Wolfbox's Powered Retractable Tonneau Cover Installation

[AbnRgr]

Yesterday, I popped the shipping bands and opened the box with my recent prize award, Wolfbox’s Powered Retractable Tonneau Cover. The box is heavy requiring a two-man lift or a HD moving dolly. Each item appears to be well packed with adequate cushioning material separating the contents. I spent the next hour reviewing the accompanying installation booklet. First impression - the instructions are straight forward and well laid out. Each step incorporates a multitude of detailed drawings.

My first surprise from reviewing the instructions was a realization that installing the cover will necessitate removing and losing the utility of several accessories and modifications that have been a part of my build. This is due to the tonneau being anchored by brackets to the truck bed’s side cargo rails. While I may be able to use several of my DIY rail- adjustable anchor points, I will lose the function of Mabett’ sliding bed divider/Molle panel. With the divider, I also lose a pair of attached Maxzina’s ratcheting tie down straps. I had modified a second pair of tie downs to slide and anchor along the length of the rails. This capability will also be lost. I may be able to mount this pair on the rail in between the cover‘s brackets without the ability for them to move. With my calibrated eyeballs, It appears I will be able to retain the mounted Maxzina front Molle panel. My major loss at this point, is the inability to install a Tyger sports bar that has been awaiting installation in my garage. My hope is that following the installation of the cover, I will identify a means to incorporate the two.

As I begin the installation process, I’ll be returning to post photos and comments of my experience and how I might recover some of the utility lost with stripping out prior mods. Thanks to Wolfbox for their cover and their continued patience while I go about its installation.

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[BK007]

Yesterday, I popped the shipping bands and opened the box with my recent prize award, Wolfbox’s Powered Retractable Tonneau Cover. The box is heavy requiring a two-man lift or a HD moving dolly. Each item appears to be well packed with adequate cushioning material separating the contents. I spent the next hour reviewing the accompanying installation booklet. First impression - the instructions are straight forward and well laid out. Each step incorporates a multitude of detailed drawings.

My first surprise from reviewing the instructions was a realization that installing the cover will necessitate removing and losing the utility of several accessories and modifications that have been a part of my build. This is due to the tonneau being anchored by brackets to the truck bed’s side cargo rails. While I may be able to use several of my DIY rail- adjustable anchor points, I will lose the function of Mabett’ sliding bed divider/Molle panel. With the divider, I also lose a pair of attached Maxzina’s ratcheting tie down straps. I had modified a second pair of tie downs to slide and anchor along the length of the rails. This capability will also be lost. I may be able to mount this pair on the rail in between the cover‘s brackets without the ability for them to move. With my calibrated eyeballs, It appears I will be able to retain the mounted Maxzina front Molle panel. My major loss at this point, is the inability to install a Tigre sports bar that has been awaiting installation in my garage. My hope is that following the installation of the cover, I will identify a means to incorporate the two.

As I begin the installation process, I’ll be returning to post photos and comments of my experience and how I might recover some of the utility lost with stripping out prior mods. Thanks to Wolfbox for their cover and their continued patience while I go about its installation.

Wow you had to remove all of your build to install it!? Hard Pass!! If I won it I would sell it lol 2k+$$!!! My roll up cover is just fine.

 

[AbnRgr]

I have to admit that now that the main unit is out of the box and sitting on one of my work benches the thought has crossed my mind. In addition to the weight, the unit is large. Tin my case there is sacrifice of cargo space for the benefit of more secure storage in the bed and the luxury of the remote controlled retractable cover. Nothing is lost, everything removed can go back in place if I choose.

 

[scott1070]

Covers like that are a hard no for me. They take up too much cargo space in an already small cargo space.

 

[Tech Tye]

Here is my install of the WOLFBOX cover I won in the contest. It’s a 6 hour job for starters. You will need 2 people to do this. The cover would be well worth the money as it keeps all my gear dry as a bone and secure. I was using a BAK REVOLVER which leaked really bad and the cloth was cracking after 2 years of daily use. I probably open mine 10 times a day As this is my install truck. The BAK will not open in the winter as it freezes shut . It looks like WOLFBOX has plenty of drain options so I don’t think it will be a problem. I have went thru many car washes with the WOLFBOX and no leaks. Also had several storms here where rain will puddle up on top and not a drop in the box.i love the key fob feature where it must be close proximity to the buttons for the buttons to work. I keep it in one of my parts drawers so I can use the buttons all day. When I need to lock the cover I can just put the fob up front. Also has an app to open the cover or close it. It is Bluetooth only so you can check it from the house if your close by. The only issues installing the cover was the bolts used to mount the rails were a pain in the ass to thread in. I couldn’t use the included wrench. I used a big drill on low speed with a 12 inch extension with a torx bit. They either supplied the wrong bolts or need to include a thread tap to clean the threads from any bed spray. The cover is super well built with really heavy gauge side rails. The cover is made out of a interlocking aluminum slats that are sealed from any water getting in. Any that did get thru will be diverted into the side rails that have drain tubes on both sides. If you roll up the cover ,it also has drain on the box that holds the cover. . The motor box does take up around 11 inches deep. I have rails going front to back mounted in the bed to hold my 4 foot ladder. I ended up cutting 5 inches off my ladder so it would fit. I have zero space left after all the stuff. The cover when open ,does come past the box about a inch. Wish it was flush as this makes my load hard to remove for my use. Prob ok with anything else. I will see if I can mod the safety sensor to go back to flush. All in all this is one nice cover. I have been running it all day every day for a month with zero problems. Definitely worth the money as the build quality is excellent !

 

[BK007]

 

[MattTX]

Is that bar a permanent part of the installation in that spot?

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