Tonneau Cover questions.

I am trying to find information on a aftermarket Tonneau Cover, we like the one that Honda offers but we are not willing to spend $1,200 plus installment. We heard from a friend that bought his Ridgeline that it is cheaper to buy it and get it installed elsewhere.

The problem is I got no idea where to find these people. I tried looking it up in Yellow Pages but many of the people I called said they don't do it. I looked all over the internet and found the covers for cheaper but no one to install it. I looked all over these forums and found nothing that can help me.

How are these things mounted to the Ridgeline anyway? Is it that you have to drill holes or something or does it have a rail or something similar it mounts to? If that is the case can they be stolen? I got no idea what to do and I need information about this so if anyone knows where I should look please let me know.

I was thinking that places that put in Rhinolining or those expensive grills would do something like that but I don't know.

I am sorry to ask this question but I hear the tailgate doesn't lock and would need to know where I can get a electronic lock for the tailgate installed. I can't do this myself so please tell me where I should look to get someone to do this. Thanks.

Contact RETRAX.COM, and I am sure they can give you a name of a company that can install their cover for you.
As for the electric tail gate lock, contact basickoncepts.com and ask for Brian, who is also a member.
Why dont you add to your user cp what city and state you are from, and maybe there is a local member who can steer you in the right direction, or even help you with the install.
I installed the RETRAX cover and also the electric tailgate lock from BASICKONCEPTS, and I am very happy with both.
If you need more info feel free to contact me.

Vinnie:D

Look into a few other covers, other than the one offered by Honda, as it doesnt allow you full access to your bed.
RETRAX, BACKFLIP, ACCESS etc.

Vinnie:D

Thanks for the help, I will go to these websites and see what they offer. As for my city and state it is Brooklyn, New York. I will soon be living in the Poconos in Pennsylvania as my permanent residents.

I think something is wrong with the RETRAX.COM link, it sends me to a medical supply website. I found the website its: http://www.rolltopcover.com/

Retrax is one of our club sponsors and can be found on the banners that reside at the top of the page at one click or if their banner isn't there, pull down your Quick Links menu to find all our sponsors and advertisers on one page.

Retrax is one of our club sponsors and can be found on the banners that reside at the top of the page at one click or if their banner isn't there, pull down your Quick Links menu to find all our sponsors and advertisers on one page.

Thanks, I already found them and sent them a e-mail asking them where I can go so somebody can install their product for me.

The Retrax is amazingly simple to install. Search this site for "Retrax" and I am sure that you will find lots of information on installing it.

Well unless its fully built when it arrives and I just slide it on and screw it on then its too much. I don't want to damage the truck or cover. I rather have a pro do it. Thanks for the tip though.

The Tonneau cover from Honda is in fact a pricey deal and you do not get the full access to the cover, but however, it is very heavy duty and you can stand on it, but i dont recommend it, just in case any persons above a certain wiehgt were to read this and stood on it, and broke their back doing so. But, i say that only cause i do stnad on it while washing to roof of the truck. It supoprts my hefty butt, but anyhow, The total package includes railings. They are needed to be installed into the sides of the inside part of the bed, then there are 4 clips. They get driven into the railing and are adjusted to where the clips will bolt to the cover when layed down upon. Its not a very hard process, but will requirre 2 people, since the cover is NOT light! But its very heavy duty, since i do own one. i will try to provide a picture, if i have a chance to take it off and such. Good luck tho, if you do find something else.

The Tonneau cover from Honda is in fact a pricey deal and you do not get the full access to the cover, but however, it is very heavy duty and you can stand on it, but i dont recommend it, just in case any persons above a certain wiehgt were to read this and stood on it, and broke their back doing so. But, i say that only cause i do stnad on it while washing to roof of the truck. It supoprts my hefty butt, but anyhow, The total package includes railings. They are needed to be installed into the sides of the inside part of the bed, then there are 4 clips. They get driven into the railing and are adjusted to where the clips will bolt to the cover when layed down upon. Its not a very hard process, but will requirre 2 people, since the cover is NOT light! But its very heavy duty, since i do own one. i will try to provide a picture, if i have a chance to take it off and such. Good luck tho, if you do find something else.

Thanks, well I really like it and will probably would get it. I already emailed the company and asked where I can get it installed. It's not that I am not handy but when it comes to my vehicles I usually have someone do these things since I only have basic knowledge on doing these things to vehicles. I fix things around the house but not in the car. I was searching for the Retrax cover and glad to hear from other post if you are a member you get $100 off. So that would be around $850. What worried me from the pictures is you have to drill a hole in a rubber piece so you can run a plastic tube so when it rains the water doesn't end up in your flat bed. But I need to find a place to install a power lock for the tail gate since I know for sure that is beyond me. I was also wondering do we need to get that gasket that makes the tailgate waterproof?

What worried me from the pictures is you have to drill a hole in a rubber piece so you can run a plastic tube so when it rains the water doesn't end up in your flat bed. Rather than drilling, I chose to run the drain tubes to the sides of the bed by the lower front tie-downs and install a bed mat (ProTecta). The water runs under the bed mat and the cargo stays dry, and the tubes won't interfere if you load any 4x8s in the bed.

Well I plan to use the flatbed for things that can't get wet so I would need to make sure all water gets away from the cargo. Thanks though.

I am sorry to ask this question but I hear the tailgate doesn't lock and would need to know where I can get a electronic lock for the tailgate installed. I can't do this myself so please tell me where I should look to get someone to do this. Thanks.
The OEM cover locks the tailgate when closed. But with any other cover you would need to install a lock of some kind. As for the drain there is a drain hole under the covers in the front and the drain tubes don't take that much away from the bed space. The 'Retrax' has a seal around it, but you need to install a tailgate seal no matter what type of cover you buy. As the vacume produced under the cover sucks dust in really bad. My dealer does not recommend the OEM cover and has become an installer for 'Retrax'. We've had a 'Retrax' for over a year and just love it, the 1 finger operation is great. What ever cover you buy good luck and hqppy motoring:cool:

The OEM cover locks the tailgate when closed. But with any other cover you would need to install a lock of some kind. As for the drain there is a drain hole under the covers in the front and the drain tubes don't take that much away from the bed space. The 'Retrax' has a seal around it, but you need to install a tailgate seal no matter what type of cover you buy. As the vacume produced under the cover sucks dust in really bad. My dealer does not recommend the OEM cover and has become an installer for 'Retrax'. We've had a 'Retrax' for over a year and just love it, the 1 finger operation is great. What ever cover you buy good luck and hqppy motoring:cool:

Thanks, I really like the Retrax cover but I will need the power lock installed and that seal. I know where to get everything now but I need to find someone to install it. I might be able to install the cover and the gasket looks easy to put on but the power lock I won't be able to do.

Well unless its fully built when it arrives and I just slide it on and screw it on then its too much. I don't want to damage the truck or cover. I rather have a pro do it. Thanks for the tip though. It will take longer to unpack the Retrax (it comes very well packed) than it will to assemble it. The side rails attach to the fully assembled canister with a couple of screws, then it is fully assembled. That's it. To install the assembly into your truck you only have to remove the torx bolts that hold the front tie-down cleats in place, slip the front mounting brackets in place with the tie-down cleats on top of them (kind of like a sandwich), and re-install the torx bolts. Easy. The rear brackets are just as simple and easy. Once the brackets are in place, you and a helper lift the Retrax canister and side rail assembly into the bed and set it down on the brackets that you just installed. Just make sure that you don't twist it as you handle it. It's not heavy so handling is easy. Again, not very hard. Put in a few small screws into pre-drilled and tapped holes and you are done. If you don't count the unpacking time and the time that you take looking at the instruction pictures, thirty minutes is all that it will take. The next one that you install will take even less. If you pay someone else to do it for you I wouldn't pay for more than one hour of labor.

I have had the tailgate seal since I got the Retrax about a year ago. I have not bothered to install it yet because I don't get dust sucked into the bed. At least it is not enough to notice or worry about. Once a month I may take a damp towel and wipe down the bed walls and floor but that is about it. Understand that I do not regularly travel over dirt roads other than a 200 yard long alley. If you do your situation may be different and warrant putting the tailgate seal on.

The electric lock for the tailgate is another story. The installation of the electric lock for the tailgate and the Retrax is a much bigger project. Again, I have one but have not yet bothered to install it. I made a no-cost chain lock for the inside of the tailgate that I have only used a few times. I keep valuables in the trunk or in the cab. Once again, your situation may be different.

It will take longer to unpack the Retrax (it comes very well packed) than it will to assemble it.

Ultra-HOG hit the nail on the head there. I installed my Retrax yesterday and it took me about 45 minutes to get it all unpacked, make sure I had all the parts, and get it ready for assembly (I was being very careful).

After I had it all unboxed and ready to go, the assembly and installation probably took me about 20 minutes. I think if I were to help somebody do theirs, we could do it all in about 1/2 an hour.

Oh, and cleanup took another 15 minutes, so it probably took me a total of 90 minutes from the time I opened the box to the time I had everything cleaned up and put away.

Also, no need to buy any wrenches, Retrax provides everything for installation(except for the seal and tailgate locks of course).

Also, no need to buy any wrenches, Retrax provides everything for installation(except for the seal and tailgate locks of course). Does retrax supply the Torx bits used to remove and reinstall the tie-down cleats now?

Does retrax supply the Torx bits used to remove and reinstall the tie-down cleats now? Unless they've changed sense we bought our's no. But mine came with the tailgate seal. And you don't need to remove the cleats, you just replace some of the hardware.

It will take longer to unpack the Retrax (it comes very well packed) than it will to assemble it. The side rails attach to the fully assembled canister with a couple of screws, then it is fully assembled. That's it. To install the assembly into your truck you only have to remove the torx bolts that hold the front tie-down cleats in place, slip the front mounting brackets in place with the tie-down cleats on top of them (kind of like a sandwich), and re-install the torx bolts. Easy. The rear brackets are just as simple and easy. Once the brackets are in place, you and a helper lift the Retrax canister and side rail assembly into the bed and set it down on the brackets that you just installed. Just make sure that you don't twist it as you handle it. It's not heavy so handling is easy. Again, not very hard. Put in a few small screws into pre-drilled and tapped holes and you are done. If you don't count the unpacking time and the time that you take looking at the instruction pictures, thirty minutes is all that it will take. The next one that you install will take even less. If you pay someone else to do it for you I wouldn't pay for more than one hour of labor.

I have had the tailgate seal since I got the Retrax about a year ago. I have not bothered to install it yet because I don't get dust sucked into the bed. At least it is not enough to notice or worry about. Once a month I may take a damp towel and wipe down the bed walls and floor but that is about it. Understand that I do not regularly travel over dirt roads other than a 200 yard long alley. If you do your situation may be different and warrant putting the tailgate seal on.

The electric lock for the tailgate is another story. The installation of the electric lock for the tailgate and the Retrax is a much bigger project. Again, I have one but have not yet bothered to install it. I made a no-cost chain lock for the inside of the tailgate that I have only used a few times. I keep valuables in the trunk or in the cab. Once again, your situation may be different.

Well many people here seem to have put this cover on themselves. I usually don't do things like this to my vehicles but maybe I can since I am handy with tools. I just don't want to drill holes. The electric lock I will still need a professional to put that on its too complex for me to do. A friend of ours has a Ridgeline and we are trying to convince him to get that cover. If he gets it and installs it himself then we can do it ourselves. If he gets someone to do it we can ask where we can find this person and get the person to do it for us. We are going to ask if the dealer can put in the electric lock for us since when we bought our Accord back when the alarm system wasn't standard or a option and they got someone to do it. So hopefully they can do the same for the lock. I am going to go to the two dealers the one where we are moving and the one where I live now and see what they can do for me. This is still a few months off so I got time to do some snooping.

I made a no-cost chain lock for the inside of the tailgate that I have only used a few times. I keep valuables in the trunk or in the cab. Once again, your situation may be different.

I would like to hear more about this if you can. Where did you buy it and how strong is it?

chris10, here is a link to the post that shows the no-cost tailgate lock. http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/forums/showpost.php?p=14210&postcount=30 . I changed the key-chain clip that connects the two pieces of chain together shortly after the picture was taken. I used a small 'universal link' instead. It's something that a hardware store or someplace like Lowes would carry in the department where they carry chain and rope. That entire thread may give you some better insight into what is involved with the Retrax installation.

If you search for threads that contain "Retrax" you will find some excellent threads and posts with pictures that many members have posted documenting their install. I am sure that you will find one thing in common with all of them, it was easier to install than they thought and they like the results.

You commented about not wanting to drill any holes in the truck. There are none at all to be drilled in the truck. You do have to lift the two plastic covers for the front bed bolts and drill a 1/2" hole in each one of them for the drain tubes. They are plastic. It couldn't be easier. That's it. There is nothing that you do when you install a Retrax that is permanent. Unless you drop the thing there is nothing that you could do wrong that you could not correct yourself. If you ever want to remove the Retrax entirely and permanently you can get two replacement caps from any Honda dealer for less than $4 each, probably a lot less. When it comes to trade-in time, the Retrax will add value to your truck compared to one that does not have a cover. If a potential buyer does not want the Retrax cover there is no reason that he shouldn't buy anyway. Just take the Retrax out. It is not a permanent modification to the vehicle. It just looks like one.

chris10, here is a link to the post that shows the no-cost tailgate lock. http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/forums/showpost.php?p=14210&postcount=30 . I changed the key-chain clip that connects the two pieces of chain together shortly after the picture was taken. I used a small 'universal link' instead. It's something that a hardware store or someplace like Lowes would carry in the department where they carry chain and rope. That entire thread may give you some better insight into what is involved with the Retrax installation.

If you search for threads that contain "Retrax" you will find some excellent threads and posts with pictures that many members have posted documenting their install. I am sure that you will find one thing in common with all of them, it was easier to install than they thought and they like the results.

You commented about not wanting to drill any holes in the truck. There are none at all to be drilled in the truck. You do have to lift the two plastic covers for the front bed bolts and drill a 1/2" hole in each one of them for the drain tubes. They are plastic. It couldn't be easier. That's it. There is nothing that you do when you install a Retrax that is permanent. Unless you drop the thing there is nothing that you could do wrong that you could not correct yourself. If you ever want to remove the Retrax entirely and permanently you can get two replacement caps from any Honda dealer for less than $4 each, probably a lot less. When it comes to trade-in time, the Retrax will add value to your truck compared to one that does not have a cover. If a potential buyer does not want the Retrax cover there is no reason that he shouldn't buy anyway. Just take the Retrax out. It is not a permanent modification to the vehicle. It just looks like one.


Well I looked through the threads and seen it. It looks easy but I am looking at it not doing it myself. I am worried I will buy it and I won't be able to get it on and I will be stuck with a expensive paper weight. I might try that no cost lock you are talking about. I am going to try and find someone to put the power lock on still hopefully the dealer can.

I got an access soft top really nice easy to install you have to drill six holes about two hours from taking panels of to putting panels back on11392

I got an access soft top really nice easy to install you have to drill six holes about two hours from taking panels of to putting panels back on11392

Are you crazy? I would never drill holes into anything I own. Let alone a $35k truck.

Does retrax supply the Torx bits used to remove and reinstall the tie-down cleats now?

Yes, Ultra-Hog, they do. They're kinda like an Allen Wrench. They supply a 40, 50, and the small one (whatever size it is) that attaches the brackets for the rail at the tailgate. So, yes, they do supply the Torx bits wrenches. No need to buy any.

Also, they must have been reading the Retrax threads here, because there is now a small piece of rubber where the trunk lid meets the rails for the tonneau. No more marred trunk lid!

Finally, the canister for my Retrax arrived with a few scratches on it, that went right through the protective peel-off plastic cover, through the black power coat, right down to the metal. I expressed my concerns to Randy at Retrax and he gave me a discount right on the spot! No questions asked! I highly recommend the Retrax to anybody looking for a nice looking, convienent, tonneau for their RL!