tailgate Ram 1500 2016 User Guide

5. Lock the center handle to secure the panel into place.
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 whenadditional 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.
Side Gates Closed
Extender Position
268 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

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 45 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.
270 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

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 or
RKE (Remote Keyless Entry) the electrical connector
must be disconnected prior to removing the tailgate.
Disconnecting The Rear Camera Or Remote
Keyless Entry — If Equipped
1. Open the tailgate to access the rear camera or RKE
(Remote Keyless Entry) connector bracket located on
the rear sill.
2. Remove the connector bracket from the sill by pushing
inward in the locking tab.
Connector Bracket
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UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 273

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 pre-
vent damaging the connector and bracket when stor-
ing or reinstalling the tailgate.
Removing The Tailgate
1. Disconnect the wiring harness for the rear camera and
or power locks (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.
NOTE:Make sure tailgate is supported when removing
support cables.
Locking Tab
274 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

3. Position the tailgate on 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.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 or by locking
the truck with the key-fob if equipped with remote
keyless entry.
Locking Tang
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UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 275

TRI-FOLD TONNEAU COVER — IF EQUIPPED
Your vehicle may be equipped with a Tri-Fold Tonneau
Cover which consists of different features:
•Easy Tri-Fold cover
•Tonneau fore aft locator
•Crosscar inside bed locator
•Front and rear clamps
•Stowage strap
•Locking Capability
NOTE:The Tonneau Cover can be folded up and secured
at the front of the box without removing completely.
Tri-Fold Tonneau Cover Removal
To remove the Tonneau Cover follow the following steps:
1. Lower the tailgate to gain access to the first set of two
tonneau cover clamps located on the driver and pas-
sengers under side of the tonneau cover.
Clamped Position
NOTE:If clamp wire is damaged replace immediately.
276 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Removing The Spare Tire
1. Remove the spare tire before attempting to jack up the
truck. Attach the wheel wrench to the jack extension
tube with the curved angle facing away from the
vehicle. Insert the tube through the access hole be-
tween the lower tailgate and the top of the bumper
and into the winch mechanism tube.
Inserting The Jack Extension Tube Into The Access Hole
734 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

2. Lift the spare tire with one hand to give clearance to
tilt the retainer at the end of the cable and position it
properly across the wheel opening.3. Attach the wheel wrench to the jack extension tube
with the curved angle facing away from the vehicle.
Insert the tube through the access hole between the
lower tailgate and the top of the bumper and into the
winch mechanism tube.
Pushing The Retainer Through The Center Of The
Wheel And Positioning It
Wheel Wrench And Jack Extension Tube Assembled And
In Position
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 745

Assembled For Jack OperationWARNING!
After using the jack and tools, always reinstall them
in the original carrier and location. While driving
you may experience abrupt stopping, rapid accelera-
tion or sharp turns. A loose jack, tools, bracket or
other objects in the vehicle may move around with
force, resulting in serious injury.
Removing The Spare Tire
1. Remove the spare tire before attempting to jack up the
truck. Attach the wheel wrench to the jack extension
tube with the curved angle facing away from the
vehicle. Insert the tube through the access hole be-
tween the lower tailgate and the top of the bumper
and into the winch mechanism tube.
Assembled For Jack Operation
1 — Extension With Jack Hook 4 — Extension 4
2 — Extension 2 5 — Wheel Wrench
3 — Extension 3
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WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 753

2. Lift the spare tire with one hand to give clearance to
tilt the retainer at the end of the cable and position it
properly across the wheel opening.
3. Attach the wheel wrench to the jack extension tube
with the curved angle facing away from the vehicle.Insert the tube through the access hole between the
lower tailgate and the top of the bumper and into the
winch mechanism tube.
4. Rotate the wheel wrench handle clockwise until the
wheel is drawn into place against the underside of the
Pushing The Retainer Through The Center Of The
Wheel And Positioning ItWheel Wrench And Jack Extension Tube Assembled And
In Position
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 765