DIY Hillbilly II Hard, Incline Truck Bed Cover for the 2019/2020 Ford Ranger (New, enhanced designed pretty Tonneau)

[Chappy]

A trifold with 3 seams will leak. My single piece cover design had zero leaks - so far.

Wonder if something like this would help with waterproofing a trifold design?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07RS5KLK4/ref=cm_sw_r_taa_.VyCEb588JEBA

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[DIYAndy]

That would help but a tri-fold with seams is still prone to leaks. Most Tonneau manufacturers, in fine print, put disclaimers that their truck bed covers do leak and there is no guarantee that they will not leak. That is why I decided to construct a one piece truck bed cover with zero seams and so far there has been zero leaks.

 

[Tinsoldieroh]

Wonder if something like this would help with waterproofing a trifold design?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07RS5KLK4/ref=cm_sw_r_taa_.VyCEb588JEBA

I can tell you it works great for the gap between the bed and the tailgate.

 

[DIYAndy]

Good, now find a solution to prevent leaks in a truck bed cover that has seams and not just the tailgate section for complete overall leakage prevention.
BTW - If you haven't notice but this thread is about the construction of a incline truck bed cover with no seams and no leaks.

 

[Tinsoldieroh]

Good, now find a solution to prevent leaks in a truck bed cover that has seams and not just the tailgate section for complete overall leakage prevention.
BTW - If you haven't notice but this thread is about the construction of a incline truck bed cover with no seams and no leaks.

Knew that but when I read the post by chappy I thought I'd comment because I have used that particular item. It's all good.

 

[DIYAndy]

Had to go to several junk yards to find more aluminum materials to construct another gas lift mounting bracket. The picture below shows the gas lifter mounting hardware with the poly suspension bump stops. When the truck bed cover is at the maximum designed incline angle with the maximum force/weight of the panel cover, the two clamps, on the truck bed rails tends to twist but the bump stops prevents this from happening. Hopefully all my gas struts problems are solved.

 

[DIYAndy]

Incline Truck Bed Cover Construction Tips/Hints/Suggestions

For those who want to save time, money and not worry about cover panel security just move the pressure treated hinge cross brace "up" almost even with to two bed rails tops (~ 1.0 " - (minus) hinge thickness) Then obtain two commercial stainless steel or outdoor hinges and finish the job. No custom welded hinges necessary.

 

[DIYAndy]

Incline Truck Bed Cover Construction Tips/Hints/Suggestions

Spring loaded 10 mm ball socket "quick release" for the top end (or bottom end) of an universal gas strut/lifter. This toolless design makes life easier when releasing the gas struts from the truck bed cover panel.

Pics below
Gas strut/lifter universal ball joint with a "fixed" connection.
Gas strut/lifter with quick release ball socket (spring loaded) with the additional 10 mm ball attached to the gas lifter mounting bracket.

 

[DIYAndy]

 

[DIYAndy]

Project construction tips/hints/suggestions:

By far, the installation and the adjustment for the gas lifters was the most time consuming due the 5 foot truck bed cover width span. The angle and the load on "both" gas lifters had to be almost perfect (the same) for smooth and proper operation. The gas lifter distances, for incline positioning, from the bulk head had to be fairly exact. Since the gas lifter bracket clamps are moveable along the truck bed rails then the gas lifter adjustment was somewhat easy but very DIY time consuming. A helper was necessary to prevent the 50# panel cover from dropping and to gather refreshments from the local carryout.

 

[DIYAndy]

Both gas lifters "in action" on mulch gathering day. Notice the right gas lifter ladder frame had to be modified to fit properly.

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