Installing a tonneau cover question

[IdahoRanger]

Mine sounds like the report from a .22 when it latches, so I’m usually sure.

I know right, but it has sounded latched to me and somehow came open so now I double check.

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[Scott_Anderson_]

Also, a little heads up.....
When you attempt to attach the tonneau rails to the bed sides, you will probably notice that the last 6 inches of the rail at the rear kind of sticks up 1/4-1/2 inch. Nothing wrong with the tonneau rails....the Rangers top rail has a very slight arch to it...almost un-noticeable until you place a straight edge along the top. Some are a bit more pronounced that others but I believe all have the arch.
So, when you start at the front, flush, as you move toward the back, the tonneau rail might stick up a bit.
You would think that by now the tonneau manufacturers would/could put a slight arch in their rails, but alas, they do not.

Yeah, mine has it. Bothers me some, but I figured the cover was manufactured that way to prevent water pooling and assist run off. Good to know the real reason.

Also, I’m using RC soft tri-fold, not Truxedo.

 

[TICKLE ZOMBIE]

I was having latch issues until my wife presses down gently and it closed. ?
Any force and it pops back up.

This is important and frustrated me until I figured this out. The Lo-pro cover will not latch well unless the tonneau rail sticks up about a half inch above the bed rail at the tail gate - especially on the side that has the latch.

 

[TICKLE ZOMBIE]

Finished! Instructions are worse than IKEA but should be okay.
I just notice the rubber on the passenger side rail sticks up a bit at the end, but shouldn’t be an issue?

 

[subquark]

Also, a little heads up.....
When you attempt to attach the tonneau rails to the bed sides, you will probably notice that the last 6 inches of the rail at the rear kind of sticks up 1/4-1/2 inch. Nothing wrong with the tonneau rails....the Rangers top rail has a very slight arch to it...almost un-noticeable until you place a straight edge along the top. Some are a bit more pronounced that others but I believe all have the arch.
So, when you start at the front, flush, as you move toward the back, the tonneau rail might stick up a bit.
You would think that by now the tonneau manufacturers would/could put a slight arch in their rails, but alas, they do not.

And, not sure everyone has this but I had a bear of a time getting my clamps on to hold the side rails squarely in place. It looks like your side rails are angled upward and that may help offset the issue I had.

The plastic rail cap doesn't sit flush against the sheet metal under it, so when you attach your rail clamps, it'll tend to want to squeeze and angle your side rails down toward the bed. The kits come with shim/spacer material but this was a new concept to me and I had to redo it a few times to get it right. I'm still a bit off on the rear driver side but I gave up.

pic from your tonneau cover, will likely need to shim between the plastic rail cap and the sheet metal under it to keep the rail nice and square

 

[subquark]

Finished! Instructions are worse than IKEA but should be okay.
I just notice the rubber on the passenger side rail sticks up a bit at the end, but shouldn’t be an issue?

Well done! Looks pretty good to me! =)

 

[TICKLE ZOMBIE]

I noticed too the rail cap doesn’t sit flush with the sheet metal. I actually had them fall off after tightening them down the first time I closed the cover. ?
I may have my mechanic take a look at my work next oil change.

And, not sure everyone has this but I had a bear of a time getting my clamps on to hold the side rails squarely in place. It looks like your side rails are angled upward and that may help offset the issue I had.

The plastic rail cap doesn't sit flush against the sheet metal under it, so when you attach your rail clamps, it'll tend to want to squeeze and angle your side rails down toward the bed. The kits come with shim/spacer material but this was a new concept to me and I had to redo it a few times to get it right. I'm still a bit off on the rear driver side but I gave up.

pic from your tonneau cover, will likely need to shim between the plastic rail cap and the sheet metal under it to keep the rail nice and square

 

[subquark]

I noticed too the rail cap doesn’t sit flush with the sheet metal. I actually had them fall off after tightening them down the first time I closed the cover. ?
I may have my mechanic take a look at my work next oil change.

I did go and re-tighten them twice in the following month, not like death grip tight, but fairly snug.

I'm sure your work is fine and it would be highly unlikely that all would fail and your cover blow off on the highway (an irrational fear that I have, so much so that I bought additional clamps!).

Good grief, I need an amazon intervention! =p

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09V1SLJ88

 

[TICKLE ZOMBIE]

I’m more worried about water getting in more than should be expected but good idea on the clamps. ?
I have a lot of spring loaded clamps so maybe I’ll just use those.
Also just inspected my work…I don’t think it’s perfectly square but I hear all truck beds aren’t so just learn to live with the “offsets”. My my sheet metal isn’t perfectly aligned anyways….

I did go and re-tighten them twice in the following month, not like death grip tight, but fairly snug.

I'm sure your work is fine and it would be highly unlikely that all would fail and your cover blow off on the highway (an irrational fear that I have, so much so that I bought additional clamps!).

Good grief, I need an amazon intervention! =p

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09V1SLJ88

 

[Grumpaw]

I did go and re-tighten them twice in the following month, not like death grip tight, but fairly snug.

I'm sure your work is fine and it would be highly unlikely that all would fail and your cover blow off on the highway (an irrational fear that I have, so much so that I bought additional clamps!).

Good grief, I need an amazon intervention! =p

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09V1SLJ88

You know, I used those stinkin clamps at first, and as you and everyone has found out, the metal lip is really not that long/deep/whatever, to get a real good grip.
I cheated....used some #12 self tapping hex head screws and just screwed the tonneau rail right to the bed rail. 4 screws on each side.
Before anyone has an OMG, I'm planning on keeping Truck for long term, and even If I let it go in the future, don't think having the rail screwed to the bed will matter.
However, in almost 2 years, the rail is still as tight as the first day.

 

[subquark]

You know, I used those stinkin clamps at first, and as you and everyone has found out, the metal lip is really not that long/deep/whatever, to get a real good grip.
I cheated....used some #12 self tapping hex head screws and just screwed the tonneau rail right to the bed rail. 4 screws on each side.
Before anyone has an OMG, I'm planning on keeping Truck for long term, and even If I let it go in the future, don't think having the rail screwed to the bed will matter.
However, in almost 2 years, the rail is still as tight as the first day.

LOL, I love your "OMG" reference, it did actually make me guffaw as I sit with Cheech in the backyard. I think those self-tapping screws are a great idea for a far more secure connection.

Livin' the dream, reading the Ranger 5G forum with Cheech in the backyard, on a nice New England summer day

 

[RedDakooter05]

Well could always cut notches out and bend the frame rails to match the slope of the bed sides.

Personally, that's a lot of room for error so I ain't gonna attempt that.

 

[canyonslicker]

I have a bakflip trifold hard cover. Yeah it was about a quarter inch rasised in the back after starting at the front. I had my wife literally sit on the bed rail for the center and rear clamp install. It worked out great with no latching issues. I thought maybe the rails were warped slightly from manufacturer process. Going on 2 years now. I had retighten after the first month. All is good still no leaks even a lot of off-road vibrations. Being a hard cover it rattles a bit on bumps. Nothing too annoying..

 

[IdahoRanger]

I noticed too the rail cap doesn’t sit flush with the sheet metal. I actually had them fall off after tightening them down the first time I closed the cover. ?
I may have my mechanic take a look at my work next oil change.

This, I had a couple of them come off so adjusted and clamped tighter.

 

[Tom_C]

Not impossible be any means.
Just a matter of how unsightly of seals you're willing to use...

https://www.amazon.com/Oodles-Noodles-Foam-Pool-Swim/dp/B01LXXPIQI
Shove some of these into the gaps then close the gate.

Ok. When I get to where I can 'install' a noodle and close the gate/cover, I will look into this. Lately, I haven't even been using my cover because I'm carrying stuff bigger than the cover will allow. But if/when I get to where I can leave my cover in place, then I'll try the 'noodle' solution. I'm dubious, but will try it.

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