The base plate also had adjustable height levels, so you could hypothetically secure items beneath the plate. If you need to transport multiple things, you could separate the two and keep your tools and equipment clean. The top tray, for example, could be used for soil, sand, or gravel, while the lower compartment could store valuables and other loose items.
If Ford does introduce this system, it will be interesting to see if the adjustable base plate is available in all of its pickups, including smaller trucks like the Maverick. We wouldn’t be surprised if it is only offered in more commercial options, like the F-150 XL trim and the Super Duty variants. A system like this would also work in vans like the Transit.
The Blue Oval is constantly patenting ideas for trucks, such as a third bolt-on rear axle or an adaptive tonneau cover for improved aerodynamics.