Chevy’s Multi-Flex Tailgate Versus Ford’s Pro Access Tailgate

Tailgates are one of the essential aspects of a pickup truck, and contemporary truck buyers want their tailgate to have the most inherent value possible, with traits like power opening, dampened lowering, and other functions that make access easier and grant utilitarian applications.

The “tailgate wars” of the top three truck manufacturers have significantly increased in recent years, with each developing a unique tailgate: Ram introduced the Multifunction tailgate, Chevy followed close behind with the Multi-Flex, and Ford recently unveiled the Pro Access tailgate. This newest addition has spawned comparisons between the Multi-Flex and the Pro Access, as an extension of the argument around the 2024 Chevy Silverado 1500 vs 2024 Ford F-150.

But which of the two tailgates is the most functional? Which is the most inherently valuable? Which would best suit your needs? With the rivalry between the F-150 and Silverado 1500 reaching new peaks in 2024, let’s explore how these two tailgates measure up…

What’s the Pro Access Tailgate? What Does It Do?

Ford introduced the Pro Access tailgate for the 2024 F-150, providing improved access to its rear cargo bed, which makes the F-150 more competitive with rivals like the 2024 Silverado 1500. The main function of this tailgate is like a typical truck hatch insofar as you can swing it down to open; however, the Pro Access tailgate offers several additional features, like powered opening and damped lowering.

The highlight of the Pro Access tailgate is that it also offers the utility of a side-swinging gate. Using this feature, you can access the rear bed via a split door; the side-swinging tailgate is 37 inches wide and can open up to 100 degrees, but you also have check stops at 37 degrees and 70 degrees. With the check stops in place, you can have a trailer hitched and still access the bed without hitting the trailer; you can use the check stop to only open the door part-way, meaning you can access the bed without the tailgate damaging your trailer or equipment.

The Pro Access tailgate also enables an under-bumper assist step, which enables you to step up and access cargo in the rear bed while the side door is open. The step can fold out from under the bumper and doesn’t intrude on the way the tailgate normally functions. You still get the dampened functionality when manually opening the tailgate, or you can use the power feature to open or close your tailgate remotely.

What’s the Multi-Flex Tailgate? What Does It Do?

The Multi-Flex tailgate was originally introduced for the 2021 model year Silverado 1500. This tailgate offers six main functions, with different types of utility for different purposes; these include dampened lowering and remote power operation. You can partially open the tailgate and lock it while it’s partially opened, and it also has an inner gate.

You can use the inner gate as a raised work surface or to confine longer objects in the cargo bed as an extended raised load-stop; this is useful for when you’re carrying a lot of long items that are laying flat yet extend beyond the length of the bed box. You can also lower the inner gate to shorten the reach inside the cargo bed.

Alternatively, you can lower the gate and then flip down the inner load-stop and use it as a bed step into the cargo box; as a step, the inner gate supports up to 370 lbs. With the multiple load stop positions at different heights and dampened support, you get multiple levels of function and utility from the Multi-Flex tailgate.

Also worth noting is that the Pro Access tailgate adds 55 lbs to the F-150’s curb weight, whereas the Multi-Flex adds 51 lbs, so the Multi-Flex is slightly lighter and still more versatile. This—in addition to its multiple load stop positions, work-surface levels, and step-in functionality—makes it particularly compelling and cost-effective for those who do a lot of hauling. This gives the Silverado 1500 a significant leg up over the F-150 and may make it the right truck for you.

What Can the Pro Access Tailgate Do That the Multi-Flex Tailgate Can’t?

The Pro Access tailgate has side-swinging capabilities that are not available on the Multi-Flex tailgate. This is valuable because, if you have limited space due to an attached trailer, the check stops of the side-swinging door on the Pro Access tailgate can be instrumental. Additionally, there are latch protections on the inner alignment gates of the Pro Access tailgate so that items or liquids don’t sink or spill into the grooves where the door and tailgate are separated.

Another feature that the Pro Access tailgate has that is not available with the Multi-Flex tailgate is the under-bumper pull-out step. This works well with the functions of the Pro Access tailgate without being tied directly to its uses, in that it enables you to step up and reach into the cargo box or retract the step without interrupting how you use the Pro Access tailgate, whether it’s up or down or whether the swinging door is open or not, making it indispensably modular.

What Can the Multi-Flex Tailgate Do That the Pro Access Tailgate Can’t?

The Multi-Flex tailgate has a lot of features not available for the Pro Access tailgate, the most obvious of which are the multiple uses of the inner gate and the inner gate’s load stops. There is no inner gate on the Pro Access tailgate, nor can you use the Pro Access tailgate as a step to access the Ford F-150’s cargo bed. While the Multi-Flex tailgate doesn’t have the swing-out bumper step, the inner gate load-stop can work as a step into the cargo box—and is just as effective.

Additionally, the Multi-Flex tailgate offers more work surface functions, not just as a surface for measuring but as a raised surface, so you don’t have to hunch over when doing precision work, writing, or using tools or a laptop. It’s a neat feature in addition to the multiple load-stop positions that are not available for the Pro Access tailgate.

Another feature that the Multi-Flex tailgate has that is not present on the Pro Access tailgate is the side-bed handlebar assist; this can be unhooked from the Silverado 1500’s bed’s side wall, and you can use it as an assist when climbing into the cargo bed. This is an especially useful feature when one of your hands is occupied.

What Are the Similarities Between These Two Tailgates?

Both the Pro Access and the Multi-Flex tailgate offer some similar functionality between their tailgate and bed box. For instance, both tailgates can work in conjunction with the available tie-down cleats. As a result, you can use either for cargo loading and unloading, should you have loading ramps stored on the deck slides of the cargo box, which can then be attached to the respective tailgates.

This is extra useful for loading or unloading small recreational vehicles or wheeled cargo boxes up detachable ramps. So you’re not losing any functionality from the tailgates in relation to the rest of the cargo box’s versatility. Both tailgates also offer accessibility for getting into and out of the cargo box, even if the means for doing so are slightly different. Of course, both tailgates can still function exactly like standard tailgates in terms of lowering and raising them for typical access.

Which Tailgate Is Right for You?

The war between the 2024 Chevy Silverado 1500 and the 2024 Ford F-150 has so many elements to it that it might be difficult to narrow your preference until you look at the finer details. If a multifunctional tailgate is essential to your purchasing decision, then there’s no doubt you get more function from the Chevy Silverado 1500’s Multi-Flex tailgate over the F-150’s Pro Access tailgate.