Mopar Tri-fold hard cover

[Ctanley]

I picked up my new rubicon gladiator three weeks ago and had the dealer install the Mopar tri-fold hard cover.

First there is no way to travel with all three sections open. Like some after market brands, the Mopar dealer version does not have the arms that fold up from the bed that connect to the bottom of the third section to hold all three sections open while traveling. Plan on being able to only travel with two of the three sections open. Not great for bikes and larger items (I learned that as we headed out for a bike ride with the family - didn’t think we would need a bike rack - but now we know that we do, if we use the Mopar hard tri-fold cover) . You can fold two sections open and use the straps to travel with 2/3 of the Bed open, but you can not travel with all thee sections open.

Then the small first panel that is secured to the bed brackets is secured by two bolts that slide into a very thin aluminum channel on the bottom side of the smaller stationary panel closest to the cab. That aluminum channel is very thin and the bolt on mine pulled through on one side. While looking at it the other side pulled through. I noticed that the aluminum channel bent around the bolt heads making the installation into the same spot impossible. Not a great design. Certainly not secure. Someone could easily put some pressure under the cover edge with a screwdriver near the cab and open the cover, so don't plan on it really being secure.

I just asked my sales rep what the dealer can do to fix the two issues, hopeful they have a real solution or will take it back and refund me for the cost I paid for the top and labor so I can get a aftermarket version that is more secure and allowed travel with all three large sections open. Wish I knew these issues before buying.

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[MVP89]

I picked up my new rubicon gladiator three weeks ago and had the dealer install the Mopar tri-fold hard cover.

Sorry to hear you didn't notice the Mopar Tri-fold hard covers last panel does not have the support arm feature. I too almost missed this major difference between covers. Being able to open and drive with the 3rd panel being held up by the support arms and the added hand free access to the whole bed was the sole reasons I bought the Rugged Ridge Armis Hard Cover. I think all of the tr-fold hard covers should have this feature. . Best of luck to you on the other bolt problem.

 

[hjdca]

I picked up my new rubicon gladiator three weeks ago and had the dealer install the Mopar tri-fold hard cover.

First there is no way to travel with all three sections open. Like some after market brands, the Mopar dealer version does not have the arms that fold up from the bed that connect to the bottom of the third section to hold all three sections open while traveling. Plan on being able to only travel with two of the three sections open. Not great for bikes and larger items (I learned that as we headed out for a bike ride with the family - didn’t think we would need a bike rack - but now we know that we do, if we use the Mopar hard tri-fold cover) . You can fold two sections open and use the straps to travel with 2/3 of the Bed open, but you can not travel with all thee sections open.

Then the small first panel that is secured to the bed brackets is secured by two bolts that slide into a very thin aluminum channel on the bottom side of the smaller stationary panel closest to the cab. That aluminum channel is very thin and the bolt on mine pulled through on one side. While looking at it the other side pulled through. I noticed that the aluminum channel bent around the bolt heads making the installation into the same spot impossible. Not a great design. Certainly not secure. Someone could easily put some pressure under the cover edge with a screwdriver near the cab and open the cover, so don't plan on it really being secure.

I just asked my sales rep what the dealer can do to fix the two issues, hopeful they have a real solution or will take it back and refund me for the cost I paid for the top and labor so I can get a aftermarket version that is more secure and allowed travel with all three large sections open. Wish I knew these issues before buying.

I also have the Rugged Ridge Tri-fold with Line-X. It mounts the same way on the truck bed, two carriage bolts slide into the small panel to lock it down in the front with some big plastic clamps. I think all of them mount the same way. It seems very secure to me. This model does have two prop rods to hold up the cover when it is fully folded.

 

[Jake]

Hey @Ctanley suggest that you make certain that you have flat washers on both sides of the 2 bolts that hold the tonneau in place at the front of the bed. As long as you have flat washers in place there will be no way any thief could break in from the front or that the bolts will come through their brackets. And yes you are right, difficult to haul bikes in the short bed with the tonneau in place or even folded forward. I have a single bike rack and also a 3 bike rack that plugs into my trailer hitch. And with both racks when I drop the tailgate it does not hit the bike racks. Paid Walmart just $48.00 years ago for my 3 bike rack, was on clearance.

See my post in the Merry Christmas thread to see a picture of my 3 bike rack. Was hauling 5 small bikes in the bed in the attached picture for my yearly Christmas deliveries plus another big bike on my hitch mounted rack. A hitch mounted rack really is the way to go if you ask me. And I suggest adding a full set of lights to your hitch mounted rack like I did. Really don’t want to have someone rear end you and then try to say it was your fault since they could get see your brake lights through your bike wheels. And fabricating the light bracket, bolting the lights to it and wiring it up adds to the fun.

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