One of the defining features of the 2024 Ford F-150 is its newly available Pro Access Tailgate, which effectively turns the bed into a walk-in bathtub. As part of this effort, there’s a swing gate in the center of the tailgate that opens 100 degrees and provides access to the bed without having to lower the tailgate.
We played around with the Pro Access Tailgate at the Detroit Auto Show and decided to pit it against the multifunction tailgate on the Ram 1500. The latter has been around for awhile and is a $1,095 option on higher-end versions of the pickup.
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Pictures: Michael Gauthier / CarScoops
Ford’s Pro Access Tailgate might be the new kid on the block, but it’s packing some smarts as the swing door features built-in stops to prevent it from banging into trailers. More importantly, the swing door is located in the center of the bed and is often paired with a rear step. Thanks to the door and step, you can easily climb up into the bed.
While that’s a nice feature, the user experience leaves something to be desired. Lowering the tailgate is par for the course, but the release for the swing door is relatively small and hidden underneath a lip. Despite a graphic indicating where the release is, you’ll still have to fumble around until you hit it.
Pictures: Michael Gauthier / CarScoops
Ram makes the operation of its multifunction tailgate foolproof as you pull the upper release to lower the tailgate. To open the driver’s side swing door, you push down on the lower release. The smaller swing door can then be opened by an inner release, easy-peasy. It’s a simple, intuitive layout and Ram deserves a lot of credit for nailing the user experience.
On top of that, Ram’s multifunction tailgate is far more useful. Being able to swing the whole tailgate out of the way is a huge bonus and is far better than only being able to open a small door. Ram also offers a rear step like Ford, so that’s not anything to get excited about either.
That being said, Ram’s multifunction tailgate felt heavier than Ford’s Pro Access Tailgate. However, we don’t have firm numbers and it’s certainly not a deal breaker.