Leer HF650M Quad-Fold Tonneau Cover - Install and First Impressions

[gzebrick]

Correct no locking mechanism other than a locked tailgate. And if someone wants into the bed, a small pry bar would likely defeat any tonneau latch.

The one thing I’ve yet to make/buy (I’ll make my own) is a divider board. One that fits into the bed wall notches. Makes a short space close to the tailgate that keeps stuff, like grocery bags from sliding.

Thanks. I just ordered a net for the bed. Cheap enough to try out as something to hold some stuff from sliding around. The bed divider from Ford seems wildly over-priced. I guess I could always rig up something with some wood.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D8W1RNYQ?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

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[MakinDoForNow]

Thanks. I just ordered a net for the bed. Cheap enough to try out as something to hold some stuff from sliding around. The bed divider from Ford seems wildly over-priced. I guess I could always rig up something with some wood.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D8W1RNYQ?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

A net that could be folded up and stored in the storage box in bed is hard to beat. If you make something out of wood consider cutting it a little short with compressible foam on one end to help keep it from rattling and allow squeezing to take in and out.

 

[Rcrew]

… cutting it a little short with compressible foam on one end to help keep it from rattling and allow squeezing to take in and out.

Awesome idea! TY

 

[Aguy]

Any idea how long it takes to install this? I did the bed extender today and don't want to get started on this if it takes half the day...

 

[Rcrew]

Any idea how long it takes to install this? I did the bed extender today and don't want to get started on this if it takes half the day...

May be somewhat a personal thing. But even with extremely cautious step by step procedure, should be an hour to hour & half max. My biggest slowdown was deciding exactly where to place and how to space the 4 clamps on each side. Instructions really only said one clamp should be positioned directly where the prop rod connection is on the rail.

Easy to figure out one each at the ends. Then the 4th just goes somewhere in between.

 

[MakinDoForNow]

Any idea how long it takes to install this? I did the bed extender today and don't want to get started on this if it takes half the day...

The second one you install will take much less time (1/5th?) than first one.
a. Take a piece of the black sticky roll about the size of 1-1.5 that of a black eye pea and press into the rectangular gap where the two pieces of the bed rail cover meet about 6 inches from the cab. Only needed on the vertical part inside the bed to keep water from flowing through it into the bed under the aluminum track you are going to clamp on.
b. Place sticky foam block on aluminum rail end near prop rod pin or on bed where aluminum rail will compress it to seal gap there.
c. Loosen the screws on all 8 clamps but do not take clamps apart and place them in bed.
d. Have helper hold aluminum rail in place squeezing the foam block or tape rail in position.
e. Place clamp with stainless ring into rail between prop rod pin and cab leaving room for the cover tie down clamp when putting these clamps on hold the block as high as possible keeping the clamp vertical there are some small tab in slot protrusions that may require clamp to be shifted slightly so the block can be held evenly in sliding slots while tightening screws.
f. Place clamp as near as possible to tail gate then clamp as near as possible to tailgate side of property rod pin. Then fourth clamp centered in rail.
g. Repeat d,e,and f for other side of bed
h. Place masking tape along top of tailgate and draw a line 3/4" from inside of tailgate. This will be the mark the end of cover should be at when closed.
i. Place cover across bed near cab with rubber just touching black plastic and unfold with tail gate down. Verify that the distance from the edge of end of cover is the 3/4" to the thin innermost rubber seal. If so shut cover and then tailgate and adjust cover forward or backward as needed. The innermost thin should touch tailgate when closed. If the cover is too far back the cover may not latch with the tailgate closed due to the taller 3rd seal. It may take awhile or so for the two rubbers to lay over a bit for the cover to easily latch with tailgate closed.
j. Once you are happy with alignment place cardboard across cab end of cover and place enough weight on cab end of cover to hold in position and compress the rubber seals. It should be safe to fold two sections of cover but I left mine fully latched and crawled into bed to attach the hold down clamps. They don't appear to clamp into the side rails as well as I would like but l am satisfied they are secure. Just watch that when tight they are only touching the rail and the bolt not the cover as indicated in picture. The weight on top of the cover makes tightening the knobs much easier. Do not forget the wing nuts which are used to lock the knobs from vibrating loose.
k. Place prop rods with the end with the lever onto the rail and the "permanent" end onto the cover. Then place the plastic holding clips onto the cover. They are left and right so choose carefully. They ship with manual Allen wrench but I used hex drive Allen in my hammer drill since holes were not pre threaded.
L. Snap the yellow anti blow off safety straps to the clamp with stainless rings.
M. Have a LEERING GOOD TIME.
O. Consider getting a tailgate seal strip to keep rain, dust, maybe even oxygen out.
P. Note: The tailgate cover seal will pass the Dollar Bill Check Test.

 

[DoLoJo]

How is this holding up for ya'll? I just ordered one! Can I close the tailgate while it is in the flat position? I have seen some other covers required you to fold it back once, close the tailgate, fold it back flat, and then push it down to secure. Thanks!

Yes, you can close the tailgate with the tonneau fully closed (in the flat position).

 

[DoLoJo]

I think I paid $1,150!

That’s an awesome price.

I authored this thread and thought I got a great deal at $1056. This is an INCREDIBLE deal. If you are considering it, I highly recommend ordering one IMMEDIATELY as the advertised price is more than 50% off MSRP. You will not find a nicer tonneau for anywhere near this price.

 

[DoLoJo]

The bed divider from Ford seems wildly over-priced.

It is. You can find them second hand on Facebook Marketplace for about $150-$200. I found one last weekend and negotiated with the seller to get the price down to $125. Had to drive a couple hours to get it, but it was a great excuse for a mini road trip on a beautiful spring day. I can verify that the Ford bed divider does work with the Leer HF650M tonneau cover, but just barely. When sliding the bed divider along the rail, the tonneau brackets are going to lightly scratch the part of the bed divider that mounts over the sliding tie downs. Doesn’t bother me though, it’s in the back of the truck, under the tonneau, and it works.

 

[DoLoJo]

Any idea how long it takes to install this? I did the bed extender today and don't want to get started on this if it takes half the day...

Less than an hour. If you read the original post at the beginning of this thread it has some tips/clarifications/instructions that will cut your install time to a half hour or less. Install on this is quick and easy.

 

[gzebrick]

Im reading about seals and sticky tape… wondering how to best apply them should I ever want to remove the cover off the truck. Shouldn’t the tape stick to the cover and not the truck bed so it comes off when removed?

 

[DoLoJo]

Im reading about seals and sticky tape… wondering how to best apply them should I ever want to remove the cover off the truck. Shouldn’t the tape stick to the cover and not the truck bed so it comes off when removed?

No tape or seals are needed to install this tonneau cover. Some people choose to add them, but they are not required or mentioned in the instructions.

 

[DoLoJo]

Very nice and I would love to have it but it costs more than I wish to spend. I will just have to live with my soft roll-up.

If you are looking for an upgrade, the Leer HF650M is now HALF PRICE at Amazon (on sale for $649). Here’s the link:

https://www.mavericktruckclub.com/f...au-cover-install-and-first-impressions.57437/

 

[siegelem]

Thanks for all this info. I just bought mine as well from Amazon LEER store for $649. Should be delivered in a week. Will post my installation experience when I'm done.

 

[MakinDoForNow]

Thanks for all this info. I just bought mine as well from Amazon LEER store for $649. Should be delivered in a week. Will post my installation experience when I'm done.

Mine was delivered 3 or 4 days quicker than scheduled.

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