Spy Shots Show 2019 RAM 1500 With Split Tailgate
It’s a cool idea, but what does it actually do?
It looks like RAM is throwing some serious engineering money at their new 2019 line of trucks. We’ve already seen shots of the muscular new design, and all signs point to seeing even more advanced lighting technology and heavily upgraded interiors. But now we have spy shots that show off an all-new tailgate design, and it’s a barn-door style split.
A few years back, FCA patented a tailgate design that would feature multiple points of actuation, allowing it to swing out, drop down, split and more. Altogether, it would allow for as many as eight different configurations of opening and closing. Those original designs featured a 50/50 split on the tailgate, but our new spies show an even odder 60/40 split.
On its own, moving to a split gate isn’t difficult. Lincoln had one on their ill-fated F-150 rebadge, the Lincoln Blackwood. What makes this new tailgate impressive is the fact that it will feature so many different points of actuation, and RAM managed to make it happen while still including the RAM Box storage in the bed.
As you can probably tell by these spy shots, this new tailgate is not exactly ready for primetime. That panel gap is hideous in its own right, and the two halves line up so poorly, you’d be easily convinced that they accidentally let a bear sit on the side for a few hours. But our real issue with this whole thing comes down to a simple “why?”
ALSO SEE: What the Forum Has to Say About the Split Tailgate
Seriously. Why? Who wanted this? What good will it serve normal truck owners? We are struggling to think of any situation where you would benefit from an eight-way folding tailgate. We completely support FCA letting the RAM team have some engineering room to create new technology for a better truck. We just don’t see how this actually gives the new RAM a competitive advantage over the other vehicles on the market.
Sound off in the forum if you have a scenario that this new tailgate would be ideal for. As it stands, we’re drawing a blank. Also, check out our latest rendering of what we think the new 2019 RAM Rebel will look like!
