Ford Patent Brings the Party to Your F-150’s Bed
Be the star of your next tailgate party with this insane, bed-mounted screen, projector, and speaker setup from Ford.
In recent years, truck beds have become far more than just a big, empty space to toss stuff in. Automakers like Ford have integrated everything from ramps to lighting back there, making trucks more and more convenient for hauling purposes. Which is exactly what most truck owners use their beds for. But judging by this recent patent filed by Ford and discovered by The Drive, perhaps there’s a much more entertaining future for truck beds.
What looks like a drive-in movie setup is actually what Ford calls a “portable entertainment support system for a pickup truck box,” and it’s pretty ingenious. The whole system is designed to operate without having to drill nasty holes in your F-150’s bed, for starters. And yet, it packs everything you need for a nice little movie or mobile party outside. Things like a big retractable screen, projector, and even a couple of speakers.
The drop-in system is attached to the bed using removable mounts. You know, just in case you need to use that space for other stuff. But it’s also supported by a series of crossmembers, so it’s likely very strong. The rather ingenious system looks like a tailgater’s dream come true, too. Just imagine whipping this bad boy out and watching the game while you roast up some various cured meats.
And, well, that’s exactly what we’d use it for. Or perhaps host a drive-in movie night in our backyard under the stars. And even though it seems somewhat like a pipe dream, we certainly hope that Ford actually builds this thing. Unlike some of the wacky patents we’ve seen in the past, this one looks like a pretty useful idea for what was already a pretty useful space!
