tailgate Ram 1500 2009 Owner's Manual

Rear Window Features .................. 199
▫ Rear Window Defroster ................ 199
▫ Power Sliding Rear Window —
If Equipped ........................ 200
▫ Manual Sliding Rear Window —
If Equipped ........................ 200
 Fold Flat Load Floor — If Equipped ........ 201
 Pickup Box .......................... 203
▫ Rambox — If Equipped ................ 203
▫ Bed Extender — If Equipped ............ 207▫
Bed Rail Tie-Down System .............. 214
 Slide-In Campers ...................... 216
▫ Camper Applications .................. 216
 Easy-Off Tailgate ...................... 216
▫ Disconnecting The Rear Camera —
If Equipped ........................ 216
▫ Removing The Tailgate ................ 217
▫ Locking Tailgate — If Equipped .......... 218
92 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

On vehicles equipped with an Electronic Vehicle Infor-
mation Center (EVIC) the message “Park Assist Dis-
abled” will be displayed on the EVIC when the system
has been disabled. Refer to “Electronic Vehicle Informa-
tion Center (EVIC) — If Equipped” in Section 4.
Service The Rear Park Assist
When the Rear Park Assist is defective, the EVIC will
display the “SERVICE PARK ASSIST SYSTEM” message
along with a single chime once per ignition cycle. The
Park Assist display will also light the red LEDs indicating
a problem. Under this condition the Rear Park Assist will
not operate.
If “SERVICE PARK ASSIST SYSTEM” appears in the
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) after mak-
ing sure the rear bumper is clean, please see your
authorized dealer.
Cleaning The Rear Park Assist
Clean the Rear Park Assist sensors with water, car wash
soap and a soft cloth. Do not use rough or hard cloths.
Do not scratch or poke the sensors, you could damage the
sensors.
REAR BACKUP CAMERA — IF EQUIPPED
The Rear Camera system allows you to see an on-screen
image (located in the screen of your uconnect™ tunes
radio) of the rear of your vehicle whenever it is put into
REVERSE. The camera is located next to the tailgate
handle on the rear of the vehicle.
168 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
3
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
3
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 213

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
3
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

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 winch
mechanism 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.It is recommended that you stow the flat or spare to
avoid tangling the loose cable.
1 — Lower
2 — Raise
426 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

WARNING!
•Use only refrigerants and compressor lubricants
approved by the manufacturer for your air condi-
tioning system. Some unapproved refrigerants are
flammable and can explode, injuring you. Other
unapproved refrigerants or lubricants can cause
the system to fail, requiring costly repairs. Refer to
Section 3 of the Warranty Information Book for
additional warranty information.
•The air conditioning system contains refrigerant
under high pressure. To avoid risk of personal
injury or damage to the system, adding refrigerant
or any repair requiring lines to be disconnected
should be done by an experienced repairman.
NOTE: Use only manufacturer approved A/C System
Sealers, Stop Leak Products, Seal Conditioners, Compres-
sor Oil, or Refrigerants.
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.
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
MOPAR Spray White Lube to assure quiet, easy opera-
tion 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
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 453