Advantage Hard Hat Premier Install Question

Hello, I just purchased the Advantage Hard Hat Premier tonneau cover from RealTruck via Josh and I was ready to install. However, just placing the rails in position in the bed I notice about a 1/4" gap right by the middle bolt between the new rail and the bed. Does anyone know if this will sit flush once tightened? Seems like a pretty large gap to fill... I thought I saw mention of this in an earlier post, but now I can't find it. Thanks.

If anyone is interested....I called Advantage and they said the side rail will sit flush after the middle bolt is installed. It is purposely made that way to give strength to the rear section of the rail (since there is no bolt back there). I will hopefully continue the install one night this week.

Here's an update on my Torza Hard Hat Premier install for those who may be interested: I called Advantage and they ensured me the rail would sit flush once the middle bolt was tightened. I proceeded with the install, but then found the front bolt hole did not line up. I called Advantage again and they said because every Ridgeline is different, sometimes this hole needs to be elongated. (I personally feel for $750 it should be elongated already, but maybe that's just me). In any case, I used a drill press to lengthen the hole, and the rails went on smoothly after that. There still may be a gap near the end of the bed, but I don't know if it leaks yet. If so, I will use the additional weatherstripping to further seal it.

Here are some pics of the front bed rail hole before and after drilling it out:

I had very minor leaks at the end of the rails (at the front) after I installed mine. I added some small pieces of weather stripping in those areas and that took care of the leaks.

Romeo,

Did you take off the rails and double up the weather stripping underneath, or did simply just put it above/below the rail where it was leaking?

There will be a minor leak at the midpoints and you will also see some major leaks at the front where the rail meets the back of the cab.

Liquid nails make a 25% flexible clear silicon caulking that I used. For the mid points (you don't have to loosen the rails apply on top where the rail meets the bed side) Apply a thick 1/2" bead before or after the midpoint and using your finger spread it across. This will fill the gap at the top of the side panel hole.

For the fronts (you will see where it has to be applied) make sure you also apply to the top part of the bed tie downs/ Squirt in a thick bead and mold it once again with your finger.


It forms a skin on top within 5 minutes and will cure within a day. It has like a 50 year warranty.

Can be found at walmart for around $3.87...

Romeo,

Did you take off the rails and double up the weather stripping underneath, or did simply just put it above/below the rail where it was leaking?

Actually, I did both. I still saw a slight gap around where the center bolt was, and wasn't too keen on that. I took the rails back off and added thicker stripping in the areas around the bolts. Be careful if you remove and reinstall the bolts...mine were a bit tough going in and the bolt heads (torx) strip / round out very easily. I also put stripping around the front of the rails near the front wall of the bed to seal up a small gap there. After you install the rails and the coxer, crawl under it and look for any light that is visible around the sealing edge.
Then you will know if and where to add additional stripping. I would imagine some silicone sealer would work in the small gap around the front of the rails. Just be sure to let it dry before putting the cover back in place.

Thanks Romeo and Xridge for your suggestions. I did crawl underneath and saw the light coming through, especially in the front corners. I was able to put some extra weather stripping up there and I'll follow that up with some liquid nails. I now have a bigger problem in that I noticed a crack in one of the boards while I was underneath. I do not believe I caused this, it must have been shipped this way. I'll have to call Advantage again to talk to them about this.

thanks again

I was able to put some extra weather stripping up there and I'll follow that up with some liquid nails.

I would NOT use Liquid Nails! That's a strong glue and I don't think that will do much for you! Use a tube of silicone sealer to fill any gaps. That way if you ever decide to remove the cover/ rails, you could easily remove the silicone as well.:eek:

I meant I would use the liquid nails that xridge recommended above or any clear silicone..and yes, I do want to be able to remove the top at any given moment. I ran it through the car was today and it didn't seem to leak too bad as it is. I may just leave it.
BTW: I called Advantage about the cracked board and they are going to pick it up via Fed Ex and fix it....sounds like a pretty reputable company that stands by their product. However, looking at the material closer that makes it a "hard hat", it's pretty flimsy composite wood they use. Any one else have problems with this cracking?

Just to follow up on this post, I did send the cover back (via FedEx on their tab) and got the cover back in about a week and a half. It looks like a brand new cover and not the old one repaired, complete with install hardware, side rails, etc....so now I have an extra set of rails. Advantage was a very good company to deal with during this process and didn't give me any hassles.
I simply put the cover back on and it looks great.

As far as water seepage, I have not done any of the modifications that were suggested above, but I've been in some pretty heavy rain storms with very minimal leakage. I may just leave it as is, or maybe put some extra weatherstripping in places.

Just to follow up on this post, I did send the cover back (via FedEx on their tab) and got the cover back in about a week and a half. It looks like a brand new cover and not the old one repaired, complete with install hardware, side rails, etc....so now I have an extra set of rails. Advantage was a very good company to deal with during this process and didn't give me any hassles.
I simply put the cover back on and it looks great.

As far as water seepage, I have not done any of the modifications that were suggested above, but I've been in some pretty heavy rain storms with very minimal leakage. I may just leave it as is, or maybe put some extra weatherstripping in places.


I installed my cover last night and didn't have a problem. A few suggestions do no use the tools they give you they are awful. As previously said they will strip out the bolts. Go to SEAR's or any other place you can get a socket buy a t-30, t-40, and t-50 star sockets. The rails do stick out but will go in and align as you tighten the rails down.

I noticed in one of the pictures you had to drill a new hole. You shouldn't have to drill any holes in the rails they should match up perfectly. The extra weather stripping they give you should be applied to the area where the rails meet the front of the truck.

Also the cover should not fit in a loose fashion if your cover moves alot you need to tighten the handles so when locked down they fit nice and snug.


I hope this helps.