In our house, packing the car expertly is a dad job. And now there’s a whole new frontier for dad skills powered by an unexpected feature: the frunk, or front trunk, found in most of today's modern electric vehicles. Because the traditional engine is gone, these vehicles boast a massive front storage area. The frunk is proving to be a versatile, often-used space where dads are finding creative ways to manage everything from messy gear to spontaneous adventures.

In our F-150 Lighting, it’s much more than just storage. The truck's Mega Power Frunk is a washable (due to its drain hole), lockable, electric-powered dad-brag haven. Coffee after an off-grid bike ride, Halloween candy "frunk or treat," post-storm kitchens — the frunk is prime real estate for dad skills and innovation.

And the best part? Some of these brilliant features came from the dads engineering them.

Sports Frunk Dad

Take Vince Mahe, the chief engineer for F-150 Lightning.

Mahe combats his son’s dreaded lacrosse gear stink with a frunk ozonizer, turning the front trunk into a sanitation station.

"It smells like a chlorine pool," he admits, a small price to pay for odor-free gear. And for spontaneous family fun? Mahe uses the electric F-150 Lightning's Pro Power Onboard to inflate an air mattress for the truck bed, creating an instant drive-in movie theater couch under the stars for his three kids: Christian, Olivia and Sophia.

Everything Frunk Dad

Another engineer whose family life intersects with his work is Dapo Adewusi, vehicle engineering manager for both the Mustang Mach-E and the F-150 Lightning.

For Adewusi, father of Doyin and Teju, the frunk is not just storage — it is a lifeline. Grocery hooks, dividers — these were not afterthoughts. They were meticulously designed to wrangle whatever comes the frunk's way, whether that be dance bags, soccer kits or lawn chairs, turning the frunk into an all-in-one tool.

Cookout Dad

Daniel Jones, an F-150 Lightning owner from Oregon, recently took his family camping on the coast. With his daughters, aged 3 and 4, along for the ride, he packed a Kamado Joe Jr. grill that fit perfectly in the frunk — transforming beachside camping into an effortless full culinary experience.

He was able to bring dinner prep right outside the tent, with no campfire juggling or charcoal scrambling required. From smoked meats to grilled pizzas, the frunk delivered both storage and power, proving itself a true MVP of family cookouts.

Community Frunk Dad

Kurt Stype relies on his F-150 Lightning frunk regularly. During long trips, the frunk becomes his family's primary suitcase hauler. Two big roller bags and a cooler for snacks slide in effortlessly. Knowing it is a lockable space gives them peace of mind when they decide to stop for a spontaneous hike or exploration along the way, securing their valuables out of sight.

The frunk also comes in handy when Stype volunteers with the Toys For Tots organization, allowing him to efficiently move large quantities of toys collected during toy drives, leveraging the truck's unique capability for community good. (It’s also a great hiding place for kids’ presents.)

So to the dads packing their frunks this weekend, we thank you. Happy Father’s Day.

Emma Bergg is a member of the Ford communications team and originally named the Mega Power Frunk.