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See the 2019 Ram 1500's New Tailgate in Photos

A new Multifunction Tailgate option has 60/40 clamshell doors in an attempt to compete with GMC's MultiPro tailgate.

2019 Ram 1500 Tailgate
Michael Simari|Car and Driver

GMC is busy touting its new Sierra 1500 pickup's MultiPro tailgate option that flips and folds in several different ways; it's the centerpiece of the company's new marketing campaign, in fact. But when one of the domestic full-size trucks does something, it's a sure bet that the others will be hot on its heels. Hence a good reason why the new Ram 1500 is now adding a trick tailgate of its own called the Multifunction Tailgate that will soon be available as an option on all 2019 Ram 1500 models.

2019 Ram 1500 Tailgate
Michael Simari|Car and Driver

The Ram takes a different approach than the GMC, splitting the tailgate horizontally into hinged 60/40 sections that can swing out, clamshell style, when the tailgate is raised.

2019 Ram 1500 Tailgate
Michael Simari|Car and Driver
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2019 Ram 1500 Tailgate
Michael Simari|Car and Driver

The tailgate lowers normally in a single piece, has the same damped action as the regular Ram's tailgate, can be operated by remote, and can accommodate a 2000-pound load when lowered.

2019 Ram 1500 Tailgate
Michael Simari|Car and Driver

Each door can be opened individually up to 88 degrees.

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2019 Ram 1500 Tailgate
Michael Simari|Car and Driver

Ram also notes that the tailgate can execute all of its functions even when a trailer is attached.

2019 Ram 1500 Multifunction Tailgate
Ram

It weighs around 75 pounds more than a standard tailgate, according to Ram.

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2019 Ram 1500 Multifunction Tailgate
Ram

Opting for the Multifunction Tailgate will cost $995 on any trim level—as opposed to the GMC, which only offers its fancy tailgate on upper trim levels—and it comes with a spray-in bedliner, ordinarily an extra-cost option.

2019 Ram 1500 Multifunction Tailgate
Ram

It can also be paired with an optional $295 retractable center step to aid access into the bed.

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2019 Ram 1500 Multifunction Tailgate
Ram

Ram says it's possible to retrofit the new tailgate to an existing 2019 1500 truck, but because it would require replacing the box in addition to the tailgate, it's an impractical proposition likely to cost several thousand dollars (stand-alone beds for the old Ram cost upward of $4000).

2019 Ram 1500 Multifunction Tailgate
Ram

Pickups with the new tailgate option will be available at dealerships starting in late spring 2019.

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2019 Ram 1500 Multifunction Tailgate
Ram
2019 Ram 1500 Multifunction Tailgate
Ram
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2019 Ram 1500 Multifunction Tailgate
Ram
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