How to Install a Roll-Up Tonneau Cover, From Makers' Sheets

This is an overview built from the sheets we could read, mainly Tyger's T1 sheets and Gator's general sheet. It does not replace the sheet that comes with your cover. If they differ, your sheet wins.

Tools

The steps

1. Read your own sheet first

   Check that the part number on the sheet matches your cover.

2. Clean and seal if asked

   Gator has you clean with isopropyl and fit the foam weather seals.

3. Place the rails

   Place the cover on the front rail. Slide the side rail into the bulkhead channel. Line up the inside edge of the side rail with the inner edge of the bed rail.

4. Set the clamps loose

   Space clamps evenly, about 6 to 8 inches from the ends of the rail. Do not tighten them until the rails are positioned.

5. Tighten and set crossbars

   Tighten the clamps per your sheet, then arch the crossbars upward. If they are not arched, water pools.

6. Set the latch

   Keep the gap between locking clip and side rail under 1/16 inch, or it will not lock securely. Latch down before closing the tailgate. Press the hook-and-loop strips after latching.

7. Recheck after a week

   Gator says to check clamps after a week of driving, and periodically after that.

Trucks that change the job

• Track rails. Tyger's sheets say Nissan and Toyota trucks with a factory utility track rail get separate clamp instructions, attached to the sheet.
• Tacoma deck rails. Each cover type treats them differently. See deck rails.
• Over-the-rail liner. Small 2 x 4 in holes are cut for the clamps. See bed liners.

If you bought a hard roll-up

Rough Country's manual runs differently: foam seal on the front edge, drain tube in, rail against the bed wall, one clamp at the front and one at the rear, drain tubes into the front of the bed wall, cover centered, four bolts, then the locking base and tongue adjusted. It ships a 17 mm spanner and two hex keys. More on hard roll-ups.

Do you need to drill?

The Tyger sheets we read have no drilling step, and RealTruck says most roll-ups need no drilling. "Most" is not "all", so read your sheet. The drilling answer goes further.

When it goes wrong

If the latch pops, jams or will not line up, try the latch fixes. If water gets in, go to the leak fixes. If the cover is too short for the bed, Tyger says to move the whole assembly toward the tailgate. If the front bed rail sits low, apply the front seal strip.

Not bought yet? Measure your bed first, so the job goes as the sheet describes.