I find most of what I put in my pickup is hefted over the side. Or I reach in over the side to grab something.
Yup, always having to lower the tailgate and crawl in through the back to get something at the front would be a real PITA.
I have a couple of 18 inch high step stools that fold flat and tuck in on either side of my bed box, just to make access from the side easier.