Ram 1500 RamBox & Multifunction Tailgate Explained

Home › Ram › Ram 1500 › RamBox & multifunction tailgate

By Cory Gunderson, Internet Sales & Finance Manager, Swant Graber Motors · Updated Nov 1, 2026

What is RamBox, exactly?

RamBox is Ram's factory bed-rail storage: two lockable, drainable, lighted bins built into the sides of the bed, above the rear wheel wells. They lock with the key fob and the truck's central locking, and the drain plugs mean you can fill one with ice and use it as a cooler, then pull the plug and rinse it out. Around Barron, that usually means tow straps, ratchet straps, jumper packs, a chainsaw kit, ice-fishing gear or the cooler for a day on Red Cedar or Prairie Lake, all kept out of the cab and out of sight.

RamBox is an option, not standard, and availability depends on trim, cab and bed length and model year. For 2027 Ram lists a RamBox delete on Limited and Longhorn, which tells you it comes standard there; on other trims it is a stand-alone option or part of a group. The window sticker on the exact truck is the only reliable answer, and we'll pull it for you.

What do you give up with RamBox?

Three things, and they matter more to some buyers than others:

• Bed width. The bins sit inside the bed sides, so the box is narrower at the top rails. Ram's measured width between the wheel wells is the number that matters for sheet goods; confirm it in Ram's specifications for your configuration before you buy if you haul 4x8 sheets flat.
• Payload. The bins, lids, latches and lighting add weight, and every pound of factory equipment comes off the payload number. The door-jamb Tire and Loading label on the exact VIN shows the real payload; compare two trucks side by side if you load heavy.
• Aftermarket fit. Some toolboxes, tonneau covers, bed racks and slide-in campers are made specifically for RamBox or non-RamBox beds. Check fitment before you order accessories.

Who should get RamBox?

What is the Ram multifunction tailgate?

Ram's available multifunction tailgate does two jobs. It drops down like a normal tailgate, and it also splits 60/40 and swings open like barn doors. The swing mode is the useful one with a trailer hitched: you can reach into the bed without the tailgate hitting the coupler or the jack, and you can step right up to the bed instead of leaning over a dropped gate. It also makes loading a cooler or bag of feed easier from a dock or garage floor.

Like RamBox, availability varies by trim and model year, so confirm on the sticker. If you add a tonneau cover, hitch-mounted carrier or bed extender, confirm that the product is rated for the multifunction tailgate.

Other bed utility worth knowing

• Bed lengths: Ram 1500 Crew Cabs are commonly offered with a 5-foot-7-inch box or a 6-foot-4-inch box; Quad Cab pairs with the 6-foot-4-inch box. The longer bed costs some garage space; measure first.
• Bed lighting, utility rails and adjustable cargo tie-downs are available by trim and group.
• Spray-in bedliner is offered on many trucks; it protects the bed from salt and gravel, which matters on Barron County roads in winter.
• Power outlets: a 400-watt inverter shows up in Big Horn Level 1 and Level 2 on our 2026 stickers; see Level 1 & 2 decoded.
• Air suspension (available) can lower the rear for easier loading; see the hub.

How we help you pick

Tell us what's going in the bed most weekends. We'll pull two trucks off our Barron lot, one with RamBox and one without, and put the door-jamb payload labels and stickers next to each other. That's a five-minute comparison that answers the question better than any brochure. New Ram 1500s are priced at invoice with no mandatory add-ons; see trims explained for which trims usually carry RamBox and the multifunction gate.

Keep reading

• Ram 1500 Buyer's Guide (hub)
• 2027 Ram 1500 trims, explained
• Level 1 & Level 2 groups decoded
• Hurricane vs HEMI vs eTorque
• Trailer Tow Group II: worth it?
• Winter & 4x4 in NW Wisconsin
• Used Ram 1500 buying checklist

Sources: Ram 2027 Ram 1500 press kit and feature availability (ramtrucks.com, Oct 2026); Swant Graber stock window stickers (Oct 2026). Equipment and fitment confirmed per VIN.

Questions

What is RamBox on a Ram 1500?

Factory lockable, drainable, lighted storage bins built into both sides of the bed, above the rear wheel wells. Availability depends on trim, bed and model year.

Does RamBox reduce payload?

Yes, somewhat. The bins and hardware add weight, and factory weight comes off payload. The door-jamb label on the exact truck shows the real payload.

Does RamBox make the bed narrower?

Yes at the top rails, because the bins sit inside the bed sides. Check Ram's wheel-well width spec for your configuration if you haul 4x8 sheets flat.

Can you use RamBox as a cooler?

Yes. The bins have drain plugs, so you can fill one with ice and drain it afterward.

What does the Ram multifunction tailgate do?

It drops down like a normal tailgate and also splits 60/40 to swing open like barn doors, which helps you reach the bed with a trailer hitched. Availability varies by trim.

Is RamBox standard on any Ram 1500?

For 2027 Ram lists a RamBox delete on Limited and Longhorn, so it comes on those unless deleted. On other trims it's optional; check the sticker.

Where can I compare RamBox trucks near Barron, WI?

Swant Graber Motors, 1690 E Division Ave, Barron, WI 54812. Call 715-537-5657 and we'll line up a RamBox and non-RamBox truck.