What to do with a tonneau cover in a carwash?

[OxyGenIII]

No set instructions on what to do when going through a touchless carwash with a tonneau cover. Nothing in the installation instructions.

Soft roll up cover, do you:

Leave it latched and closed?

Roll up the cover and secure it with the straps at the back of the cab?

Or don't get a touchless wash at all? (Hopefully not, can't hand wash the truck all the time, especially in winter months)

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[Desert_5G]

I stopped going to car washes. Not worth the risk of getting it damaged or damaging the equipment.

 

[Hounddog409]

No set instructions on what to do when going through a touchless carwash with a tonneau cover. Nothing in the installation instructions.

Soft roll up cover, do you:

Leave it latched and closed?

Roll up the cover and secure it with the straps at the back of the cab?

Or don't get a touchless wash at all? (Hopefully not, can't hand wash the truck all the time, especially in winter months)

leave it alone. don't worry about it.
I been going through brushless washes for years with tonneau cover. never had an issue.

 

[RedlandRanger]

leave it alone. don't worry about it.
I been going through brushless washes for years with tonneau cover. never had an issue.

I would take the antenna off though..... That seems like it would just snap with those big brushes.

 

[khyros]

I would take the antenna off though..... That seems like it would just snap with those big brushes.

Nah it's fine. I exclusively used car washes for my '13 Escape and it had the same antenna. Never had a problem.

 

[OxyGenIII]

I would take the antenna off though..... That seems like it would just snap with those big brushes.

No brushes for me. I'd only use a touchless carwash in a pinch.

 

[OxyGenIII]

leave it alone. don't worry about it.
I been going through brushless washes for years with tonneau cover. never had an issue.

Do you keep a sealant or treatment on the cover itself to prevent it from drying out and cracking in the sun, etc?

 

[Hounddog409]

Do you keep a sealant or treatment on the cover itself to prevent it from drying out and cracking in the sun, etc?

not regularly. My old one I think i "armoralled " it once in the 5 years I had it.

My new one for the ranger is still in the box, so cannot comment on that one yet.

 

[P. A. Schilke]

Hi Folks,

Okay...Part of Vehicle Engineering at Ford is what we call the DVP&R Design Verification Proveout and Report..It is a deck of testing requirements that makes War&Peace look like a thin book....In the DVP&R is a test called the Carwash Test...We have a couple car washes around the Ford Engineering Complex, but what we do is spend a few weeks just driving to carwashs around the Detroit area (good job for a engineering trainee)...video camera in hand and film the test vehicle being washed...Brushless and Brush kinds If the vehicle does not make it without any damage or problem, it is back to the drawing board... I can say that the 2019 Ranger had to pass this test so the antenna should be fine. Biggest worry is step bars getting hung up on the carwash rails of some of the older carwashes.

Best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Co. Retired

 

[Hounddog409]

I would take the antenna off though..... That seems like it would just snap with those big brushes.

you missed the "brushless" part

 

[tgRanger]

Do you keep a sealant or treatment on the cover itself to prevent it from drying out and cracking in the sun, etc?

303 Aerospace Protectant is great for tonneau covers.. Protects from UV damage, cracking and fading. Keeps your cover always looking new and fresh and it not expensive.

 

[RedlandRanger]

you missed the "brushless" part

I did. Shows how often I go to the car wash. I wash my vehicles by hand. Probably only been to a car wash 2 or 3 times in the last 5 years. Maybe longer.

 

[SubVet]

I use full-service car washes. Never had an issue with Tonneau Cover. The car wash I frequent uses memory foam "brushes" Never damaged a vehicle. The only thing I do is retract the mirrors. Always check inside the bed for water after a car wash. So far I am watertight with the LoPro Tonneau

 

[Hounddog409]

I did. Shows how often I go to the car wash. I wash my vehicles by hand. Probably only been to a car wash 2 or 3 times in the last 5 years. Maybe longer.

Here in the NE Ohio snowbelt, hand wash is not an option for half the year......

 

[lawrence]

No set instructions on what to do when going through a touchless carwash with a tonneau cover. Nothing in the installation instructions.

Soft roll up cover, do you:

Leave it latched and closed?

Roll up the cover and secure it with the straps at the back of the cab?

Or don't get a touchless wash at all? (Hopefully not, can't hand wash the truck all the time, especially in winter months)

I leave it as it is.

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