tailgate Ram 3500 2017 User Guide

4. Rotate the handles to the horizontal position to secureinto 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
218 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

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.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 important
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 or
Remote Keyless Entry, the electrical connector must be
disconnected prior to removing the tailgate.
Utility Rail End Cap
220 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Disconnecting The Rear Camera Or Remote
Keyless Entry — If Equipped
1. Open the tailgate to access the rear camera or RemoteKeyless Entry connector bracket located on the rear sill. 2. Remove the connector bracket from the sill by pushing
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 compartment) to the chassis wiring harness and
insert the bracket back into the sill.
5. Connect the tailgate plug (provided in the glove com- partment) to the tailgate wiring harness to ensure that
the terminals do not corrode.
Connector Bracket
Locking Tab
3
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 221

6. Tape the tailgate harness and bracket against theforward-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 andor 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. 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.
Locking Tang
222 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

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 over-
hanging 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.
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-
senger underside of the Tonneau Cover.
Clamped Position
NOTE: If clamp wire is damaged replace immediately.
3
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 223

Removing The Spare Tire
1. Remove the spare tire before attempting to jack up thetruck. 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. 2. Rotate the wheel wrench handle counterclockwise until
the spare tire is on the ground with enough cable slack
to allow you to pull it out from under the vehicle.
Inserting The Jack Extension Tube Into The Access Hole
Rotating The Wheel Wrench Handle
588 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

2. Lift the spare tire with one hand to give clearance to tiltthe 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 mecha-
nism tube.
Pushing The Retainer Through The Center Of The Wheel
And Positioning It
Wheel Wrench And Jack Extension Tube AssembledAnd In Position
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 597

WARNING!
After using the jack and tools, always reinstall them in
the original carrier and location. While driving you
may experience abrupt stopping, rapid acceleration 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 thetruck. 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.
Inserting The Jack Extension Tube Into The Access Hole
604 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

2. Lift the spare tire with one hand to give clearance to tiltthe 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 mecha-
nism tube.
Pushing The Retainer Through The Center Of The Wheel
And Positioning It
Wheel Wrench And Jack Extension Tube AssembledAnd In Position
614 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

Body Lubrication
Locks and all body pivot points, including such items as
seat tracks, door hinge pivot points and rollers, liftgate,
tailgate, decklid, sliding doors and hood hinges, should be
lubricated periodically with a lithium based grease, such as
MOPAR Spray White Lube to assure quiet, easy operation
and to protect against rust and wear. Prior to the applica-
tion 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 ser-
vices, 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 directly into the lock cylinder.
Windshield Wiper Blades
Clean the rubber edges of the wiper blades and the
windshield periodically with a sponge or soft cloth and a
mild nonabrasive cleaner. This will remove accumulations
of salt or road film.
Operation of the wipers on dry glass for long periods may
cause deterioration of the wiper blades. Always use washer
fluid when using the wipers to remove salt or dirt from a
dry windshield.
Avoid using the wiper blades to remove frost or ice from
the windshield. Keep the blade rubber out of contact with
petroleum products such as engine oil, gasoline, etc.
NOTE:Life expectancy of wiper blades varies depending
on geographical area and frequency of use. Poor perfor-
mance of blades may be present with chattering, marks,
water lines or wet spots. If any of these conditions are
present, clean the wiper blades or replace as necessary.
656 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE