The pics aren't the best, but hopefully they help if you try to build your own. It's awkward climbing between the bed and cover trying to snap pictures. Took the cover off so you can see the internal parts.


Added some notes to the last picture to try to make sense of what you're looking at.

 

Wow! Your a prince! Thanks for the great pics and explanations. I think I can make something that will work with that!

 

No problem! After looking at it again the only difference looks like it would be that you need to add a little cord to pull that link.

 

Yep, had that box open today, just got to crimp a cable and make a pretty handle! Thanks a million!

 

I just wanted to add my latest updates about this cover. If I could do it over again...I would NOT! Its still a great cover, but I'm finding out its not going to suit my needs. Anyone watching the weather knows the northeast is getting pounded every couple days with snow for the past month. The ice and snow bind up the rails and I can not use the cover. I even make sure its all cleaned off , but the ice gets inside the side rails. Currently, the cover can only close half way, its snowing now, and we are supposed to get 12" + tomorrow night. Bed will be full of snow. Won't be able to put helmets and snowmobile clothes in bed with out Puerto Rican suitcase (plastic bags). Not impressed. Oh well, it was only 1300 bucks, right? Dohhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Anyone use that one that pops up at top of the website? It's a hard tonneau, but sectional. Looks like you just fold up the sections. Ad usually pictures it on a sport trac.

 

Oh, man -- that sucks. Although I now live where it never snows, my first thought when I saw this thread was "I wonder how that thing will work when it's packed with snow and ice?". Too many years spent in WI and IA, I guess.

Sounds like its a "fair weather cover"... Someone down South will buy it off you, I'm sure.

 

Too much invested to sell it. Just gotta deal with it. And the rest of the time, its a great cover, so I'll deal with it.

 

Boy am I glad I saw this before I bought a retractable cover. I just got new truck today and I want to get a cover quickly. I'll have to check out some other types.

 

Wittom...I feel bad complaining about it. It is a great cover, but if you use it in the winter and don't have access to a heated garage to thaw it if it gets stuck, you will get agrivated. It was 35 degrees today for the first time since newyears, and I got it closed (only been stuck open for a couple days) So I've got mixed feelings on it. Ofcoarse, I'm driving back up to maine today, and the bed is now full of wet snow, so the luggage goes in the back seat with the poor dog. I do love the cover, but I don't know if it was the way to go. Kinda like Pam Anderson...ya she's hot, but she's got the hep!

 

How could you be the first person with this problem. I've read alot of posts and never read about this problem. I just bought the same cover but haven't installed it yet. We are getting pounded in NJ as well, but this is a rare winter.

 

Guys, when buying from autoanything.com, NEVER buy without using least a 15% discount code. Normally this discount only applies if you spend $150 or more. I have been all over this site looking for ins and out. I found a little cheat on their discount codes. make sure you have a account and you are logged in on their website. Add an item to your cart, but do not buy, wait a day. They will email you a discount code for 10% ie: PBEA3(real code 10% off) after doing some fiddling with it. I changed out some of the letters with other letters. I found that changing out the "A" and putting in a "B" in the code and it gave me a 15% instead of 10% discount, and this will work on any items at any time and without a minimum purchase. I have done this with a different code and it seems the 4th letter is the key to changing the discount code. Hopes this helps in getting things cheaper. I do not know if this is a one time code so use PBEB3 soon as possible. I hope they do not see this post and change their codes around. lol

 

I have had this same cover on a Tacoma for years and never had an issue until this winter. Of course I live in Georgia where it never snows... or almost never.

This cover has been great... I have seen most all the brands up close and this is by far the best retractable cover on the market.

However.... I learned very quickly that when it has ice or now on top... DO NOT ATTEMPT TO OPEN!!!

It will get stuck and will not go either way.

Now with that said... I just bought a new 2011 Platinum today and more than likely I will be installing the exact same cover on it.

I have consididered the Bakflip but only because it was cheaper not because it was better. Think about it... if the backflip is covered with snow or ice are you really going to flip it over? I doubt it.... just deal with getting your stuff out through the tail gate.

I had a fiberglass tonneau on a 2004 F150 a few years ago and while it was great at keeping things dry and safe... even more so than the retractable it was impossible to haul something tall like a bicycle or 4 wheeler.

Maybe the ARC is not the perfect top for you northern folks but for us southerners it seems like the best option.

Greg

 

Also glad I read this.... I was almost sold on the ARC. I live in MN and park the truck on the driveway outside... I imagine alot of guys might get to garage their truck and never run into this issue, but it's huge for me. I'll go ahead and assume this is the same problem for all the roll top retractables too (retrax, jackrabbit, rollbak, etc...) - just not a great solution for this in that style.

I think the solid fold is where I'm at now. I like the bakflip, but the option to close the tailgate while the top is down isn't there.

Thanks for the good info here everyone.

 

I've had an ARC retractable cover for 4 years. Over the last year or so, the cloth strips under the cover have fallen off. I think it may be due to heat build up or the adhesive has just run its course. As a result, the cover now leaks pretty badly. I have had a problem with the lock freezing. Finally, the cover has tendency to open when driving over rough terrain. I could live the many of the problems, but not the leaking. I am now in the market for a cap to replace it.