A vehicle tailgate includes a substrate operable between open and closed positions and defining an inboard surface, an outboard surface and a top surface. A light assembly is positioned on the substrate. A first lens is positioned over the inboard surface and the top surface. A second lens is positioned over the top surface and the outboard surface. A plurality of light sources is positioned between the substrate and the first and second lenses.

An apparatus for extending a vehicle bed includes a tailgate for raising and lowering relative to the vehicle bed. The tailgate includes a retractable member adapted for extending vertically from the tailgate when lowered, and also for extending horizontally from the tailgate to form a handle. A ladder supported by the tailgate is adapted for moving from a lowered position for use in stepping into the vehicle bed using the handle to a raised position for connecting with the retractable member when oriented vertically from the tailgate, thus extending the effective length of the vehicle bed.

A draw bar stowage apparatus includes an opening through the bed floor of the cargo box of a pickup truck for receiving the insertion end of a draw bar. The stowage apparatus may include an additional bracket beneath the bed floor, bed protection, a plug and adjustable tether for securing a stowed draw bar.

A load support structure is provided for a vehicle tailgate. The structure includes a base incorporated into the tailgate, a first retaining member positionable in either of a stowed configuration and a raised configuration within a cavity formed in the base, and a second retaining member positionable in either of a stowed configuration and a raised configuration within a cavity formed in the base.

An apparatus for conveniently loading or unloading objects to and from a cargo bed of a vehicle. The system includes at least one ramp, a bumper, and a tailgate. The ramp includes a retaining member extending therefrom. The bumper has a configuration capable of receiving therethrough at least a portion of the ramp, to store the ramp under the vehicle in a stored position. The tailgate includes a plurality of retaining openings defined therein. The retaining openings have a configuration capable of receiving at least a portion of the retaining member of the ramp, to place the ramp in an in-use position. The ramp can be retained in the stored position by way of engaging ledges, which can be easily disengaged by a user to withdraw the ramp for use in loading or unloading objects from the cargo bed.

A vehicle tailgate assembly primarily for pick-up trucks comprises a frame with a transverse base and support arms extending perpendicularly therefrom adjacent distal ends of the base. A tailgate door is rotationally mounted to the frame between the support arms. The door comprises a transverse upper section rotationally joined to a transverse lower section at a rotational joint, preferably a hinge. A releasable locking mechanism, typically a latch or multiple latches, is located adjacent the rotational joint to releasably hold the upper section in relation to the lower section at selected orientations. An additional locking mechanism, also typically a latch or multiple latches, may selectively hold the lower section or both the lower section and the upper section to the support arms. The tailgate may also be provided with an extendible tailgate which may be rotated interiorly and exteriorly of the plane of the upper section. An extendible handle, stowable in the upper section or the lower section, may also be provided to support user entry and exit from a cargo hold of the pick-up truck.

A storage bag for use with a tonneau cover is provided. The storage bag has a main body having at least one pocket, and at least one first fastener secured to the main body for releaseably fastening the main body to a bottom surface of a tonneau cover.

A utility board that may be securely attached to a tailgate. The utility board may include a cutting board, a channel for collecting fluids, one or more connection sites that may be located in various positions about utility board. The utility board may optionally include a rinsing device, electrical outlets, one or more heating elements, one or more utensil holders, and/or accessories for use in recreational activities such as playing games.

A vehicle tailgate assembly comprises a frame with a transverse base and support arms extending perpendicularly therefrom adjacent distal ends of the base, a central section also extending perpendicularly from the base but to a lesser extent than the support arms, a door rotationally mounted to the frame between the support arms, the door being profiled with a central opening matching the central section and aligned therewith in a co-planar manner when the door is in a fully closed position, a mating portion comprising an indentation in the door adapted to mate with the central section when the door is rotated 180 degrees from the fully closed position to a working position to expose the central opening with the door co-planar with the frame.

A vehicle tailgate with an integrated collapsible door comprises a tailgate having an outer wall, an inner wall and a cavity there between, a door section of the tailgate having an inboard wall and an outboard wall and being moveable between a closed position and an open position substantially within the envelope of the tailgate, the inboard wall and the outboard wall being connected by a linkage to permit relative movement there between, a first track to guide the motion of the inboard wall and a second track to guide the motion of the outboard wall, and a power drive unit to power the motion of the door section, such that in the closed position of the door section the inboard wall is flush with the inner wall of the tailgate and the outboard wall is flush with the outer wall of the tailgate, and in the open position of the door section at least a portion of the inboard wall and at least a portion of the outboard wall lie within the cavity between the outer wall and the inner wall of the tailgate.