A sliding tailgate includes a moving main body configured to be located on at least a portion of a rear surface of a vehicle, roof levers located at both side ends of a front portion of the moving main body and configured to be moved along roof rail units, tilting units configured to rotate the roof levers thereabout so as to tilt the front portion of the moving main body, rail units configured to be located on a vehicle body and coupled to roller units located at a rear end of the moving main body so as to provide a moving trajectory of the rear end of the moving main body, drive units located on the moving main body and configured to apply driving force to the roller units, and a controller configured to receive a request for opening the moving main body.

A modular gate combined with multiple functions which can be easily employed with existing tailgates without any hardware or mounting modifications to existing truck beds. There is provided a modular tailgate system having a tailgate portion in combination with a plurality of functions. The modular tailgate system integrates any combinations of at least two of the plurality of features without affecting existing body sides and/or existing truck beds. Integrated features include a multi-functional gate (e.g., swing, drop, etc), storage (e.g., normal, sealed, refrigerated, heated, etc), step(s), lighting (e.g., ingress/egress, bed interior, removable, trailer hitch, parking, etc), bed extension(s), power (e.g., 12v and/or 110v), tie downs (e.g., ratchets, anchors, etc), sawhorse, magnet(s), table(s), bench(es), seat(s), net(s), any other predetermined desired function, etc., and combinations thereof.

A vehicle cargo bed structure includes a tailgate and a tailgate gap cover. The tailgate gap cover has a first attachment structure fixedly attached to a bed floor of the vehicle cargo bed structure, a second attachment structure fixedly attached to the bed floor at a location spaced apart from the first attachment structure, and a biasing structure. The tailgate gap cover is pivotal between a horizontal orientation with the tailgate in an open position, and an upright orientation with the tailgate in a closed position. The tailgate gap cover covers a gap between the tailgate and the bed floor with the tailgate in the open position. The biasing structure extends from the first attachment structure to the second attachment structure and biases the tailgate gap cover into contact with the tailgate in both the horizontal orientation and the upright orientation.

A vehicle cargo bed structure includes a tailgate and a tailgate gap cover. The tailgate gap cover has a first attachment structure fixedly attached to a bed floor of the vehicle cargo bed structure, a second attachment structure fixedly attached to the bed floor at a location spaced apart from the first attachment structure, and a biasing structure. The tailgate gap cover is pivotal between a horizontal orientation with the tailgate in an open position, and an upright orientation with the tailgate in a closed position. The tailgate gap cover covers a gap between the tailgate and the bed floor with the tailgate in the open position. The biasing structure extends from the first attachment structure to the second attachment structure and biases the tailgate gap cover into contact with the tailgate in both the horizontal orientation and the upright orientation.

A vehicle cargo bed structure includes a bed floor with an accessory attachment track, a tailgate and a tailgate gap cover. The tailgate gap cover has an attachment structure that includes a first part and a second part. The first part is inserted into a channel between side walls of the accessory attachment track. The second part is positioned above the side walls of the accessory attachment track with a fastening member extending between the first part and the second part clamping the attachment structure to the accessory attachment track. The tailgate gap cover is removable and re-attachable to the accessory attachment track. The tailgate gap cover is pivotal between a horizontal orientation with an adjacent tailgate in an open position and an upright orientation with the tailgate in the closed position.

A vehicle cargo bed structure includes a bed floor with an accessory attachment track, a tailgate and a tailgate gap cover. The tailgate gap cover has an attachment structure that includes a first part and a second part. The first part is inserted into a channel between side walls of the accessory attachment track. The second part is positioned above the side walls of the accessory attachment track with a fastening member extending between the first part and the second part clamping the attachment structure to the accessory attachment track. The tailgate gap cover is removable and re-attachable to the accessory attachment track. The tailgate gap cover is pivotal between a horizontal orientation with an adjacent tailgate in an open position and an upright orientation with the tailgate in the closed position.

A vehicle has a frame including a front frame module defining at least in part a cockpit, and a rear frame module having a cargo bed support structure. The vehicle has a rear seat row or a cargo bed support structure extension disposed rearwardly of a front seat row. A wheelbase length measured between centers of front and rear wheels of the vehicle is approximately the same regardless of which of the rear seat row and the cargo bed support structure extension is disposed rearwardly of the front seat row. A longitudinal cargo pivot distance measured between the center of the front wheels and a cargo bed pivot axis is approximately the same regardless of which of the rear seat row and the cargo bed support structure extension is disposed rearwardly of the front seat row. A method of assembling a vehicle of a family of vehicles is also contemplated.

A modular gate combined with multiple functions which can be easily employed with existing tailgates without any hardware or mounting modifications to existing truck beds. There is provided a modular tailgate system having a tailgate portion in combination with a plurality of functions. The modular tailgate system integrates any combinations of at least two of the plurality of features without affecting existing body sides and/or existing truck beds. Integrated features include a multi-functional gate (e.g., swing, drop, etc), storage (e.g., normal, sealed, refrigerated, heated, etc), step(s), lighting (e.g., ingress/egress, bed interior, removable, trailer hitch, parking, etc), bed extension(s), power (e.g., 12 v and/or 110 v), tie downs (e.g., ratchets, anchors, etc), sawhorse, magnet(s), table(s), bench(es), seat(s), net(s), any other predetermined desired function, etc., and combinations thereof.

A modular gate combined with multiple functions which can be easily employed with existing tailgates without any hardware or mounting modifications to existing truck beds. There is provided a modular tailgate system having a tailgate portion in combination with a plurality of functions. The modular tailgate system integrates any combinations of at least two of the plurality of features without affecting existing body sides and/or existing truck beds. Integrated features include a multi-functional gate (e.g., swing, drop, etc), storage (e.g., normal, sealed, refrigerated, heated, etc), step(s), lighting (e.g., ingress/egress, bed interior, removable, trailer hitch, parking, etc), bed extension(s), power (e.g., 12 v and/or 110 v), tie downs (e.g., ratchets, anchors, etc), sawhorse, magnet(s), table(s), bench(es), seat(s), net(s), any other predetermined desired function, etc., and combinations thereof.

A boarding/deboarding support structure includes a lower door having an upper end configured to be rotated and opened with respect to a bottom surface of a vehicle body, a lower trim located inside the lower door, the lower trim having an upper end configured to be rotated and opened with respect to a floor of the vehicle body, and an absorbing member having at least a portion supported by the lower door and a rear surface of the lower trim, the absorbing member being configured to absorb energy, wherein the lower trim is located between the floor of the vehicle body and an inner surface of the lower door, and wherein, when the lower door is opened, the absorbing member is deployed to be located between the lower trim and the lower door.