A question about positioning of Tonneau Cover

[JimP]

I have a newly purchased 2016 Ram 1500 tradesman with the 6'4 bed and purchased an Extang Solid Fold 2.0 Tonneau Cover which is a hard trifold cover. https://www.realtruck.com/extang-solid-fold-20-tonneau-cover/

In its directions, it say to position the cover so that you equally cover all 4 sides. Well the left right is not a problem but if I evenly cover the bed from front to back, then the tailgate seems to have a fairly hard time closing. Experimenting a little, I moved the cover a little more towards the cab and the tailgate closes easier.

I guess what I'm asking is those of you with installation experience could make a recommendation about front to back positioning so that I can have as good a fit as possible.

Thanks in advance.

Jim

 

[clifford15]

As long as the front is not rubbing on the cab you are good. The front bed wall is curved in toward the bed so you have to take that into account. Bottom line, the tailgate will rub a little. Wait until the spoiler fills with water or freezes. Fun times.

 

[VegasDragger45]

I have a tonno-pro hard fold and I have the back only about 1" on the tail gate. Just enough so the seal is tight.

 

[FIMS]

Does it say that you can operate the tailgate with it closed? The hard covers I've had on my trucks more times than not you have to close the tailgate before the cover, and if you don't that's how it feels

 

[JimP]

Does it say that you can operate the tailgate with it closed? The hard covers I've had on my trucks more times than not you have to close the tailgate before the cover, and if you don't that's how it feels

In this design, there is no real lock on the cover itself. So you have to attach the last third with the inside fasteners before closing the tailgate.

In hindsight, I think I should have gotten one that was more of a custom fit with the lock on the cover.

 

[JimP]

As long as the front is not rubbing on the cab you are good. The front bed wall is curved in toward the bed so you have to take that into account. Bottom line, the tailgate will rub a little. Wait until the spoiler fills with water or freezes. Fun times.

That did occur to me that the tailgate design is such as to direct water into the tailgate instead of away. I live in central Alabama so we don't have freezing rain but I'd rather not get water into the truck bed.

 

[JimP]

I have a tonno-pro hard fold and I have the back only about 1" on the tail gate. Just enough so the seal is tight.

I guess the bottom line is to position it such as to keep water out without causing an excessive amount of tailgate rub.