Modification to Allow the Soft Roll–Up Tonneau Cover to Actually Lock

[Kjm18]

A little off topic, but when the tonneau cover is locked, is there play between the cover and the bed sides? Or would the tonneau cover work if there was say a 1/4" metal plate (not plywood @steffen707 ) between the tonneau cover and bed sides at a couple of places along the bed rail?

I'm revisiting my idea of a rack that would work with the tonneau cover (now that I've given up on ever seeing a Granite LE and my dealer has a Silver LE coming in with my name on it next week).

Would love to see this. My main problem with having a rack of any sort is that I want the tonneau to cover my crap for family vacations.

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[steffen707]

Would love to see this. My main problem with having a rack of any sort is that I want the tonneau to cover my crap for family vacations.

i'm getting a retractable tonneau when they come out for jt

 

[Rokon]

It may well be the spray on bed liner that is making a difference. My Rubicon didn't come with the bed liner and the last flap of the soft roll up tonneau easily lifts up with the tailgate closed. All this talk about pressing and clicks has nothing to do with that last flap, that is the latch of the next portion before the last flap. That last flap has a simple hinge with no other mechanism.
So my truck is getting LineX this Weds. morning in the bed. I'm pretty sure between the coating thickness and grippy texture that that last flap will be more securely held.
If that doesn't help I do have a pretty easy idea that would physically engage the tailgate with the tonneau flap when closed.

I don't think bed liner makes any difference with the tonneau flap engagement. The rubber lip mates with the plastic edge of the tailgate not the painted surface. Unless the bed liner overlaps the plastic trim it won't come into play.
That said, those who have it, is the bed liner applied to the plastic tailgate cap on your truck?

 

[steffen707]

The rubber lip mates with the plastic edge of the tailgate not the painted surface.

i wondered if this was the case.

 

[Bestop]

Hey there,

Sorry I missed the tag - What was the question?

CassieAtBestop

that's so weird, i pushed all over the tonneau in that area based on a facebook video, can't seem to get it to "click" and @BestopTeam hasn't commented on it.

 

[Tortooga Custom Works]

Hey there,

Sorry I missed the tag - What was the question?

CassieAtBestop

We're all still debating about the stock roll-up cover that comes with the gladiator. Although it does have a mechanism that locks it down several inches from the tailgate, it doesn't seem like there is anything that actually locks it fully down. So some can easily pry it open even when the tailgate is closed, and the locks "clicked."

What ends up happening is that the "weekend warrior" position can be engaged easily. Not sure if it means we are doing something wrong...

this explain it a bit better:

you're right @steffen707 I ain't got time to make a video...

@Kjm18 @jimcald do you guys know about the "weekend warrior" position? Basically that is where the tonneau is latched and locked, but the very last section of it is still folded open. (I think it also means that the tailgate is in the plywood hauling position). Note the picture on the right:

Here's a better picture @steffen707 put up somewhere else... maybe that's a screenshot from someone else's video? Dont' know..

So the first bit of the tonneau can be flipped up even with the latch locked - even if the tailgate is closed and locked...

Check out this video from another member:

Source: https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/...m-soft-tonneau-cover.17330/page-5#post-268075

You can do that exact same thing he does at the end, with the tailgate closed. Seriously...

So @BestopTeam are we doing something wrong?

 

[Austin Himself]

Well I've had my JT for a little over a week now. I regularly transport guitar amps in the bed of the truck in order to get to my gigs, so I was interested in finding a solution to make the cover lock down, when the tailgate is closed.

Here is what I came up with.

2x M6 - 1.0 x 20mm Pan Head Machine Screws - $1.17 at Home Depot
https://ibb.co/wJR98bh

2 Pieces of Paracord, 1 foot each, trim to length.

Insert the M6 machine screws into the existing holes in the side of the bed. Leave enough sticking out so the paracord can loop over the bolt head.
https://ibb.co/8Bk9y7h

Loop the paracord around the metal braces that are part of the soft tonneau cover, and tie a knot to secure. Adjust knot length to preference.
https://ibb.co/Xb81mQt

Loop paracord over the exposed bolt head, and your all set!
https://ibb.co/SvRj1pz


And your done!

 

[Tortooga Custom Works]

Well I've had my JT for a little over a week now. I regularly transport guitar amps in the bed of the truck in order to get to my gigs, so I was interested in finding a solution to make the cover lock down, when the tailgate is closed.

Here is what I came up with.

2x M6 - 1.0 x 20mm Pan Head Machine Screws - $1.17 at Home Depot

<a href="https://ibb.co/wJR98bh"><img src="https://i.ibb.co/B4tXv72/wu-Pzo-QCTS5-RVAZMLOVSEQ.jpg" alt="wu-Pzo-QCTS5-RVAZMLOVSEQ" border="0" /></a>
2 Pieces of Paracord, 1 foot each, trim to length.

Insert the M6 machine screws into the existing holes in the side of the bed.

Loop the paracord around the metal braces, and tie a knot to secure. Adjust knot length to preference.

And your done!

For some reason the images did not post correctly...

 

[Austin Himself]

For some reason the images did not post correctly...

working on it

 

[Tortooga Custom Works]

working on it

Although... even without the pictures one thing is immediately apparent... I’ve over engineered it!

Your method makes sense, and it will hold better because it’s directly below area that is being held down. Not at a weird angle.

Good stuff

 

[Austin Himself]

For some reason the images did not post correctly...

Should be good now, I can't figure out how to embed the pictures, but the links should work.

 

[Austin Himself]

Although... even without the pictures one thing is immediately apparent... I’ve over engineered it!

Your method makes sense, and it will hold better because it’s directly below area that is being held down. Not at a weird angle.

Good stuff

I was hoping to come up with a simple solution, I did have to stare at it over a couple of beers to figure out what to do, without drilling!

 

[Tortooga Custom Works]

Should be good now, I can't figure out how to embed the pictures, but the links should work.

You can just drag and drop right into the create post or edit post window. That’s usually easier.

 

[Tortooga Custom Works]

I was hoping to come up with a simple solution, I did have to stare at it over a couple of beers to figure out what to do, without drilling!

Yea, this is a much simpler way to do it. LOL I’m going to update my first post to be a quote of your how to. Super simple.

 

[Austin Himself]

Yea, this is a much simpler way to do it. LOL I’m going to update my first post to be a quote of your how to. Super simple.

Great! Happy to help out!

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