2021 RAM 1500 Owners Manual

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE87
3. Without latching, rotate the tailgate to
nearly closed. Then, while providing support
to the tailgate, slide it slowly to the right,
removing the tailgate from the left pivot.
NOTE:
Rest the tailgate on the bumper so that the
entire tailgate is secure and supported.

Slide Tailgate To The Right
4. Let the tailgate rest on the support cables
while having the tailgate naturally slide
forward on the bumper.

Tailgate Only Supported By Cables

5. Remove the connector bracket from the sill by pushing inward in the locking tab.
Connector Bracket Location
Locking Tab

WARNING!
For vehicles equipped with a multifunction
tailgate, the tailgate weighs 115 lbs (52 kg)
and should be removed by at least two
people. Injury to the customer or damage to
the tailgate may occur if one person tries to
remove the multifunction tailgate.
2

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88GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
6. Disconnect the wiring harness by pushing
on the two release tabs, ensuring the
connector bracket does not fall into the sill.

Connected Wiring Harness
Disconnected Body Side Harness
7. Connect the body side plug (provided in the
glove compartment) to the body side wiring
harness and insert the bracket back into
the sill.

Body Side Plug (One Piece)

8. Connect the tailgate plugs (provided in the glove compartment) to the tailgate wiring
harness to ensure that the terminals do not
corrode.
Tailgate Plugs (Two Pieces)

9. 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.
1 — First Release Tab
2 — Second Release Tab
1 — Large Plug
2 — Small Plug

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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE89
10. Raise the tailgate slightly, and remove the
support cables by releasing the lock tang
from the pivot.
NOTE:
Make sure tailgate is supported by you and/or a
second person when removing support cables.

Locking Tang

11. Remove the tailgate from the vehicle.
NOTE:
Do not carry the tailgate loose in the truck
pickup box.
If the tailgate is closed with the wire harness
disconnected, the tailgate can only be
opened by removing the inside panel and
unlatching the locking mechanism manually.
BED STEP — IF EQUIPPED
Your vehicle may be equipped with an
extendable bed step on the driver’s side of the
tailgate to provide easier entry and exit into the
truck bed.

Bed Step Location Bed Step Components

To extend the bed step, place your foot on the
protruding foot tab located on the left edge of
the bed step, and push rearward. A small
amount of force will release the spring load, and
extend the bed step out and away from the
tailgate.
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.
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.
1 — Bed Step
2 — Foot Tab
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90GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
(Continued)

Bed Step (Extended)

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.

Pick Up 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. 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.
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
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.

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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE91
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 lbs (450 kg) total.
BED RAIL TIE-DOWN SYSTEM — IF
E
QUIPPED
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

If you wish to carry more than 600 lbs
(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.
WARNING! (Continued)
CAUTION!
The maximum load per cleat should not
exceed 250 lbs (113 kg), or 500 lbs (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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92GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
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 Ú
page 91
NOTE:
Bed rail tie-down system is also available for
vehicles not equipped with a RamBox.

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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE93
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 17. 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 lbs (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

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 mini -
mize 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 lbs
(68 kg) per bin.
1 — Keyhole Lock
2 — Button
2

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94GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
(Continued)
The interior of the RamBox will automatically
illuminate when the lid is opened. The timing
can be adjusted within Uconnect Settings
Úpage 237.
Cargo bins feature two removable drain plugs
(to allow water to drain from bins). To remove
plug, pull up on the edge. To install, push plug
downward into 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
high-end 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:
CAUTION!
Leaving the lid open for extended periods of
time could cause the vehicle battery to dis -
charge. 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.
WARNING!
Always close the storage bin covers when
your vehicle is unattended.

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