Zac Quinn 
Ford has just unveiled the 2024 F-150, and with an assortment of innovative ideas to make customer lives easier, the new Pro Access Tailgate is the most innovative feature available for the full-size truck. Offering easier access to the cargo box and even access while towing a trailer.
2024 Ford F-150 Pro Access Tailgate: Details
Ford first added the dual access tailgate to its pickups with the Ford Model A nearly six decades ago. That was all we needed for a while, but over the past few years, truck manufacturers have spent time reimagining the humble tailgate. In 2006, Ford introduced a fold-down tailgate step; later, the company added a handle that retracts into the tailgate for added stability. Most recently, the Blue Oval added a power up/down tailgate with a work surface featuring integrated rulers, a place to set your mobile device, and a pencil and cup holder. But, it’s time for a new upgrade, and for the 2024 model year, customers can choose to more easily access the Ford F-150 truck bed after Ford widened the step cut-out and increased bumper depth to create the company’s best tailgate experience yet: The Pro Access Tailgate.
The F-150 with the available Pro Access Tailgate offers a 100-degree fully opened integrated swing gate, which should bring even more convenience to accessing the pickup than ever before. Customers can open the feature from the driver’s side, which should reduce the walking distance to the tailgate handle and facilitate operation when towing. The system even features a specially designed integrated handle for easy entry and exit of the swing door opening. Ford even added built-in stops to the swinging door, thanks to the use of detents in the door’s internal mechanism, which helps avoid hitting the door into the trailer jack or other obstacles that may be in the way.
Rather than stretching into the bed to move items or access them, the Pro Access Tailgate ensures that more things in the bed are within an arm’s reach, allowing for 24 inches of additional reach compared to a conventional tailgate in the ‘down’ position. Additionally, customers will have quicker access to bed lighting, storage boxes, cargo, Pro Power Onboard, and more, enabling increased productivity no matter where you are. Don’t fret; the new Pro Access Tailgate available on the 2024 Ford F-150 pickup has undergone rigorous durability testing to show its Built Ford Tough. However, if you prefer the traditional tailgate, that is still available for the redesigned F-150.
What’s more? The redesigned rear bumper step is focused around the Pro Access Tailgate, so secure and solid footing is always ready no matter what configuration the tailgate door is in. Users can open the single-door design with one hand or open (or close) the entire tailgate using the key fob’s electronic release. Either way, users have easy access even if they’re carrying something in one of their hands. Ford engineers have even ensured the new tailgate works with many available bed accessories, such as bed dividers and tonneau covers, to provide a fully functional ‘trunk’ for the vehicle.
Ford has even added a new bed storage box behind one or both rear wheel wells. This provides a central location with a heavy-duty locking mechanism for added security; it’s also easy to access with the swing gate. The bed storage box is standard across the F-150 lineup and located on the right-side corner of the pickup bed. Customers who don’t select Pro Power Onboard will get an additional storage box on the left side of the pickup bed as standard with 5.5-ft and 6.5-ft boxes.
