot at the bed or swing outward like barn doors. L-frame brackets on both sides use a pair of electromechanical locks attached to the box that permit the horizontal or vertical motion. Press the first of two buttons on the desired tailgate, and the entire L-frame detaches from the box and lets that single door fall. Hit the second button and the L-frame locks in place, allowing the same door to swing out on a pair of hinges.

Press these buttons on the left and right halves and a locking pin allows both to swing down together, like a conventional tailgate. All told, the tailgate can be operated in any of eight combinations when you include the ability to lay down a door while swinging the other open. Chrysler said it also could manufacture the tailgate to open in 60/40, 65/35, or 70/30 splits.

For a feature that usually just swings one way, we're impressed, although having so many mechanical and electrical components is slightly worrisome since tailgates often suffer major abuse. Chrysler also mentioned the possibility of proximity sensors and a pair of electronic controllers on each door, all of which would drive up repair costs and further complicate an otherwise simple part. But even given all that, we'd count on spotting this nifty tailgate at job sites in the future, possibly as soon as the Ram 1500's scheduled full redesign for 2017.