Spied: 2019 Ram 1500 With New Tailgate
While it will be a while before we see an upgraded Ram 1500 pickup truck, it seems like we will see some new tailgate technology shortly. Our spy shooters are seeing some interesting tailgate camouflage, and we're guessing that the new split-door setup we've been hearing about will be the next Ram-first feature to be highlighted on its pickup lineup. This is what our roving photographers just sent us:
"We caught a new mule testing the updated platform for what we think is the 2019 Ram 1500 Quad Cab, sporting a new style of camouflage that covers the tailgate and wraps over most of the truck bed. The disguise is unlike anything we've seen on prior Quad Cab mules, so it has us wondering if this one is playing around with some of the tailgate options found in some of Ram's earlier patent drawings.
"If Ram can figure out how to manufacture a drop-down, split-barn-door tailgate — and keep it reliable and inexpensive — the trick tailgate could be a real possibility for the next-generation Ram pickups due for the 2019 model year.
"While other Ram mules have had camouflaged tailgates (pictured in the below gallery on the cream-colored mule), they were always just a traditional vinyl covering shrouding the entire tailgate without any provision for a split-gate design. The new camouflage covers this mule's tailgate like a fabric diaper; it's slipped over the entire rear clip and could be pulled off in a single piece. The new rear camouflage design would allow for quick access to a split tailgate without restricting the unique flexibility promised in the design foreshadowed in the patent illustrations.
"While we can't see beneath the mule's new rear-clip camouflage, one real possibility for the new disguise is to accommodate the future Ram's quite revolutionary tailgate technology.
"Testing of 2019 Ram mules is progressing at a furious pace around Fiat Chrysler Automobiles' engineering hubs, so the appearance of an all-new camouflaging scheme seems noteworthy."
KGP Photography images
Comments
The "RAM Gate" saga continues...
looks like the tail gait might have a higher profile as well, unless that is just camo I'm seeing
If FCA ever actually releases a new 1500 truck I'll faint. Not unlike the whole Jeep Pickup tease, these RAM teases get old.
Must be the new chassis underneath, check out the 6 lug wheels and fender flairs. Rams 1/2 tons have 5 lug wheels now.
I've owned Dodges since 1969 with the 3 on the tree, now I'm disabled can't work I'm like the fat kid at prom all I can do is look.
@papa, I agree same with Gm, if they ever release an actual new truck.
How come they never post news here on the ecodiesel? Isn't there some big news on that? Is it available anymore? Will it be? Just curious. That is a big pickup story.
No matter what they do...it's still a fiat. Why do people buy this junk
let's not make a new truck, let's make a new tailgate, with a different logo
@Nitro Stupid comment. GM trucks were all new in '14, with a new one for the '19 model year (spy photos show they are on pace to meet that). Ram has been selling the same basic pick up design since 2009, with very mild refreshes. The claim is that we will see an all new design soon, but there are no spy photos for proof. Comparing the life cycle of ram's pickups to GMs is pretty ridiculous- keep looking through your rose colored lenses.
I don't know who calls the Dodge Ram junk I guess that they have never owned one or they would not call the truck junk. I just sold a 2003 that had 126780 miles on it and I only had replaced the fan belt at around 65000 miles and at 90000 miles I put installed front pads and new tires, I had done all the service myself, changed oil and filter around 5000 miles. I sold the pickup for $ 17500.00 last fall. So you just keep buying those Chevrolets and Fords I have owned them too. By the way I owned an auto repair shop from 1962 until I retired and I am 85 years old.
@Nitro
GM has released an entirely new family of V8 and V6 truck engines. Not passenger-car motors like Ford, but dedicated truck designs.
Not to mention a mid size family of trucks that is standing Ford and RAM on their heads.
Do you want a real truck? Test drive a GMC or Chevy as soon as you're old enough to get a license, that is.
I don't see the point in a tailgate like this or the Hondas. Nice to have the option though I guess.
papajim--But the 2014 Silverado was supposed to be the 2008 Silverado. A redesign is well overdo. RAM is beating the Silverado in sales now.
@papa/truck, I have driven them, not much different than the last 01 I had with all the problems, they are too outdated as mentioned by many auto news outlets,so again when they come out with something new I'll faint, just like PAPA.
Where is everybody seeing the tailgate ? In every pic I see the gate is covered !
papajim--But the 2014 Silverado was supposed to be the 2008 Silverado. A redesign is well overdo. RAM is beating the Silverado in sales now.
Posted by: Jeff S | May 19, 2017 10:13:32 AM
HUH? GM had new trucks in 2007 AKA GMT900, that replace the GMT800, and now have the current trucks from late 2013-2018 GMTK2XX.
From day one to current seen below.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_AK_Series
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_Advance_Design
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_Task_Force
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_C/K
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GMT400
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GMT800
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GMT900
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GMT_K2XX
papajim: The Ford EcoBoost engine is good enough for both applications--a different strategy altogether. Ford's 6.2 is one of the best V-8s in the industry.
GM's midsizers are a sales failure in my book--not special enough to be low volume offerings.
I've driven your GMC. Great truck...until you drive a Ford. GM vehicles will always appeal to GM lovers who want what's familiar to them. Even if it's mediocre.
The problem with GM's offerings is that they are limited. Good luck finding a 6.2 8 speed in the configuration you want. It won't be in a work truck. The 5.3 is adequate but gets beat by Ford's 2.7L EcoBoost. GM needs a change but I don't think they're up to it. GM will continue to limit the performance by trim level and they will continue with stupid stuff like off-center steering wheels and dual glove box gimmicks. I hope I'm wrong.
But the 2014 Silverado was supposed to be the 2008 Silverado
@Jeff S
Go back and look at the 2009 Comparison that Mark Williams did back when he did the comparo for Motor Trend. I just saw it this morning.
The 2009 Silverado beat Ford, RAM, Nissan and Toyota.
GM's midsizers are a sales failure in my book--
Posted by: redbloodedxy | May 19, 2017 10:50:55 AM
How many books have you sold? Now you know who is the failure.
But the 2014 Silverado was supposed to be the 2008 Silverado. A redesign is well overdo.
Posted by: Jeff S | May 19, 2017 10:13:32 AM
Jeff S, there was an all new Silverado released in 2007.
Can PUTC administer an online IQ test to weed out those types of commenters.
GM's midsizers are a sales failure in my book
@redbloodedxy
Are you kidding! Ford and RAM don't even offer one. I've said since day one that the midsize market is nowhere near as hot as the rest of the commenters here keep saying, but GM's mid size trucks are selling well.
Honda Ridgeline gets all the love and they can't wet the damn bed with that thing. How many Honda pickups have been sold in the last ten years? Squat.
So the Ford and G.M twin boys want an all new Ram. Thats hilarious. Meanwhile Ram is selling like hot cakes.
Papajim,
The 5.0 mustang and f150 engines have significant differences that are application specific. What defines a truck engine anyway? Back in the day the difference was more substantial. Today, power train engineering leverages platforms to save cost and that's true with all MFGs. Torque low in the RPM range, durability? Is the hemi different in different in the car truck application? I think the car version of the EB is different from the F150 as well.
So Ram is "innovating" a new tail gate..... I fail to see what is wrong with the current breed of all pickup tail gates. If anything, they need to ditch the big bright CHROME ram. Realistically, the truck is a super old platform and they are grasping at straws trying to remain relevant and providing an industry "first" that no one cares about. Give us something relevant.....
GM vehicles will always appeal to GM lovers who want what's familiar to them. Even if it's mediocre.
Posted by: redbloodedxy | May 19, 2017 10:50:55 AM
You win the internet for today. Thanks Bro.
Can PUTC administer an online IQ test to weed out those types of commenters.
Posted by: GMSRGREAT | May 19, 2017 11:08:17 AM
You'd be the first one out the door.
The split tail-gate shown in the drawings at that link provided in this article is not at all far-fetched. Ford had a very similar tailgate on the station wagons back in the 1970's or thereabouts. If I recall, it was only on the full-size station wagons. It worked very well.
My memory is faulty about Ford having the split tailgate on the station wagons. It was a two-way tailgate, opening either the traditional pickup truck way or opening from the side. But it was not split. Sorry my memory failed me on this one.
Only thing mediocre is Ford, cheapest slap together junk ever seen by man.
The 5.0 mustang and f150 engines have significant differences that are application specific. Posted by: Grnzel1
@Grnzel1
Think of the old Ford 300 six.
It was a truck engine. Yes, it might have been a base motor in the station wagons or big sedans, but it was mostly seen in vans and pickups. Today Ford's base six cylinder is no different from the six they'd put in a minivan or CUV.
GM builds the 4.3, a specific base motor for the halfton trucks. It is lightyears ahead of the earlier 4.3
Neither RAM or Ford do anything like it. The base sixes from Toyota and Nissan are lame compared to the 4.3
Hemi
Not sure about Ram tailgate in in some ways I guess it could work like Honda Ridgeline.
The main reason for the Ridgeline Dual Action Tailgate is gaining easy access to the lockable in-bed trunk underneath truck bed.
Swing it open and open the in-bed trunk if you have large 82 Quart cooler full ice beer soda fish no way to get that out over drop down tailgate. Same if you have large suit case down in trunk or golf clubs or anything smaller.
Spare tire is in trunk on sliding tray so with tailgate swung open you much closer to the bed of the truck actually your in it.
If you have large say outdoor grill or large wheeled generator tie down with straps in bed for transport much easier to get to with out having to go over the drop down tailgate much easier to get up into bed in swung open position.
I here people say if the load up with bulk mulch much easier to shovel out. Guess Ram split tailgate will have it's advantages also.
Go back and look at the 2009 Comparison that Mark Williams did back when he did the comparo for Motor Trend. I just saw it this morning.
The 2009 Silverado beat Ford, RAM, Nissan and Toyota.
Posted by: papajim | May 19, 2017 11:00:41 AM
I just looked at that.
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. But he and Motor Trend piggybacked on pickuptrucks.com competition which said Ford beat Chevy and all the other guys.
As someone else stated the 6.2 brought to that test was only available in the top trim so that really doesn't help most people, does it?
The real test comes with time. The Chevy looked good in the beginning but in 2010 putc did a follow up on the Chevy interior and it was falling apart. By that time, Ford had all new engines. The Chevy definitely needed the 6.2 in testing in 2009. If Chevy had brought the 5.3 that 98% of customers buy it would have been a test closer to reality. Straight up the Ford is the best overall.
Some people are wise. Some are otherwise.
I aint one to gossip but the Ram needs a new roof more severely than a new tailgate. This thing is a deathtrap.
I aint one to gossip but the Ram needs a new roof more severely than a new tailgate. This thing is a deathtrap.
Posted by: RAM | May 19, 2017 1:43:49 PM
Wrong - they need a WHLOE new truck...period!
Ram with hemi badazz chevy and ford eater.lol
I find ram trucks look amazing POWERFULL.and great besides I own a 2017 ram.lots of power great for camping..peace
Great trucks full of power..camping towing and showing off I own 2017 ram...peace
Besides u can't beat a hemi and nobody else has them..only RAM. That's why it has 16 spark plugs..for POWER
RAMBIE way to go
If you ram haters hate ram so bad just stay out of here no point of getting into stupid arguments that go no where.
Hey Ram, you reading these comments?---Just in case you know? I say Ram name on back is too big, and I still prefer the crosshair grill, of course it is OK if you offer both versions. I am intrigued with a new tailgate, but at least offer an assist up, those things getting heavy! I love my 2014 Big Horn Hemi Crew! I suppose you could try to knock a few pounds off the rig---which would make the 400 Hemi horses even more powerful, and increase mpg a bit, otherwise, keep up the good work! The interior quality has leapt forward, and the build quality is improved as well. I decided to vote for Ram with my hard earned money, and we see how the reliability goes, so far so good, Cheers!
Love the exhaust sound of that 5.7 HEMI
Ford has to pipe in fake exhaust sound thru the speakers
I have a brand new 2017 ram with the hemi I love lots of room great gas mileage lots of power
Love the exhaust sound of that 5.7 HEMI
Ford has to pipe in fake exhaust sound thru the speakers
Posted by: Tom #3 | May 20, 2017 12:17:47 AM
I have a 2.7 EcoBoost. I can't notice a difference in sound with my radio on or off. Yes in a way, I miss the V-8 sound. But, I love the turbo "whine" with my windows down going up a grade at lower speeds. It's a whole other music for your ears.
Back to the subject, if this is Ram's version of the girly tailgate step Ford pioneered, the GM guy's on this site, papajim and his 4 usernames and johnny and his 6 names, will likely come on here pointing out their facts of how GM invented it and Ram copied it.......smh
The tail gate is being replaced by
The word
RAM
2x2 letters
Those Rear brakes look a lot bigger. Looks like a min. of a 20" wheel to fit over them.
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