Customer First: How Feedback Shaped Our Rear Seat Release

At BuiltRight Industries, we don’t believe great products come from guessing. They come from listening. From paying attention to how people actually use their trucks, what works, what doesn’t, and where small frustrations quietly live until someone finally fixes them.

That mindset is what shaped our rear seat release, and more specifically, why we recently revised it. This isn’t a story about launching something new for the sake of it. It’s about refining something good into something better - because our customers told us how.

Innovation Starts by Listening

Truck owners are some of the most detail-oriented people out there. They notice when something rattles. They notice when a strap falls out of reach. They notice when a product almost works but doesn’t quite disappear into their daily routine the way it should.

From day one, BuiltRight has built products around real-world use, not spec sheets. Whether it’s storage, organization, or access, we’re always asking the same question - does this make your truck easier to live with?

That philosophy drove the evolution of our Ford rear seat release, and it’s why we see customer feedback not as criticism, but as fuel.

The Problem We Were All Trying to Solve

If you’ve ever owned a Ford F-150, F-250, or F-350, you already know the opportunity hiding behind the rear seats. Ford gives you a decent amount (well, double check that you don't have a subwoofer back there!) of hidden storage, but accessing it isn’t exactly convenient from the factory.

Behind-the-seat storage in SuperCrew, or SuperCab trucks is valuable space - especially for tools, recovery gear, hunting equipment, or everyday carry items. The problem is that the factory seat mechanism makes accessing that rear seat storage more of a chore than it should be.

We saw that pain point clearly, and so did our customers.

The Original Rear Seat Release - A Strong Foundation

Our original RSR (Rear Seat Release) was designed to solve exactly that problem. Simple, intuitive, and durable, it allowed Ford owners to quickly release the rear seat and access their behind-the-seat storage without fighting the factory latch.

It was built around a patented design that prioritized reliability, smooth operation, and vehicle-specific fitment. No drilling. No guessing. Just a clean, well-engineered solution that felt like it should have come from the factory. Even from that, we heard customers didnt like the rattle of the aluminum tab, so from there we had our first revision, going to an injection molded nylon tab. No more rattles!

You can still see that original intent in the current version of our
BuiltRight Industries Ford F-Series Rear Seat Release Kit, which has been trusted by thousands of Ford owners.

But even good products can get better.

What Our Customers Told Us (And Why We Listened)

As more people installed and used the RSR daily, feedback started to come in. Not complaints - observations.

Some customers mentioned that depending on seat position or personal preference, they wanted a bit more reach. Others noticed that after releasing the seat, the strap could occasionally fall back behind the seat if you weren’t paying attention.

Small details? Absolutely. But small details matter when you’re building premium products.

Instead of brushing that feedback off, we took it seriously. Because when dozens of customers mention the same thing, it’s not noise - it’s direction.

The Revised Rear Seat Release - Built Better, Because You Asked

The updated rear seat release is the result of those conversations.

The most noticeable improvement is a longer strap, making it easier to grab and operate across different seating positions and cab configurations. Whether you’re in a SuperCrew or an SuperCab, the release feels more natural and accessible.

We also added a Velcro retention tab, a simple but effective upgrade that prevents the strap from falling back down behind the seat after use. It stays exactly where you expect it to be, ready the next time you need quick access to your rear seat storage.

This wasn’t about reinventing the product. It was about refining it.

Designed for Strength, Not Shortcuts

One area we never compromise on is materials. The revised RSR continues to use glass fiber reinforced composites, chosen specifically for their strength, durability, and resistance to fatigue over time.

Unlike brittle plastics, these materials are designed to survive repeated use, temperature swings, and real-world abuse. If you’re curious why that matters, we’ve broken it down in detail in our article on
the strength and versatility of glass fiber reinforced composites.

This is the kind of engineering that disappears into daily use - which is exactly how it should be.

Amazon Knockoffs vs BuiltRight - Where the Differences Show

It’s no secret that amazon knockoffs exist. At a glance, they might look similar, but the differences become obvious once you actually use them.

Many knockoffs rely on cheap plastics, non-rotating tabs that bind under load, and generic designs that aren’t tailored to specific Ford interiors. Most offer fewer features, inconsistent fitment, and no real testing behind them.

And perhaps most telling - they come with no warranty.

BuiltRight’s rear seat release is backed by a lifetime warranty because we expect it to last. That confidence doesn’t come from copying designs. It comes from refining them.

More Than a Product - A Platform for Rear Seat Storage

The real value of a well-designed Ford rear seat release is what it unlocks. Easier access means better use of behind-the-seat storage, cleaner organization, and faster access to the gear you rely on.

Whether you’re running MOLLE panels, soft bags, or custom storage setups, the RSR turns unused space into functional storage without adding complexity.

It’s a small component that enables a much bigger system.

Why Continuous Improvement Matters

We don’t believe products should be frozen in time. Trucks evolve. Use cases change. And customer expectations keep getting higher - as they should.

Revising the RSR wasn’t about fixing a failure. It was about honoring feedback and committing to the idea that even successful products deserve attention.

That’s how innovation actually happens.

Customer Feedback Is the Feature

At the end of the day, the revised rear seat release is proof of something bigger than a longer strap or a Velcro tab. It’s proof that listening works.

Every BuiltRight product starts with a problem, but it’s shaped by the people who use it. And as long as our customers keep talking, we’ll keep building, refining, and improving.

Because the best ideas don’t come from boardrooms - they come from the driver’s seat.