A latch system for a vehicle includes a synchronizer and a lock unit. The synchronizer is configured to block and allow release of a number of latches of the vehicle such that some latches are blocked from being released if other latches are already released. The lock unit is configured to block selectively the release of the number of latches.

A tailgate deactivation system. A switch includes two terminals configured to be electrically coupled to a tailgate power circuit that supplies power to at least a portion of a tailgate of a vehicle, and an actuator configured to electrically couple the two terminals in an on state to allow power to flow in the tailgate power circuit, and to electrically decouple the two terminals in an off state to inhibit power from flowing in the tailgate power circuit.

A method of operating a tonneau cover and a tailgate of a vehicle, including: transmitting one or more signals to a first control module to open or lower the tailgate; determining a position of the tonneau cover with the first control module or a second control module and transmitting by the first control module and/or the second control module one or more signals to a mechanism associated with the tonneau cover to open the tonneau cover if the tonneau cover is determined by the first control module and/or the second control module to be in a closed position; and then lowering the tailgate.

A system for a vehicle having an accessory positioned along the vehicle. The system may also include a sensor located along the vehicle in wireless communication with the accessory, wherein the sensor triggers activation of the accessory based on input from an external source.

A retractable truck bed closure is disclosed herein. The retractable truck bed closure comprises a pair of frames that extend across a truck bed between sidewalls of the truck bed. The closure may be moved between a stored configuration and an extended configuration along the pair of frames to open, and close, a portion of the truck bed, respectively. The frames may be attachable to the truck, or may be integrated into portions of the truck, such as the sidewalls of the truck bed or the rear of the cab of the truck.

A vehicle assembly includes, among other things, a cargo bed of a vehicle, a passenger side rail mounted to a passenger side wall assembly of the cargo bed, and a driver side rail mounted to a driver side wall assembly of the cargo bed. A crossbar is slidably coupled to the passenger and driver side rails. The crossbar is slidable along the passenger and driver side rails between a forward position and a rearward position. The crossbar is closer to a cab of the vehicle when the crossbar is in the forward position than when the crossbar is in the rearward position.

Various vehicle systems are proposed for accessing and utilizing vehicle cargo spaces on vehicles equipped with a tailgate assembly. The vehicle systems may include deployable and/or rotatable stairgate systems, deployable step systems, etc. designed for the accessing the vehicle cargo spaces. The proposed systems may include various deployment mechanisms that enable the stairgate/step systems to slide, pivot, rotate, swing, and/or otherwise adjust for providing ease of access and increased flexibility when stepping up to access the vehicle cargo space.

A retrofit tailgate latching mechanism and method for a tailgate. This includes a retrofit housing configured to be connected to the tailgate. Also, there is an actuating handle joined with the retrofit housing. A linkage assembly is joined with the actuating handle at a proximal end of the linkage assembly and extending through and within the tailgate toward the stop catch of the truck bed sidewall. The linkage assembly selectively engages and disengages the stop catch of the truck bed sidewall at a distal end of the linkage assembly. A cable is connected between the proximal end and the distal end of the linkage assembly wherein actuation of the actuating handle to an open position pulls the distal end of the linkage assembly toward the actuating handle and disengages the linkage assembly distal end from the stop catch whereby the tailgate can pivot to a lowered position.

A vehicular rear window assembly includes a window panel comprising an inner side and an outer side. A spoiler includes (i) a base portion that is adhesively attached at and along an upper region of the outer side of the window panel and (ii) a cover portion that is attached at the base portion. The vehicular rear window assembly, with the spoiler adhesively attached at and along the upper region of the outer side of the window panel, is configured for mounting at a rear portion of a cabin of the vehicle. With the vehicular rear window assembly mounted at the rear portion of the cabin of the vehicle, the inner side is toward the cabin of the vehicle and the outer side and the spoiler are exterior of the vehicle.

A rotatable tailgate assembly is provided for installation on a dump bed. The tailgate assembly has support members attachable to the side of the dump bed. Each support member has at least one bearing adjacent at a free end extending rearwardly of the dump bed's rear opening. A tailgate has a cylindrical tailgate shaft with a first end rotatably received within the bearing of a first support member and a second end rotatably received within a bearing of a second support member. The tailgate has a closure portion extending radially away from the tailgate shaft. The closure portion engages the rear edges of the dump bed floor and sides to close off the dump bed opening when the tailgate assembly is in a closed rotational position. The tailgate assembly also comprises a rotation actuator operatively connected to the tailgate shaft for selective rotation thereof.