--- title: "Ford’s Clever Sliding Tray Could Make Unloading Your Truck’s Bed Easier" description: "Ford has filed a patent for a movable tray that could carry cargo out of a pickup's bed, or at least closer to you for easy access." date: "2024-02-19" modified: "2024-02-19" authors: - name: "Nico DeMattia" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/nico-demattia" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/fords-clever-sliding-tray-could-make-unloading-your-trucks-bed-easier" categories: - "Car Tech" - "Ford News" - "News" - "News by Brand" - "Patents" tags: - "F-150" - "Ford" - "Maverick" - "pickup" - "Ranger" --- # Ford’s Clever Sliding Tray Could Make Unloading Your Truck’s Bed Easier ![]() *USPTO* Anyone who's ever owned a pickup [truck]() or borrowed a friend's knows that sometimes cargo rolls to the back of the bed, requiring you to climb in to retrieve it. It's an annoyance, particularly with larger, heavier items, and aftermarket cargo unloaders can help address it for some. But [Ford's]() just patented its own solution it'd theoretically offer straight from the showroom: a tray that slides out of the bed and can even be angled downward, called the "Adjustable Base Plate." *[Ford Authority]()* unearthed the application, originally filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office ([USPTO]()) in August of 2022 but published only a few days ago. In the drawings, you can see the aforementioned plate in the bed, with tracks that hold a sliding tray. The tray itself could have slots or cutouts to hold tools and other small cargo, putting them within easy reach for owners. ![]() **USPTO** One interesting feature is the tray's ability to tilt downward once it's reached its outermost position. In Figure 3C, you can see the tray angled down a bit, which may allow items to slide down the tray and out of the bed on their own, like a mini-dump bed. That would be useful for hauling mulch, dirt, or stone for landscaping work, for example. Rather than shoveling it out, just move the tray out, tilt it downward, and let gravity do the rest. The height of the tray can be adjusted as well, as there are multiple track positions for it. At the tray's highest position, there would still be space for low, flat items to be placed underneath directly on the bed floor, while the entire top of the tray would be available to carry more cargo above. Items below the tray might also be less likely to shift in transit. You can imagine shovels or tools stuffed in the cubby below, and loose topsoil up top. ![]() **USPTO** Ford could offer this technology on [any of its pickups]()—[commercial]() or passenger—and I could see it being a big hit. Contractors and customers alike would surely find plenty of uses for such a tray system. And unlike [the very *imaginative* patents]() we sometimes see in the automotive industry, this one's actually realistic enough to envision on a production pickup in the not-too-distant future. *Got tips? Send 'em to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Nico is a writer and reviewer from New Jersey who probably thinks he’s a lot funnier than he actually is. His love of cars began when he was just a kid playing Gran Turismo 3, grinding out enough race wins with a Mazda Miata to save up for an in-game RUF 911. That passion for small, lightweight sports cars drove his desire to learn more about the industry, get his hands on as many cars as he could, and bring those experiences to life on the page. He cut his teeth writing about BMWs, Volkswagens, and Audis, mostly, and has owned far too many of each. He’s on his fourth 3 Series sedan, but all of his old, cheap German cars have forced him to learn more about car maintenance than his mechanical capability can handle. Too many late nights have been spent scrambling to get a car running by morning so he could get to work. For some reason, he never seems to learn that old Bimmers probably aren’t the best daily drivers. But he loves more than just old German cars. He’ll gladly drive and discuss anything with four (or even three) wheels. Cars aren’t his only passions, though. Nico is also a big nerd and loves movies, video games, comic books, and cares far too much about the New York Giants. So don’t be surprised if you see football references or dumb, obscure movie quotes in any of his car reviews. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()