Rugged Liner E-Series Tonneau

So, I was in the market for a hard top tonneau cover with good water resistance and the ability to completely install or remove quickly. I don't plan on keeping this on my truck for long periods of time, but wanted something I could use on long trips to give some security and weather protection to my gear in the back. Also important to me is ability to install with ZERO mods to the truck bed. If tools were required for install, I wasn't interested.

So I ended up the Rugged Liner E-Series. I'm not entirely sure what the difference is between the E series and the Premium, but it appears that the only differences is panel thickness and LED lights. I don't need the lights, so I took a flier.

My first impressions are very good. It did go on quickly, and with no tools (OK, not entirely, as you use a provided hex wrench to tighten down the rail inserts). Again, not sure how it compares to the Premium, but the panels are plenty rigid and strong. I'm pretty sure I could walk on top, but haven't tried. Fit and finish is good, and overall it is very well designed.

Installed, closed:


The back end has a gasket (not visible) that seals to the tailgate. As you can see, the corners do not overlap the bed corners, as some have reported with the Premium:


The front end has a gasket and also a rubber sweep to keep water from running into the bed:


The latches fold into the panel themselves when not in use to make fold up and storage easy. I really like the fact that the hardware stays with the panel (aside from the rail brackets). They are not visible when closed or in open mode. Only during folding:


When it is folded up, you can latch the panels together and drive with it partially covered:


Inside the bed, there are 4 aluminum brackets that slide into the bed rail system. There is a hex key to tighten them down. They install and are removed in under 5 min. Overall, it's a very clean system:




I haven't given it the highway test or hard rain test, but will post updates here once I do.

Here is the manufacturer website:
https://www.realtruck.com/rugged-liner-e-series-hard-fold-tonneau-cover/R185585P2018Y608MA.html

 

nice. i like it

 

I have a Premium and also the E- Series. You are spot on. The only other thing missing from the E that is on the Premium is the backup tether that connects the tonneau to D-Rings in the bed to prevent it from flying off just in case the rail inserts fail. I'm thinking of rigging up a similar tether to my E- Series cover.

 

Nice. I have the Premium and I like it a lot. When I first installed it I didn't tighten the clamps down hard enough and the whole cover actually slid about 3 inches off the side. So make sure you really tighten those suckers down good. Haven't had any issues since.

 

That’s a good idea. I think I’ll do the same.

 

I just made some adjustments to my Premium and noticed that the Premium also has dual grub screws per rail insert and locknuts that prevent the front screws from unthreading. The front bolts are longer to allow for the lock nuts as well.

 

So after a week, it’s held up to my daily commute. No movement at all, even in speeds up to 85. I did notice that it settled a little after initial install and needed a re-tightening a few days in.

We had a hard rain today and after an hour of driving in hard rain, only a few small trickles got in. And nothing made it’s way to the floor of the bed.

I’ll be taking it on a 10 hour road trip next week.

 

I'm in the market for a tonneau & am considering this one. A lot cheaper than the MX4 that I really want. Thanks for sharing!

 

About to pull the trigger on this one - any other regrets??

 

Nope, still very happy with it!

 

Same one rough country sells for $600 and free shipping on their website.

https://www.roughcountry.com/toyota...MIoLXr36f34wIVFb3sCh13rwxZEAQYASABEgJ51PD_BwE

I bought it a few months ago, worked out great!

 

Just ordered one. Thanks.

 

Do you happen to know the depth of the bed with the cover closed ?

Thanks!

 

can you take pics of the rear where it meets the top of the tail gate? Is there a gap there?

 

It rests on top of the bed sides and spans across, so it’s basically the depth of your bed, unimpeded (except for the 4 attachment points at the sides, but they are minimal).

 

I don’t have mine on at the moment, but there is no gap. It has a gasket there and seals to the top of the tailgate when you close the tailgate.

it looks like a gap in the photo above, but there is a rubber seal behind the lip.

 

Hi all, first time truck owner here with a Pro ‘19. Just installed the same hard cover from Rough Country. Pleased with the look overall. Kinda had to split the differences for front to back alignment. Initially aligned to be closer to the cab as instructions showed, but was short almost half an inch at the tailgate. But once adjusted, gaps were covered both ends. It’s apparent where water will make its way in with direct wash or heavy rains but hoping it’ll do the job for the most part. Will update after first rain..Happy Holidays all!

 

I set the cab side so that the rubber lip runs completely over and slightly down into the gap between truck and bed. Have had no significant water issues installed that way.

 

Good to know, thnks. Also Bought a watertight cargo bag from Amazon to throw in the bed with a our luggage for added insurance during holiday travels.

 

Great info, thanks all. Looking into getting this as well. Any current updates from anyone? How has it held up?