Extang Trifecta Tonneau Installation
by Frank Colgoni |
How often do you hear claims about something being being "fast" and "easy"? Extang claims that installing their Trifecta tonneau is "fast, easy, no assembly required, no tools." Having just installed one of these tonneaus on our Canadian Hot Rod Tour truck, we can confirm that, not only is their claim accurate, it's almost an understatement.
The tonneau comes completely assembled and it's light enough to be handled by one person (if necessary). Here's how it was done:
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Like most current trruck beds, our 2007 Ford F150 has a black bed cap. Extang recommends cleaning this and the bed before installing the tonneau.
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The tonneau is shipped folded and secured by its stow straps. At this point, it's been positioned at the forward end of the bed. |
After undoing the straps, the tonneau can unfolded twice. Tthe tonneau should be positioned so that it covers the bed rail equally - side-to-side and front-to-back. After doing this, open the tailgate and carefully (so as not to move it from the position just established) fold it back twice to the original position as shown in the photo just above. |
On the underside toward the front, there are speed clamps on each side.
These are now slid toward the rail and positioned under the metal
bed rail edge and then hand tightened (only). |
At the rear, spring-tensioned clamps are moved, as above, to the metal
rail edge
and secured by pulling down and hooking the bottom rail edge.
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At this point, you can close your tailgate and you're ready to go.
The whole process didn't even take ten minutes. |
In use, the tonneau has stayed securely fastened, has kept the bed dust-free and dry of rain and snow. Obviously, we recommend you follow the manufacturer's instructions when installing. The purpose of this review is to confirm that it was indeed fast and easy.
Illustrations are courtesy of Extang. |
Visit the Extang site HERE. |
