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.