OEM Tonneau cover

So...I went for the Leer hf650m and it is done but after installing 3 bakflips that took all of 30 min each, I'm exhausted lol. The instructions are useless so I used all the videos I could find online including ones from here. There are conflicting instructions regarding the spacer placement on the brackets (it goes against the Tacoma rail, not under the bolts like a washer). Once all the brackets were in place, it took a good 20 min to get the cover adjusted so all the latches would work properly. The last set by the tailgate are finicky, and it is much easier to close the cover first, then the tailgate, otherwise you have to put quite a bit of weight on the corners to get them to latch. One of the most important things to me was easy on and off of the whole thing including the rails (so I can put my Softopper on). I think now that I've done it once I could install the rails again more easily. I highly recommend a headlight while installing, even in bright daylight. Overall, I hope it works out well, but I admit I'm a bit skeptical. The Bakflip was just so easy on my Frontier. It's a shame the Bakflip for the Tacoma requires a different rail install, because if I knew how much easier it would be to just deal with that as opposed to dealing with these crazy Leer brackets I probably would have gotten the Bakflip. The drain tubes on the Bakflip really didn't bother me. I'll give this thing a go for just a bit but if after all the adjustments I'm not happy with it I may see what the return policy is and go back to the Bakflip

 

Let's say you're 100 miles from home and you want to purchase something that requires you to remove the entire cover for full bed access. How easy/difficult would that be? Would you need additional tools?

I'll be interested to see how this works out for you. My truck should arrive any day now and I'd like to get my cover on before winter. I'm torn on which to go with...

 

With the Leer, you don't have to remove the cover to fill the bed. It has a nice retainer that keeps the folded cover upright without touching the cab. If you did wish to remove it (and leave the rails), no tools are necessary, just like the Bakflip. If I can get this thing adjusted correctly I will like it. The quality of the seals, the lack of touching the cab when fully open and the lack of drain tubes are a plus. The difficulty in removing and replacing the rails to put something like a Softopper on once a year is not really a big deal, and probably a wash compared to the difficulty in removing the Bakflip with it's extra rail. The real advantage of the Bakflip (to me at least) is the latch system. Although the pinch release on the Leer is probably more secure, the pull wire on the Bakflip is pretty simple mechanics and parts, and I feel that the latches are better and higher quality. After a week or so of use I can give you a better idea of whether to go with the Leer or Bakflip...just send me a message to remind me

 

Same for me. If installed as a new truck extra it seems they install them with all the shims at the hinges. I had to remove a shim at all the hinges to get a tight flush fit.

 

Sold the factory one of FB marketplace. Some lucky dude is getting a screaming deal. Wish I could've sold it on here but I can't see either holding on to it for a couple months until I get 50 posts or posting nonsense 40ish times quickly just to get permissions. I get the intent of the rule but seems like there could be a better way. I bet there are all kinds of bs posts on this site just to get some people to 50. Anyway thanks for all the advice I've received much appreciated

 

In case you hadn't seen it (he broke it during install):

https://youtu.be/q-Gd49kDsoI?t=417

 

Lots of people complaining about those clips breaking or already being broken when received new. Also reading customer service is kinda slow.