Stellantis has filed a patent software for a retractable tailgate facet step to make accessing the beds of pickup vans simpler.
Filed with the USA Patent and Trademark Workplace (USPTO), the applying reveals a mechanism that slides out and down from the tailgate. When deployed, it hangs down simply forward of the rear bumper on one facet of the tailgate. An hooked up step can be utilized to get to the mattress.
Stellantis retractable tailgate facet step patent picture
As Stellantis notes within the software, the elevated top of pickup beds makes getting stuff out and in of them tough, which is the place a step would possibly come in useful. As a result of it is constructed into the tailgate, this facet step is much less cumbersome and complex to make use of than a standalone ladder, the automaker notes within the software.
Stellantis is not the primary automaker to give you this concept, nevertheless. Ford has provided retractable steps on its F-Collection pickups for a while, though they deploy from the again of an open tailgate, not the perimeters. Normal Motors presents an easier resolution within the type of molded-in steps on the rear-bumper sides of its Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra vans, with a extra elaborate model as a part of Chevy’s Multi-Flex and GMC’s MultiPro tailgates.
Stellantis retractable tailgate facet step patent picture
Rivian earlier this 12 months filed a patent software for a tailgate step of its personal. The EV truck maker’s design has the middle part of the tailgate drop all the way down to create a step. Rivian hasn’t mentioned plans for a manufacturing model, nevertheless.
Stellantis’ Ram division presently lacks an equal function, so maybe that is how the automaker plans to attain parity with its Detroit rivals (and probably Rivian) within the tailgate-step class. As with all patent functions, nevertheless, Stellantis hasn’t confirmed plans to supply the tailgate facet step on a manufacturing car. It might simply wish to reserve the idea for doable future use.
