Pickup trucks have always been admired for being tough, reliable, and adaptable, whether they are used for work or fun. Additionally, certain parts of the truck simply do their job with not much thought behind it. For instance, you know what the truck hitch is supposed to do, and it completes the job without much fanfare. So, when one of those “common” parts received an upgrade that changed how we look at it, it made the whole truck world turn around and stare.
That “common” part is all but common anymore, with manufacturers scrambling to create the next best thing. What are we talking about? The GMC Sierra MultiPro Tailgate. It is quite possibly one of the most innovative features the truck industry has seen in some time, offering a wide range of functions that appeal to an even wider range of drivers. Continue reading to learn more about the Sierra’s MultiPro Tailgate and how it paved the way for future tailgates. Then, stop by your GMC dealer to see it up close.
Breaking Down the MultiPro Tailgate
The GMC Sierra’s MultiPro Tailgate took the truck industry by storm in 2018, changing a standard part of trucks that hadn’t received much, if any focus, for decades. Its redesign took what was once a plain tailgate with one single function and gave it six different modes for easier accessibility and better management of cargo. Each mode is discussed in detail below.
Primary Gate
The primary gate of the MultiPro tailgate works as tailgates always have, providing a flat surface to load and unload your cargo. This gate can be opened using the key fob from inside the truck or by pushing a button on the tailgate itself. You’ll notice from the start that the primary gate is supported with components that allow it to open and close smoothly, reducing wear and tear over time.
Primary Gate Load Stop
This mode has a load stop that keeps things in the truck bed from rolling out when the tailgate is down. It might seem insignificant, but this feature gives you added confidence and makes transporting your cargo safer and more secure when that cargo is longer than the truck bed.
Foldable Inner Gate for Easy Access
When accessing this mode, the primary gate opens with a bit of a twist. Essentially, there is an inner gate that folds down, allowing you to access the cargo area more easily and eliminating the need to lean over the truck. How much easier is the access? This mode gets you nine inches closer to the bed area, which is a significant amount.
Full-Width Step
The Full-Width Step mode offers even greater access, creating a step with a weight capacity of 375 lbs. In addition, there is an assist handle that extends from the driver’s side of the frame to be utilized for even more stability.
Inside Gate Load Stop
In this mode, the main gate stays open while the inner gate acts as a load stop. The best part about this mode is that it gives you the ability for two-tier loading by inserting a divider that compartmentalizes your cargo. For instance, you can keep your tools in one section and your material in another. It also keeps your second-tier cargo from sliding out of the truck.
Inner Gate Work Surface
The last mode, Inner Gate Work Surface, gives you a stable, flexible surface for doing different kinds of work, such as work tasks, using a laptop, or even eating meals while on the job. Also, you’ll find an in-bed 120-volt electrical outlet for even better functionality.
Additionally, depending on the trim, you’ll find an available audio system embedded in the tailgate. This MultiPro Sound System provides you with full Bluetooth streaming capabilities and a USB charging port. The system’s wiring and mechanisms are all weather resistant and operate independently from the truck, giving you the entertainment you need without needing the truck to be running. As you can see, the MultiPro Tailgate is useful for a number of reasons, making you wonder just how you might take advantage of the system. Which might be exactly what GMC’s designers were hoping for.
How Did the MultiPro Tailgate Set a Standard for the Future?
Through the years, there have been a number of innovations in the truck industry that have pushed functionality, connectivity, and safety. The best ones, such as the Sierra’s MultiPro Tailgate, set the bar for other tailgates in a number of important ways. Many people, including truck fans and experts in the field, have praised and recognized the GMC Sierra’s MultiPro Tailgate since it was first released. There is no doubt that it has affected the pickup truck market because it has led to a new wave of creativity and innovation in tailgate design.
As competitors have seen the possible benefits of flexible tailgate designs, they are now looking into similar ideas. These new tailgate designs aim to offer the same level of flexibility and convenience, ensuring that Sierra’s lead in this area isn’t the last word. In addition, truck manufacturers are paying attention to how drivers are using the MultiPro tailgate, hoping to offer more functionality than ever before.
Drivers will benefit from the innovative ideas and be able to use their tailgates in ways they’ve never imagined. This is because the MultiPro Tailgate has also changed the way pickup trucks are made in general. Tailgates are no longer an aside; they are now an important part of the design. Automakers are starting to understand that pickup trucks’ tailgates are very important and that how they look can have a big effect on a buyer’s choice.
Also, when GMC introduced the MultiPro Tailgate to the masses, there was no way they could have predicted how it would be perceived, especially after sitting on the idea for two years before letting the public in on it. Those two years might have been the game-changer, however, as it came about around the same time that everyday drivers began to realize that trucks weren’t just for work anymore. Today’s trucks speak to many drivers, allowing them to focus on a better work-life balance, transporting kids from school to soccer practice, and choosing to take their trucks on their road trips more than ever before.
The MultiPro Tailgate isn’t just a feature; it’s a sign of how pickup trucks have changed and grown over the years. It shows how a change that seems small can have a big effect on the whole experience of owning a truck. As time goes on, the MultiPro Tailgate will continue to set a high standard for future truck models and change the very nature of “tailgate innovation.”
Check Out the MultiPro Tailgate Today
The answer to the question “What Impact Did the GMC Sierra MultiPro Tailgate Have on the Truck Industry?” is quite clear. The GMC Sierra’s MultiPro Tailgate has changed what a tailgate can be by making it safer, more useful, and more flexible than ever before. Not only has it caught the attention of truck owners, but it has also led to new ideas across the industry. And as more car companies follow suit and release their own unique tailgate designs, the winner of the tailgate war is the drivers themselves.
If you’re curious to see the MultiPro Tailgate in person, stop by your local GMC dealer today. The tailgate is available on the Sierra 1500 Pro trim and standard on the SLE, Elevation, SLT, AT4, Denali, AT4X, and Denali Ultimate trims. Beyond an impressive tailgate, you’ll find a truck that is dependable and rugged with the latest innovations in technology and driver assistance safety features to keep you and your passengers safe on the road.
