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Tonneau Bed Covers that do NOT interfere with the trunk. Recommendations?

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48K views 81 replies 45 participants last post by  OneFish  
#1 · (Edited)
Not another tonneau cover recommendation thread!!! I know, sorry. But I need help from those in the know. Going on a road trip soon and need a tonneau for the 2022. I prefer a soft cover, but would do a solid one with the right features. My only must have is stated in the title; something that does not interfere with the trunk. Now before anyone says well this one is 75% good, or mostly works. I am looking for something that 100% clears the trunk, or so close to 100% that I can't tell the difference.

So obviously there is plenty of research to be done and I have found 2 known covers that DO NOT interfere with the trunk. Hopefully there are more.

Honda OEM hard cover
North mountain soft roll up

What this comes down to is the mounting. The two covers above use brackets to mount to the cover directly (OEM cover) or to the Velcro rail that sits on-top of the bed rail (NM roll-up). Most covers seem to utilize a "mounting rail" that simulates a steel truck bed mount. This mounting rail typically sits inside of the bed rail and interferes with the trunk. So my questions are:

1) Are there other covers that mount with brackets and clear the trunk other than what is mentioned above?

2) Can the OEM cover brackets be used on other brand tonneau covers? Can these brackets be used instead of the "mounting rails" these covers typically ship with? What covers could/have been used in this way?

Basically I am looking for any tonneau cover option that clears (or can be made to clear) the OEM trunk. Appreciate the suggestions!
 
#3 ·
I have the Undercover UltraFlex, hard fold up cover, very pleased on my 2022 RTL-E, open tonneau to first fold 90% access to trunk, second fold 100%, cover very secure, I had soft rool up and soft trifolds , all served purpose but easy access to bed for a thief, but if any one thug wants in the bed of your truck, they will gain access regardless.
 
#4 ·
I use a RuggedLiner HC3 directly for this purpose: finding a cover that sits on the bed edges, and doesn't require the installation of a rail that then blocks the trunk. Although the HC3 comes with rails (on sale here!), it works with the stock Honda mounts (picture below), which then work with the trunk, a la the OEM cover. Would suggest using a cover that sits on top of the bed sides, and then seeing if you can source the Honda mounts (08Z07-T6Z-100R1).

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#13 ·
Great info thanks. At least it’s good to hear extang stands behind those covers.

Your picture of extang exceed shows an example of what I don’t want. RL is a total Swiss Army knife though and The use case varies widely between owners. There are so many tonneaus and options, I have no doubt that setup works for you 100%. For me (and no one said I was a rational actor 😜) I find that interference completely unacceptable.
 
#14 ·
I find that interference completely unacceptable.
Why? I haven't seen a cover yet that wouldn't give you all the access you ever needed to the truck with a cover on it. You could even put a dead body in there without the trunk 100% open.....

 
#18 ·
I've had my Extang Trifecta on the RTL for 5 years now. Yes, it pools a little water. I use 3M 303 on it regularly to keep it good. So it beads that water a lot as a result. Also, while mine doesn't open fully with the cover down, I've not found anything that I've tried to put in there that was a limiting factor due to it. So cover has worked perfectly for my purposes.
 
#20 ·
OK so I am down to the Extang Trifecta 2.0 / ALX or the North Mountain roll up. Trying to stay below $750 which is why I am down to those three.

The Trifecta 2.0 seems like a safe bet. I like the idea of the ALX latching mechanism, but its another $100 over the 2.0 and does not seem very popular. I really want to try a roll up, and I like the fact the North Mountain rails do not interfere with the trunk. Also the cost is ridiculously cheap. What I don't like is the 6 large brackets that stick out into the bed to mount the rails. Seems like something to scrape an arm or a leg on.

Anymore feedback on the Trifecta or North mountain would be appreciated. Also, is there another non-interference cover that has yet to be identified? Thanks!
 
#22 ·
I have the Trifecta on my 17' RTL. A little 3m303 cleaner/preserver and it's still like new 50k miles later.

Whatever you get make sure you get some kind of tailgate sealer to keep the dust and other stuff out of the back from coming in around the tailgate. Extang sells a seal to do the job.
 
#25 ·
I purchased the 3part (folding) tonneau cover online from a Honda dealer out west (Indianna ?) on e-Bay. It works just fine and was not expensive. It opens up and I have 100% access to the trunk. Notice that there is quite a space where the fully open trunk has before the Tonneau Cover !!
My first 2014 Ridgeline had the 2 piece cover that was not as forgiving ! I like my 2019 RTL !!!
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#42 ·
I purchased the 3part (folding) tonneau cover online from a Honda dealer out west (Indianna ?) on e-Bay. It works just fine and was not expensive. It opens up and I have 100% access to the trunk. Notice that there is quite a space where the fully open trunk has before the Tonneau Cover !!
My first 2014 Ridgeline had the 2 piece cover that was not as forgiving ! I like my 2019 RTL !!! View attachment 428050 View attachment 428051 View attachment 428052 View attachment 428053
I have the same year, trim level, color and tonneau cover - you really have your act together, lol.

The OEM cover works great for me. I really didn't want rails going the length of the bed; like that it sits on top instead.
 
#26 ·
Great feedback guys, thanks. I decided to go with the North Mountain for the following reasons.

1) I have never tried a roll up before, and this is a low risk way to do it.
2) I paid $230 shipped amazon prime day. I am willing to test out this cover and roll ups in general.

One thing I like is the unique mounting of this cover that does not use the tie downs. I do not like how the brackets protrude into the bed so far. But if I really like the cover, I can modify those or even design new ones.
 
#28 ·
The Diamondback is so close that you won't be able to tell that there is a theoretical interference. I thought it didn't interfere at all until someone questioned that and I measured very carefully. I often use the largest tote container that I can fit in there and I can easily move it in & out with the cover in place, just having the back section lifted up, and with probably several inches to spare. I put the measurements in another post, but if I remember right it may open 1/2" less from the end of the trunk lid to the bed.
 
#29 ·
I received and installed the NM roll up cover. Its still early but here is my initial feedback.

Install was pretty easy as there are plenty of vids if needed. The brackets were not as bulky as I originally thought. I actually smoothed some if the square edges of the aluminum clips which makes it nicer. The mounting design is excellent, as it does not interfere with the tie downs or the trunk. Not sure why other tonneaus don't use the same style mounting. Once everything is lined up, the cover closed as expected.

My initial impression is this is a very good tonneau that could compete with any other soft bed cover at any price, period. Once you factor in the price relative to the market, the value goes through the roof. Once installed it looks as good or better than any other soft cover that I have seen. If you are in the market for soft cover, I would seriously take a hard look at this.

I will voice two complaints.

1) At the end of the mounting rail, by the tailgate, there is a 90* cut out of the metal that sticks out into the bed slightly. I noticed it right away, and a small piece of edge guard, made it much safer.

2) The mounting rail by the cab does not seal well to the bed. Even if you push it as far against the cab as you can, the gasket barely overlaps the bed rail by the cab. It does not look like a good seal to me and on the first rainy day I can see a small amount of water in the bed. It looks like the back wall of the bed is wet. FYI, I also already sealed the corners of the bed and the channels on the oem bed caps with silicone caulk. I may need to do more sealing, but judging by the lines of water coming down the back wall, it looks like the tonneau is just not sealing to the bed.

However this may not just be specific to the NM cover and a general issue with many RL covers.
 
#33 ·
The Honda cover does not interfere with the opening of the trunk lid.
 
#41 ·
Sure, needs some work if you want it to be water tight.