Dodge 2011 Dakota - Manual (Page 36)

Two–Position Tailgate/Upper Load
Platform
• Your tailgate can be opened to the
full-open or the partial-open
position. The partial-open position
is for loading objects longer than
the length of the bed (sheets of
plywood, etc.) by creating an upper
load platform.
Installing Lumber
• Place lumber across the box in the
indentations provided above the
wheel housings and in the
bulkhead dividers, to form the floor.
There are indents in the sheet
metal (or bed liner if equipped) on
the inner side of the box in front
(Crew Cab
® only) and behind both
wheel housings.
• Secure the tailgate in the
partially-open position.
• Open the tailgate slightly.
• Snap the tailgate support cable
between the cable guide and the
tailgate bumper. Do this on both
sides of the tailgate.
• To return the tailgate to the
full-open position:
• Lift up on tailgate.
• Remove both cables from
between the cable guides and
the tailgate bumpers, and lower
the tailgate.
CAUTION!
• Care should always be
exercised when operating a
vehicle with 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.
(Continued)
CAUTION!
(Continued)
• Ensure the load is securely tied
down and is properly identified
according to local laws if it
extends beyond the tail lights.
• Loading should not exceed
400 lbs (181 kg) of material
suspended above the
wheelhouse and partially open
tailgate or vehicle damage may
result.
TRAILER TOWING WEIGHTS
(MAXIMUM TRAILER WEIGHT
RATINGS)
NOTE: For trailer towing information
(maximum trailer weight ratings) refer to
the following website addresses:
• http:// www.ramtrucks.com/towing
• http:// www.ramtruck.ca (Canada)
RECREATIONAL TOWING
(BEHIND MOTORHOME, ETC.)
Two-Wheel Drive Models
• Recreational towing of two-wheel
drive models is not allowable.
Towing the vehicle with the
transmission in NEUTRAL can
cause severe transmission
damage. Removal of the driveshaft
for towing is not recommended,
since this would allow fluid to drain
from the transmission.
UTILITY
34