Methods and systems are described for a folding tailgate. The system includes a first panel and a second panel forming a tailgate of the vehicle. The vehicle has a first vehicle sidewall and a second vehicle sidewall. The system may include a first hinge coupled between the first panel and the second panel. The first hinge is configured to rotate the second panel toward the first panel, moving the second panel towards the first vehicle sidewall for opening the tailgate sideways.

Actuator apparatus and related methods for use with vehicle locks are disclosed. A disclosed locking system for a vehicle includes a movable component of the vehicle and a lock operatively coupled to the movable component. The locking system also includes an actuator assembly. The actuator assembly includes a housing coupled to a vehicle body, an actuator supported by the housing, and a linkage mechanism connecting the actuator to the lock. The locking system also includes an input device supported by the housing. Activation of the input device causes the actuator to change a state of the lock.

Actuator apparatus and related methods for use with vehicle locks are disclosed. A disclosed locking system for a vehicle includes a movable component of the vehicle and a lock operatively coupled to the movable component. The locking system also includes an actuator assembly. The actuator assembly includes a housing coupled to a vehicle body, an actuator supported by the housing, and a linkage mechanism connecting the actuator to the lock. The locking system also includes an input device supported by the housing. Activation of the input device causes the actuator to change a state of the lock.

Systems and methods for remotely locking and unlocking vehicle accessory locks of vehicle accessories positioned on a vehicle are disclosed. The vehicle includes main doors with locks that are remotely lockable and unlockable using main door lock actuators. Vehicle includes a vehicle controller that receives a user signal from a user, first determines a main door actuation command based on the first signal, and first transmits, based on the main door actuation command, a first actuation command signal to the main door lock actuators. The system includes accessory lock actuator(s) operably coupled to the accessory lock(s), accessory lock controller(s) operably coupled to the accessory lock actuator(s), and a gateway controller operably coupled to the vehicle controller. Gateway controller second determines an accessory lock actuation command based on the first actuation command signal, and second transmits, based on the accessory lock actuation command, a gateway signal to the accessory lock controller.

A cargo bed for a utility terrain vehicle (UTV) having a floor, a tailgate, and a pair of sidewalls. The cargo bed is operable to convert from a walled configuration into a wall-stored configuration while at least one of the tailgate and the pair of sidewalls remain mechanically-connected to the floor.

A cargo bed for a utility terrain vehicle (UTV) having a floor, a tailgate, and a pair of sidewalls. The cargo bed is operable to convert from a walled configuration into a wall-stored configuration while at least one of the tailgate and the pair of sidewalls remain mechanically-connected to the floor.

An endgate striker assembly engageable with an endgate latch, wherein the endgate striker assembly has a striker and an overmolded-annular shoulder. The striker has an attachment portion at one end, a head at the opposite end and a cylindrical shaft between the attachment portion and the head. The overmolded-annular shoulder is between the cylindrical shaft and the attachment portion. The overmolded-annular shoulder has an annular damper and an annular shoulder. The annular damper is molded over the surface of the annular shoulder facing the cylindrical shaft and at least part of the outer circumferential surface of the annular shoulder.

An endgate striker assembly engageable with an endgate latch, wherein the endgate striker assembly has a striker and an overmolded-annular shoulder. The striker has an attachment portion at one end, a head at the opposite end and a cylindrical shaft between the attachment portion and the head. The overmolded-annular shoulder is between the cylindrical shaft and the attachment portion. The overmolded-annular shoulder has an annular damper and an annular shoulder. The annular damper is molded over the surface of the annular shoulder facing the cylindrical shaft and at least part of the outer circumferential surface of the annular shoulder.

A latch mechanism for releasably securing a hinged gate to one or more latches. The latch mechanism includes a handle that is pivotally connected to a gate wall. The handle includes at least one retention arm that lockingly engages a latch when the hinged gate is in a latched position. According to certain embodiments, the handle includes a retention arm at both ends of the handle, with the handle extending generally along the length of the gate wall. Further, the handle may be pivotally displaced about the retention arm(s) so that the handle is displaced from the first position to a second position. As the handle is pivotally displaced to the second position, a release mechanism of the handle may engage and pivotally displace the adjacent latch so that the retention arm may be released from the locking engagement with the latch.

A latch mechanism for releasably securing a hinged gate to one or more latches. The latch mechanism includes a handle that is pivotally connected to a gate wall. The handle includes at least one retention arm that lockingly engages a latch when the hinged gate is in a latched position. According to certain embodiments, the handle includes a retention arm at both ends of the handle, with the handle extending generally along the length of the gate wall. Further, the handle may be pivotally displaced about the retention arm(s) so that the handle is displaced from the first position to a second position. As the handle is pivotally displaced to the second position, a release mechanism of the handle may engage and pivotally displace the adjacent latch so that the retention arm may be released from the locking engagement with the latch.