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See How the 2019 Ram 1500's Split Tailgate Works: Video

For 2019, GMC surprised the pickup world with its wicked new feature, which adds a lot of flexibility to the bed of a light-duty pickup. Not so fast, says Ram, which has introduced its own version of a new and improved tailgate: the , appearing on 2019 models as a $995 option.

What’s it do? It opens flat like a conventional tailgate, but the 60/40-split doors also open outward. Why is this cool? It allows you to load the bed with heavy materials without having to lift them over the lowered tailgate.

Say you’re at the hardware store with a full pallet of playground sand for Junior’s backyard sandbox. Open your Multifunction Tailgate, trundle the pallet on up to the back of the bed and lift it directly into the bed itself — no more resting them on the tailgate and then having to slide or toss them into the bed itself. It makes access to the bed that much easier. You can also step into the bed with the included fold-away rear step mounted under the bumper.

See the above video for a demonstration of how the new 2019 Ram 1500 Multifunction Tailgate works.

Detroit Bureau Chief
Aaron Bragman

Detroit Bureau Chief Aaron Bragman has had over 25 years of experience in the auto industry as a journalist, analyst, purchasing agent and program manager. Bragman grew up around his father’s classic Triumph sports cars (which were all sold and gone when he turned 16, much to his frustration) and comes from a Detroit family where cars put food on tables as much as smiles on faces. Today, he’s a member of the Automotive Press Association and the Midwest Automotive Media Association. His pronouns are he/him, but his adjectives are fat/sassy.

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