It's more than just a tailgate
Like a multi-purpose tool, it can be configured and positioned to function in several ways.
A true professional grade tool should be designed to serve more than one purpose. While pickup owners use their cargo boxes for a wider variety of tasks now more than ever, the pickup’s tailgate hadn’t evolved accordingly. This changes with the Next Generation 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 and the Next Generation 2020 Sierra Heavy Duty, which offer the World’s First Six-Function MultiPro™ Tailgate on 2019 Sierra Denali, Sierra AT4, and Sierra SLT models.
WHAT IS MULTIPRO?
Although it can be positioned for use in several different ways, Sierra’s MultiPro Tailgate is essentially two tailgates in one. MultiPro’s design consists of the primary gate – which is hinged like a conventional tailgate – and a smaller inner gate, which is hinged within the primary gate panel itself. Raising and lowering these two tailgate panels in different combinations allows MultiPro to take on a variety of different roles, ranging from a bed extender to an entry step, and many functions in between.
Above all else, MultiPro is designed to be a strong, durable and useful tool. As such, GMC engineers focused on not only designing the tailgate according to pickup owner input in order to maximize its functionality and convenience, but also designed it to be strong and dependable, no matter how it’s used.
“We exhaustively test every tailgate on our trucks, but we went even further with MultiPro,” says Derek Patterson, an engineer on the GMC MultiPro design team. “We’ve slammed both tailgate panels tens of thousands of times. We’ve duplicated a variety of real-world scenarios, including carrying cargo in and out of the box, or loading heavy motorcycles on ramps. We’ve cycled through its different configurations in a variety of climates and environments. All told, we wanted MultiPro to be as durable and professional grade as the Next Generation Sierra itself.”
WHAT CAN MULTIPRO DO?
PRIMARY GATE
MultiPro can open and close just like any other conventional tailgate. By pressing a release button on the tailgate itself, a button on the instrument panel, or a button on the remote key fob, MultiPro lowers and opens exactly like a traditional tailgate. MultiPro is equipped with both a torsional spring and a damper, which allow the tailgate to be easily raised and smoothly lowered.
PRIMARY GATE LOAD STOP
If you’re hauling longer items – say, sheets of plywood, or perhaps a paddleboard or two – MultiPro’s load stop feature helps prevent items from sliding out of the box. The inside panel within the inner gate can be unlatched and folded upright, providing a vertical barrier for longer items.
EASY ACCESS
Lowering MultiPro’s inner gate while the primary gate is also lowered effectively allows you to stand nearly 7-9" closer to the pickup box floor than with a conventional tailgate – perfect for reaching further into Sierra’s cargo box, or for loading and unloading bulky or heavy items.
FULL-WIDTH STEP
While Sierra’s standard CornerStep rear bumper eases entry and egress into the cargo bed, MultiPro goes a step further. When the primary and inner gates are both released and lowered, the inner panel can be unlatched from the inner gate and folded down, creating a 48" wide step, which is rated for 375 pounds†. Additionally, a hand grab can be folded out from the cargo box wall and locked in place, further assisting in entry and egress.
INNER GATE LOAD STOP
Sierra’s cargo boxes feature a two-tier loading design, which allow owners to insert a platform – possibly a plywood sheet – to separate items within the bed. MultiPro extends that versatility by also providing a load stop for longer items placed into the upper tier of storage. Simply lower the inner gate panel, and unfold the inside panel to form a vertical load stop.
INNER GATE WORK SURFACE
Whether you’re working on a project, preparing a tackle box, or tailgating at the big game, a pickup’s tailgate can often serve as a useful work surface. By lowering the inner gate alone, MultiPro provides a work surface at a comfortable height, much like a traditional workbench. Sierra’s available in-bed 120-volt electrical outlet makes this an even more versatile place to work.
OUTDOOR AUDIO
If you’re setting up a campsite or tailgating at the big game, and want to bring your music outdoors and closer to you – but don’t want to leave your truck running in order to play the stereo – the available Kicker MultiPro Sound System accessory can be quite handy.
Designed expressly for Sierra 1500 models with the MultiPro tailgate and offered and installed by GMC dealers, the Kicker MultiPro Sound System accessory† is a 100-watt exterior audio system neatly integrated within MultiPro’s inner gate panel. The system incorporates two 4" coaxial drivers, a compact amplifier and controls, a USB port for device charging and flash memory playback, along with full Bluetooth streaming compatibility.
The MultiPro Sound System is integrated into Sierra’s MultiPro Tailgate, but it operates independently of Sierra – the truck does not need to be on or running for the system to function, and a low current draw allows it to play for hours. The system also uses a tilt switch to automatically power down once the inner gate step is folded shut and the tailgate closed.
Like Sierra and MultiPro Tailgate itself, the sound system was designed and extensively validated to ensure it remains rugged and ready. Kicker’s expertise in creating audio components and speakers designed for boats, ATVs, motorcycles, and other vehicles exposed to the elements was leveraged in ensuring the components in this system can live up to the demands of a pickup truck’s box. The MultiPro Sound System is further protected by an ABS custom baffle, which is fully gasketed to prevent moisture and dirt intrusion. Additionally, the system’s wiring harness, connectors, and plugs are weather resistant for further protection.
