Fathom - Possible Midgate Patent - US 2025/0333118 A1

[onuiebvbevnulib]

Ford Motor Company has filed a patent for bed to cab pass through capability that may be used in future Ford EV pickups

Go to: Patent Public Search Basic (PPUBS Basic)

Enter: 20250333118 in Quick Lookup then Click Search

Search Returns: US-20250333118-A1 and you can view it as a PDF

 

[commadorebob]

Meh. I'm still not a fan of it. I hope it is only an option and not standard.

 

[chl]

Didn't the Silverado already have something like that, the "multi-flex midgate?"

https://www.barryschevrolet.com/using-the-silverado-ev-multi-flex-midgate/

 

[onuiebvbevnulib]

Meh. I'm still not a fan of it. I hope it is only an option and not standard.

We Know we know WE KNOW

 

[Snakebitten]

Didn't the Silverado already have something like that, the "multi-flex midgate?"

https://www.barryschevrolet.com/using-the-silverado-ev-multi-flex-midgate/

Yes, the Silverado/Sierra EV has the mid-gate on some trim levels. And although I wouldn't have insisted on having the option when I purchased my Denali, I now realize that I WOULD insist if I were to do it again. For beach camping, or even an impulse purchase of something that won't fit in the bed, it's a fantastic option that expands the utility of the truck.

I personally hope the Fathom has the option available, whether it is standard or not.

 

[DeluxeStang]

This is old news friend.

 

[chl]

Yes, the Silverado/Sierra EV has the mid-gate on some trim levels. And although I wouldn't have insisted on having the option when I purchased my Denali, I now realize that I WOULD insist if I were to do it again. For beach camping, or even an impulse purchase of something that won't fit in the bed, it's a fantastic option that expands the utility of the truck.

I personally hope the Fathom has the option available, whether it is standard or not.

It would be a nice feature.
The flip-book preview and the patent filings suggest it will be a feature of the Fathom.
Time will tell.

 

[chl]

Meh. I'm still not a fan of it. I hope it is only an option and not standard.

Were there problems with the midgate, such as water etc getting in to the cabin, or security issues in trucks with a midgate?

Ford has plenty of legacy water intrusion issues already in the F-150, hopefully gone from the Fathom.

 

[commadorebob]

Were there problems with the midgate, such as water etc getting in to the cabin, or security issues in trucks with a midgate?

Ford has plenty of legacy water intrusion issues already in the F-150, hopefully gone from the Fathom.

The fit and finish on my wife's top of the line Expedition looks a lot better than my top of the line Maverick. Another opening is another place where cheap labor practices can screw it up.

 

[Snakebitten]

The mid-gate in the Denali EV is not cheap. It is a lot of engineering. Even the back of the seats are engineered as truck bed surface that you would otherwise be completely unaware of until you fold them down. The mid-gate itself is configured to do a 60-40 split, so you can choose less than full opening. It's also has a horizontal split for opening only below the bed rail, or drop the entire wall and have the opening pictured above.

Like I said, a lot of engineering for avoiding NVH and weather protection. Expen$I've approach indeed.

I would suspect a much simplified version in the Fathom, if it has one.

 

[mark]

Based on the desire to keep it simple, it should be as simple as they can make, it assuming it shows. It sounds like nice option for expanding cargo or camping options.

 

[Basenji703]

I am excited!!! It looks like I will be able to figure a way to transport a longboard without having to use a roof rack. However, the pictures on the patent show sort or mid length boards. this will be the replacement for my surf mobile.

 

[ChasingCoral]

Were there problems with the midgate, such as water etc getting in to the cabin, or security issues in trucks with a midgate?

Ford has plenty of legacy water intrusion issues already in the F-150, hopefully gone from the Fathom.

Considering a fathom is six feet under water, the possibility of water intrusion seems high. It'll certainly be noisier than a solid wall.

 

[chl]

Considering a fathom is six feet under water, the possibility of water intrusion seems high. It'll certainly be noisier than a solid wall.

Noisy, when closed?
I guess...if the bed is full of doubloons.

But seriously, a test drive will decide how noisy it is when it's closed.

One thing I'd wonder about is leaks in heavy rain etc. if no tonneau cover.

Some folks with F-150 Lightnings have had water leakage through the vent at the back of the rear seats it seems.

If the Fathom DOES include a midgate standard, then I hope they did a good job on it.
Since I rarely have humans or pets in the back seat, that space would be useful to me for longer lumber for example.

 

[paneubert]

I imagine a lot of the "will it leak" concerns would be addressed if the midgate closed on the interior of the truck "higher" than the back glass with a thick gasket. Like the door gaskets on the 4 doors. Then water from the bed would need to travel vertically against the wall of the bed (fighting gravity), then still make it past the gasket. How to prevent leaks at the sides and floor? Uhh.....I guess same thing probably. Beefy gaskets and liberal overlap with metal around the sides. Bottom "hinge" of midgate could be some sort of continuous but waterproof membrane that is part of the back few inches of the bed floor and continues all the way up the back wall of the bed? Who knows.

I could also see some sort of drain system at the interface of the bed floor and midgate. A path than allows any water that collects near the midgate seal to drain out the bottom of the truck versus pooling there and trying to enter the cabin.