OK, figured someone would ask this by now, but they haven't so I will:

"What needs rivots??? Are you saying you had to drill holes in your truck to mount these covers??"

 

I am not sure on the number of rivets/holes in the bed. I would say at least 12. 2-3 in each side rail. And 4 in each of the main hangers.

 

I had to go and count them. There is a total of 20 that I could see.

 

20 HOLES!!! No wonder the manufacture didn't want me to install it. I figured there would be a couple of holes, but not 20.

The local dealer said that it would take about 1 hour to install. Does that sound right?

 

You had to ask!

It took almost 4 hours for my dealer to install it. However it was the first SuperCrew install they have done.

 

Sounds like I had better take a towel to mop up my tears as they turn my Screw in to swiss cheese.

 

I am still glad to have the cover.

 

Next question after comment - I have seen the roll up covers and noticed how much space is taken up on the sides due to the curved bed rails. Do these covers have the same type of "spacers" to compensate for the curves?? That is one thing that has turned me away from the roll up type because it is great you can get it out of the way, but your bed width is greatly reduced if you have anything taller than the bed.

OK, one more question - these holes I am assuming are in the side rails. If I ever decided to get rid of the cover, could I buy new rail caps to cover up the holes?? Just want to leave my options open.

Thanks for any help!!!!

 

I got so worried about the holes I totally forgot to ask more important questions about the cover.

1) How hard is it to fold up from the side of the truck?
2) How difficult is it to completely remove the cover?
3) Does it seem to be water tight?
4) What is left when you remove the cover? Does it eat up much bed space?

 

1. It folds easy.
2. A couple of screws on the main bracket and the cover is off.
3. The cover is not 100% watertight. The tailgate has a couple small gaps and same goes for the front corners.
4. No bed space is lost when removing the cover. The support brackets on the rails do stick out about 2 inches. Each bracket is about 3 inches long.

Keep in mind that if you currently use your bed rails, you will not be able to with the fold-a-cover because it has rails that mount to the ford bed rails(yes with rivets). You would scratch them up if you put something on them.

I will see if I can borrow a digital camera today to take some pictures and post them.

 

Sounds like we've all been dealing with the same questions on bed covers. The holes on the Fold-a-cover concern me also. Are these holes on the top of the plastic bed rails, or are they on the sides? Also does the Advance cover require as many holes, and where are they? Thanks for helping all of us that are still "shopping" with your experience and info. Bill D.

 

I have been wondering the same thing about these covers. It is a toss up between the Fold-a -Cover and the Advance.

After speaking with a dealer and doing some on-line research, it seems that the Advance cover does not have rails riveted to the bed rails like the Fold-a-Cover does. I have seen the Advance in person on a Screw, and if I remeber correctly, there was an adhesive gasket type material stuck to the plastis bed rails which formed the seal between the bed and the cover.

The Advance cover uses 6 (I think) rivets (or you could use bolts) on the side of the bed rail in the middle to hold the brackets/hinges but these are none in the top of the rails.

 

My truck is currently at the local dealer having a fold-a-cover installed. Sure hope I made the right decision. I will find out in 2 hours. I will post some pictures this weekend.

 

I know the Advance Cover has two panels that are stackable so you don't have to remove it completely. How many panels does the Fold-A-Cover have and are they stackable on the bed like the Advance?

 

I didn't get out the digital camera this weekend, but will post pictures soon.

The fold-a-cover has 4 sections (see fold-a-cover.com). To run with the cover open you fold the back 3 sections on to the first section behind the cab. There are 3 snapped straps that hold the folds in place. I really like to look of the cover. (The black cover matches my black truck.) I was a little discouraged about the weather proofing. There wasn't any between the front cover and the bed. The only place there was a seal was along the sides. Last weekend I worked with the local installer and added a seal to the front and over the rear corner posts in the bed. It is not completely water proof, but with the Bedrug liner, I think most items stored in the back will remain dry. Maybe I should say, I am sure that items in the back will remain dry, it is my wife that thinks things "MIGHT" remain dry.