Access brand tonneau mod for rear rails

[drano38]

I purchased an Access Limited cover for my Ranger. Had an Access on my Dodge Dakota for 19 years, so decided to use same model for the Ranger.
But the short vertical inner rail on the Ranger doesn't give much to support for the Access rail. My Access rail drooped, and prevented the latch from engaging freely. The rail needs to be horizontal for the latch pawl to slide under the rail.
So I made wooden blocks from a 3/4" board to wedge in behind the rail.
Dimensions are 3" long, 1.23" wide, and the notch is 3/8" tall and .40" deep. The notch clears the factory inner vertical rail sheet metal.
Each truck might need a different width than 1.23". I cut several widths with the table saw in 1/32" increments, and chose the best one. Then used the router table to make the notch.
Finally, I wrapped it in electrical tape so its black. No screws needed - they're wedged in pretty tight.
Here's some pics. The plain wood block helps show the position.

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[tekfranz]

Great job figuring it out!

 

[Rviator]

I purchased an Access Limited cover for my Ranger. Had an Access on my Dodge Dakota for 19 years, so decided to use same model for the Ranger.
But the short vertical inner rail on the Ranger doesn't give much to support for the Access rail. My Access rail drooped, and prevented the latch from engaging freely. The rail needs to be horizontal for the latch pawl to slide under the rail.
So I made wooden blocks from a 3/4" board to wedge in behind the rail.
Dimensions are 3" long, 1.23" wide, and the notch is 3/8" tall and .40" deep. The notch clears the factory inner vertical rail sheet metal.
Each truck might need a different width than 1.23". I cut several widths with the table saw in 1/32" increments, and chose the best one. Then used the router table to make the notch.
Finally, I wrapped it in electrical tape so its black. No screws needed - they're wedged in pretty tight.
Here's some pics. The plain wood block helps show the position.

My Access Lorado doesn't have this issue. I assume you used the spacers that go between the plastic bed cap and the sheet metal? BTW what is that, what looks like a binder ring, on the clamp?

 

[drano38]

I used the supplied spacers, but still the rail would not lay horizontal, so the latch pieces would not easily slide under the rail.
Yes, those are rings on the clamps. I bought a package deal direct from Access, and part of it is a ring for every clamp. The instructions gave the max force on the clamps (don't remember what it is), but it isn't much.

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