How to install a tonneau cover

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A tonneau cover basically comes in fibreglass or hard material clothing that you have to install at the backspace of your vehicle. It helps make your vehicle a bedding place easily. Most of the tonneau covers are weatherproof as they give protection against heat and water. You can also put the tonneau cover in locked mode to protect your inside materials safe and clean. Hence, we recommend you to have a tonneau cover installed in your vehicle.So, lets discuss here how to install a tonneau cover ?

Usually a tonneau cover is made of hard material; you can find softer one easily if you want to explore in the market. However, hard cover is definitely more stable than the softer ones. With hard covers you feel comfortable while cleaning it; you will also find it easier to clean the cover without having any chances of damaging it.

However, purchasing a tonneau cover does not solve your purpose; rather you have to install it to protect your cargo safe and also to create a bedding space in your truck bed.

Now, you may ask, how to install a tonneau cover? Well, in this article you will learn how to install a tonneau cover easily by yourself before starting your journey.

But before purchasing a tonneau cover, you have to take proper dimensions of your truck bed so that the cover properly fits the specific model that you own. You need to do a proper research about the manufacturers and their products that match the specific model of your vehicle.

If you purchase a tonneau that does not suit your vehicle’s dimensions, then you may waste a lot of your hard earned money. So, do a proper research before selecting one product for your truck bed. Some tonneau covers do not come with necessary hardware like screw, bolts, or two-sided 3M rubber tapes. Hence, you have to check it properly and buy the required hardware and other equipments beforehand so that you do not face any problems during the installation process.

Steps To Install A Tonneau Cover

Step-1:

The first step of installing the tonneau cover starts with unboxing your tonneau cover from the packaging. Here, you need to go through the manual because the manual provides the right information about how to install the cover in the right way. Most of the manufacturers provide tonneau covers with required tools with the package. You need to purchase those required tools separately if the package do not provide any. You may need some screw or wrench for this procedure.

So, the first step includes the preparation for installing the tonneau cover. You have to at first wash the tailgate of your vehicle with soap or detergent (whatever you are comfortable with). Cleaning the tailgate ensures that there is no dust or grease left in that portion. Remember there should not be any plastic or poly remains within. After washing the tailgate, you need to wait until it gets dry.

Step-2: 

In second step, you need to at first make the bedding part. Then seal the underneath portion with the rubber tape/double-sided 3M rubber tape given in the packaging; it will help you to set the bedding later on. The corner side steel of the tailgate is now sealed. The next step would be to seal the gap between your tailgate and your tonneau cover, which will give you a more weatherproof solution.

Step-3: 

After you seal the bedsides, you have to attach the side rails to both of the tailgates. To do this, you will need some plastic clamps to hold the side rails. You may ask why plastic clamps; it is because you don’t want to scratch your beautiful painted vehicle. Then you have to hold your side rails to the level of your tailgate to attach plastic clamps. Now adjust it properly.

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One of the advantages of sealing tape is that it protects your paint from having any kind of dents during the installation process. Moreover, it will give you perfection to the entire set-up and also helps you to attach it smoothly. Make sure you have done the plastic clamping tight so that it does not make any noise. By doing so, you make sure that you get air-sealed protection from rain and water as well.

Step-4: 

Next is your step-4, where you can see the shape of your tonneau cover. You have kept it upheld in the previous step. You should not start to attach the screws until you make sure that the rails are straight and up as possible.  By doing this you ensure that you roll the cover easily. If you hold the screws rightly, then you will be able to fix it tightly as per the requirement. Hence, you need to make the bolts or screws as straight and vertical as possible. Repeat the same procedure to install another 3 to 4 screw clamps on each side.

After setting the rails on both sides, you further need to check if it is at equal level or not. Make sure that the screws are tight and in place and most importantly the tailgate is closing without any obstruction or not. If everything is perfectly alright, then you can move to the next step.

Step-5: 

In this step, you will need to set the tonneau cover. However, you have to make the tension that will keep the cover straight and make it look nice. You need to adjust the adjustor block on both sides where you are required to attach the tonneau cover that you have rolled from before. Basically, this is the area from where the tonneau cover will unfold and fold.

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Now, you will see a slot in the rail and also some holes in the block and a cotter pin. So, here you need to put the block down inside there and then taking the cotter pin, you have to slide it into the hole on the bottom right there. Now lock it in place. Now repeat the same procedure on the other side in the same hole with the opposite cotter pin.

Step-6: 

Keep your self-locking nuts and flat washers ready with you for this step. Put the rolled cover to find the holes matched with your cotter pin-hole position. Then place it right and attach the bolts tightly. Then put the flat washers from below and fix it tight. Repeat this technique for 2-3 times to attach the cover perfectly. Then attach the self-locking nut to hold it. Now, check the tension of the cover if it is right and perfect or not. Now you can easily unroll the cover.

Step-7: 

In the final step, you have to unroll and recheck everything. Remember that each and every bolt, connection buttons, and velcros are in the proper place. If not, then set it perfectly and also check if the tension is perfect or not.

Finally check if the tonneau cover is properly rolling and unrolling or not. Put back the tailgate and check it is closing perfectly or not. If You do not find any issue, then you are ready to roll your tonneau cover.

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