tailgate Ram 3500 2011 Owner's Manual

Rear Window Features.................. 176
▫Rear Window Defroster................ 176
▫Power Sliding Rear Window —
If Equipped........................ 177
▫Manual Sliding Rear Window —
If Equipped........................ 177
Fold Flat Load Floor — If Equipped........ 177
Rambox— If Equipped................ 180
▫RamboxIntegrated Box Side Storage Bins . . 180
▫RamboxSafety Warning............... 183▫Bed Extender — If Equipped............ 184
▫Bed Rail Tie-Down System.............. 191
Slide-In Campers...................... 193
▫Camper Applications.................. 193
Easy-Off Tailgate...................... 193
▫Disconnecting The Rear Camera
— If Equipped...................... 194
▫Removing The Tailgate................ 195
▫Locking Tailgate..................... 196
92 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

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.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.
Extender Position
3
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 189

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.
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.
3
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 191

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.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.
Utility Rail End Cap
3
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 193

Disconnecting the Rear Camera — If Equipped
1. Open the tailgate to access the rear camera connector
bracket located on the rear sill.
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.
Connector Bracket
Locking Tab
194 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

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” in this section.
2. Unlatch the tailgate and remove the support cables by
releasing the lock tang from the pivot.3. Raise the tailgate to a 45 degree angle.
4. Raise the right side of the tailgate until the right side
pivot clears the hanger bracket.
5. Slide the entire tailgate to the right to free the left side
pivot.
Locking Tang
3
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 195

6. 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
The lock is located next to the tailgate handle. The
tailgate can be locked using the vehicle key.
196 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Removing The Spare Tire
Remove the spare tire before attempting to jack up the
truck. Attach the wheel wrench to the jack extension tube.
Insert the tube through the access hole between the lower
tailgate and the top of the bumper and into the winchmechanism tube. Rotate the wheel wrench handle coun-
terclockwise until the spare tire is on the ground with
enough cable slack to allow you to pull it out from under
the vehicle. When the spare is clear, tilt the retainer at the
end of the cable and pull it through the center of the
wheel.
NOTE:Always stow the spare tire with the valve stem
facing the ground.
Jack and Tools (2500/3500 Series)
488 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

Refrigerant Recovery and Recycling
R-134a Air Conditioning Refrigerant is a hydrofluoro-
carbon (HFC) that is endorsed by the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) and is an ozone-saving product.
However, the manufacturer recommends that air condi-
tioning service be performed by authorized dealers or
other service facilities using recovery and recycling
equipment.
Front Driveshaft Lubrication – 2500/3500
(Four-Wheel Drive) Models (Ram Trucks Only)
Lubricate the front driveshaft grease fitting at each oil
change. Refer to “Maintenance Schedule” for further
information. Use MOPARType MS-6560 (lithium-based
grease), or equivalent.
Body Lubrication
Locks and all body pivot points, including such items as
seat tracks, door hinge pivot points and rollers, liftgate,tailgate, sliding doors and hood hinges, should be lubri-
cated periodically with a lithium based grease, such as
MOPARSpray White Lube or equivalent, to assure
quiet, easy operation and to protect against rust and
wear. Prior to the application of any lubricant, the parts
concerned should be wiped clean to remove dust and
grit. After lubricating, excess oil and grease should be
removed. Particular attention should also be given to
hood latching components to ensure proper function.
When performing other underhood services, the hood
latch, release mechanism and safety catch should be
cleaned and lubricated.
The external lock cylinders should be lubricated twice a
year, preferably in the Fall and Spring. Apply a small
amount of a high quality lubricant, such as MOPAR
Lock Cylinder Lubricant or equivalent directly into the
lock cylinder.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 529

Speedometer........................... 207
Starting.............................25,305
Automatic Transmission................. 305
Engine Fails to Start.................... 306
Remote.............................. 25
Starting Procedures (Gas Engines)............ 305
Steering
Power...........................385,386
Wheel, Heated........................ 132
Wheel, Tilt........................... 131
Steering Wheel Audio Controls.............. 283
Steering Wheel Mounted Sound System Controls . 283
Storage Compartment, Center Seat........... 171
Storage, Vehicle......................296,558
Storing Your Vehicle...................... 558
Sun Roof.............................. 157
Supplemental Tire Pressure Information........ 418
Sway Control, Trailer..................... 400
Synthetic Engine Oil...................... 525System, Remote Starting.................... 25
Tachometer............................ 206
Tailgate............................... 193
Temperature Control, Automatic (ATC)........ 290
Temperature Gauge, Engine Coolant.......... 206
Tether Anchor, Child Restraint.............73,76
Tilt Steering Column..................... 131
Tip Start.............................. 305
Tire and Loading Information Placard......407,418
Tire Identification Number (TIN)............. 405
Tire Markings.......................... 401
Tire Safety Information.................... 401
Tires ............................86,411,598
Aging (Life of Tires).................... 416
Air Pressure.......................... 411
Chains.............................. 418
Dual............................423,498
General Information.................... 411
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INDEX 617