How to Install Tri-Fold Tonneau Cover

Most of the buyers, after purchasing tonneau cover, don’t know how to make proper assembling. So, every time they break or damage the cover parts. To eliminate these situations, just look at the following instructions.

How Do You Install a Tonneau Cover Clamp?

A clamp is very important to keep the rail in place. Most of the clamps available on market are pre-assembled.

Fit the Clamp on the Rail

Engage the teeth of your clamp with the grooves of the rail. Place it and make sure that the nut is facing outwards.

Complete Final Checking

Make the clamps aligned and teeth engaged properly. Tighten them and finish the installation with a wrench. Don’t make it too tight!

How to Install Tri-Fold Tonneau Cover

Make Your Truck Bed Ready

Wash the truck bed properly (use a hose). It is better to use alight soap or soft detergent. After cleaning, dry it properly and remove all water drop/moisture. Remove all bed caps. So, all clamps will make perfect contact.

Take the Cover in Place

Put the tri-fold tonneau cover on rails. Unfold it and set the better rail alignment. Then refold the cover again without changing its position.

Install Clamps

Keep all of your clamps under the bed flange. Pull down the front ones. Set the clamp jaw under the rail. Screw up until the clamps seem to be tight enough. Do all of these using hands. Never use any wrench or tighter.

Set Rear Clamps

Fix your rear clamps under the edges of the bed flange. Pull the clamp lever down and secure the cover. If you want to keep the cover folded, release clamp levers. Fasten the cover straps to the front rail.

Additional Steps

Check by closing the tailgate if the cover fits or not. Recheck all screws, bolts, and clamps. Moreover, you can use a seal strip to defend the car bed paint.

Precautions

Don’t drive by keeping the tonneau cover unlocked. The cover’s upper part can hold a maximum of 30 LBS of weight. So, never allow anyone to ride on the cover framework.

How to Install Tri-Fold Tonneau Cover with Bed Liner

Necessary Instruments

• Well-Fitted Truck Bed Liner
• Tri-Fold Tonneau Cover
• Soft Microfiber Towel
• Screwdriver
• Drill Machine
• Safety Goggles
• Knife
• Cleaning spray/alcohol

To Install the Bed Liner

Installing a bed liner comes before the cover. 

Wash the Bed

You must clean your bed using cleaning spray/alcohol. Then dry it for at least 24 hours.

Set the Screws

Make holes where needed. You must use safety goggles while drilling. Then fasten the screws using the appropriate screwdriver.

Place the Liner

Fix your bed liner to the car bed with fasteners. Cover the screws with screw caps. Trim edges by a knife (if needed).

To Install Tri-Fold Cover

Fix Clamps with the Cover

Set your cover at the end of the box. Then take your clamps and pull them down. Don’t make them so tight.

Unlatch the Cover

Unclip the top and then open the cover. Keep it unlocked. After that, close the tailgate and ensure its proper fixing with a liner.

Retighten the Screws

Recheck all screws and clamps. Tighten them again. Set the cover tension you need.

Tri-Fold Tonneau Cover on Ram 1500

Line the Cover

Start by lining the tonneau cover towards the back of the bed. Make sure it is lined up perfectly with the rails.

Fix the Clamps Inside

Attach it to the underneath clamps. Make it tight by the hock. Lock the clamps for both sides. 

Tighten the Strips

There are yellow strips to tie down the bed. Fasten them as these are for secondary holding. Moreover, if your cover doesn’t stay with the foam seal at the edge, lose the clamps and push the cover towards. Then retighten the clamps again.

How to Open Tri-Fold Tonneau Cover

A Tri-fold tonneau cover comes pre-assembled. And so, for installing or opening, no tools are needed. To make it open, 

Release the Clamps

The first job is to remove the hock. Loosen the hand as well as rear clamps.

Folding the Cover

Then fold your cover carefully. A tri-fold cover bears an aluminum framework inside and so, it folds up into a tri-fold unit. You can bear the folded unit on your truck bed. If you need the full truck bed, fold it up fully. Fasten the folded cover with strips at the box end.

How to Fold the Cover in RAM 1500?

If you need to use the bed, first of all, unlock the cover. Then pull the safety clips, fold the cover-up and finally catch the clips.

FAQ

Q: What Is the Best Tri-Fold Hard Tonneau Cover?

Ans: The best tri fold tonneau cover must be very durable and easier to open. Besides, if you find enough flexibility, a strong framework, and bold look/top security in a cover, then consider it as the best one.

Q: Hard or Soft Tonneau Cover, Which One Is Better?

Ans: Hardcovers provide better security and a strong locking system just like a volt! But these are expensive and not so flexible. On the other hand, soft ones are economical, easy to operate. But these cannot protect properly in rain or snow.

Conclusion

To install a tonneau cover, no need to know rocket science! As installing a tri-fold tonneau cover slightly differs from vehicle to vehicle, here we tried to provide all types of solutions. So, have a look and be a pro!