2021 RAM 1500 lock

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE85
TO CLOSE THE HOOD
Hoods equipped with gas props are closed from
the point where the props no longer hold the
hood open.
TAILGATE
OPENING
The tailgate may be opened by pushing the
tailgate release pad located on the tailgate
door.
The tailgate damper strut will lower the tailgate
to the open position (if equipped).
Electronic Tailgate Release — If Equipped
The key fob may be equipped with an
electronic release feature for the
tailgate, allowing hands-free tailgate
opening. To activate, push and
release the Tailgate Release button on the key
fob twice within five seconds. The tailgate door
will unlatch, and slowly lower into the open
position.
If equipped, a button on the center overhead
console inside the vehicle can be used to
release the tailgate. An indicator light may also
signal when the tailgate is open.
For the tailgate to lower, the vehicle must be
stationary and in PARK or NEUTRAL. NOTE:
The optional Tri-Fold Tonneau Cover
Úpage 97
may prevent electronic tailgate release. The
Tonneau Cover must be removed or folded up
before releasing the tailgate.
CLOSING
To close the tailgate, push it upward until both
sides are securely latched.
LOCKING TAILGATE
The tailgate can be locked using the key fob
lock button.
MULTIFUNCTION TAILGATE — IF
E
QUIPPED
The 60/40 multifunction tailgate has two swing
doors to allow for closer access to the pickup
box with the doors open.
Opening
The tailgate must be latched closed to open the
swing doors. Push the paddle down, then pull
the release handle beneath the tailgate
lowering handle. This opens the 60 split door.
WARNING!
Be sure the hood is fully latched before
driving your vehicle. If the hood is not fully
latched, it could open when the vehicle is in
motion and block your vision. Failure to follow
this warning could result in serious injury or
death.
CAUTION!
To prevent possible damage, do not slam the
hood to close it. Use a firm downward push at
the front center of the hood to ensure that
both latches engage.
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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.
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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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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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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
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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE95
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 DIVIDER — IF EQUIPPED
The bed divider has two functional positions:
Divider Position
Storage 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 and rotate the center
handle vertically to release the divider side
gates.

Center Handle And Lock

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, children 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.
WARNING! (Continued)
1 — Center Handle Lock
2 — Handle
3 — Unlocked Position
4 — Locked Position
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96GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
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.
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.
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

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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE97
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 Loading” document
available online at ramtrucks.com. For safety
reasons, follow all instructions in this
document.
NOTE:
When a cap or pickup camper is installed on a
vehicle, an alternate Center High Mounted Stop
Light (CHMSL) must be provided.
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 Components Tonneau Cover Latch Components

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 – Stowage Strap
2 – Tonneau 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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