“Dual function” tailgate exists

[cj7]

What was the final word on the front bed corner brackets? I'm in the minority, but I kinda like them.

I had those on my Frontier (had to make them) to reinforce the front box wall when I mounted a winch there to pull the motorcycles up the bed ramp.

Also, anybody see a 1500 Quad Cab with a Multi (dual) Function Tailgate?

 

[LouCap]

What was the final word on the front bed corner brackets? I'm in the minority, but I kinda like them.

I had those on my Frontier (had to make them) to reinforce the front box wall when I mounted a winch there to pull the motorcycles up the bed ramp.

Also, anybody see a 1500 Quad Cab with a Multi (dual) Function Tailgate?

No final word yet. I'm still waiting for a call back from RAM Care, or even someone from RAM who lurks here to reach out with a definitive statement on what the brackets do. Are they a precaution? Structural? A tie down point? Any input from the manufacturer would be appreciated.

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[MPMRam]

Apologies for the lack of quality. The one odd thing is the braces at the front of the bed. I believe they are part of the tailgate package...presumably to stiffen the bedsides when the barn doors are open. No one at the dealer had the answer. I have not seen them before, so I am guessing a tailgate necessity.
Nice truck, I see you gotmyour truck from the same dealer I ordered my truck from. I drove 2 hours to get the best price. Waiting for mine to get delivered.. Do you like it, or love it, ormi hope not, hate it. I think I would of like to have the option to order the multi tailgate

 

[Wannabee]

Those of you who have the new tailgate, what state do you live in? I haven't found any in NC.

 

[LouCap]

Those of you who have the new tailgate, what state do you live in? I haven't found any in NC.

Clearwater Florida area here. My truck was the first one with the Dual Function Tailgate that my dealership had ever seen, and they got it through a swap with an Orlando shop. It sat in their showroom for one day before I grabbed it.

 

[saxapl]

Those of you who have the new tailgate, what state do you live in? I haven't found any in NC.

Illinois. My dealer received 3 and traded for another. They said only three dealers in the state received tailgate trucks because FCA doled out the limited supply to the top selling dealers. I put money down on mine the day it arrived. All 4 were sold on the June discounts.

 

[Rustydodge]

As mentioned earlier, the brackets strengthen the bed side rails, which is more important now due to barn door function. Rambox do not need them as the wider base provides enough strength for the side rails as is (or maybe added structural components are hidden).

You're welcome to remove them IMO but likely increased risk with tailgate alignment/latching issues.

I doubt anyone from Ram will OK their removal.

 

[saxapl]

As mentioned earlier, the brackets strengthen the bed side rails, which is more important now due to barn door function. Rambox do not need them as the wider base provides enough strength for the side rails as is (or maybe added structural components are hidden).

You're welcome to remove them IMO but likely increased risk with tailgate alignment/latching issues.

I doubt anyone from Ram will OK their removal.

The only thing that makes sense is they are there to resist the force when the doors are swung out. The additional lever acting longitudinally with the bedside is not much given the attachment point. However, I could see Ram worrying about the bedsides deforming if the barn doors are swung open hard. Thus the braces.

I bet if a person did not exert a lot of outward force on the doors, no brackets would be necessary.

 

[LouCap]

The only thing that makes sense is they are there to resist the force when the doors are swung out. The additional lever acting longitudinally with the bedside is not much given the attachment point. However, I could see Ram worrying about the bedsides deforming if the barn doors are swung open hard. Thus the braces.

I bet if a person did not exert a lot of outward force on the doors, no brackets would be necessary.

Hypothetically speaking, if the topper you ordered doesn't work with the brackets in place, would you feel comfortable removing them? Or would you go without a cover on the bed of your truck?

This is the crux of my current dilemma.

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[saxapl]

Hypothetically speaking, if the topper you ordered doesn't work with the brackets in place, would you feel comfortable removing them? Or would you go without a cover on the bed of your truck?

This is the crux of my current dilemma.

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I would feel comfortable removing them. In my estimation, the amount of force used to swing the doors out should be kept low anyways to prevent damage to the mechanism. I also think there is a lot of room for modifications to make the bracket work with accessories as they are plenty beefy.

 

[StuartV]

Whatever the brackets do would probably be done even better by a cap anyway.

 

[LouCap]

Whatever the brackets do would probably be done even better by a cap anyway.

The brackets are pretty stout, so the frame of the topper would have to be substantial. From what I've seen, the rails of a bed cover can't replace them, since they only connect to the sides with nothing between rails but the cover itself.

 

[StuartV]

The brackets are pretty stout, so the frame of the topper would have to be substantial. From what I've seen, the rails of a bed cover can't replace them, since they only connect to the sides with nothing between rails but the cover itself.

But, the brackets are pretty short. They have to be stout to be where they are, as short as they are, and provide any strength that "reaches" all the way to the tailgate. A topper that bridges from one side to the other at the actual tailgate could be MUCH less strong, but still give equal or more reinforcement to preventing the barn door tailgate from flexing the bed wall.

And yeah, rails for a cover would be totally different, since (with the cover open) they don't tie the bed walls together at the tailgate.

 

[SD Rebel]

I like it!

Can you put a truckbox on the back with those brackets though?

 

[Alxmlr789]

I just sent some photos of my truck with the DFT to realtruck, who was going to pass them along to undercover and BAK. I plan to remove one of the brackets this weekend to see what they are all about. I can also think of modifying them or modifying the rail of a tonneau may help as well. We will see.

 

[diddydog]

Just bought a 2019 Limited with the multifunction, or as the window sticker calls it, the dual function tailgate.

The unicorn exists and qualified for the great deals they had going on this month. I was going to order a truck with exactly the features I wanted, but at the price lot trucks are going for, who could bring themselves to do that.

 

[diddydog]

did the dealer have any more in stock with the tailgate option

 

[LouCap]

I just sent some photos of my truck with the DFT to realtruck, who was going to pass them along to undercover and BAK. I plan to remove one of the brackets this weekend to see what they are all about. I can also think of modifying them or modifying the rail of a tonneau may help as well. We will see.

Okay, full disclosure here...my dealer DID take the brackets off my truck in an attempt to install the MOPAR hardcover. I drove around for a week like that, but based on everything I saw here, I decided to reinstall the brackets and go another route. When reinstalling the brackets they did not initially fit flush into the corners of the bed. Once I bolted them in though, everything lined up perfectly. Mind you, the tailgate was never out of true, nor had anyone ever flung the doors open, so I'm not sure what was going on there. Anyway, all is well now, and I was able to finally find a cover that works with both the braces and the BUG. If you have both of those systems on your truck, the ONLY hardcover I've found that works is the Gator Hybrid Folding cover. I have installed it on my truck now and it fits perfectly, and so far has not leaked. Under other circumstances, it would probably not be my first choice, but it works for now. Hopefully, MOPAR or some third party manufacturer will develop more options that work with the Dual Function tailgate in the future.

 

[Alxmlr789]

Okay, full disclosure here...my dealer DID take the brackets off my truck in an attempt to install the MOPAR hardcover. I drove around for a week like that, but based on everything I saw here, I decided to reinstall the brackets and go another route. When reinstalling the brackets they did not initially fit flush into the corners of the bed. Once I bolted them in though, everything lined up perfectly. Mind you, the tailgate was never out of true, nor had anyone ever flung the doors open, so I'm not sure what was going on there. Anyway, all is well now, and I was able to finally find a cover that works with both the braces and the BUG. If you have both of those systems on your truck, the ONLY hardcover I've found that works is the Gator Hybrid Folding cover. I have installed it on my truck now and it fits perfectly, and so far has not leaked. Under other circumstances, it would probably not be my first choice, but it works for now. Hopefully, MOPAR or some third party manufacturer will develop more options that work with the Dual Function tailgate in the future.

Thanks for the reply LOU. I was going to remove mine and weld up some brackets of my own that may allow for better clearance. I would imagine as more and more of these trucks hit the market someone will come up with a solution. Or, maybe get a set of spare brackets and modify accordingly. I contacted ram directly and will report back with their response.

I was thinking about trying to find a cover that could be installed in between the bed rail and the bracket. The Sentry CT looks very close.

 

[Alxmlr789]

Okay, full disclosure here...my dealer DID take the brackets off my truck in an attempt to install the MOPAR hardcover. I drove around for a week like that, but based on everything I saw here, I decided to reinstall the brackets and go another route. When reinstalling the brackets they did not initially fit flush into the corners of the bed. Once I bolted them in though, everything lined up perfectly. Mind you, the tailgate was never out of true, nor had anyone ever flung the doors open, so I'm not sure what was going on there. Anyway, all is well now, and I was able to finally find a cover that works with both the braces and the BUG. If you have both of those systems on your truck, the ONLY hardcover I've found that works is the Gator Hybrid Folding cover. I have installed it on my truck now and it fits perfectly, and so far has not leaked. Under other circumstances, it would probably not be my first choice, but it works for now. Hopefully, MOPAR or some third party manufacturer will develop more options that work with the Dual Function tailgate in the future.

Also, when you say the handles on the BUG, what are you referring to? I don't see any difference with the bed utility group.