Flex-N-Gate Canada launches the all-new Ford F-150 Pro Access Tailgate

Flex-N-Gate Canada, located in Windsor, Ontario was awarded and is in the process of launching the all new Ford F-150 Pro Access tailgate.  Flex-N-Gate will begin shipping tailgates for production at the end of March and the team at the plant, along with the advanced manufacturing group, have been working tirelessly on equipment readiness, gap and fit and overall functionality.  Components of the tailgate like the hinges are supplied by other Flex-N-Gate locations – in this case Flex-N-Gate Bradford.  

Ford describes the tailgate as follows:

One of the more notable additions to the 2024 Ford F-150 is the new Pro Access Tailgate, which is a multifunction unit of sorts that adds quite a bit of functionality to that part of the pickup.

Ford widened the step cut-out and increased the bumper depth of the refreshed F-150 to create the Pro Access Tailgate, though customers can also choose to stick with the traditional tailgate if they so wish.

However, the Pro Access Tailgate can tout that it’s the only one on the market capable of swinging open 100 degrees at full tilt with a specially integrated handle, from the driver’s side, which reduces the distance one has to walk to reach the tailgate handle, giving customers a way to access the bed while towing.

The tailgate can also open up 37 degrees or 70 degrees, helping customers avoid hitting the trailer jack and access the bed in tighter corners. The swinging door present on the Pro Access Tailgate has built-in stops with detents to hold parts in place, which also helps prevent it from hitting the trailer jack.

The biggest benefit, of course, is that users can more easily reach items inside the bed thanks to the cutout – a full 19 inches closer compared to a traditional tailgate. This means that owners will also be able to more easily reach bed lighting, storage boxes, cargo, and the Pro Power Onboard generator, too.

To use the new, more functional tailgate, customers can open the single-door with one hand, or drop the entire tailgate using just the key fob, which is helpful for those carrying items in their other hand. Either way, the Pro Access Tailgate is designed to work with a host of available bed accessories such as tonneau covers and bed dividers, too.

Once ramp up activities are complete, the expected volume is as high as 120k units as the tailgate is standard on premium trucks and optional on entry level trucks.   The plant will be stamping the aluminum panels and went through a building expansion in order to handle the program specific capital equipment.  

Flex-N-Gate is proud to be part of this great adventure!