GM Patents its Own Tailgate “Man Step”

General Motors Co., which once mocked Ford Motor Co. for offering a "man step" for the F-150 pickup, has patented its own retractable step to help users climb into a truck bed.

Housed in the tailgate assembly, GM’s integrated system consists of a fold-down step and a handle that rotates up for users to hold onto when the tailgate is down. The step has a perpendicular back wall to prevent users from inadvertently stepping through the lower rung.

Media reports suggest GM could introduce the feature next year on the Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra pickup trucks. The current Silverado has toeholds at the corners of the rear bumper that can be used to access the cargo bed.

Ford introduced its mechanical step, which slides out from the tailgate, on the 2009 model F-150. Other carmakers offer a mix of running boards, bumper cutouts and folding steps to do the job, Autoblog notes.