{"id":7966,"date":"2026-05-03T17:16:04","date_gmt":"2026-05-03T21:16:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.autonocion.com\/us\/?p=7966"},"modified":"2026-05-03T19:08:44","modified_gmt":"2026-05-03T23:08:44","slug":"ford-hides-secret-tailgating-feature","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.autonocion.com\/us\/ford-hides-secret-tailgating-feature\/","title":{"rendered":"Ford Hides a Secret Tailgating Feature in the Back of Almost Every Bronco"},"content":{"rendered":"

Tailgating is an incredibly popular pastime in the US, and this has led manufacturers to include \u201ctailgate friendly\u201d features on some of their vehicles. Honda used to put a picnic table inside the CR-V<\/a>, and even Toyota joined in the fun for a little while with its \u201cparty mode\u201d button.\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n

But one of the strangest inclusions has to come from Ford. Yes, the frunk in the F-150 Lightning<\/a> and Mach-E can double as a coole<\/a>r, but the thing we\u2019re thinking of is far less obvious. The company assumes you\u2019ll end up partying outdoors at some point, so it\u2019s included a way to open bottled beverages in the back of almost every Bronco.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s a hidden bottle opener in your Bronco<\/h2>\n
\"The
Credit: Ford<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Broncos are pretty cool vehicles, with spacious cargo areas. This makes them ideal for both camping and tailgating, two events where Ford assumes you may want to enjoy a \u201ccold beverage\u201d or two.<\/p>\n

The problem is, a bottle cap isn\u2019t the same as a ring pull. They\u2019re on there pretty tight and usually require some kind of tool to prize off. Many people have a bottle opener on their keys, but just in case you haven\u2019t, Ford has decided to include one with every Bronco.<\/p>\n

With the regular Bronco, the bottle opener is located on the driver’s side rear painted pillar<\/a>. Just pop the tailgate and look inside the roll cage-type part, you\u2019ll see a bottle opener-shaped hole right there. Some drivers are a bit concerned about chipping the paint, while others have pointed out it\u2019s easy to lose a cap inside the pillar\u2019s tubing. So use it at your own risk, but it is there, and it does work.<\/p>\n

Things get a little easier with the Bronco Sport. That SUV has an obvious bottle opener built right into the trunk. Unlike with the Sport\u2019s big brother, there\u2019s no danger of losing a cap in this one. The stainless steel tool is pretty chip-proof too.<\/p>\n

The only vehicle left out of the party is a Bronco Two-Door, which apparently lacks the bottle opener feature altogether. But if you own a two-door, or any other non-Bronco vehicle, don\u2019t worry. The bottle opener is a bit of a gimmick anyway, and there are plenty of other ways to crack open a cold one.<\/p>\n

Anything is a bottle opener if you try hard enough<\/h2>\n

While the included bottle opener is a fun feature on the Bronco, and a nice little tailgate talking point, the true party animals amongst you will know just how unnecessary it is. You can use almost anything<\/a> to open a bottle if you know what you\u2019re doing. Including a lighter, a sheet of letter paper, or even another part of your vehicle like the latch that keeps the door closed.<\/p>\n

All you need is a way to apply upwards force to the small bit of cap that hangs over the side of the bottle\u2019s opening. Any square surface can do this, but be aware that a bottle cap is a bit of sheet steel with a somewhat sharp edge. So it\u2019s likely to gouge a chunk out of anything you\u2019re using, especially if you get the angle wrong.<\/p>\n

As a result, using anything wooden, painted, plastic, or chrome to open one is generally a bad idea. Unless you just don\u2019t care what happens to said component. Practice also makes perfect with this kind of thing, so get your technique down on a sacrificial counter top or other robust item before moving on to more complex openings.<\/p>\n

Oh and if you\u2019re opening a beer or two, make sure you don\u2019t decide to drive afterwards. It\u2019s been frowned upon for decades now, and authorities are only making it harder<\/a> to get away with it.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Tailgating is an incredibly popular pastime in the US, and this has led manufacturers to include \u201ctailgate friendly\u201d features on … <\/p>\n

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