What Are Midgate Trucks?

The standard truck bed size is around six feet and five inches long, which isn’t exactly ideal for people who often have to haul long items, such as ladders, pipes, and kayaks. Instead of getting a truck with a larger bed, however, you can always get a midgate truck.

What Is a Midgate on a Truck?

A midgate is a special barrier behind the collapsible second-row seats of a pickup truck. It folds down together with the seats, creating an extension for the truck bed. This allows the driver to fit larger items in the truck bed, which now extends from the tailgate to the back of the front row.

GM was the first manufacturer to introduce the midgate in the Chevy Avalanche, which the manufacturer marketed as a super SUV specifically because of this feature.

What Are the Pros of a Midgate?

Here are some of the benefits of having a midgate:

Increased Cargo Capacity

A midgate’s primary function is to extend the truck bed size to significantly increase cargo capacity. It makes it easier to haul longer items on short truck beds, such as a canoe, ladder, or lumber.

Versatility

You have more options with a midgate. Aside from easily switching between an extended truck bed and a spacious cabin, you can find midgate trucks with other features. For example, Ford’s patented midgate design supports various camping accessories and even transforms into another work surface, creating the perfect truck camping setup.

Unique Look

If you’re looking for an unconventional truck with a unique look, then a midgate truck is the way to go. To showcase the midgate, these trucks tend to have an eye-catching design.

What Are the Cons of a Midgate?

Unfortunately, midgates also have their fair share of disadvantages. Here are some of the cons of having a midgate:

Reduced Passenger Capacity

Extending the truck bed sacrifices a significant amount of cabin space for your passengers. You’ll have fewer seats available in the vehicle, so you might have a hard time fitting a larger group in your truck.

Potential for Damage

Comprised of several moving parts, midgates can be susceptible to wear when used too often or incorrectly. Some midgate components can also be hard to source, which means you might have to replace the entire mechanism instead.

Reduced Security

Make sure to keep your truck’s midgate closed when you’re not using it. Children and pets can slip through an open midgate and into your truck, where it isn’t always safe. An open midgate can also make it easy for thieves to enter your vehicle.

What Are Trucks With a Midgate?

Over the years, midgate trucks have come and gone on the market, with manufacturers putting their own spin on this useful feature. Here are examples of trucks with a midgate, including eye-catching prototypes from various manufacturers:

Nissan SUT Concept

Similar to a midgate, the 1999 Nissan SUT concept featured a mid-mounted liftgate that opened upward to expand the truck bed.

Ford Equator Concept

Ford’s 2000 Equator concept was a prototype based on the best-selling F-150. It had a boxy look with a drop-down rear bulkhead in the cabin for a bigger truck bed.

Chevrolet Avalanche

The 2002 Chevy Avalanche’s midgate is the modern midgate’s pioneer. Its truck bed was around five feet long, which extended to around eight feet with the midgate folded down. Chevrolet released a second-generation Avalanche in 2007 before discontinuing it in 2013.

Cadillac Escalade EXT

In 2002, Cadillac introduced its own midgate truck in the form of the Escalade EXT. The Escalade EXT was a luxury pickup truck that featured an impressive 345 horsepower engine and all-wheel drive.

Unfortunately, it didn’t appeal much to consumers, resulting in low sales until Cadillac eventually discontinued it.

Chevrolet Silverado EV

In 2024, Chevrolet reintroduced the midgate in the Silverado EV. Aside from a four-wheel steering system, hands-free driving assist system, and several other features, it boasts a Multi-Flex Midgate, which extends the truck bed from five feet to over nine feet.

Subaru Baja

Subaru’s version of the midgate first appeared in the 2003 Baja. It was called a Switchback door, and it extended the truck bed by over 2.5 feet.

Kia KCV4 Mojave Concept

In 2004, Kia showcased the KCV4 Mojave concept, which featured a power-operated bed wall that could slide, creating a cargo space of over seven feet long.

GMC Envoy XUV

Thanks to its sliding rear roof panel and power-operated rear windows, the 2004 GMC Envoy XUV could transform from a fully enclosed SUV to a four-door pickup truck. Its midgate extended the truck bed from around four feet to over six feet.

Hummer H2 SUT

The 2005 Hummer H2 SUT’s truck bed only measured around three feet long. With the midgate lowered, however, the cargo area could fit items up to six feet long.

Dodge Rampage Concept

At the 2006 New York Auto Show, Dodge introduced the Rampage concept truck. The Rampage had a unibody with sliding rear doors and a midgate barrier.

Toyota A-BAT Concept

In 2008, Toyota showcased the A-BAT concept truck at the North American International Auto Show. The A-BAT was a compact pickup with a gasoline-electric hybrid powertrain and a middle gate that stretched the truck bed to around eight feet long.

Volkswagen Tarok Concept

First introduced at the 2019 New York Auto Show, Volkswagen’s compact Tarok concept truck features a truck bed that measures six feet long with the midgate lowered.

Bollinger B2

This battery-electric concept truck is perfect for hauling long items. With a midgate and a pass-through between the cab and trunk, the Bollinger B2 can fit cargo that’s over 20 feet long. Unfortunately, Bollinger canceled the mass production of the B2 to focus on its EV platform.