GM to develop expandable truck bed?

Two patents recently filed by General Motors show the potential for an expandable cargo bed system for pickup trucks.

Such a feature would allow drivers to gain long-bed cargo capacity when needed, while maintaining the small footprint of a short-bed pickup at other times.

One of the applications, titled "Pickup Truck Cargo Bed Extension Systems," was published by the USPTO on March 12. In this application, GM describes an extendable tailgate that can create a cargo bed up to 8 feet long.

This design has the option of a hinged panel that allows the tailgate and floor to slide to extend the cargo area and completely enclose the area between the tailgate and cargo bed walls.

On February 27, the USPTO also published GM's patent application titled "Truck Having a Dynamically Adjustable Box." In this version, the cargo bed is split into an upper and lower section, with the lower section attached to the truck's chassis, while the upper section can be extended to create a larger cargo box. The rear bumper could also be attached to the upper bed. [GM is not alone in working on this idea. Ford has filed several patents for an expandable bed and is exploring ideas such as a sliding bed floor, an inner cargo box that telescopes outward, and versions incorporating steps and ramps.

GM and Ford have already entered the tailgate wars, with both companies developing elaborate multifunctional tailgates for their latest full-size pickups.