Ram 1500 2009 Owner's Manual

4. Rotate the center handle horizontally to secure the side
gates in the closed position.5. Lock the center handle using the vehicle key to secure
the panel into place and assist against theft.
Divider Position
The divider position is intended for managing your cargo
and assisting in keeping cargo from moving around the
bed. There are 11 divider slots along the bed inner panels
which allow for various positions to assist in managing
your cargo.
Side Gates Closed
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UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 209

To install the bed extender into a divider position per-
form the following:
1. Make sure the center handle is unlocked using the
vehicle key and rotate the center handle vertically to
release the extender side gates.2. With the side gates open, position the extender so the
outboard ends align with the intended slots in the sides
of the bed.
3. Rotate the side gates closed so that the outboard ends
are secured into the intended slots of the bed.
Center Handle and Lock1 — Center Handle Lock
2 — Handle
Aligning Gate To Slots
210 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

4. Rotate the center handle horizontally to secure the side
gates in the closed position.
5. Lock the center handle to secure the panel into place
and assist against theft.Extender Position
The extender position allows you to load the bed of the
truck beyond the tail gate. The bed extender will add an
additional 15 in (38 cm) in the back of the truck when
additional cargo room is needed. The extender position
utilizes a locating pin and rotating handle located on both
sides of the truck bed near the tailgate.
Side Gates Closed
Extender Position
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UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 211

To install the bed extender into the extender position
perform the following:
1. Lower the tailgate.
2. Make sure the center handle is unlocked and rotate the
center handle vertically in order to release the extender
side gates.
3. Fit the end of the side gate ends onto the pin and
handle.
Extender Installation
212 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

4. Rotate the handles to the horizontal position to secure
into place.WARNING!
To reduce the risk of potential injury or property
damage:
•Cargo must be secured.
•Do not exceed cargo load rating of your vehicle.
•Secure all loads to truck utilizing cargo tie downs.
•Extender should not be used as cargo tie down.
•When vehicle is in motion do not exceed 150 lbs
(68 kg) load on the tailgate.
•The bed extender is not intended for off road use.
•When not in use, the extender/divider should be in
stowed or divider position with the tailgate closed.
•When in use all handles are to be in the locked
position.Locking Tab
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UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 213

Bed Rail Tie-Down System
CAUTION!
The maximum load per cleat should not exceed
250 lbs (113 kg) and the angle of the load on each cleat
should not exceed 60 degrees above horizontal, or
damage to the cleat or cleat rail may occur.
There are two adjustable cleats on each side of the bed
that can be used to assist in securing cargo.
Each cleat must be located and tightened down in one of
the detents, along either rail, in order to keep cargo
properly secure.
Adjustable Cleats
214 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

To move the cleat to any position on the rail, turn the nut
counterclockwise, approximately three turns. Then pull
out on the cleat and slide it to the detent nearest the
desired location. Make sure the cleat is seated in the
detent and tighten the nut.To remove the cleats from the utility rail, remove the end
cap by pushing up on the locking tab, located on the
bottom of the end cap. Slide the cleat off the end of the
rail.
1 — Utility Rail Detent
2 — Cleat Retainer Nut
3 — Utility Rail CleatUtility Rail End Cap
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UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 215

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 “Consumer Information Truck-Camper Load-
ing” 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 Center High-Mounted Stop Light
(CHMSL) must be provided.
EASY-OFF TAILGATE
To simplify mounting of a camper unit with an overhang,
the tailgate can be removed.
NOTE: If your vehicle is equipped with a rear camera
the electrical connector must be disconnected prior to
removing the tailgate.
Disconnecting the Rear Camera — If Equipped
1. Open the tailgate to access the rear camera connector
bracket located on the rear sill.
Connector Bracket
216 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

2. Remove the connector bracket from the sill by press-
ing inward in the locking tab.
3. Disconnect the chassis wiring harness, ensuring the
connector bracket does not fall into the sill.4. Connect the chassis plug and bracket (provided in the
glove box) to the chassis wiring harness and insert the
bracket back into the sill.
5. Connect the tailgate plug (provided in the glove box)
to the tailgate wiring harness to ensure that the terminals
do not corrode.
6. Tape the tailgate harness and bracket against the
forward-facing surface of the tailgate. This will prevent
damaging the connector and bracket when storing or
reinstalling the tailgate.
Removing the Tailgate
1. Disconnect the wiring harness for the rear camera (if
equipped), refer to “Disconnecting the Rear Camera — If
Equipped” above.
Locking Tab
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UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 217

2. Unlatch the tailgate and remove the support cables by
releasing the lock tang from the pivot.
3. Raise the right side of the tailgate until the right side
pivot clears the hanger bracket.
4. Slide the entire tailgate to the right to free the left side
pivot.5. Remove the tailgate from the vehicle.
NOTE:
Do not carry the tailgate loose in the truck
pickup box.
WARNING!
To avoid inhaling carbon monoxide, which is deadly,
the exhaust system on vehicles equipped with “Cap
or Slide-In Campers” should extend beyond the
overhanging camper compartment and be free of
leaks.
Locking Tailgate — If Equipped
The lock is located next to the tailgate handle. The
tailgate can be locked using the vehicle key.
Locking Tang
218 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE