- First Name
- Louis
- Joined
- Oct 23, 2024
- Threads
- 7
- Messages
- 94
- Reaction score
- 203
- Location
- Fairhope, Alabama
- Vehicle(s)
- 2024 Ford Maverick Lariat 2.0L EcoBoost AWD with 4k tow package in Oxford White
- Engine
- 2.0L EcoBoost
- Thread starter
- #1
I purchased the Leer HF650M Quad-Fold Tonneau Cover on 11/14/2024 from CSP Racing (cspracing.com). I used the code BLACKFRIDAY at checkout and saved 10% off the regular retail price of $1174. They do not charge sales tax to out-of-state customers paying with credit card through their website and they offer free shipping, so my all-in total came to $1056.60. The cover arrived on 11/19/2024 and I installed it this morning (11/20/2024).
Installation took less than an hour. The printed installation instructions were terrible and the installation video on the Leer website was even worse. The parts for the Maverick were completely different than the parts shown in the installation video. Here’s a quick breakdown of the differences and a few tips for anyone interested:
1) The installation manual and the installation video both begin with instructions for putting together the two-piece side rail system. However, the Maverick version has one-piece side rails, so you can skip this step.
2) In the box, the side rails are labeled L and R, presumably for Left and Right. However, it is for left and right if you are facing the FRONT of the truck, which is quite confusing since you are facing the BACK of the truck during installation. Put the rail labeled R on the driver’s side and the one labeled L on the passenger side. The end containing the prop rod attachment point goes toward the front, and that is the end where you will need to attach the adhesive backed foam block (which is step 2 in the instruction manual but not mentioned in the video).
3) The clamps for mounting the side rails to the vehicle are totally different than those shown in the video. There is a separate instruction sheet in the box titled “Nissan Frontier Clamp Installation” that demonstrates the correct way to mount the clamps, even though the side rails in the illustration are not the same as the ones for the Maverick. For easier installation, I would recommend loosening the screws enough to keep the clamp, shims, washer, and screw assembly together rather than completely disassembling them. With the screws loosened there is plenty of play for easily popping the clamp into the track on the side rail.
4. One end of the prop rod has an unlocking mechanism. This is the end that attaches to the prop rod attachment point on the side rail. The other end attaches to the prop rod attachment point on the underside of the cover. The video doesn’t even mention prop rod installation and the instruction manual diagram shows the WRONG end attached to the side rail.
5. The retaining brackets for the prop rods attach via the provided hex head screws into pre-drilled holes on the underside of the closest panel to the cab. If you fold the prop rod you can easily tell which retaining bracket to use (yes, they are different even though they are not marked or labeled as such) and the correct orientation (it won’t work if they are mounted upside down and you can’t take them out to change orientation because you will ream out the hole). Neither the video or instruction manual include this step.
Despite the terrible instructions, the installation was easy. If I had known what I shared above before getting started, I could have easily had it installed in a half hour or less…and I am mechanically inept. If I can install this thing, ANYONE can.
First impressions: this is a NICE cover. The quad fold design makes for shorter, lighter panels which are easier to handle. The cync latch system is fantastic. There are no exposed cables and there are latches on both sides, so the cover can be operated from either side of the vehicle. I also love that the installation did not require any drilling and does not use rain tracks or drain tubes. Operation is smooth and easy and everything feels solid and well-built. In my opinion, the Leer HF650M is far superior to the Bakflip Ford OEM hard tri-fold cover. I would highly recommend it.
Installation took less than an hour. The printed installation instructions were terrible and the installation video on the Leer website was even worse. The parts for the Maverick were completely different than the parts shown in the installation video. Here’s a quick breakdown of the differences and a few tips for anyone interested:
1) The installation manual and the installation video both begin with instructions for putting together the two-piece side rail system. However, the Maverick version has one-piece side rails, so you can skip this step.
2) In the box, the side rails are labeled L and R, presumably for Left and Right. However, it is for left and right if you are facing the FRONT of the truck, which is quite confusing since you are facing the BACK of the truck during installation. Put the rail labeled R on the driver’s side and the one labeled L on the passenger side. The end containing the prop rod attachment point goes toward the front, and that is the end where you will need to attach the adhesive backed foam block (which is step 2 in the instruction manual but not mentioned in the video).
3) The clamps for mounting the side rails to the vehicle are totally different than those shown in the video. There is a separate instruction sheet in the box titled “Nissan Frontier Clamp Installation” that demonstrates the correct way to mount the clamps, even though the side rails in the illustration are not the same as the ones for the Maverick. For easier installation, I would recommend loosening the screws enough to keep the clamp, shims, washer, and screw assembly together rather than completely disassembling them. With the screws loosened there is plenty of play for easily popping the clamp into the track on the side rail.
4. One end of the prop rod has an unlocking mechanism. This is the end that attaches to the prop rod attachment point on the side rail. The other end attaches to the prop rod attachment point on the underside of the cover. The video doesn’t even mention prop rod installation and the instruction manual diagram shows the WRONG end attached to the side rail.
5. The retaining brackets for the prop rods attach via the provided hex head screws into pre-drilled holes on the underside of the closest panel to the cab. If you fold the prop rod you can easily tell which retaining bracket to use (yes, they are different even though they are not marked or labeled as such) and the correct orientation (it won’t work if they are mounted upside down and you can’t take them out to change orientation because you will ream out the hole). Neither the video or instruction manual include this step.
Despite the terrible instructions, the installation was easy. If I had known what I shared above before getting started, I could have easily had it installed in a half hour or less…and I am mechanically inept. If I can install this thing, ANYONE can.
First impressions: this is a NICE cover. The quad fold design makes for shorter, lighter panels which are easier to handle. The cync latch system is fantastic. There are no exposed cables and there are latches on both sides, so the cover can be operated from either side of the vehicle. I also love that the installation did not require any drilling and does not use rain tracks or drain tubes. Operation is smooth and easy and everything feels solid and well-built. In my opinion, the Leer HF650M is far superior to the Bakflip Ford OEM hard tri-fold cover. I would highly recommend it.
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The website said 2-3 week delivery with the free shipping option. When it showed up in 5 days, my wife told me to go ahead and install it because she didn’t want it sitting in the house for a month!
Sounds about average.
