How Easy is It to Remove Truck Bed Cover

If you are a truck owner then you may already know that a Tonneau Truck Bed Cover can be worth its weight in gold! Not only does it make your truck look neat and cover up your valuables but it can also protect your tools and cargo from the elements!

As with any vehicle, you will obviously wish to clean it now and again, and doing this would be easier if you could remove the bed cover. But how? Is it easy to remove this invaluable piece of kit without damaging it or your truck?

You can remove the truck bed cover in a few easy steps but for some, they are attached by nuts and bolts which means you will need to have the correct tools for the job. Others can be simply removed by the Velcro straps, or stripped from the adhesive.

Why Would I Need to Remove my Tonneau Truck Cover?

There could be many reasons you will want to remove your cover. Drivers have gone years without needing to remove the cover at all but here are some reasons why you would look at getting the cover removed.

For a Freshen Up

You have looked at your truck and feel like it needs a freshen up in way of a new paint job. Many body sprayers can mask over the bed cover but they will eventually need to paint inside the bed to give it the best possible uplift.

Taking the cover off is a sure way of knowing that an overspill of paint won't get on the cover.

Cleaning

Cleaning your truck is not really a major reason for taking the cover off however as you are aware there can be many nooks and crannies where debris can build up, especially in the bed of your truck! If you have decided on a cleaning spree then taking the bed cover off will help make the job easier!

Increase Space

Depending on the job, you may be in need of using the bed of your truck as an open unit. Putting a lid on your truck does protect your cargo but it can also limit the space you have if moving larger objects.

How Easy Is It?

Now we have looked at why you may need to remove the cover, let's gain an insight to see if it is worth going to the trouble of removing it.

Tonneau Covers can come in two types, – hard and soft. It is no surprise that the softer cover is the easiest to remove. As mentioned the soft-topped covers are usually attached to your tuck with adhesive or Velcro, knowing this could help you decipher which cover you are looking to get.

The harder covers are more substantial when protecting your goods but they do have a little more to them when you need to remove them. Usually fixed to your truck with nuts and bolts you will require tools for its removal.

It is also good to note that the harder covers are heavier so you may wish to call in a favor with a pal to help get the job done.

Step-by-Step Guide

As mentioned above we will maintain our focus on removing a hard truck bed cover as these usually need a little more attention.

Step 1: Find the attachment points of the cover

You will need to open the tailgate and then the cover itself in order to locate the attachments that secure the cover to your truck. Take note they are usually along with the frame of the cover rather than on the cover itself.

Step 2: Protect your paint job

Once you have the bed cover open it is a good idea to protect your truck with some padding like a blanket or mattress. This will prevent the truck cover from damaging the paintwork of your truck. Next, locate the clips and decide which tools you will need.

Step 3: Removal of the clips

Now you need to remove the clips using a screwdriver. These clips are attached to the shock bracket. The main use for these is to absorb any impact you may encounter when driving on rough terrain. Without these shock absorbers, the frame would crack if the force was great enough.

Step 4: Screws, screws, and more screws

After the clips have been removed it is time to unscrew the nuts and bolts. Make sure you have the correct wrench to make this job easier.

Step 5: Time to unpin

Now you have unscrewed the cover, it is time to pull the pins. The pins are located on the hinges to help keep them secure and in place. Once the pins have been removed you are almost there!

Step 6: Take off the cover

Finally the last leg of the job! With all screws out and pins removed the bed cover is ready to dismantle from your truck. Make sure you get help for this part because the hardcovers can be extremely heavy! I'd recommend three people but you could probably manage it with two.

Here is a quick video to show you exactly how to remove the truck bed cover.

Benefits of a Truck Bed Cover

Now we have unearthed how to remove a truck bed cover you may be thinking is it worth getting one at all? I mean if you have to go through the hassle of removing it every time you wish to move larger items is it really worth the bother?

To help you decide here are a few plus points so you can decide whether getting a truck bed cover is for you.

Protection from theft

No one likes to think of their possessions being stolen. We work hard for what we have so how dare thieves try to claim what is rightfully yours? Unfortunately, thieves can strike at any time, red light, stop sign, or gas station.

By having a cover you are not only protecting your goods from prying eyes but you will have the confidence knowing that you can leave the truck and your belongings won't be touched.

Weather protection

Having an open bed truck has its cargo space advantages. The only issue would be the fact that the cargo you wish to place in the back may be subject to the elements. If you have upholstered items then you may want to protect them from the rain.

If you have items sensitive to sunlight then using a cover can give you the shade you require. Don't get me wrong not all covers are resistant to the elements but they do give you the added barrier.

Economical

Trucks are big, bulky vehicles. They are not designed to be streamlined and in turn, they can end up using more fuel and slow you down when traveling at speed. Attaching a cover to the truck bed will help reduce drag on the road and enhance the aerodynamic feature of your truck.

FAQs

Are truck caps easily removable?

Usually, the toppers on truck bed covers are designed as permanent fixtures. This means that you have to ensure you have all the correct tools for the job to prevent damage.

What do you call truck bed covers?

A cover that is attached to the bed of a truck is usually referred to as a Tonneau cover. This cover can either be hard or soft and come with many features. Some may lift, fold or tilt. Only a few designs allow you to lock them.

We have shown you the best steps for you to remove your truck bed cover yourself. Please note that this job can be extremely fiddly at times and I wouldn't recommend you do it yourself if you are in a rush. Time and patience need to be on your side to prevent any damage to the cover and your truck.

It is important to remember that we have placed hardcovers under the microscope in this article as they take more time and effort. Softer covers are easier to remove and you should be able to do it without the need for help.

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Source: https://vehiclefreak.com/how-to-remove-a-truck-bed-cover/