Retrax Tonneau Cover AVAILABLE NOW + Di$count for ROC Members!

[Ultra-HOG]

I wouldn't worry too much about hitting the drain tubes. It looks like they are soft enough that they could handle being crushed, as long as it is not raining. If that does not work, just pull them out of the holes in the bed. If you are worried about shearing them off at the bed with the plywood, put a couple of 2 X 4s under the plywood.

By the way, if you have not seen this neat accessory for carrying long items check out Useful accessory for trailer hitch

[dumbutt]

That is one neat accessory Ultra Hog. I shouldn't need it if, like you say, the tubes slip right out of the stoppers, then I can pull them out when getting plywood, which I might do once every two years. Still may find a way to enclose them for other things that I may have rattling around in the bed. Thanks!

[HenryHonda]

Originally Posted by Ultra-HOG

More good news from RETRAX:
QUOTE
"We are offering a limited time special factory direct discount to all members of www.ridgelineownersclub.com.

The regular price for the Ridgeline is $889. Club members will receive a $100 factory direct discount for a price of $789. Just mention www.ridgelineownersclub.com when calling the factory at 800-206-4070. You have my permission to post this special discount on the forum. (please do)

Shipping varies according to state and runs from $32 to $55 depending on location.

There are some improper price quotes on the net so beware of them

Thank you

Randy
RETRAX Sales Manager
800-206-4070
END QUOTE

ATTENTION CANADIAN ROC'ers!

I spoke to RETRAX this morning about shipping cost to Canada. They quoted a price of $85 USD.

Doing the math...

regular price 889.00
ROC discount -100.00
shipping + 85.00
CDN exch. +218.00 (approx.)
Taxes +163.00 (Ontario example: GST+PST)
Total $1255.00 CAD

Oops! These numbers not quite right. Got better info. See my new thread for correct totals.
Info for Canadian RETRAX buyers

I'll probably be placing an order for mine within the next 10 days. Installing it myself. Hopefully there will be some feedback from others who have installed it themselves by then.

[mugen1]

Do you have to pay PST if it was bought outside your province?

[HenryHonda]

Originally Posted by mugen1

Do you have to pay PST if it was bought outside your province?

As far as I know Canada Customs collects provincial taxes on behalf of the provincial governments when you import goods. It's a definite for Ontario. Elsewhere, call your local customs office where you are to confirm.

[Truckin']

I'm probably ordering ours tomorrow. No dealers in our area, so I'm glad for the report that it was a fairly easy install.

[Ultra-HOG]

Retrax tonneau cover arrived today. I installed it - no problems. I will post pictures later tonight or in the AM. I like it and think that it works and looks great. Also came up with a temporary, no cost way to lock the tailgate so that when the cover is closed and locked the bed is somewhat secure. Not a perfect or permanent locking solution but should keep snatch and run thieves away. Pictures to come.

Come to the East coast / Mid Atlantic ROC meet this Sunday in Western PA to have some fun and meet other Ridgeline owners. More details in the AM on that too.

[Ultra-HOG]

Here are is the first group of Retrax pictures. The side rail installation on the Ridgeline only uses the front tie-down bolts and the rear post bolts to attach the rails. There is no center mounting bracket for the Ridgeline installation like there would be on a traditional truck bed due to the design of the Ridgelines bed and the location of the bolt that is near the center of the rail. With a traditional truck bed and center mounting bracket, there would be a way to adjust the rails to allow for some bow in the bed walls. We do not have the ability to make the adjustment. The lack of a mechanical adjustment does not present a major problem because the weather strip has some give to it which allows it to pretty much seal the rail to the wall. I say pretty much since the amount of bow in the Ridgelines bed, at least on mine, creates a very slight gap between the rails weather strip and the bed wall near the center. A thicker weather strip would close the gap. I may add a thin strip of rubber or weather strip to further seal the ever so slight gap. I can slide a piece of paper between the weather strip and the bed near the center. The only water that could get in would be water that fell between the rail and the bed wall itself, about a 1" area. Water from the cover can not reach the weather strip because the bed rails are higher then the weather strip. The gap is so small that I am not concerned about it enough to consider it a problem. I only mention it for clarity.

I did not have time to mount the electric cover lock. The electric tailgate lock is backordered and should be here in about two weeks. If anyone knows which wires I need to connect to I would appreciate the info. I have not done the research or testing yet to figure it out.

I also did not install the tailgate seal. I want to wait until I see how much dust enters the bed before I do. I would rather allow the bed to breathe if dust is not a problem.

The installation itself was pretty much as expected. It was easy and the directions are pretty good, although mine did not include "step 3". It definetely does take two people to lift the assembled canister and rail assembly into the bed. An additional person or two to keep a hand on the rail ends might be helpful to make sure that they dont touch anything that could be scratched. It is not heavy, just awkward. Once the rails are connected to the canister, the rails are attached to plexiglass end panels so I would be very careful when handling the completed assembly so that the rails do not put pressure on the canister and end panels.

The yard stick in the pictures did not show up very well. The opening is now 21 1/2 " from the bed to the bottom of the lid. The decrease in the amount thet the trunk lid can open is minimal. I don't think that it will be any problem at all. If it always only opened this same amount, I don't think that I would complain. I suspect that any cover that uses mounting rails will have exactly the same limitations.

Overall, I am very happy with the Retrax cover and the installation. Anyone that has even the most minimal amount of mechanical ability could install a Retrax without a problem. I do not think that it would be worth paying someone else to install it unless it is less than $100.00. By the way, the cover and rails can be removed pretty easily. I would plan on about 20 minutes to do it and it would take two or more people to handle it. The only tool stat are needed are a philips screwdriver, a #40 and a #50 Torx bit, a pair of wire cutters, and a pair of pliers or other tool to remove the staples from the shipping cartons.

If anyone has questions or would like additional info or pictures, jusl let me know. If you are coming to the East Coast - Mid-Atlantic ROC meet on Sunday 6/26 North of Pittsburgh, I will be there with Ladyridge and others.

[Ultra-HOG]

Next group of Retrax pictures.

[Ultra-HOG]

Improvised, temporary, no cost lock for tailgate. Made from window sash chain, surgical tubing, and a clip from an old keychain. It is not strong enough to keep a motivated thief out but may keep snatch-and-run thieves out. The tailgate screw goes into plastic. Chain the tailgate closed and then lock the Retrax with a key. The bed is now secure.

Note: The plastic cover for the Retrax lock is a $4.00 "option". Be sure that you order it with the cover.