Tailgate keylock... if by design or error during the build

[Ruggy]

On RAM 2017 the tailgate has the keyhole where I would assume to lock the tailgate in order to secure it. However, the remote or lock/unlock door will unlock the tailgate. Which means, the keylock has no purpose. Basically, I want to use the tailgate keylock to lock so that if anyone is to break into the truck, the lock/unlock button will not open the tailgate.

Is there a way to lock the tailgate to prevent opening even when using the remote or lock/unlock door button?

 

[TW1ST3D]

Have you given thought to unplugging it?

 

[Mickey Russell]

There is a setting in the controls to lock and and unlock the tailgate with the remote. Just change the setting.


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[Jimmy07]

There is a setting in the controls to lock and and unlock the tailgate with the remote. Just change the setting.


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Is that new for 2018? My 2017 doesn’t have that in the radio vehicle settings.

The keyhole on the tailgate serves the same purpose as the one on the driver door...so you can unlock it if the key fob battery dies.

 

[stimpy433]

There is a setting in the controls to lock and and unlock the tailgate with the remote. Just change the setting.


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I just went out and looked and my 2014 doesn't have that option either....

 

[Mickey Russell]

My bad on that, I was wrong. I could have sworn that was an option when I was setting everything up on the truck.


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[yortnodnarb]

Open the access panel on the inside of the tailgate and unplug the electric lock mechanism.

 

[Ruggy]

Thanks Mickey. Not a problem. I should have mentioned that I did check it in the settings. So this looks to be a design flow. All this time I thought turning the key thinking it would stay lock is not entirely secure. I asked and were told by the salesman that the key will lock the tailgate and will bypass the auto lock. I do not think they are aware of this. Disconnecting is one way to go i supposed but that is truly a design flow. Who do I need to inform?

 

[stimpy433]

Thanks Mickey. Not a problem. I should have mentioned that I did check it in the settings. So this looks to be a design flow. All this time I thought turning the key thinking it would stay lock is not entirely secure. I asked and were told by the salesman that the key will lock the tailgate and will bypass the auto lock. I do not think they are aware of this. Disconnecting is one way to go i supposed but that is truly a design flow. Who do I need to inform?

Why bother, it's not like FCA is going to do anything about it.....

 

[Jimmy07]

Why bother, it's not like FCA is going to do anything about it.....

Correct. Why would they. It functions exactly the way they designed it to. There is no design flaw. Like I said before, the ONLY purpose of the keyhole on the tailgate and driver door is so you are able to unlock them if the key fob battery dies.
Otherwise, in the rare instance of doing what the OP wants (which I don’t quite get why), simply unplug the tailgate lock actuator.

 

[bryan28]

It's only a design flaw in your mind. Works exactly as they intended.

 

[JB1]

It works just like the door key, lock door with key but remote opens it.

I think the 2019’s have a separate button for it on the remote like a car would with a trunk release button

 

[ScottFL]

It's only a design flaw in your mind. Works exactly as they intended.

It actually is a design flaw. After a couple thousand cycles there is a small tab on the lock mechanism in the tailgate which will break off. This tab shearing off will cause the tailgate to fall down while the vehicle is in motion, it is a common issue.

The correct design would be for a separate button on the FOB to cycle the tailgate and not be included with the doors.

I would pull the plug on my tailgate but I am absolutely in love with the ability to reverse using the 8.4" screen.

 

[Ruggy]

Hi Jimmy, if the battery dies either or both the FOB and the truck battery, the key inside the FOB can be used to open the tailgate manually. The true purpose to have a keyhole is for that situation and also "supposedly" to secure the cargo in the truck in the event a theft was to break into the truck and unlock from the inside. I feel the keyhole should have an extra turn to secure the tailgate so it can only be open with the key. If one so happen to loose both FOBs, dealership can rebuild the FOB/key at hefty price. I will need to do some digging as I am sure there is a way possibly third party or maybe just disconnect the electric lock mechanism. If my search comes to a roadblock, i have another idea that I will have to implement. LOL

Thanks everyone. Loving the truck.

 

[Jimmy07]

Hi Jimmy, if the battery dies either or both the FOB and the truck battery, the key inside the FOB can be used to open the tailgate manually. The true purpose to have a keyhole is for that situation and also "supposedly" to secure the cargo in the truck in the event a theft was to break into the truck and unlock from the inside. I feel the keyhole should have an extra turn to secure the tailgate so it can only be open with the key. If one so happen to loose both FOBs, dealership can rebuild the FOB/key at hefty price. I will need to do some digging as I am sure there is a way possibly third party or maybe just disconnect the electric lock mechanism. If my search comes to a roadblock, i have another idea that I will have to implement. LOL

Thanks everyone. Loving the truck.

The purpose of the tailgate lock, as designed by ram, is to prevent theft of the tailgate itself. They don’t have your cargo in mind because they’re selling you a truck with an open bed, not an oversized car with a long trunk. I’m sure you can find a place that installs car alarms that can make a custom fob for you that’ll do what you’re trying to do.

 

[JB1]

It actually is a design flaw. After a couple thousand cycles there is a small tab on the lock mechanism in the tailgate which will break off. This tab shearing off will cause the tailgate to fall down while the vehicle is in motion, it is a common issue.

The correct design would be for a separate button on the FOB to cycle the tailgate and not be included with the doors.

I would pull the plug on my tailgate but I am absolutely in love with the ability to reverse using the 8.4" screen.

If you unplug it from under the access panel you don’t lose your camera

 

[ScottFL]

If you unplug it from under the access panel you don’t lose your camera

Huh, I must have been given some bad information. Are you speaking from personal experience? Are the steps in this tutorial still the way to get er done? LINK

 

[JB1]

Huh, I must have been given some bad information. Are you speaking from personal experience? Are the steps in this tutorial still the way to get er done? LINK

Hey Maybe I’m mistaken, but to my knowledge the only one that disables everything is the one on the bottom of the gate near the license plate, that’s the main harness you unplug to remove the gate

 

[RASelkirk]

There was a thread here somewhere about thieves stealing tailgates by simply unplugging the harness under the bumper, which cause the tailgate to unlock. I'd be willing to give up the remote unlock feature if the key slot would actually lock the tailgate w/o the electrical aspect coming into play. I have a McGard tailgate lock, but would be concerned about overnight trips with luggage under the bedcover (if/when I get one)...

Russ

 

[JB1]

There was a thread here somewhere about thieves stealing tailgates by simply unplugging the harness under the bumper, which cause the tailgate to unlock. I'd be willing to give up the remote unlock feature if the key slot would actually lock the tailgate w/o the electrical aspect coming into play. I have a McGard tailgate lock, but would be concerned about overnight trips with luggage under the bedcover (if/when I get one)...

Russ

My main concern is that lock tab braking causing my tailgate to fall, that’s why I’m going to disconnect mine.