The Best Truck Tailgates of 2020 (and How GM’s Revolutionary MulitPro Tailgate Came to Be)

 

For more than a century, all tailgates on pickup trucks served the same basic function, and they also looked quite similar. In short, a tailgate on any model was pretty much just a hinged door that opened and closed downward at the end of a truck bed. However, in 2006, Honda released the Ridgeline pickup truck, which offered a double-hinged tailgate that opened sideways as well as downward. 

Since then, the purpose of a tailgate has become much more than providing practical access to the truck bed. Many manufacturers have been pouring lots of time and money into tailgate development as they look to get a leg up in the uber-competitive pickup segment. The result? Motorization, power locking, barn-door splits, convertible work surfaces, drop steps, and many more features can be found on America’s best selling trucks. 

Though most of these trucks are boasting more impressive tailgates than in the past, not all tailgates are created equally. Below, we’ve compared the gates of five trucks so that you can see what each model offers, and we’ve also recounted a brief history of the groundbreaking MultiPro System developed by General Motors.

 

A TALE OF FIVE TAILGATES 

Let’s start with five major pickup trucks and the features offered by their tailgates: 

 

The GMC Sierra

The MultiPro System is by far the most impressive and functional tailgate on the market, and it’s exclusive to the GMC Sierra, coming standard on all SLT, AT4, and Denali models. What makes the MultiPro stand out? Well, a lot of things. It provides pickup owners with six different functions, each of which solves a practical problem faced by those who work from their truck. Also, the tailgate is lightweight, strong, and durable, and each component is made with quality materials. Oh yeah, and the engineers at GM managed to make this wonder of a tailgate cost-effective. 

In the most basic sense, the MultiPro System is two different tailgates in one. The main gate is hinged and functions as a conventional tailgate. Within the panel of the primary gate is a smaller gate. Operating these two gates in various ways is how you get the six functions of the MultiPro. 

It allows for easier access to items in the front of the bed by bringing you several inches closer to the bed floor. It turns into a seat and an entry step. It converts into a standing work surface and separates storage into two tiers. And there’s even a weatherproof Kicker audio system built into the tailgate that pushes 50 watts RMS per channel; complete with a USB port and auxiliary input, this sound system sounds remarkably powerful and crisp. Yes, the MultiPro is all it’s cracked up to be. 

 

The Ford F-150 

Ford was reasonably quick to respond to the Ridgeline’s disruption of the pickup market. In 2009, a drop-down step and folding grab-handle system were added to the F-150 and Super Duty models, which was considered quite innovative at the time. However, no other notable improvements were made to the tailgate until now. For the 2021 model year, Ford has introduced a re-tooled work-surface tailgate that is sure to please both those who work on construction sites and those who drive their truck recreationally. 

Perhaps the best function of the newest Ford F-150 tailgate is its pairing with the ProPower onboard generator, which makes for a truly effective charging station and workspace. Also, the tailgate is equipped with clamp pockets; this allows workers to clamp a variety of objects to the tailgate without it damaging the outer shell of the gate. Moreover, there are plenty of depressions to hold pencils, cups, and other items, as well as new side-mounted cleats that function both as tie-down locations and bottle openers. 

One downside with the new F-150 tailgate—other than the absence of several of the functions offered by the MultiPro tailgate—is that the gate only swings down the traditional way. This makes it more difficult to access items deep in the truck bed.  

 

The Ram 1500

In the 2019 model year, Ram released its multifunction tailgate on the 1500 pickup models. In one respect, the tailgate is a conventional drop-down gate that can be operated with a remote. But it also contains a 60-40 split that enables the gate to open sideways. This allows for easier access to the truck bed for loading and unloading cargo. And unlike some of its competitors, the Ram 1500 tailgate can be opened and closed when using a trailer. 

The Rambox is another notable feature of the 1500 truck bed. This storage unit is built into the bed, it’s lockable, and it has weatherstripping inside to keep water out. It also comes with a drain plug, which makes it perfect for storing ice, drinks, food, and many other things. 

Though the multifunctional tailgate is better than previous Ram tailgates, it lacks adequate recessed areas and slots, which significantly limits the use of the truck bed as a workspace. 

 

The Honda Ridgeline

The newest Honda Ridgeline tailgate is very similar to the 2006 version that shook up the pickup truck industry. It still has dual hinges that allow for the gate to open and close the traditional way or to the side. This makes it easier to load and unload cargo in the trunk bed, along with providing quick access to the trunk/cooler under the bed. As of 2020, the Ridgeline tailgate comes with remote locking. 

You can also opt for speakers in the truck bed that play whatever you have running through the truck’s main audio system. It’s worth noting, however, that these speakers leave much to be desired and that the sound quality is nowhere close to that offered by the truck bed audio system of the GMC Sierra. 

 

The Chevrolet Silverado

Some critics claim that there are not enough differences between the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra to justify the price gap. The tailgates on the two pickup models are just one of many examples of why that’s not true, as the MultiPro tailgate is exclusive to the Sierra and not available on any Silverado models. 

Though it’s nothing compared to the revolutionary MultiPro system, the Silverado does offer some modernity with its tailgate. A power-operated gate is standard on the High Country trim and optional on the LTZ. By using the key fob, a button in the cab, or a button on the tailgate, you can easily open and close the gate. The sprawling “CHEVROLET” stamp across the tailgate adds a nice touch as well. 

 

THE STORY BEHIND GM’S MULTIPRO TAILGATE 

There’s no question that GM has a leg up in the tailgate race right now, and it’s hard to imagine that a more innovative tailgate than the MultiPro System will be produced in the near future. And there also happens to be an interesting story about how the tailgate was created:

 

A Covert Operation

The MultiPro tailgate was kept a secret—even from the majority of GM employees—until its reveal in March 2018. Why? Because a few GM engineers recognized early on that they were onto something revolutionary. 

This is how Derek Patterson, the lead integration engineer on the project, described it: "We had a 3D printed version of the tailgate that we kept covered with a lock on the door. We'd put it on a gurney and wheel it in the conference room to work on it, then wheel it back to the storage room. We did this all in secret. I kept a list of those who knew about it. No one ever showed anything over Skype."

 

How It Started 

One day in 2009, technician Jim Gobart was asked by his manager to solve a problem. The manager complained about how cargo always seemed to slide to the front of his truck bed, making it hard to reach. Within a few days, Gobart presented a few ideas to his boss. 

He thought about folding the two-foot-tall tailgate in half and then folding the second part down, which would bring a person several inches closer to the front of the truck bed. "Then I thought, if I put another flap on the inside of that and it folds out horizontal, you now have a stair step. I thought that would be very nice for someone who works out of the back of that truck."

Gobart then figured out ways to add storage and seating to the tailgate. After that, he got the go-ahead to develop a mock version. This took about a month and consisted of cutting up two gates and folding them into one. 

The GM leaders loved this first iteration of the MultiPro System, but there were a few hurdles that kept it out of further development and production for about ten years:

1. GM was entering bankruptcy at the peak of the Great Recession, which meant that investing in such an elaborate tailgate design wasn’t practical.
2. The GMC Sierra was soon reaching the end of its product cycle, so it didn’t make sense to introduce such a revolutionary tailgate for the model at the time. 
3. There was still a need for a ton of product testing and refinement.

 

The Innovation Hub

By 2014, GM was in a position to revisit the MultiPro tailgate idea. Though he loved the accessibility and versatility of Gobart’s initial design, Patterson was concerned about the hatches. So, he presented the idea to the newly-formed GM Innovation Hub—a group of GM employees that exists to spark inspiration and creative ideas from various departments. 

This resulted in ideas for a variety of improvements, including ergonomic changes that would help prevent people from bumping their arms when using the tailgate. 

 

The Customer Clinic 

After the Innovation Hub did their part, Patterson asked Gobart to build another MultiPro prototype so they could use it in an upcoming customer clinic. The new-and-improved tailgate was installed on a 2014 Sierra and sent off to the clinic.

At these clinics, the customers don’t know what manufacturers are present. All they see is a tailgate, as the rest of the pickup truck is covered by a curtain. Overall, the tailgate got rave reviews, and people wanted it for their truck. 

Three big things were learned from the clinic. First of all, most customers said the entry step was the most important component. A close second was the ability to get closer to the front of the truck bed for easy access to cargo. And the two-tier storage was a big hit as well.

 

The Testing

From there, it was time for rigorous testing so that GM could develop the tailgate that is now included on the GMC Sierra. The complexity of the tailgate meant that lots of mule versions (23, to be exact) and computer analyses had to be done at GM’s proving grounds and labs. Over the course of almost four years, hundreds of tests—the most ever for any GM piece of equipment—were performed to ensure the tailgate would remain lightweight, strong, and durable. In 2018, it was approved for production.

 

Conclusion 

These days, the tailgate can be a legitimate selling point for a pickup truck. Many of the most successful pickup manufacturers are investing heavily in making their tailgates more innovative and practical for customers. So far, GM’s MultiPro System is in a league of its own, and the overwhelming response from customers suggests that all those years developing and testing the tailgate were well spent. If you want to see it for yourself, be sure to schedule a test drive in one of our new Sierra 1500s at Liberty Buick GMC!

What Your Truck Says About You

 

Whether we notice it or not, our cars say a lot about us. What you drive may resemble your personality, such that if you are environmentally-conscious you might drive a smaller (maybe even electric) vehicle. Or perhaps you enjoy life outdoors and tossing the family in the truck or SUV for a quick weekend camping trip. We love our cars because they do more than just get us there, they become a part of our lives and we rely on them—we trust them. So what does your truck say about you?

You don’t fully understand until you buy your first truck, but there are a TON of options to choose from, whether it’s size, color, shape, power, technology capabilities, and much more. Why wouldn’t you find a truck that matches your lifestyle, your personality? With the popularity of trucks these days, finding one that fits you shouldn’t be a problem.

The thing about pickup truck drivers is there are a few truisms, some good some not so good, that they understand. Here are three important ones:

1. You will be asked by your non-truck driving friends to help move bulky items. This is a fact and there is nothing to stop it from happening. Truck drivers understand—they may not like it, but they deal—and simply wait for the call. 
2. Whereas you used to pay more at the pump with your truck, today’s hybrid trucks provide gas mileage that makes luxury sedans a bit jealous. 
3. The modern truck is just as luxurious and spacious and updated with all the technological and safety fixins’ as any other vehicle type on the road. So why wouldn’t you own a truck?

 

Performance, Comfort, and What Your Truck Says About You

Regardless of the look, the most impressive aspect of your truck should be quality. Since 1902, GMC has been making just that, quality trucks, with the variations of the Sierra. Through the years, the venerated Sierra truck has won countless awards and has climbed the scales of popularity and sales, reaching its way to the top.

 

Big on Performance and Power

If power and performance are your big things, you won’t find a better truck than the Sierra. For example, on the lowest end, the Sierra comes with a 4.3-liter, V-6 engine that can go from 0 mph to 60 mph in just under 8 seconds. But if the work you do requires a bit more power, check out the 5.3-liter, V-8 engine that has 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque. This bigger engine can tow up to 11,100 pounds! And if that is still not enough power for you there's another: a 6.2-liter, V-8 engine with a 12,500-pound towing capacity plus 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. Now that is a lot of power.

 

Quality and Comfort

The GMC Sierra’s power and performance are impressive, but wait until you experience the comfort and quality of the interior. The cabin of the GMC Sierra is big. There is plenty of room to stretch and move around. The seats themselves are plush and easy to nestle into. The driver’s seat allows you to position yourself perfectly thanks to the power-adjustable pedals and steering wheel that tilts and telescopes. There are plenty of soft-touch materials covering the inside, and chrome accents border sections of the dash's control panel and steering wheel to make the cabin pop. Ambient lighting sets a comforting, cool mood. Drivers also get up to five USB ports with both 12- and 110-volt compatibility points so that you are able to charge just about anything from your phone to a laptop. There is more than enough storage room in the middle section of the front seat, and even more, can be found in the door panels and below the seats. To isolate the interior from the exterior, triple door seals are used to block outside noise from polluting the quiet and smooth ride within.

 

A Sweet Ride

Regardless of the type of truck driver you are, a smooth, even ride is surely on your list of necessities, and the Sierra—you guessed it—has that too. All Sierra trucks operate with a front strut and rear leaf-spring suspension. This provides extra cushion and makes the impact of bumps and potholes virtually nonexistent. If you are worried about drive quality when hauling extra big loads, you can opt for the Magnetic Ride Control, which helps reduce intense up-and-down motions. But that’s not all, the steering and control to the Sierra, no matter what you are hauling or pulling, are responsive and fluid naturally and can do wonders to keep you in constant control.

 

So Which Sierra is the Best Fit For You?

This is where truck shopping gets really fun. You know what you want in a truck, and Sierra has it all, but now the big question: which Sierra? The 1500, 2500, or 3500?

 

Sierra 1500

The baseline 1500 is available in a 5.3- or 6.2-liter EcoTech3 V-8 engine. In certain trim levels, the 1500 comes with the Z71 off-road suspension system. And, GMC LED daytime running lights, Stabilitrak, a corner step rear bumper, hydraulic body mounts, and triple door seals come standard with all Sierra 1500 trim levels. As far as towing, the 1500 can handle up to 9,400 pounds with ease. This truck is good for hauling and pulling and truly excels in drive quality. This is the family-man’s truck, and it likes to get stuff done.

 

Sierra 2500

Stepping it up a notch, the 2500 offers everything the 1500 does and more. It comes with a 5.3-liter, V-8, or a 6.6-liter, V-8 Duramax diesel engine. The 2500 also has an Allison Series 1000 transmission, an available spray-on bed liner, and digital steering assist. And, it has a whopping 14,500 pounds towing capacity—making it the perfect work truck. If you need something that can handle those heavier loads and pull some bigger equipment, something that says “hey, this guy knows what he’s doing,” the Sierra 2500 is for you and your crew.

 

Sierra 3500

At the top level, the 3500 exceeds expectations. This truck was built especially for trailering and hauling and can handle as much as 23,200 pounds (using fifth-wheel trailering). The 3500 comes with Digital Steering Assist to help keep control of those heavy payloads, and there is what’s called Hill Start Assist, which momentarily holds the breaks while you switch your foot from the brake pad to the gas. This is especially useful on inclines or unstable surface areas. The 3500 offers everything the other two models do, plus a few extras like an EZ-Lift and Lower tailgate, chrome trailering mirrors, an automatic locking rear differential, and comes in a 6.2-liter engine or a 6.6-liter, V-8 Duramax diesel. If you want your truck to show off your hauling capabilities, this is the one.

But the best part of choosing a GMC Sierra is that you can basically build your own. There are numerous Sierra packages to choose from and even more trim level features to sift through and add on. So if there are aspects you like of all three models of the Sierra, you can actually piece together a version that works perfectly for what you need. This is helpful because you don’t end up getting your crew trucks that have unneeded features or capabilities. This way, your trucks are customized to your company’s needs.

 

Needs and wants for a truck: keep it practical and keep it classy

Your most important job, as a purchaser, is finding a truck that will last and one that fits your personality. Luckily, most trucks these days can be lifted or lowered, made loud or quiet, contain a strong presence, or blend into its surroundings just by making a few tweaks here and there. This means your primary goal is actually to make sure you have something that won’t break the bank due to breakdowns and costly repairs.

When shopping for your truck, narrow down what you are looking for: make and model, gas mileage, longevity, etc., and begin researching those aspects. Chances are you will end up at Liberty Buick GMC, which is perfect because our trained technicians and sales specialists can guide you right into that perfect truck.

Don’t waste your time anywhere else, come see us at Liberty Buick GMC today to find a truck that perfectly resembles you.

2020 GMC Sierra 1500—The All-American Pickup Truck

The 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 builds upon the Next Generation Sierra models introduced for the 2019 model year. A shining example of an American full-size pickup truck, the 2020 Sierra 1500 gets the job done and looks good while doing it. 

Since it is in the second year of a new generation of GMC pickups, it may be difficult to distinguish a 2020 Sierra from the 2019 models, especially for casual onlookers. Nonetheless, there are several factors that set the newest Sierra 1500 apart and that will be sure to attract haulers from around the country. Let’s take a look at some of the most significant features of the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500:

Powertrain Options 

Five different engine options and three different transmissions are available in the Sierra. And buyers can opt for rear- or all-wheel drive. 

The base model comes with a 4.3-liter V6 engine that’s good for 285 horsepower and 305 lb-ft of torque. A 2.7-liter turbocharged four-cylinder is available on the SLE and Elevation trims and produces 310 hp and 348 lb-ft of torque. Buyers of the SLE, Elevation, SLT, or Denali trim can choose a 3.0-liter turbodiesel six-cylinder (277 hp, 460 lb-ft of torque), while a 5.3-liter V8 (355 hp, 383 lb-ft of torque) is available in the base model, SLE, SLT, AT4, and Denali. The most powerful engine option, a 6.2-liter V8, is available in the SLT, AT4, and Denali trims and puts out 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque.   

Depending on the engine, buyers will get a six-, eight-, or 10-speed automatic. Additionally, the Sierra is offered in a single cab, double cab, and crew cab with various bed lengths. And buyers can opt for four-wheel drive no matter what cab configuration they choose. 

Fuel Economy 

Due to its wide range of powertrain options, fuel economy for the 2020 Sierra 1500 varies. The most efficient engine is by far the Duramax turbodiesel 3.0-liter six-cylinder when paired with rear-wheel drive, as it produces 23 MPG in the city, 30 MPG on the highway, and 26 MPG combined. Those numbers fall to 22 MPG city, 26 MPG highway, and 24 MPG combined when four-wheel drive is included. 

Buyers who are concerned about fuel economy but want a gasoline engine should consider the turbocharged 2.7-liter four-cylinder. When connected to rear-wheel drive, this engine puts out 20 MPG city, 23 MPG highway, and 21 MPG combined. Four-wheel drive brings these figures to 19 MPG city, 22 MPG highway, and 20 MPG combined. 

Passenger and Cargo Space 

The best part about the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500’s interior is the functionality and spaciousness it offers. There’s plenty of room in any cab configuration you choose, but as can be expected, the crew cab provides the most legroom. As a rear passenger in the Sierra crew cab, it’s easy to forget that you’re riding in a pickup truck. 

Cargo space is also generous in the Sierra 1500. Plus, you can flip up the rear seats to make even more room, and a large center console and dual glovebox provide additional storage. When it comes to the trunk, buyers of the short box get 62.9 cubic feet of cargo capacity, while the standard box provides 71.7 cubic feet and the long box allows for 89.1 cubic feet.  

Safety Features

The Sierra received a four-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), scoring five stars in the side crash test and four stars in the frontal crash and rollover tests. 

A rearview camera, teen driver assist, tire pressure monitoring system, and rear seat reminders are included in the base Sierra, while an anti-theft alarm system is added to the Elevation trim. The ProGrade trailer system with HD rearview camera, as well as hitch guidance and hitch view, come standard in the SLT.  

Not surprisingly, the Denali offers the most safety features, adding blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, safety alert seat, lane-change alert, and front and rear parking assistance. Buyers who want adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, forward collision warning, following distance indicator, and automatic emergency braking with front pedestrian braking can opt for the Driver Alert Package II. 

Conclusion

Those who are looking for a sharp-looking truck that will handle everyday workloads will be hard-pressed to find a better suitor than the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500. With a wide array of powertrain options, impressive fuel economy, ample legroom and cargo capacity, and tons of optional safety features, the Sierra is the very definition of an All-American pickup truck. Give us a call at Liberty Buick GMC to set up a test drive—we look forward to hearing from you!

Happy Father's Day!