Check out this U.S. patent for a unique tailgate step, recently filed by General Motors. Pickup truck industry is more competitive than ever, and utility is a big part of the equation. Chevrolet and GMC have touted their simple bumper cutout step solution to aid access into the bed since 2014. Actually, GM has used this solution before, but they started to focus more on it recently. Ford has a folding tailgate step and handle solution. Other manufacturers, such as Nissan, have a retractable step that stows under the rear bumper.
GM has a new tailgate step solution in the works, as revealed by this U.S. GM tailgate step patent documentation. It’s unclear whether GM is determined to put this into production soon, but it could be part of it’s updated 2019 Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra lineup.
The proposed solution is to have a large center section of the tailgate fold down to offer a step and a handle for the user to steady themselves as they climb up. The patent documentation, diagrams, and figures make it seem complicated. It may be simple to use in practice. The folding section is manually activated, but there appear to be a lot of moving parts.
Will we see this step on the upcoming 2019 GM pickup trucks? It’s not clear at this point, but it would be very interesting to see this in action.
Here is our definitive GM 5.3L V8 vs. 6.2L V8 comparison review, including a 0-60 mph, a 100-mile towing MPG loop and a fun little drag race.
