Advantage Hard Hat bed cover

[Luke]

Hello,

I purchased a 2007 Ridgeline this week. I have searched and read the endless slew of bed cover threads, but I see very little about the Hard Hat.

I am unsure of how far the trunk will open, when folded back 1/3, when its rails are installed. If you know please advise. Also I wonder if the rails could be modified to allow greater trunk opening ability.

How is it regarding allowing moisture to get into the bed?

It seems to me that this is the only cover out there that can be removed to provide 100% bed access if desired. Combine with a Pad'N Lock it seems like the bed would be completely enclosed from stangers.

Any experiences you have with this product, good or bad is most appreciated.

[waders]

I have not seen one of these but if it folds, I'm not crazy about it. I like my Retrax very much. It is flexible in use, reasonably watertight and I can get anything in the trunk I wish. I carry golf clubs, propane tanks and all kinds of stuff.

[Webwader]

Hi Luke, welcome to the ROC. I have a Torza Soft Top, but the rail system is the same, so maybe I can answer some of your questions.
The trunk will not open fully, but it does open quite a way. The rails can be modified but there isn't a great gain. The first thing I did was remove the plastic bumper strips on the edge of the rails. They really don't do anything. You aren't going to scratch the trunk lid unless you slam it open. It really didn't help noticeably so I then got out my Dremel and notched the rails at the point of contact with the trunk. This helped more but the trunk still doesn't fully open. The most annoying thing is that with the wimpy springs on the lid, the trunk lid won't stay open if you are on an incline with the front of the truck pointed upward. I now carry a piece of wooden dowel that I use as a prop rod when necessary. If you like, I can measure the opening for you with the mods done.

The potential for moisture in the bed should be the same for both too. I never installed any of the additional sealing foam that came with the top and the most moisture I have ever seen is a slight trickle down the edges of the bed. When I reinstall it, I make sure the front edge of the top is snug up against the bed. I think the only source of leakage is the front corners.

With the rails protruding, you don't quite get 100% access if what you are hauling is higher than the rails, but it is very good. My jon boat is 4'1 1/2" wide and with the rails, it is a very tight fit. I have a tailgate lock, and even with the soft top, its enough to keep the thieves of easy pickings away. Nothing is going to stop the hardcore ones.

[Luke]

Originally Posted by Webwader

It really didn't help noticeably so I then got out my Dremel and notched the rails at the point of contact with the trunk. This helped more but the trunk still doesn't fully open.

If you like, I can measure the opening for you with the mods done.

Could you please measure it? Fully open I come up with 31.5". While I am sure I do not need all of that, some other brands of the covers restrict the opening to approximately half (15"). If you have any photos of your modifications and an estimate of how much trunk opening height gain you believe you the modification added, that would be great as well. Thanks in advance.

[Webwader]

Fully open with the mods is 21.5". The notch is shown in the second photo.

[VetteBlue]

Originally Posted by Webwader

Fully open with the mods is 21.5". The notch is shown in the second photo.

I have the Advantage Hard Top. With the tonneau closed, the trunk is difficult, but not impossible to access. I can still throw grocery bags in the opening. With the tonneau folded back 1/3rd, in my opinion trunk access is fine and accessible. I think the picture above is proof of that.

[Cameron]

How is the top working for you? Is it durability problems, leaky or noisy? What don't you like about it? This could be just what I was looking for.

[Greg H]

Originally Posted by Cameron

How is the top working for you? Is it durability problems, leaky or noisy? What don't you like about it? This could be just what I was looking for.

I installed the Hard Top Premier about two weeks ago and really like it. IMHO, it really looks nice on the truck. It has not rained yet so I don't know about leaks.

It was very easy to install and is easy to remove if needed.

[VetteBlue]

Originally Posted by Cameron

How is the top working for you? Is it durability problems, leaky or noisy? What don't you like about it? This could be just what I was looking for.

It is not waterproof. But it doesn't really let water into the bed either. Maybe a trickle. It is not noisy. NO problems, and I think it looks good. I've had it installed on my truck since February 2007, and it is simple to install.

It did not improve MPG at all so don't buy it for that reason.

What I don't like is when I have shopping bags to stuff through the trunk opening with the tonneau fully closed. Not a major issue for me since I might have that situation once per month. If I used the trunk daily, it would be a bigger nuisance. That said, it's easy to unlatch the sides and flip it back.

I feel that the ease of installation, value, and appearance of the product once you install it is well worth any minor inconveniences.

[bluegrassboy]

I just installed my hard hat last night. On the road to take my daughter to college, the thing started buffeting like crazy. I had to leave it that way until we got to college but took it off for the ride back home. I discovered that some of the weatherproof strip behind the driver's side rail had come loose. I had not tightened it down enough. Don't use the little "wrench" included in the kit. Buy a torx 30 and a torx 40 adapter for your drill. It's well worth the small investment and will make installation very easy. My kit came with extra weatherproofing, so I replaced the problem area. Also, I don't believe I had mine clamped down tight enough. It needs to be really tight. And, I think you need to be sure to have the front end snug against the backside of the cab. I fixed those problems and went on a test drive tonight. I could only barely see the cloth moving in my rearview. Of course, I may have stretched the fabric a little on the trip to college. We'll see, but I'm much happier with it now.