05:08 25-01-2026

Ford's new patent adds a pull-out drawer to pickup truck step

Ford's latest patent introduces a pull-out drawer in the pickup truck step for tools and cargo, improving storage and convenience. Learn about this innovative feature.

Ford Motor Company continues to experiment with pickup truck functionality, filing a new patent that could change how items are stored in the bed. The document describes a pull-out drawer located next to the step used for bed access.

The patent was filed on July 17, 2024, and published on January 22, 2026. The idea involves modifying an existing step: instead of being a passive element, it could become a full storage compartment. The pull-out drawer is intended for tools, accessories, or small cargo, with interior layouts potentially including dividers for better organization.

In recent years, Ford has been actively exploring ways to utilize unused space in pickups, particularly in the sidewalls of the bed. The company has previously filed patents for various hidden compartments, modular panels, and solutions somewhat resembling the "gear tunnel" of the Rivian R1T. This new step-side drawer appears to be a logical evolution of that concept and could prove simpler and more versatile.

While a patent doesn't guarantee the feature will appear in production models, such solutions align well with Ford's philosophy of practicality and owner convenience. Given the popularity of integrated storage systems among competitors, the idea seems timely. Ford itself emphasizes that patent applications primarily serve to protect ideas and aren't direct indicators of future product plans.

Still, developments like this often eventually reach production in some form. If Ford implements this drawer in its pickups, it would demonstrate how a simple engineering solution can offer real-world benefits in daily use.