It's clamp time! First, install the front set of clamps, starting with the two clamps closest to the canister. The location of the clamps is between the two adjustment screws. Do not tighten completely, as some adjustments may be necessary later. The clamps should be installed as high up as possible to engage more teeth on the rail. Using a 9/16-inch wrench, tighten the front set of clamps. If the clamp wants to rotate while tightening, hold it with pliers or vice-grips.

Now install the rear set of clamps. Important: be sure to push down on the rail as you tighten the clamp bolts to create a better seal on top of the pickup box rails. The rear of the rail may need to be tilted up or down for best fit over the tailgate protector.

Tighten all of the clamps securely.

At this point the canister is in your truck, the rails are secure, and everything looks good to go, right? Nope. Now you have to align the RETRAX so it opens and closes without any rubbing and causes problems for you later.


Proper side-to-side play of the rolling cover is 1/8-inch. You can measure and adjust the distance that the cover can be moved left and right between the two rails using the supplied measurement tool. This is a very important step. The overall performance of the bed cover depends on the proper side-play adjustment.

Start at the front set of clamps and then move to the rear set of clamps. Unlock and move the cover so the lock is lined up over the clamp. To measure the side play, pull the cover left over to the driver's side. Using a piece of tape, mark the place where the edge of the felt-lined weather strip touches the cover next to the lock. Now slide the cover right to the passenger side. Measure how much the cover moved, using the 1/8-inch thick measuring tool to aid your measurements. To adjust the amount of side play, remove the clamp and turn the adjustment screws using a 1/4-inch Allen wrench.

Finally, check for proper fit between the front cover and the rolling cover. To do this, unlock the handle, pull the cover closed over the tailgate and latch it closed. The amount of weather strip showing at the front of the rolling cover should be close to equal on both the passenger and driver sides. If there is less on one side, adjust that rail by removing the clamps and moving that rail closer to the cab, then replace the clamps.

You should now be able to roll the cover open and closed with ease. The rolling resistance will decrease over time as the weather stripping and bearings break in. Note that you can lock the cover anywhere along the rail by pushing down firmly on the lock handle.

One thing we noticed is that the amount of effort needed to latch the cover required a lot of pressure from two thumbs. RETRAX has assured us that the amount of effort will decrease over time as the lock mechanism breaks in. If you feel it necessary to alter the amount of effort permanently, the lock can be adjusted. To do this, locate the adjustable steel tip that contacts the rail at the bottom of the lock. Increase or decrease the pressure by loosening the jam nut with a 7/16-inch wrench. Then adjust the steel tip in or out with a 1/8-inch Allen wrench.

The very last thing to do is to install the drain tubes which allow excess water that falls into the canister by way of the rails, drain out of the bed of your truck. The drain tube should slide about 3/4-inch onto the supplied rain fitting. They are then snapped into the holes on the bottom of the canister. Earlier in this How-To we drilled holes through our truck's BedRug and the plastic plugs. If you haven't done this already, do so now using a 1/2-inch drill bit. Cut the tubes to length to fit in the desired locations.

Now that everything is in place, and before you remove the protective plastic film, move the cover open and closed to ensure it is rolls without any rubbing or binding. Then do one more final check to make sure that all clamps are bolted tight, the rails are level, and there's 1/8-inch side-to-side play of the cover at each set of clamps.

The Finished Installation




» View All 52 RETRAX Installation Photos

The Warnings

• Never allow any person or animal to be transported in your pickup bed. Under no circumstances should anyone stand, sit or lay on the cover (even though they do this in their ads LOL)

• Every effort has been made to make the RETRAX weather tight, however the RETRAX bed cover is not waterproof. Applied Products, Inc. will not be held liable for damage sustained to any cargo being transported in a pickup bed equipped with a RETRAX bed cover. Use extra care to prevent damage to items during severe weather conditions or while entering a car wash. Water may collect on the cover, so remove the water before opening.

• The security features on the RETRAX bed cover are intended to act only as a deterrent to theft or damage to your cargo. No guarantee is made to the ability of the RETRAX to protect your valuables.

• The warranty is a 1 Year Limited Warranty.

Care of your new RETRAX

• Non-abrasive automotive wax can be applied to the cover and rails for extra protection against the elements and scratches.

• With proper care, the polycarbonate cover on your RETRAX will last for many years. It should be cleaned with mild soap and water. Do not use any strong chemicals or cleaners of any kind. Do not allow gasoline to come in contact with the cover.

• The ball bearing rollers installed on your RETRAX are sealed-for-life and no maintenance or lubrication is required (do not use a lubricant).

• The channel of the rail can be wiped clean, if needed, to remove dust or dirt.

• Do not force your RETRAX open if ice forms on your bed cover after an ice storm or car wash. You should use your hand to gently tap around the perimeter of the cover, which should free up the weather stripping that seals the bed cover along the edges. Lock de-icer can be used to free up the key lock. Do not allow de-icer to make contact with the bed cover.

SOURCES: Applied Products, Inc. retrax@rolltopcover.com www.rolltopcover.com 1-866-385-8899 917 S. 46th St. Grand Forks, ND 58201 RETRAX at Truck Hownd