Step in easier, secure longer items, or use it as a standing desk — the next generation of tailgates has arrived.
GMC caused quite a stir at the 2018 Detroit Auto Show with its new MultiPro Tailgate. Available on the redesigned 2019 Sierra 1500 light-duty pickup truck, the MultiPro Tailgate promised better ergonomics, easier access, and a wider range of functionality beyond the standard tried-and-true tailgate of yore.
After taking the truck into the mountains of Colorado for a long-weekend family trip, we’re pretty stoked about it. We initially previewed the MultiPro Tailgate here.
With a healthy snowfall this year in Colorado, our trip from Boulder included a stop in Breckenridge to ski for the afternoon before heading to a ranch in the Arkansas Valley to spend the rest of the weekend. Here are my initial impressions.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEBiRYoheuM
GMC MultiPro Review: What You Get
The MultiPro Tailgate touts six different configurations of use. On this trip, we made extensive use of two of those configurations and little use of a few others. If you haven’t read the announcement story linked above, the MultiPro Tailgate consists of three parts: a primary tailgate, an integrated smaller secondary tailgate built into the primary, and a load stop/step fold out. We’ll walk through the various configurations and will include our first-hand use and review of those features.
The Primary Tailgate
We’re all familiar with the opening of a standard tailgate. However, instead of a typical latch handle, the MultiPro’s latch is a weatherproof rubber-coated button. You can also open the primary tailgate remotely with a key fob. The primary tailgate is available in two sizes: 70 or 80 inches.
The Load Stop
Once the primary tailgate is down, an integrated load stop panel can flip up. This keeps items that extend beyond the normal confines of the bed from falling behind your truck. The load stop is rated to 375 pounds.
Our only beef with the load stop is that it does not lock in the up position. While it would take a big slam on the brakes to get the load stop to fold down, it’s easy to knock it down with a simple bump while walking by if there isn’t something pressing against it.