Tailgate Lock (If Equipped)
The tailgate lock can help prevent tailgate theft.
Manual Tailgate Lock

Insert the ignition key into the tailgate lock. Turn it clockwise to lock the tailgate. Turn it counterclockwise to unlock the tailgate.
Remote Control Tailgate Lock (If Equipped)
Use the lock and unlock buttons on your remote control to lock and unlock the tailgate.
Manual Tailgate Opening
Manual Tailgate Release

- Unlock the tailgate.
- Pull up on the manual tailgate handle to release the tailgate.
Electronic Tailgate Opening (If Equipped)
WARNING:
It is extremely dangerous to ride in a cargo area, inside or outside of a vehicle. In a crash, people riding in these areas are more likely to be seriously injured or killed. Do not allow people to ride in any area of your vehicle that is not equipped with seats and safety belts. Make sure everyone in your vehicle is in a seat and properly using a safety belt. Failure to follow this warning could result in serious personal injury or death. |
The electronic tailgate release will not operate when:
- The battery voltage is below the minimum operating voltage.
- The vehicle speed is at or above
3 mph (5 km/h).
With the Remote Control
Press the remote control button twice within three seconds. | |
With the Outside Control Button
- Unlock the vehicle with the remote control or power door unlock control. If an intelligent access transmitter is within
3 ft (1 m) of the tailgate, the tailgate will unlock when you press the tailgate release button.

- Press the button in the top of the tailgate handle.
- Push the tailgate up to close the tailgate.
Note:
The electronic tailgate is not a powered tailgate. The use of a tonneau cover or other aftermarket accessories, freezing conditions or being parked downhill may stop your tailgate from opening automatically after it is unlatched. You may need to pull the handle to open the tailgate if the tailgate does not automatically lower after being unlatched.
Tailgate Removal
WARNING:
Always properly secure cargo to prevent shifting cargo or cargo falling from vehicle, which could result in compromised vehicle stability and serious personal injury to vehicle occupants or others. |
You can remove the tailgate for more loading room.
Note:
Skip to Step 4 if your vehicle does not have a rearview camera.

- Locate and disconnect the rearview camera in-line connector. It is under the pickup box on the right-hand side of the vehicle near the spare tire.
- There is a protective cap in the glove box. Install it on the in-line connector that remains under the pickup box.
- Partially lower the tailgate. Carefully feed the tailgate harness up through the gap between the pickup box and the bumper and place it out of the way under the pickup box.
- Lower the tailgate.

- Use a screwdriver to gently pry the spring clip on each connector past the head of the support screw. Disconnect the cable.
- Disconnect the other cable.
- Lift the tailgate to
45 ° from horizontal.
- Lift the right side off its hinge.
- Lift the tailgate to
80 ° from horizontal.
- Remove the tailgate from the left side hinge by sliding it to the right.
Reverse the steps to reinstall the tailgate.
Tailgate Step (If Equipped)
Use the step to make entering the truck bed easier.
To reduce the risk of falling:
- Only operate the step when your vehicle is on a level surface.
- Only operate the step in areas with sufficient lighting.
- Always open the step panel to widen the step.
- Always use the grab handle when climbing on the step.
- Do not use the step with bare feet.
- Make sure the step is clean before use.
- Keep the step load, you plus the load, below
350 lb (159 kg).
Opening the Step
Note:
Make sure to close and fully latch the step before moving your vehicle. Never drive with the step or grab handle open.
- Lower the tailgate.
- Push the button in the center of the step molding. The step will pop out slightly.

- Pull the step out fully. Lower the step to its lowest position.

- Pull the yellow handle stop backward out of the tailgate.
- Rotate the handle up from horizontal to vertical until you hear a click. You have locked the handle in place.
Note:
Do not tow with the step or grab the handle.
Replace the slip resistance tape or grab handle molding if it appears worn or damaged.
Closing the Step
- Press handle button 1 to lower the telescoping handle extension, and then press button 2 to release the handle. Rotate the handle down from vertical to horizontal.
- Push the handle back into the tailgate.
- Rotate the step up until it is horizontal, then push it back into the tailgate, until the step is secure.
Box Side Step (If Equipped)
Use the step for easier access to the truck bed.
Note:
Close the step before driving.
Note:
Do not exceed
500 lb (227 kg) on the step. This includes you plus cargo.
Note:
Do not use the step to lift the vehicle. Only use proper jacking points.
Note:
The step may operate more slowly in cool temperatures.
Note:
The step mechanism may trap debris such as mud, dirt, snow, ice and salt. This may prevent the step from deploying automatically when you press the button. If this happens, make sure that you press the button down and carefully pull out the step manually. Wash off the debris with a high-pressure car wash wand and stow the step.
Deploying the Step

Push down on the button with your foot. The step will automatically extend from the stowed position.
Stowing the Step

Push the step under the truck with your foot until it fully latches. Do not push on the button while stowing the step.
Bed Extender (If Equipped)
Note:
Do not use the bed extender when driving off road.
Note:
Make sure to engage the locking pins and knobs fully before driving your vehicle.
Note:
Make sure to secure all cargo.
Note:
Do not exceed
150 lb (68 kg) on the tailgate when your vehicle is moving.
Note:
Do not keep the bed extender in the tailgate mode when you are not using it for restraining cargo. Always keep the bed extender in the grocery mode or the stowed position with the tailgate closed.
Tailgate Mode

- Pull the locking pin toward the center of your vehicle.

- Open the latches to release the panels.

- Rotate the panels toward the tailgate. Repeat Steps 1-3 on the other side of your vehicle.

- Connect the two panels. Rotate both knobs one-quarter turn clockwise to secure the panels.

- Make sure to insert the latch rod into the tailgate hole. Make sure to engage both sides of the locking pins into their holes in the pick-up box.
Reverse the steps to store the bed extender.
Grocery Mode

Follow Steps 1-4 of the tailgate mode instructions by rotating the panels away from the tailgate. Close the tailgate.
BoxLink™ Cleats (If Equipped)
These cleats attach to the inner box walls to help you to tie down cargo. The cleats can be locked to prevent removal or unlocked for removal.
BoxLink Cleats
Note:
Leave the key in the lock when removing or installing the cleats. The key cannot be removed from the lock unless it is in the locked position.

A.
275 lb (1,223 N) maximum force between directly opposed cleats.
B.
600 lb (2,669 N) maximum force between diagonally opposed cleats.
Secure cargo with up to
275 lb (1,223 N) force applied between opposing box link cleats, or up to
600 lb (2,669 N) force applied between diagonal box link cleats.
Removing Locking BoxLink Cleats
- Insert the key into the lock and turn clockwise to unlock.
- Pull bottom of the cleat outward while pushing top of cleat down.
- Hold on to the cleat as it clears the mounting slot.
Installing Locking BoxLink Cleats

- Insert the key into lock and turn clockwise to unlock.
- Insert the cleat into the mounting slot and push upward. Make sure the cleat is fully engaged.
- Turn the key counterclockwise to lock.
- Remove the key.
Bed Ramp (If Equipped)
WARNING:
The slide action of the ramp is a pinch point. Do not place fingers or hands in the pinch point.
WARNING:
Extend and retract the ramp only when connected to the tailgate plate.
WARNING:
Be sure the ramp is installed correctly when loading and unloading equipment on and off the ramp.
WARNING:
Do not step or sit on the ramp when it is in the stowed position.
WARNING:
Install the ramp only within the prescribed ramp angles. |
Note:
The ramp maximum capacity is
800 lb (363 kg).
Note:
Verify the ramp is on stable ground before usage.
Note:
For loading and unloading equipment, your ramp should be set between
10 ° upward and
26 ° downward to avoid damage to the ramp claw and tailgate plate.
Using the Bed Ramp
- Remove the front and rear cables.

- Open the cam lever arms and unscrew the cam bolts.
- Remove the ramp from the ramp holder.

Note:
A smooth surface tool can be used to rotate the stops.
- Rotate the stops at the underside of the ramp to the open position.

- Slide the ramp claw onto the tailgate plate.

- Pull the location pin outward and extend the ramp until the pin is seated in the usage position, then set the ramp on even ground.
Stowing the Bed Ramp
- Pick up the ramp. Pull the location pin outward.
- Slide the ramp into the storage position until the location pin locks.
Note:
Make sure the proper pin location has been applied for your bed size.
- Slide the ramp claw off of the tailgate plate.
- Rotate the stops at the underside of the ramp to the closed position.

- Place the ramp into the ramp holder.
- Install the cam bolts and close the cam lever arms.
- Attach the front and rear cables.
Installing the Ramp Holder

- Hook the top of the ramp holder over the mounting plate and rotate the ramp holder into position.

- Slide the ramp holder studs upwards into the installed position.
- Tighten the ramp holder nut.
Note:
The nut should be on the upper stud.