something like this may work for you

www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGPS8J5s-L4

at the rear of the trailer wiring plug, there is a wire that is always hot, connect into it & add a push button illuminated switch inside the rear corner of the bed

 

This guy makes Great videos
some of the Mods that he has done to his Ram, bed lights included

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BogWDEEmt1U

 

That is cool.... Added to the list......

Thanks.......;-)

 

What about the hole that people use to install the Deedee tailgate assist, I think you could use that for the switch so you wouldn't have to drill a hole

 

Thanks for the videos. I have a dee zee tailgate assist so that hole is taken already. Lol

 

Both sides?

 

Search ebay for a gravity tilt switch. Cost very little and its small. The one i got stuck using 3m tape, so no drilling holes. I switched the ground side to turn on LED lights inside my motorcycle trunk. works very well. It needs to mount to a horizontal surface with the tailgate up, so the underside edge ?

This is the one i used:
http://www.parts-express.com/mercur...lt-switch--060-852?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=pla#lblReviews

 

VTRON wrote a great post with pics on using a magnetic switch
I followed his instructions and it works great

 

I like to build things, so When I installed the LED lights in the bed, I picked up the Bat power from the trailer hitch, I soldered a mercury switch out of an old house thermostat to the ground side of the lights, Pushed it into a 3" long piece of fuel line for protection. Ran it and the wires along the harness for the tailgate latch and back-up camera. Pulled the harness out from the bottom of the tailgate far enough to tape the switch to and put them back in. Now when I open the tailgate the lights come on magically. The tilt switch alluded to earlier would do the same thing and might fit into the hole in the bottom of tailgate where it could be secured with double edge tape.

 

plunger type switch for Ram bed lights

www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Z-CRYeksv4

 

I've given up on the plunger type switch since I don't want to drill a hole. What that guy did in that video is perfect for those that don't mind drilling. I and stealing vtrons idea with a magnet switch but I found a different one actually designed for this application. I'll post a link below. I just ordered the switch and some led lights from amazon without out seeing the switch personally so I'm going in blinds to see if I can make it work. Should be fun.

tailgate switch

 

subscribed for this one. I don't own the truck so I won't be drilling holes either. Would love to see how you make out with the magnetic switch. I currently have OEM bed lighting however it's only tied to the factory switch. I'm leaning towards the magnetic switch or putting a remote switch somewhere in the bed by the tailgate. I would run new led strips along the edge so I could use the factory lights via the dash or use the aftermarket ones via the bed/magnetic switch.

 

I got the switch and lights today. Just waiting on a day to do the install. Switch came with different size thickness pads with adhesive on both sides for mounting. Also has a kill switch if I want the lights off with the tailgate down.

 

I may do this to put an indicator light in my truck when the gate is open. The other day I drove about 5 miles with the gate open by accident. I was surprised that the cab does not have a tailgate open/ajar indicator for us forgetful dopes like me.

 

I've been waiting on a chance to install is magnet switch and I believe that I have the perfect location for it. I'm thinking I'll mount it to the latch inside the tailgate. When you pull the handle up on the tailgate both latches pop open which would move the magnet from the switch and turn the lights on. I just glanced at it but can anyone see a problem with this that I'm not seeing?

Also, what's the easiest way to take the plastic clips out of the plastic part on top of the tailgate so that I can remove that internal panel to run the wires? I tend to break those types of clips.