If you’re looking for a way to protect your truck bed from the elements, but don’t want a bulky hardtop that takes up valuable cargo space, then this post is perfect for you. You need Hard Tri-Fold Truck Bed Cover. They’re easy to install; just slide these down onto your bar over your truck bed rails without any fuss at all! All it takes is some basic tools and about 90 minutes of time. You won’t also have this problem where dirt gets caught under it since it’s made of hard plastic and you’ll never have to worry about it coming off in the middle of a trip either because they’re typically designed with three straps that are used to secure them on your truck rails.
How to Install
Installing a hard tri-fold truck bed cover doesn’t have to be an intimidating task. In fact, it can be quite easy with the right instructions and tools. Here we are going to show you how you can install your own tonneau cover in easy steps!
When on a box, I’ll check the parts against the parts list. The cover comes with a left and right rails hard folding cover three D-shaped cap bumpers, one bulkhead seal, two prop rods, two drain tubes, a construction manual, six clamps, two elevator bolts, and a hardware bag.
Step 1. Install the bulkhead seal
According to the instruction manual, if your truck has a drop-in bed liner, the seal isn’t required. My truck has a sprayed-on bed liner. So I’ll install the seal. Before installing the seal I’ll take some ISO propyl alcohol, apply it to a cloth and clean the top edge of the truck bed.
Then I’ll start in one corner of the bulkhead and remove the backing tape. As I apply the seal, when I reached the other end, I’ll trim the seal with a pair of scissors, to where it matches up with the corner.
Step 2. Attach the rails
The next step is to install the rails. First, I’ll close the tailgate and place the left rail all the way forward with the silver bracket pointing towards the center of the truck bed.
Then I’ll take a pair of vice grips and clamp the rail against the lip on the truck bed. Next, I’ll take one of the six clamps and install it onto the rail. The teeth on each clamp need to align with the slots in the rail to ensure a secure grip with that in mind, I’ll install the first clamp at the front of the bed, six to nine inches back then with a nine 16th socket. I’ll tighten the clamp while pushing down on the top of the rail, pushing down, ensures that the rail sets flush and seals properly against the truck bed. Next, I’ll remove the vice grips and install a second clamp near the center point of the rail. And when it’s in place, I’ll install a third clamp, six inches from the tailgate. The left rail is now installed. So I’ll repeat these steps to install the rail on the right side of the truck bed.
Step 3. Cover Installation
When the prop rods are installed I’ll take the bed cover with a small panel toward the cab and set the cover inside the rails. The holes in the small panel align with the mounting slots on the silver slotted brackets.
Next, I’ll install the buckle ends into the pre-drilled holes on the small panel using the machine screws and the threaded posts, a Phillips screwdriver with a magnetic tip works great for this step. After the buckle enters installed, I’ll take the cap bumpers and install one on each end of the first full panel. Then one where the center of the cover meets the back window frame on the cab.
Step 4. Bolt the cover onto the rails
The next step in the installation is to take the two large flat bolts with rubber washers and insert one through each hole on the small panel. Each bolt will go through the slot in the silver bracket on each rail. Then I’ll take the two knobs with washers and loosely tighten each knob on the bolts.
Remember the rubber washer is first and goes against the panel. Then the flat washer and finally the lock washer, which will be against the knob next to all unfold, to cover and adjust it to where the back edge fits just inside the front edge of the tailgate. Once the cover is positioned, I’ll fold the cover forward and finish tightening the two knobs.
Step 5. Install the drain hoses
The last step on the installation is to install the drain hoses. What I’ll do is take a cordless drill with a seven, eight-inch hole saw and drill a hole in each rubber plug near the bottom of the bowl kit. Next, I’ll push the end of the drain hose onto the fitting on the rail. Then push the opposite end of the hose into the hole. I drilled on the bed plug. Then I’ll repeat these steps for the second drain hose.
Step 6. Confirm that all components firmly fixed
According to the directions, I install a hard tri-fold truck bed cover. Now, let’s see what we can do with it! First I’ll release the panels by pulling down the cable on each panel and fold the cover-up. Next, I’ll release the buckles from the panel and insert them into the buckle and on the small panel, this position for the cover is good. If you’re hauling things that will hang over the tailgate, next tile on buckle straps, holding the back panels down, pulling the cable to release the front panel. Then pivot the panel up to where the cover is resting against the back window to hold the cover in place. I’ll insert the prop rods into the brackets on the panel, then tighten each NOP.
I’m really impressed with how well built this bed cover is and how good it looks on my truck. I also liked that each panel on the cover latches into the rail for stability installation time for the cover is around one hour and once installed.
Conclusion
If you are looking for an inexpensive way to protect your cargo from the weather, then this is it! We have had our tonneau cover installed and it has done what we wanted – keep things dry when it rains or snows, and also provide some security. So far so good.
I was really impressed with the quality of this product. The surface is a tough, textured plastic that resists scratching from things being tossed in and out of your bed. They are also easy to clean – just hose them off when they get dirty or dusty. And I found the price to be very competitive as well!
The instructions were clear enough for me so if you’re handy around the house at all, then it should not take more than an hour to install one on your own truck bed cover. However, installation isn’t difficult if you’ve got help either because most people can do it without any problems unless there’s something wrong with their hands or fingers like arthritis in which case they might need assistance installing due to limited mobility and dexterity.