GM Planning Bed Extenders for its Pickups

GM wants to equip its pickup trucks with a bed extension. This is according to two patents recently filed by General Motors (GM) with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

Such an addition to the models would enable owners to enjoy the capacity of a long bed, when they need it.

The irony is that not so long ago, models were offered with 8-foot boxes. Today, the boxes are shorter, because the cabins are bigger.

One of the applications, registered on March 12th, is called “Pickup Truck Cargo Bed Extension Systems”. The extension would allow the bed to stretch to eight feet.

Operating the system would be simple. The tailgate and floor slide back to extend the load space, with an option for hinged panels that could completely close off the area between the tailgate and the bed’s walls, to provide an enclosed environment.

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