RAM 1500 2023 Manual Online

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE79
NOTE:Once the spring load is overcome, the bed step will extend
out quickly, so be sure to stand in a position that will avoid
coming into contact with the step as it extends.
To stow the bed step back under the tailgate, push the bed
step forward with your foot until the bed step is retracted
by the spring load.
Bed Step For Multifunction Tailgate

Bed Step Location

To extend the bed step, place your foot on the top center
of the bed step, and push down while pulling rearward.
A small amount of force will release the spring load and
extend the bed step out and away from the tailgate.

Bed Step Extended

NOTE:
Once the spring load is overcome, the bed step will extend
out quickly. Be sure to stand in a position that will avoid
coming into contact with the step as it extends.
To stow the bed step back under the tailgate, push the bed
step forward with your foot until the bed step is retracted
by the spring load.
PICKUP BOX
The pickup box has many features designed for utility and
convenience.

Pickup Box Features

NOTE:
If you are installing a Toolbox, Ladder Rack or Headache
Rack at the front of the Pickup Box, you must use Mopar®
Box Reinforcement Brackets that are available from an
authorized dealer.
WARNING!
Do not attempt to stow the bed step with your hands.
The low clearance space between the bed step and the
rear bumper as the bed step returns to the stowed
position could result in injury to your hands or fingers.
WARNING!
Do not attempt to stow the bed step with your hands.
The low clearance space between the bed step and the
rear bumper as the bed step returns to the stowed
position could result in injury to your hands or fingers.
1 — Upper Load Floor Indents
2 — Bulk Head Dividers
3 — Cleats
2

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80GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
You can carry wide building materials (sheets of plywood,
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.
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 1,000 lb
(450 kg) total.
BED RAIL TIE-DOWN SYSTEM —
I
F EQUIPPED
There are two adjustable cleats on each side of the bed
that can be used to assist in securing cargo.

Adjustable Cleats

Each cleat must be located and tightened down in one of
the detents, along either rail, in order to keep cargo
properly secure.
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.

Adjustable Cleat Assembly

WARNING!
 The pickup box is intended for load carrying purposes
only, not for passengers, who should sit in seats and
use seat belts.
 Care 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.
 If you wish to carry more than 600 lb (272 kg) of
material suspended above the wheelhouse,
supports 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.
 Unrestrained cargo may be thrown forward in an
accident causing serious or fatal injury.CAUTION!
The maximum load per cleat should not exceed 250 lb
(113 kg), or 500 lb (227 kg) total per rail, 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.
1 — Utility Rail Detent
2 — Cleat Retainer Nut
3 — Utility Rail Cleat

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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE81
Cleat Removal (Standard Box Rail)
To remove the cleats from the utility rail, slide the cleat
forward to access the cut out at the end of the box rail,
then remove the cleat.

Slide Cleat Forward To Remove

Cleat Removal (With Tonneau Cover)
To remove the cleats from the utility rail, remove the end
cap screw located in the center of the end cap, using a
#T30 Torx head driver. Remove the end cap and slide the
cleat off the end of the rail.

End Cap Screw Location With Tonneau Cover

Cleat Removal (Without Tonneau Cover)
Remove the end cap by pushing upward on the release
button located beneath the end cap while pulling the cap
away from the rail. The cleat can now be removed by
sliding it off the end of the rail.

End Cap Release Button Without Tonneau Cover Pull End Cap Away From Rail

RAMBOX — IF EQUIPPED
The RamBox system is an integrated pickup box storage
and cargo management system consisting of three
features:

Cargo storage bins
 Cargo divider
 Bed rail tie-down system
Úpage 80
NOTE:Bed rail tie-down system is also available for vehicles not
equipped with a RamBox.
2

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82GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
LOCKING AND UNLOCKING RAMBOX
Push and release the lock or unlock button on the key fob
to lock and unlock all doors, the tailgate and the RamBox
Úpage 16. To unlatch the storage bin manually, insert the
emergency key into the keyhole and turn clockwise.
Always return the key to the upright (vertical) position
before removing it from the keyhole.
RAMBOX CARGO STORAGE BINS
Cargo storage bins are located on both sides of the pickup
box. The cargo storage bins provide watertight, lockable,
illuminated storage for up to 150 lb (68 kg) of evenly
distributed cargo.

RamBox Cargo Storage Bins

To open a storage bin with the RamBox unlocked, push
and release the button located on the lid. The RamBox lid
will open upward to allow hand access. Lift the lid to fully
open.
NOTE:RamBox will not open when the button is pushed if the
RamBox is locked.

RamBox Button And Keyhole Lock

The interior of the RamBox will automatically illuminate
when the lid is opened. The timing can be adjusted within
Uconnect Settings
Úpage 191.
CAUTION!
 Ensure cargo bin lids are closed and latched before
moving or driving vehicle.
 Loads applied to the top of the bin lid should be
minimized to prevent damage to the lid and
latching/hinging mechanisms.
 Damage to the RamBox bin may occur due to
heavy/sharp objects placed in bin that shift due to
vehicle motion. In order to minimize potential for
damage, secure all cargo to prevent movement and
protect inside surfaces of bin from heavy/sharp
objects with appropriate padding.
CAUTION!
Failure to follow the following items could cause
damage to the vehicle:
Assure that all cargo inside the storage bins is
properly secured.
 Do not exceed cargo weight rating of 150 lb (68 kg)
per bin.
1 — Keyhole Lock
2 — Button
CAUTION!
Leaving the lid open for extended periods of time could
cause the vehicle battery to discharge. If the lid is
required to stay open for extended periods of time, it is
recommended that the bin lights be turned off
manually using the on/off switch.

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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE83
Cargo bins feature two removable drain plugs (to allow
water to drain from bins). To remove a plug, pull up on the
edge. To install, push the plug downward into the drain
hole.

RamBox Drain Plug Removal

NOTE:
Provisions are provided in the bins for cargo dividers.
These accessories (in addition to other RamBox
accessories) are available from Mopar®.
If equipped, a 115 Volt (400 Watts maximum) inverter
may be located inside the RamBox of your vehicle.
The inverter can be turned on by the Instrument Panel
Power Inverter switch located to the left of the steering
wheel. The RamBox inverter can power cellular phones,
electronics and other low power devices requiring power
up to 400 Watts. Certain video game consoles exceed this
power limit, as will most power tools.

RamBox Power Inverter

The Instrument Panel Power Inverter switch is only found
on vehicles equipped with a RamBox. The switch only
controls on/off operation of the power outlet in the
RamBox; it does not control on/off operation of the power
outlets located inside the cabin of the vehicle.

Instrument Panel Power Inverter Switch

RAMBOX SAFETY WARNING
Carefully follow these warnings to help prevent personal
injury or damage to your vehicle:
WARNING!
 Always close the storage bin covers when your
vehicle is unattended.
 Do not allow children to have access to the storage
bins. Once in the storage bin, young children may not
be able to escape. If trapped in the storage bin, chil -
dren can die from suffocation or heat stroke.
 In an accident, serious injury could result if the
storage bin covers are not properly latched.
 Do not drive the vehicle with the storage bin covers
open.
 Keep the storage bin covers closed and latched while
the vehicle is in motion.
 Do not use a storage bin latch as a tie-down.2

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84GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
RamBox Emergency Release Lever
As a security measure, an Emergency Release Lever is
built into the storage bin cover latching mechanism.
In the event of an individual being locked inside the
storage bin, the storage bin cover can be opened from
inside of the bin by pulling on the glow-in-the-dark lever
attached to the storage bin cover latching mechanism.

Emergency Release Lever

BED EXTENDER — IF EQUIPPED
The bed extender has three functional positions:
Storage Position
 Divider Position
 Extender Position
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.
To install the bed divider into a divider position, perform
the following:

1. Make sure the center handle is unlocked using the
vehicle key fob and rotate the center handle
vertically to release the divider side gates.

Center Handle And Lock

2. With the side gates open, position the divider so the outboard ends align with the intended slots in the
sides of the bed.

Aligning Gate To Slots

3. Rotate the side gates closed so that the outboard ends are secured into the intended slots of the bed.
4. Rotate the center handle horizontally to secure the side gates in the closed position.

Side Gates Closed

5. Lock the center handle to secure the panel into place.
1 — Center Handle Lock
2 — Handle
3 — Unlocked Position
4 — Locked Position

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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE85
Extender Position
The extender position allows you to load the bed of the
truck beyond the tailgate. The bed extender will add an
additional 15 inches (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.

Extender Position

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

4. Rotate the handles to the horizontal position to secure into place.

Locking Tab

Storage Position
The storage position for the bed divider is at the front of
the truck bed which maximizes the bed cargo area when
not in use.
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 lb
(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.
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86GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
To install the bed divider into the storage position, perform
the same steps as you would for the divider position,
except position the divider fully forward in the bed against
the front panel.

Storage Position

The outboard ends should be positioned in front of the
cargo tie-down loops.

Cargo Tie-Down Loop

TRI-FOLD TONNEAU COVER — IF EQUIPPED
The Tri-Fold Tonneau Cover can be installed on the truck
bed to protect your gear and cargo.
TONNEAU COVER COMPONENTS

Folded Tonneau Cover Components Tonneau Cover Latch Components
Position One
(Front Latches Latched And Stowage Straps Secured)

1 — Stowage Strap
2 — Tonneau Cover Bumper Folded
1 — Handle
2 — Slide Locking Lever
3 — Locating Bumper
4 — Truck Flange Bead
5 — Latch Bumper
6 — J Hook

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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE87

Position Two (Front And Rear Latches Latched)

TRI-FOLD TONNEAU COVER FOLDING
F
OR DRIVING OR REMOVAL
To remove the Tonneau Cover use the following steps:

1. Open the tailgate to access the rear pair of Tonneau
Cover latches located on the underside of the Cover.

Location Of Rear Latches
Slide Locking Lever Inward

2. Slide the locking lever toward the inside of the truck bed to release the J Hook and pull the handle
downward into the released position.

Unlatching Latch
Released Position

1 — Panel 1
2 — Panel 2
3 — Panel 3
2

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88GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE

Hold The Bumper And Push The Handle Up

3. Holding the bumper, push the fully released latch to
the center and push up. Push the handle firmly,
locking it into the stowed position. Repeat Steps 2
and 3 for the opposite side latch.

Stowed Position Lift Panel 3 And Fold Onto Panel 2

4. Lift up on Panel 3 and fold it onto Panel 2.

Correct Folding — Hold Panels Together
NOTE:
When folding the second and third panels, the sections
MUST
be held together to avoid damage to the cover
material. Fold the panel gently. Do not allow the panels to
drop under their own weight.

Incorrect Folding — Will Cause Damage

5. Lift up on the second and third panel and fold them onto the first panel.

Stowage Strap Clipped

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