DODGE RAM 3500 GAS 2008 3.G Owners Manual

FOLD FLAT LOAD FLOOR Ð IF EQUIPPED
Quad Cabtmodels with a 60/40 rear seat may be
equipped with a folding load floor.WARNING!
Do not operate the vehicle with loose items stored on
the load floor. While driving or in an accident you
may experience abrupt stopping, rapid acceleration,
or sharp turns. Loose objects stored on the load floor
may move around with force and strike occupants,
resulting in serious or fatal injury.
Quad CabtRear 60/40 Seat
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 179
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Unfolding the Load Floor
1. Lift the 60/40 seat cushion(s) to the upward position.2. Grasp the knob on the load floor and lift the knob until
the load floor unfolds into position.
3. Reverse the procedure to store the load floor.
Unfolding The Load FloorLoad Floor In Open Position
180 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Positioning the Load Floor for Storage Access Under
the Seat
1. Lift the 60/40 seat cushion(s) to the upward position.
2. Unsnap the securing snap located at either side of the
load floor.
3. Lift the load floor up to access storage under the load
floor.
WARNING!
Do not drive with the load floor in the up position.
When stopping fast or in an accident, the load floor
could move to the down position causing serious
injury.4. Reverse the procedure to put the load floor back in the
secured down position before you operate the vehicle.Load Floor Securing Straps
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 181
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REAR WINDOW FEATURES
Electric Rear Window Defroster and Heated
Sideview Mirrors Ð If Equipped
The Electric Rear Window Defroster and Heated
Sideview Mirrors are activated by pressing the
heated grid button, located on the Climate Control panel,
with the ignition ON. Turning OFF the ignition will
deactivate the Electric Rear Window Defroster and
Heated Sideview Mirrors feature. These features also
turn off after activation, when 15 minutes have elapsed.
For ten more minutes of operation, push the button
again.
Power Sliding Rear Window Ð If Equipped
The power sliding rear window switch is located on the
instrument panel below the climate controls. Press the
right side of the switch to open the glass and the left side
of the switch to close the glass.
Power Sliding Rear Window Switch
182 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Sliding Rear Window Ð If Equipped
A locking device in the center of the window helps to
prevent entry from the rear of the vehicle. Squeeze the
lock to release the window.
PICKUP BOX
The pickup box on your new vehicle has many features
designed for utility and convenience.
NOTE:If you are installing a toolbox to the front of the
pickup box, you must use Moparttoolbox brackets
available from your authorized dealer.
Pickup Box Features
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 183
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You can carry wide building materials (sheets of ply-
wood, etc.) by building a raised load floor. Place lumber
across the box in the indentations provided above the
wheel housings and in the bulkhead dividers to form the
floor.
WARNING!
The pickup box is intended for load carrying pur-
poses only, not for passengers, who should sit in
seats and use seat belts.
WARNING!
²Care should always be exercised when operating a
vehicle with unrestrained cargo. Vehicle speeds may
need to be reduced. Severe turns or rough roads may
cause shifting or bouncing of the cargo that may
result in vehicle damage. If wide building materials
are to be frequently carried, the installation of a
support is recommended. This will restrain the
cargo and transfer the load to the pickup box floor.
²If you wish to carry more than 600 lbs (272 kg) of
material suspended above the wheelhouse, sup-
ports must be installed to transfer the weight of
the load to the pickup box floor or vehicle damage
may result. The use of proper supports will permit
loading up to the rated payload.
²Unrestrained cargo may be thrown forward in an
accident causing serious or fatal injury.
184 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

There are stampings in the sheet metal on the inner side
bulkheads of the box in front of and behind both wheel
housings. Place wooden boards across the box from side
to side to create separate load compartments in the
pickup box.
There are four tie-down cleats bolted to the lower sides of
the pickup box that can sustain loads up to 1000 lbs (450
kg) total.
SLIDE-IN CAMPERS
Camper Applications
Certain truck models are not recommended for slide-in
campers. To determine if your vehicle is excluded, please
refer to the ªConsumer Information Truck-Camper Load-
ingº document available from your authorized dealer.
For safety reasons, follow all instructions in this impor-
tant document.NOTE:When a cap or pickup camper is installed on a
vehicle, an alternate CHMSL (Center High-Mounted Stop
Light) must be provided.
EASY-OFF TAILGATE
To simplify mounting of a camper unit with an overhang,
the tailgate can be removed quickly. If the truck is a 3500
dual rear wheel model, unplug the tailgate wire harness
from under the rear of the truck and pull the harness out
of the cargo box access hole. Unlatch the tailgate and
remove the support cables by releasing the lock tang
from the pivot, then rotate and pull away from the box.
Once the cables are free, move to the right side of the
tailgate hinge bracket.
Raise the right side of the tailgate until the right side
pivot clears the hanger bracket. Slide the entire tailgate to
the right to free the left side pivot. Remove the tailgate
from the vehicle, entirely. Do not carry the tailgate loose
in the truck pickup box.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 185
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NOTE:Dual rear wheel pickup models require properly
spaced rear clearance lights. If such a vehicle is operated
without a tailgate, suitable lights must be installed.
Tailgate Open
Tailgate Support Strap Attachment
186 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!
To avoid inhaling carbon monoxide, which is deadly,
the exhaust system on vehicles equipped with ªCap
or Slide-In Campersº should extend beyond the
overhanging camper compartment and be free of
leaks.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 187
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