oem tonneau cover

guys is there a thread here about the oem cover with detail picture like how they lock ,how they open on rear end of cover and on the front end of cover or other wise might be easier to post pic on this newly created thread..

thanksd

im at work so i cant post pictures. but i do have one. they are a hard top and only the back 3 ft or so opens up. it latches with levers to the sides of the bed when it is closed. it also has a key lock that engages a small bracket installed on your tailgate. its about as waterproof as any of the others. i get a little moisture on the sides but nothing that i worry about. the main drawback is the oem new is about double of the other covers offered. you cannot use the whole bed with the oem cover installed unless you mod it as some have done on here. to do that you replace the bolts from the cover to the brackets with hitch pins. this enables you to remove the whole cover in a few minutes with a friend. if you search for bedcovers on here you will find an assload of info on all of the available types, and pictures of the pin mod i described.

I have a helluva time getting mine to lock...i only have one lock on the right rear - is there supposed to be two? The clip on the TG doesn't stay in the up position far enough to grab the hook on the cover....kinda frustrating...and I alrerady had to rplace the lock cylinder. (under warranty)

mines locks easy every time. i would guess they messed up the alignment on your install. only problem ive ever had with it is when i got some ice in the lock and couldnt get my key in.

I got the OEM cover also I like the way it looks on the truck.
That lock seems kinda cheap but it seems to do the job.
When we first got the truck about 3 weeks ago I could not get it to lock.
When we went back to the Honda dealer a week later for their new car owners car clinic /party . Many of the service techs & staff were on hand & one of them told me how to lock it. Also like said you can't use the bed extender in the front foward position with the cover on but the back position no problem. When I washed the truck only a little water got in the bed with the OEM cover.

Could someone post some pictures of the OEM cover. Looking for something a little more insightful than what Honda has on it's website. I'd like to know what it looks like from behind - with the cover and tailgate closed, with the tailgate and cover open, and whether the mounting brackets interfere with the trunk opening.

I like the idea of the OEM cover, but hate the idea of buying one sight unseen.

The cover has one lock on the passenger side, not two.
I might be able to post a pic or two when I get home (no pics at work).
The mounting hardware does not interfere with the trunk.
I love mine!

Here are some pics of mine that was installed when I purchased it. I returned it to the dealer and got some of my money back as I found it to be too limiting as far as height and the fact that the front portion is not accessible, it felt like a cave in there. This was partially my fault as I had not researched it before buying it and found out about this site only after I bought the truck.

I only had ~15" of clearance from the top of the floor to the bottom of the cover. I do a bit of camping during the summer and my cooler that I bring with me is 17" tall, so I told myself if I can't even put a cooler in the box, what else am I not going to be able to put in it??

I have since ordered a Leer cap and getting it installed Saturday. Hope I like it.

I'll put more pictures in the next post.

Here are the remaining pics that I had available:

The first one is the locking cylinder on top of the cover, and the second are the handles that lock the back portion of the cover down. When you need to raise the back portion of the cover for more access just pull the handles 90 degrees and it releases the cover. Sorry I didn't have a picture of the locking mechanism on the tailgate, but basically it's a spring loaded clip that you lift up when you want to lock your cover/gate.

is there a picture of cover when it is open all the way..

I didn't have one of my cover, but I did find these on the web if it can help at all.:)

Great pics I need to learn how to post pics but they are great. If nobody can post anymore pics of this for you guys. The back section of the cover flips over & lays on top of the front section when its open. The two lock down release handles for the rear section shown in one of the pics are underneath the cover. When the cover is fliped over on top of the front section you can open the in-bed trunk all the way. The only draw back I see to the OEM cover is if you nomally have stuff in the back bed that are of some height. It would be a pain to take the hard cover off all the time. We won't be doing that much so the hard cover is the way we went.

...It would be a pain to take the hard cover off all the time. We won't be doing that much so the hard cover is the way we went.

Removing the cover isn't a problem at all with a simple and cheap mod.
Check this thread... (http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?p=113420&highlight=clip+pins)

Removing the cover isn't a problem at all with a simple and cheap mod.
Check this thread... (http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?p=113420&highlight=clip+pins)Thanks I will look into this.

guys, where i can find the thread on how the other Rliner modify their oem cover so that it can be easily taken out if needed??

guys , can you open the oem hard cover all the way flipped to the other front half section of it???

guys , can you open the oem hard cover all the way flipped to the other front half section of it???

Yes, you can flip the back section over so that it lays flat on top of the front section.

guys, where i can find the thread on how the other Rliner modify their oem cover so that it can be easily taken out if needed??

search for posts by rick walker, he is the originator. but quick version is to replace the bolts on the brackets on the side of the bed with hitch pins.

There's a link above , in post #13, that will take you right to the thread that describes the hitch pin/spring clip mod...

Or click here (http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?p=113420&highlight=clip+pins).

guys,

guys with oem cover... if i install a oem tonneau cover is there a way that you can only lock the cover itself without locking it with the tailgate. i'm asking this because i wanted to separate the locking feature of the cover from tailgate so that when i need to put something on bed i dont have to unlock and open the cover just to open the tailgate,


opinion and a good help is gladly appreciated....

By design, the latching plate for the lock is physically mounted to the tailgate. So to open the tailgate you have to unlock the cover. No need to open the cover though. You can just open the tailgate (in either direction) at that point.

It would be kinda counter-productive to have the cover locked down but the tailgate unlocked. ;)

the oem cover also has levers on the side that latch it down to the bed. these come with the cover whether you have the lock installed or not.

Go with the RETRAX cover instead...I have mine (Self Installed) for well over a year. Looks good, has a good lock, and allows almost full use of the bed.

Vinnie:D

If you have the OEM give ne you feed back on whether it leaks?? Not trying to hyjack just asking as this is my number one concern, as I am down to three options.

[QUOTE=ONTHEVERGE;200815]If you have the OEM give ne you feed back on whether it leaks?? Not trying to hyjack just asking as this is my number one concern, as I am down to three options.[/QUOTE
The OEM cover is not water tight it leaks a little when you wash the truck.
The Truck Bed is not fullly wet but a little gets in.
The owners booklet says its not water tight.

If you have the OEM give ne you feed back on whether it leaks?? Not trying to hyjack just asking as this is my number one concern, as I am down to three options.

A very small amount (could be measured in teaspoons) of water gets under the OEM cover when I wash my RL. I'm not convinced it is actually getting through or past the cover. The tailgate on the RL isn't water-tight as there is no tailgate gasket. It's hard to keep the bed totally dry with any cover when the tailgate isn't water-tight.

If you have the OEM give ne you feed back on whether it leaks?? Not trying to hyjack just asking as this is my number one concern, as I am down to three options.
A small amount of water will leak into the bed. In my experience, 1 to 2 cups of water is the norm.

Based on my personal experience with the OEM Tonneau cover, it does not leak much at all. After some rain or even a car wash, I see very little water trickle down the left and right edges of the bed. In fact, most of the water seems to get in at the hinged point of the cover, and not where the cover meets the back of the bed. My assumption is that the amount of water leaking in is dependant on how good the installation is.

I know there are other covers out there. I was going to go with the Bak-Flip, but went with the OEM cover instead. Here are 2 points that sold me on the OEM cover:

1. Since it was installed by the dealer, it is covered by the balance of the warranty. Shop around online and purchase it for a lower price somewhere else and just have a dealer install it. You'll easily save a couple hundred bucks. I did the same for the chrome side steps.

2. When the cover is locked, the tailgate is "locked" in both directions. It is not really locked, rather the mechanism they designed prevents the tailgate from opening even a 1/4" when the cover is locked. With aftermarket covers, they don't lock and if they do, the tailgate can still be opened. I've yet to find a tailgate lock for the Ridgeline that locks both latches.

[QUOTE=ONTHEVERGE;200815]If you have the OEM give ne you feed back on whether it leaks?? Not trying to hyjack just asking as this is my number one concern, as I am down to three options.[/QUOTE
The OEM cover is not water tight it leaks a little when you wash the truck.
The Truck Bed is not fullly wet but a little gets in.
The owners booklet says its not water tight.

Good looking.

Based on my personal experience with the OEM Tonneau cover, it does not leak much at all. After some rain or even a car wash, I see very little water trickle down the left and right edges of the bed. In fact, most of the water seems to get in at the hinged point of the cover, and not where the cover meets the back of the bed. My assumption is that the amount of water leaking in is dependant on how good the installation is.

I know there are other covers out there. I was going to go with the Bak-Flip, but went with the OEM cover instead. Here are 2 points that sold me on the OEM cover:

1. Since it was installed by the dealer, it is covered by the balance of the warranty. Shop around online and purchase it for a lower price somewhere else and just have a dealer install it. You'll easily save a couple hundred bucks. I did the same for the chrome side steps.

2. When the cover is locked, the tailgate is "locked" in both directions. It is not really locked, rather the mechanism they designed prevents the tailgate from opening even a 1/4" when the cover is locked. With aftermarket covers, they don't lock and if they do, the tailgate can still be opened. I've yet to find a tailgate lock for the Ridgeline that locks both latches.


V ery good points so I suppose that it is now down to 2 options with the OEM in the pole position.

If you take the OEM cover off will it fit in the back seat area of the truck? If I am away from home and need to take it off can I store it there?

If you take the OEM cover off will it fit in the back seat area of the truck? If I am away from home and need to take it off can I store it there?

YES!!!!!!! (sorry for the "!!!!!!!' but a response appearently needs to be 10 characters or more. Of course now that I'm typing this explanation.....):D

Sweet... Im in the market for a "Hard Cover" and am strongly considering the OEM Tonneau, especially with the ROC originated spring clip mod that removes the front half.
Has any of the priliminary research already been done as to where is the cheapest place selling the unit. Not looking to pay dealer prices here. Im starting to look already, any help is already greatly appreciated.

colonial honda is the cheapest that i seen they have ebay store just type in "ridgeline cover " you should see it at the bottom list with their price
$ 1034.00 + $80 shipping just ask them first if that is complete with all installation hardware im pretty sure it is i already ask them long time ago....

Some have suggested putting hitch pins in place of the screws for the cover to allow it to be removed. Great idea, BUT I purchased the hitch pins, 3/16, and removed one screw and replaced it with a hitch pin. The cover does move a little up and down, I would recommend finding some kind of 10mm removable pin to replace the screws. If you are worried about leaking, allowing the cover to vibrate during operation, especially when it is raining will cause it to leak even more and possibly damage the brackets. Just some feedback

Some have suggested putting hitch pins in place of the screws for the cover to allow it to be removed. Great idea, BUT I purchased the hitch pins, 3/16, and removed one screw and replaced it with a hitch pin. The cover does move a little up and down, I would recommend finding some kind of 10mm removable pin to replace the screws. If you are worried about leaking, allowing the cover to vibrate during operation, especially when it is raining will cause it to leak even more and possibly damage the brackets. Just some feedback

Interesting point anyone with pins want to jump in an give their first hand feedback here?

Interesting point anyone with pins want to jump in an give their first hand feedback here?

I've been using the spring clips for probably over a year now. I have no movement of the cover. The brackets attached to the side rails are set so there is no possibility for front/back movement, and there is no vertical movement either.

But if you are concerned about possible movement, just leave the 10mm bolts in. What works for me may not work for someone else. No harm in that. :)

What size pins do you use, I purchased the 3/16 size and mine moves lightly vertically when pushed. I think a little thicker pin may work. If I can't stop the movement, I will stick with the bolts, removal is not that important to me, just nice to have. I wish Honda had thought of that.

I believe mine are 3/16. I had bought a number of different sizes and the one I'm using is the thickest that woult fit through the holes with the captured nut still in place. They are gold colored and really stiff to put in and remove. You need to put some muscle behind it to press them in or pull them out. I got them at a local tractor supply retailer.

I'm not trying to "sell" the idea to anyone, just sharing an idea that has been working really well for me for over a year now. I don't take the cover off on a weekly basis, but I don't want to have to lay on my back in the bed with a wrench to remove the cover at times that I want it off. For me the cover doesn't shift around, doesn't vibrate, is still very secure, but can be removed quite easily. Just what I needed. Your needs may vary. :D

Don't get me wrong, I love the idea, I purchased mine at lows, the package said 3/16 but they are not as hard to push through like yours, and mine are silver, I will try the tractor supply store and see what they have, the pin I am using was only hard to push past the initial opening, after that it moved a little also.

I've been using the spring clips for probably over a year now. I have no movement of the cover. The brackets attached to the side rails are set so there is no possibility for front/back movement, and there is no vertical movement either.

But if you are concerned about possible movement, just leave the 10mm bolts in. What works for me may not work for someone else. No harm in that. :)

Good point and thank you

I'm using quick release lock pins. These types of pins used on aircraft and tractors, they dont allow any movement in my OEM cover. Check your local tractor supply place or a fastener supply place, I dont think places like Home Depot and Lowes will have them but who knows.

Heres some links to places that sells them,I did not buy mine there just put up the links so you guys could see what I'm talking about

http://www.bigskyprecision.com/Products.html


http://www.desotacook.com/

They look like a great idea. Do you know the size dimensions of the pins that are working so well for you?

They look like a great idea. Do you know the size dimensions of the pins that are working so well for you?

Rick I have a bunch of them in the barn and just found ones that fit.I will spec them out tomorrow and post up the size for you.

UP N MTNS

These are much better then clamps.

I'm using quick release lock pins. These types of pins used on aircraft and tractors, they dont allow any movement in my OEM cover. Check your local tractor supply place or a fastener supply place, I dont think places like Home Depot and Lowes will have them but who knows.

Heres some links to places that sells them,I did not buy mine there just put up the links so you guys could see what I'm talking about

http://www.bigskyprecision.com/Products.html


http://www.desotacook.com/
What size are the ones you are using? Also, if possible, pictures, please.

anyone have the dimensions of the OEM cover???? i am thinking of having the parts made from ABS plastic and manufactured......