Tonneau Covers Rails or no rails

[tekfranz]

I like my Access Limited Tonneau a lot.
Ford makes it difficult to attach the aluminum cover rails to to the truck because of the plastic side rail caps coming down in front of the metal flange. There is an air gap here so the clamps cannot get a good grip. Access/Agricover provides plastic shims to fill this void.. I have had trouble with twisting and distortion in the heat.
Just wondering if there are any options on the market for the Ranger that address the air gap between the flange and metal in a different way.
For example the Gator SFX it skips all the rails and clamps altogether. Just center it and attach the hooks.
Or some models appear to mount the rails on top of the plastic side rail caps

is anyone aware of a rail-less or clampless or a fewer Clamp tonneau cover solution and how does it fit on the truck?

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[AzScorpion]

I like my Access Limited Tonneau a lot.
Ford makes it difficult to attach the aluminum cover rails to to the truck because of the plastic side rail caps coming down in front of the metal flange. There is an air gap here so the clamps cannot get a good grip. Access/Agricover provides plastic shims to fill this void.. I have had trouble with twisting and distortion in the heat.
Just wondering if there are any options on the market for the Ranger that address the air gap between the flange and metal in a different way.
For example the Gator SFX it skips all the rails and clamps altogether. Just center it and attach the hooks.
Or some models appear to mount the rails on top of the plastic side rail caps

is anyone aware of a rail-less or clampless or a fewer Clamp tonneau cover solution and how does it fit on the truck?

Franz, I have the Access Vanish cover and when I first got it the rails would fall off every week. After calling Agricover I spoke with Eddie Allan who's the installer there and he said you need to make sure the shims are in the right direction. There's a thin side and thick side and right now I cant remember which one goes down but once I did that it never fell off. I use mine everyday for work and it's been good since. He even sent me a new set of clamps and shims for free. You might want to give him a call tomorrow and see if he can help you out.


EDDIE ALLEN

CUSTOMER CARE SPECIALIST


AGRI-COVER, INC.

P.O. BOX 508/3000 HWY 281 SE

JAMESTOWN, ND 58402

T: 701-952-9963

F: 701-251-1512

AGRICOVER.COM

 

[tekfranz]

Franz, I have the Access Vanish cover and when I first got it the rails would fall off every week. After calling Agricover I spoke with Eddie Allan who's the installer there and he said you need to make sure the shims are in the right direction. There's a thin side and thick side and right now I cant remember which one goes down but once I did that it never fell off. I use mine everyday for work and it's been good since. He even sent me a new set of clamps and shims for free. You might want to give him a call tomorrow and see if he can help you out.


EDDIE ALLEN

CUSTOMER CARE SPECIALIST


AGRI-COVER, INC.

P.O. BOX 508/3000 HWY 281 SE

JAMESTOWN, ND 58402

T: 701-952-9963

F: 701-251-1512

AGRICOVER.COM

I have a new set of clamps and shims coming as well. Eddie was very helpful with the noise issue I had earlier and we got that resolved so the cover is nice and quiet. I’ll check which direction is recommended to install the shims.
Here is what the instructions say:

 

[AzScorpion]

I have a new set of clamps and shims coming as well. Eddie was very helpful with the noise issue I had earlier. I’ll check which direction is recommended to install the shims.
Here is what the instructions say:

/QUOTE]

The directions weren't the greatest as I'm sure you noticed. Eddie knew exactly which way they should be facing so you don't have to go through trial and error of the rails falling off. Hopefully this works out for you as it is a great cover just a PITA because the directions weren't the best. Good luck!

 

[Blue Streak]

I have the same cover. Never had a problem with the rails falling off, in fact since the install I have never checked or retightened the clamps. I know it has been on well over a year. Must have got it wright. Yes the instructions are iffy. It will work out for you.

 

[tekfranz]

Ok, I believe I got it. I loosened the clamps and wrapped a vice grip jaws in electrical tape. I then worked the plastic bump back down to level out of the side rail cap and clamped the rail to the bed with the vice grip. I then tightened up the clamps.
I added the second set of clamps and shims that Access/Agricover sent me to hold everything in place but I think first getting the trim the rail and the truckbed flange lined up and clamping them with a vise grip really helped. The vise grip held the plastic rail cap and bed flange so the clamps could not create a twist.

 

[tekfranz]

I also discovered the reason the rails are curved is that the tailgate end of the rails needs to curve up to allow the tailgate to seat underneath.

 

[tekfranz]

Retrax also uses nylon spacers. Without them, the clamps deform everything more.

I try not to think about the deformed flanges. I installed without the spacers first because the spacer instructions were in the Ranger addendum, then I added them later. No doubt the deformed rails add character to the truck I even coated the clamps and area around with Plasti-Dip to make it seem official ?. Clear PlastiDip is amazing BTW. The whole thing is actually not thaaat bad. It's just one of those things with Tonneau Covers and clamps.

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