Hey Bakflip, get some real installation instructions!

I've read in various places on these forums and elsewhere about how bad the installation instructions are for the Bakflip, and after wrestling with my HD for a couple of hours, I agree. Granted, installing the Bakflip is not open-heart surgery, but how long have these guys been in business? Can't they just produce installation instructions like the rest of the world does for much less complex tasks like assembling a TV cabinet? Step-by-step. Illustrations with arrows. List of parts. Is this too much to ask?

One other gripe: Couldn't they, after years of feedback about the unifinished look of the sawn off rail ends, just seal them with some plastic thing or at least paint them black? It just looks shabby and for the price of the cover, it shouldn't be left this way.

Below are a few observations for those who shouldn't need to learn the hard way what to do.

1. Though the label on the weatherstripping that comes with the cover says that it's for beds without a liner, in the case of the Tacoma that has the factory liner, this is not true and you need to use it. Since the sides of the bed are higher up than the cab wall, you need to put the weather stripping along the cab wall. BUT, MAKE SURE TO LAY THE WEATHER STRIPPING DOWN BEFORE PUTTING IN THE RAILS, since the stripping is notched at either end for the rail to sit on top of it.

2. Take the plastic, Toyota retaining clips off the end of the bedrails before putting the three square headed bolts into each track on the side rails, you'll need every inch of room, especially at the bed end of the rail.

3. When tightening the three bolts on each side to attach the rails, don't overtighten the bolts. Since the rails are notched instead of having drilled holes, having an open side means if you overtighten, you can bow/distort the rail and have it lift up from the bed side. This is especially true for the bolt at the rear of the bed.

 

Aside from installation issues, how do you like your Bakflip? I'm considering one for my 2011.

 

I like it. Low profile, seems to hold out water pretty well. Lots of people have rigged the drain tubes in lots of ways, but I ran them out the little side racks by drilling a hole in the plastic and letting it run out over the wheel well. Seems to work.

Still some fit and finish that could be improved (e.g., raw, unpainted rail ends at the back). Also, don't love that it uses the built-in cargo rails for mounting, since I can't then use them for cargo-divider, etc.

Overall, I'd recommend it, but have never owned another (always had truck caps) so take it for what it's worth.

 

When you say "Seems to hold water pretty well" what do you mean? only a few drops of water come in, or quite a bit but not a problem for you, cause this is the tonneau that i am thinking of buying for my wife but not the HD i wanna buy the G2

 

I have the G2. Get it! You won't regret it. I never have any water in my bed. You can easily remove the cover if you ever need too.

Very secure, strong and water tight.