Tonneau Cover Companies

[Basickoncepts]

Originally Posted by Lingered_I

It's at this link, but it's a shame they haven't posted the install instructions. I'd like to see how and where it fits before committing. If you get it, can you post some pictures?

Here they are

Ridgeline Tailgate Lock Installation Instruction

[NotaChevy]

Originally Posted by swishman

Here they are

Ridgeline Tailgate Lock Installation Instruction

Now, do you have any installation instructions for your tonneau cover?

[Basickoncepts]

LOL working on them now.

[NotaChevy]

Thank you. I'm anxiously awaiting their arrival.

Originally Posted by swishman

LOL working on them now.

[horstpt]

I'm a brand new member and read everything all you guys and gals wrote about covers.
In sumary: I understand there are only 2 after market covers available right now:
RETRAX--$899, rigid cover scratches easily, big box invades the cargo area,
difficult to install.

ACCESS--about $399-469 or so, soft material rolls up, leaves a big roll behind the cabin window, fairly easy to install.

Is this the scoop? I am about to buy one of these...anyone with a strong opinion or new info...PLEASE HELP!
thanks,
horstpt

[swampler]

Originally Posted by horstpt

I'm a brand new member and read everything all you guys and gals wrote about covers.
In sumary: I understand there are only 2 after market covers available right now:
RETRAX--$899, rigid cover scratches easily, big box invades the cargo area,
difficult to install.

ACCESS--about $399-469 or so, soft material rolls up, leaves a big roll behind the cabin window, fairly easy to install.

Is this the scoop? I am about to buy one of these...anyone with a strong opinion or new info...PLEASE HELP!
thanks,
horstpt

Swishman's company is working on a cover in addition to the 2 you mention.

I don't have a cover on my RL, but I had a soft cover that snapped on my old truck (does the ACCESS snap?) and it was a real pain to re-snap after rolling it up. I wouldn't have another one. The retrax looks like it is really easy to use once installed. Just slide to the position you want it.

[HEY RIDGELINE!]

Originally Posted by horstpt

I'm a brand new member and read everything all you guys and gals wrote about covers.
In sumary: I understand there are only 2 after market covers available right now:
RETRAX--$899, rigid cover scratches easily, big box invades the cargo area,
difficult to install.

ACCESS--about $399-469 or so, soft material rolls up, leaves a big roll behind the cabin window, fairly easy to install.

Is this the scoop? I am about to buy one of these...anyone with a strong opinion or new info...PLEASE HELP!
thanks,
horstpt

I know the OEM cover is expensive, but IMO it's the best one available. I only go for the best for my ride. It looks very good with the rest of the body, it's rigid so it doesnt flop around; so far I've only had to remove it once in 7 months to haul stuff; a third of the cover flips open for tall stuff; it does not interfere with the trunk opening; and it's lockable; it's pretty much weather proof; and I imagine it will be easy to scrape off the snow without any scratches on it...IMHO.

[NJDevil5]

Originally Posted by HEY RIDGELINE!

I know the OEM cover is expensive, but IMO it's the best one available. I only go for the best for my ride. It looks very good with the rest of the body, it's regid so it doesnt flop around; so far I've only had to remove it once in 7 months to haul stuff; a third of the cover flips open for tall stuff; it does not interfere with the trunk opening; and it's lockable; it's pretty much weather proof; and I imagine it will be easy to scrape off the snow without any scratches on it...IMHO.

I have to agree with you. As much as I was disappointed with the fact early on that it wasn't water tight, it has many advantages as you mentioned. Had there been another water tight aftermarket option at half the price of OE that would have been a different story. Everyone seems to have its issues. I've removed mine about a dozen times to load buckets of topsoil, bags of cement, appliances and lumber and it's not that big of a deal. So far IMO, it appears to be the right choice.

[Ultra-HOG]

RETRAX--$899, rigid cover scratches easily, big box invades the cargo area,
difficult to install.

Horstpt, I have had the Retrax cover since they were first available. I am very happy with it. I have also posted that it scratches easily if you drag something across it or when it is dirty, just like the hood of your truck. Make sure that your wash-mit isn't contaminated with sand when you wash it. Scratching is not a problem as long as you take reasonable precautions, just as you would with the hood of your truck. It is black so if your truck is a different color, scratches may show more on the black surface than on the truck. Since I have a black truck it's all the same to me.
As to the box invading the cargo area, yes it does but the ease of use and the lockable and nearly water tight protection that the Retrax offers make it perfect for me. Your needs may be different. As to being difficult to install, I disagree. It is very easy to install and it is also very easy to remove. There is no dis-assembly of the bed or drilling to install it. The mounting brackets for the Retrax attach to existing screws for the bed and the front tie-down cleats. I removed mine yesterday for the first time to install some wiring. Open the tailgate, remove two screws from the ends of the side rails. Climb into the bed, remove two screws from the front of the side rails. Lift the canister and side rail assembly out. It takes 5 minutes. It doesn't get any easier than that! It goes back in just as fast.
The amount of space that the canister takes up has not been a problem for me. I have moved A LOT of stuff when I sold a business and cleaned out 20 years wort of stuff from my basement. I will be moving my mother to a retirement home next week and I expect the Ridgeline, with the Retrax, to work perfectly again. If I needed to move a refrigerator or boxes larger than five feet long (that would be a BIG box), I would probably just use a trailer. So far, at least for me, that has not been an issue. Keep in mind that there is still 8" of clearance under the canister that is clear all the way to the front of the bed. When I have carried long items like lumber, ladders, pipe, or yard tools, they go under the canister so the Retrax is not in the way anyway. If you need to carry really long stuff do a search for "Hitch-Hand". It allows you to carry 10 foot long items. Longer if you put a flag on them. The bottom line is that the canister has not been a problem for me at all. Your needs may be different.
Living with the Retrax has been very easy. It glides open effortlessly, stays in any position, and closes quickly and easily. If you go to the store and want to load your groceries or get something out of the in-bed trunk, no sweat, no trouble. It's fast and easy.
There are now several good tonneau or bed covers available. Each one has been well documented on the ROC. Everyones needs and priorities are different. From what I have seen they all look good, each one is just different.
Come to the ROC at the ROC in Cleveland, Ohio on November 5th and you can see a Retrax one a Ridgeline up close and personal. There may be other covers there as well. It will be a great time for everyone. We would love to see you there!

[Spritegeezer]

I agree with you 100% Ultra-Hog. I too have a Retrax cover. As I posted her, the installation was so easy it practically put itself together. I had it installed before I realized I hadn't taken any photos of the process. I was just going to unpack it to check for completness and bingo, it was on!
There is no one right anything. That's why there are choices and that's one of the great things about this country; YOU get to make those choices. It's the responsibilty of each of us to evaluate, determine our needs and decide what we want. Now, it's great to have sites like this to learn of options, discover problems and solutions and the like. I just have a problem with people saying "mine's the best." Meaningless! What they mean to say is "mine's the best for MY purposes, it may not be right for yours."