2022 RAM 1500 tailgate

86GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
2. Reach into the opening beneath the center of the hood and push the safety latch lever to the
left to release it, before raising the hood.

Safety Latch Location

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 Ú
page 98
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.
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
MULTIFUNCTION TAILGATE —
I
F EQUIPPED
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.

60 Split Door Release Handle

Once the 60 split swing door is opened, pull the
release handle on the inboard side of the 40 split
door to open.
40 Split Door Release Handle

Closing
Always close the 40 split door first, then close the
60 split door. The swing doors must be securely
latched before the tailgate can be lowered.
NOTE:
When the swing doors are open, the maximum
load placed on a door cannot exceed 180 lb
(82 kg).
Pull back on the swing doors firmly after closing
to ensure they are securely latched. Similar to
the side door ajar light inside the cab, the bed
light above the rear window will remain on if the
tailgate doors are not fully closed.
WARNING!
To prevent serious injury or death:
Always keep hands away from the hinge sides
of the swing doors and where the doors meet
when opening and closing the doors. Your
hand or someone else’s hand could be
pinched.
Never operate the vehicle with the swing
doors open.
Never hang from or sit on the swing doors.
CAUTION!
Always check both swing doors are latched
before starting vehicle.
Vehicle damage may occur if doors are not
securely latched.
2

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88GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
TAILGATE REMOVAL
NOTE:Removing the tailgate will disable the rearview
camera function.
To remove the tailgate, follow the instructions
below:

1. Open the tailgate to a 45° angle.

2. Lift up on the right side of the tailgate, lifting it
off of the pivot.

Lift Right Side Off Of Pivot

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

WARNING!
For vehicles equipped with a multifunction
tailgate, the tailgate weighs 115 lb (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

Locking Tab

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
2

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90GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
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 to provide easier entry and exit into the
truck bed. If your vehicle is equipped with a standard tailgate,
the step will be located on the driver’s side of the
tailgate. If equipped with a multifunction tailgate,
the step will be located below the center of the
tailgate.
Bed Step For Standard Tailgate

Bed Step Location

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.
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.

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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE91

Bed Step Components (Standard Tailgate)
Bed Step Extended

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.
1 — Bed Step
2 — Foot Tab
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.
2

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94GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
(Continued)
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 93
NOTE:Bed rail tie-down system is also available for
vehicles not equipped with a RamBox.
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 19. 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

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!

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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE99

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

1 — Handle
2 — Slide Locking Lever
3 — Locating Bumper
4 — Truck Flange Bead
5 — Latch Bumper
6 — J Hook
1 — Panel 1
2 — Panel 2
3 — Panel 3
2

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