9 Best Ford Tailgate Features of All Time (and 1 Costly Con)

Intro

We love a good tailgate. And we're not just talking about during a football game with friends, a grill, and some beers. (Although that is certainly part of it.) But we're also talking about the actual tailgate on a Ford pickup truck. It has been with us since 1925, when Ford built the first factory-assembled pickup that featured a cargo box and adjustable tailgate. When the F-1 came out in 1948, it featured anti-rattle drop chains to hold the tailgate flush with the floor or let it swing all the way down. In 1980, the styleside F-series trucks came with a removable tailgate. And the tailgate innovations didn’t stop there. We think this integral part of the pickup truck deserves a bit more attention.

Today, we're looking at nine of the best features of the modern Ford truck tailgate. Of course, nothing is perfect, so we also have one major concern about the tailgates being used today, and we will discuss that as well.

Pro # 1 – Tailgate Step

Some may pooh-pooh the idea of a tailgate step and feel that it is not needed in a truck. But there is no denying that it is convenient. A retractable tailgate step was first introduced on the Ford F-Series Super Duty in 2006 and has been with us ever since. Until you have used one, you can’t really appreciate how much easier it makes accessing the bed of the truck.

Pro # 2 – Stowable Bed Extender

Bed extenders have been around for a long time, but the Ford stowable bed extender, first seen on the 2008 Super Duty, is the best version yet. It can be used in three distinct modes. There is “Grocery Mode,” which creates a small cargo area within the truck bed to keep a handful of grocery bags from sliding all over the bed. “Extended Mode” allows for longer cargo to be transported with the tailgate down. “Fold-and-stow Mode” allows you to secure the unit to the side of the track bed when it is not in use.

Pro # 3 – C-Clamp Pockets

The 2021 Ford F-150 introduced several new tailgate functions to make it more jobsite-friendly than ever. Do you need to cut a 2x4 in the back of your truck? No problem. The new tailgate comes standard with c-clamp pockets so you can easily secure the piece of wood for perfect cuts every time.

Pro # 4 – Tailgate Work Surface

This one is also part of the 2021 tailgate update. The tailgate was now a fully functioning work surface. Yes, it had the clamp pockets, but it also had a tailgate ruler, a mobile device holder, and pencil holders. Sure, you could still use it to sit on outside of your favorite stadium on gameday, but during the week, the new tailgate helped you get the job done.

Pro # 5 – Power Tailgate

Another big change to the tailgate for 2021 was the power-up and power-down ability. Previously, Ford did offer a power-down option, which would lower the tailgate at the push of a button, but you had to raise it manually. Starting with the 2021 F-150 redesign, you could also close the tailgate at the push of a button. It also has a Lift-to-Close (Lift Assist) function, so if you begin to close the tailgate manually, the gate will power itself closed for you.

Pro # 6 – Bottle Openers

This also came out with the 2021 F-150 redesign. On either side of the tailgate are these little cleats that you can use to tie down long objects. That is certainly helpful, but those cleats serve another purpose. They double as bottle openers. It is just another example of how a Ford truck can help you get your work done during the week, but also help support some weekend fun.

Pro # 7 – Tailgate Camera

This nifty feature became available on the Ford Super Duty models starting in 2023. The camera is mounted in a way that it works when the tailgate is down. This can help you navigate your truck with the tailgate down without fear of bumping into something. It also makes it easier for you to hitch a trailer.

Pro # 8 – Pro Power Onboard

This isn’t quite the tailgate, but it’s close enough. And you have to use the tailgate to access Pro Power Onboard, so we are counting it. The system turns your truck into a mobile power source with various levels of power output depending on your truck model and configuration. In the most powerful form, it can provide up to 9.6 kW of power. Enough to power a couple of power saws, an air compressor, a belt sander, and more. Power up your jobsite or campsite right from the back of your Ford truck.

Pro # 9 – Pro Access Tailgate

In 2024, Ford gave us another tailgate innovation, the Pro Access Tailgate. On this tailgate, the middle section swings out like a barn door. It can be stopped at an opening angle of 37, 70, or 100 degrees. So, if you just need to grab something at the back of the truck, you don’t need to drop the whole tailgate or try to reach over it. You can also easily climb into the back of the truck thanks to a footstep that stows under the bumper. Step on that, then step on the bumper, and then step into the bed. The Pro Access Tailgate makes the truck bed more accessible than ever.

Con # 1 – Cost/Complexity

As you can see, the Ford truck tailgate is anything but a simple slab of metal. Great for productivity and entertainment, but not so great for cost. The modern tailgate is loaded with electronics and other technology. That drives up the initial cost of the truck as well as repair costs. The complexity of the tailgate means more potential failure points. Failures that can be expensive to fix. And these fancy tailgates can also lead to higher insurance rates. In the past, it may have cost just a few hundred dollars to fix a tailgate that was involved in a minor fender bender. Today, a repair could cost several thousand dollars. Keep that in mind if you are shopping for a newer truck. There is a downside to all of this tailgate functionality.

Images: Ford; Joe Kucinski