Tacoma hard tri-fold modification

I have a Tacoma hard tri-fold cover. I do a lot of fly fishing and often want to haul the rods without separating the sections. I have suction cup mounts that are typically put on the hood and roof. I don't want to scratch my paint.

I would like to rivet flat (no texture) painted metal to the trifold cover for me to mount the suction cup mounts onto. This would require me to drill holes in the tri-fold cover. If I would apply a small amount of silicone caulk with the rivet, would this cause a problem?

I don't want to ruin the cover.

 

Seems like you would be fine if you position the holes to avoid mechanisms on the under-side of the cover. I would think the rod holders would make folding the cover a challenge.

 

The idea would be to open the rear slider, place the full length (10 ft) rod thru the open window, then attach to the suction cup mount. Suction mount would only be in place while hauling the rods. Then would be removed so I can fold the cover if needed.

I wasn't sure what the cover is made of and if water would leak and cause damage to it.

 

Can't see anything wrong with that idea as long as you silicone round the holes and the base of the plates, you might want to put and equal sized plate on the under side just to disperse the pressure, I'm not to certain what the material between layers is or if it might compress under tension from the rivet. Or maybe I over thought it, either way I may try the same route in the future!

 

What about a set of bed bars that go above the toneau?

https://www.kbvoodoo.com/shop/toyot...-use-with-tonneau-covers-fits-years-2005-2016