So here’s the deal: the manual isn’t super helpful. If you’re the kind of person who likes to follow instructions and expect a smooth process, you might be in for a rough ride.
If you’re okay with some bumps in the road, you can probably get this installed in 4-5 hours. I did it solo in about 5 hours, despite having a broken finger.
The cover itself is great — high quality and super quiet.
I had a tri-fold tonneau cover from the dealership, but I wanted something electric. EGR didn’t seem to work with the Lightning, so I gave this one a shot.
Attaching the side rails to the canister before moving it to the truck: The instructions don’t explain this well. You’ll have to figure it out yourself. Use the shorter screws for attaching the rails to the canister.
Offset brackets: These go toward the front of the bed, not the rear. It’s easier to install them in the right spot the first time.
Adjustable brackets and tailgate clearance: You can adjust the brackets up and down. If your tailgate doesn’t close right, loosen the bolts, push the canister forward, and adjust the rear brackets slightly for more clearance. With some patience, it’ll work.
Yellow wire connection for factory key fob operation: This wire integrates with the factory key fob. The location varies by model. For F-150s (including Lightning and Raptor), it’s on the driver’s side B-pillar.
Lifting onto the vehicle: I did this solo, but it’s tricky. It’s not super heavy, but it’s awkwardly shaped. Get help if you can, as it’ll be safer and easier.
The App and Key Fob: The app is basic but works fine within Bluetooth range. The key fob is solid, and the factory fob works too. Press unlock three times, and the cover opens/closes. I like having multiple options for control.
Issues with the Seller: I had a problem with the seller. They said the item was in stock, but it wasn’t. They gave me a tracking number without actually shipping it, which led to a delay of over a week.
Love it! Looks amazing and for the price, it’s hard to beat. I just can’t go for it because of ice/snow. Up here in Northern Michigan, it can get really icy on the cover, and I need a manual folding one to snap the ice off. But thanks for posting this!
Wade said:
I’m about to tackle this in the next week or two. Thanks for the great write-up.
Did you find any helpful install videos?
I couldn’t find anything specific for this model, but I watched a lot of videos for similar designs like EGR and Retrax EQ. It’s not a hard install, just don’t rush it. Once you get the canister, rails, and brackets in place, the rest comes together easily. Test everything before tightening the brackets completely.
Oh, and they send extra hardware. You may end up with some leftover parts, but it’s fine, you didn’t do anything wrong.
Wade said: @Leif
Are there any tools you think would help that aren’t listed in the instructions?
I recommend using your own Allen wrenches, electrical tape, black cloth tape (for a factory look), a fiberglass rod for fishing wires, a sharp utility knife to cut the grommet where you’ll run wires, painter’s tape to prevent burrs when drilling, and long zip ties for routing wires, especially the high-voltage ones.
Can you stop the cover at any point between open and closed while driving? Like if you need to carry a surfboard sticking up out the back?
Are those T-slots on the rails for adding a rack? I need one for my truck, and I have a manual retractable with a rack. It works well, but this electric version looks a lot better.
Either way, looks great, and I’m sure you’re excited!
I got the manual version last year. Same brand. A friend helped me install it, and getting the cover into the rails was definitely tough. The electric version was out of stock when I ordered. But I’m glad I went with the manual. It’s one less thing to worry about. Happy with my purchase overall.
