Starting a discussion on tonneau covers, there’s no way a Retrax cover won’t be on the list. Being one of the most popular tonneau cover brands, it definitely protects the cargo bed from harsh situations. Although they are made from quite good material and have excellent load capacity, they do throw some tantrums once given a chance.
You heard us! Being a Retrax bed cover owner doesn’t mean you will be traveling around stress-free. They do have specific problems. In such a scenario, one can either replace or repair the bed cover.
We recommend you give repairing the cover a few shots before turning up on replacement. But how? That’s precisely why we have got you this article. Look into 8 top Retrax bed cover problems and their solutions.
Retrax Bed Cover Problems:
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| Stuck With Frozen Latch | Use a silicone spray. |
| Sliding the cover | Head to the dealer or try using some lubricant. |
| Crack On The Cover | Get a replacement if the warranty is valid |
| Gets Painful For Earbud | Check for loose installation and fix it |
| Flapping Of Retrax Cover. | Repair the seal if they are damaged |
| Unfit locking mechanism | Tightens your lock system |
| Tonneau cover fitting issues | Measure the dimensions of the truck, or reinstall |
| Leakage from the Tailgate top | Try using a generic tailgate seal |
It’s time to finally have a look at the Retrax tonneau cover problem in detail.
8 Retrax Bed Cover Problems:
Stuck With Frozen Latch
Problem:
The Retrax latch has a plastic cover over it which allows the water to get in. Soon it freezes and leads to the dis-functioning of the center button to release the handle.
Reason:
The freezing of the latch is mainly due to a drop in temperature below zero degrees Celsius. Once there is water in the latch, low temperature leads to quick freezing.
Solution:
Nothing to worry about, though. We have got a trick or two up our sleeves. Here’s the deal. You just have to get a silicone spray. Silicone spray works well in repelling the water. You can also use the light pound method using an open fist.
Pro tip:
Haven’t got a silicone spray? You can use a portable heater and put it inside the closed bed. Wait, till the heat melts the frozen water. No matter what, do not forcefully open your truck cover.
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Sliding the Cover:
While some say it’s the installation that takes a toll on them, we beg to differ.
Problem:
If your Retrax bed cover has successfully given you a headache with stubbornness while operating, this one is for you!
Reason:
Sliding the cover back and forth is difficult and nearly impossible for someone who gives it a try with one hand. Of Course, bodybuilders do not fall for this reason!
Solution:
This is where your patience gets tested. After a few uses, you can expect your cover to work perfectly. But what if it doesn’t? Well, head to your dealer straight away!
Pro tip:
If you have to smoothen the back-and-forth movement immediately, try using some lubricant.
Crack On The Covers:
Be alert! There aren’t any warning signs for this one!
Problem:
Although there are lots of promises the brand has kept, durability is definitely not one of them. Your purchase might have been based on their market hype of extremely durable products. Yet we beg to differ.
Reason:
Don’t get us wrong; we are not dismissing their claim completely. Of Course, the cover will function perfectly for the first three years. However, for the money you have spent, we would say you deserve much more.
Solution:
If the warranty period for the product is still valid, you have definitely got lucky! You can take it to the dealer and get a replacement for your tonneau cover. However, if you have exceeded the warranty period, there won’t be any refund or replacement at all. Dangerous trouble of all! The best tip would be to get to the dealer once a single crack appears on your tonneau cover. By early awareness, you may still have the warranty years in hand.
Pro Tip:
Remove any rough or jagged edges with a pair of scissors, razor blade, or scalpel. This will allow them to rest flat and adequately respond to the repairs. With tweezers, place a canvas backing from a vinyl and leather repair kit behind the tear.
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Gets Painful For Earbuds:
Problem:
Once the Retrax tonneau cover is set free on the streets for a while, the cover might make crackling sounds every now and then.
Reason:
The most common reason for noisy Retrax covers is the improper installation of the cover. You can also expect such noises from cracks in your cover if it has already been damaged.
Solution:
The noise hits your ears once, and you get to work! Check for loose installation. If you find any, tighten the cover properly. Also, do check if the tonneau cover you have installed fits your cargo size perfectly.
Pro Tip:
You should also check to see if the seal is damaged and if the air is coming in beneath the cover, causing it to flap while moving.
Flapping Of Retrax Cover
Problem:
Every time you take a drive with your cargo, the Retrax cover keeps on flapping.
Reason:
Damaged or missing seals can cause constant flapping of a cover, allowing dust and water in and reducing the cover’s longevity, weakening its protection level.
Solution:
If the seal gets damaged, repair or replace the cover right away to prevent more damage. Repairing should be the first decision as it can restore productivity and save extra bucks.
Pro Tip:
You may successfully reduce flapping by providing sufficient tension. To discover how to change the tension of a tonneau cover, refer to the first section.
Unfit Locking Mechanism:
Problem:
You will undoubtedly have a classy look with the locking mechanism. Yet, we have often observed a pitfall that comes with the locking mechanism. On continuous usage of the tonneau cover, the lock gets worn off quite easily. Now, that’s problematic after all!
Reason:
The reason behind the worn-out tonneau cover might be a faulty installation procedure, rough usage, or forceful opening of the cover.
Solution:
Tighten your lock system as soon as you send the trouble coming your way. Although this might serve as a temporary solution, it’s worth putting in the effort.
Pro tip:
You can either replace the lock without spending a penny If you still have the warranty in your hand!
Tonneau Cover Fitting Issues
To suit a certain type of truck bed, Retrax tonneau covers are available in a number of sizes. Picking up a larger or smaller size than your cargo can lead to fitting issues.
Reason:
The installation process can be tough with getting a larger or smaller size. Even if you do install it, the durability of unmatched covers will decrease. You may get flapping of covers or even crack in them.
Solution:
The best thing to do is either measure the dimensions of the truck or follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. This will help you out with your purchase decision.
Pro tip:
Another important step in avoiding poor fit is proper installation. Check the hardware and the seal once you’ve correctly placed it; they shouldn’t be slack from any edge.
Leakage from The Tailgate Top:
Problem:
There is leakage from the Tailgate top after a few years of use. Even if you replace the rubber around the sides, there is still a gap at the top of either side of the tailgate.
Reason:
If your cover is leaking at the tailgate and you have already replaced some of the seals, the rubber seal that is linked to the cover itself is in poor condition.
Solution:
Replacing the pieces can help, but because that is not accessible as a separate part, the only option to replace it is to purchase a new cover portion for the tonneau cover.
Pro Tip:
The only other thing you could try is using a generic tailgate seal, but since it sounds like you already tried that, you may need to go with the new cover.
Retrax Bed Cover Uses and Maintenance
Problems might come up while using a tonneau cover, yet you can easily remove some pressure from your shoulder by maintaining your Retrax cover properly. Here’s how you can do so!
Cleaning:
Use mild soap to clean your Retrax bed cover. Make sure you give your Retrax bed cover a cleansing session at least once a week.
Glamour It Up:
Does your tonneau cover look dull after a few uses? Well, that’s because you haven’t paid attention to keeping it glamorous from the beginning. Even so, it’s not too late. You can restore the luster by polishing compounds followed by a non-abrasive Carnauba wax.
Retrax Cover Maintenance: Don’t for your Retrax cover:
- Gasoline is harmful to the Retrax bed cover. Make sure you never let them get in contact.
- Strong chemicals, even in your protectants, are a big no. They can deteriorate the Retrax cover’s durability over the years.
- Using cleaner or lubricants on the Retrax bed cover makes the warranty on them null and void. Yes, you heard us!
Worth Every Penny?
Every product has some shortcomings pinned onto them. You cannot expect a product to be completely flawless. Retrax bed covers have an extremely good capacity which is 500 pounds, among other advantages. If you have got the budget, then go for it!
FAQs:
Can you stand on the Retrax bed cover?
A normal tonneau cover has a capacity of 120 pounds, whereas, with a Retrax bed cover, you can enjoy a weight capacity of 500 pounds. Though theoretically, it can hold your body’s weight, we would still recommend you not to get on your cover. The reason is that they are best for handling distributed pressure.
Are Retrax covers waterproof?
Well, Retrax bed covers are definitely watertight, so we won’t give them a title of waterproof. They do resist bad weather and still manage to remain intact. Thanks to the drainage tubes installed on these tonneau covers!
Can a Retrax bed cover go through a car wash?
Some tonneau covers can withstand regular car wash, whereas others are prone to it. Speaking specifically about the Retrax tonneau cover, we would suggest you remove the cover before heading to a car wash.
Wrapping It Up:
You may encounter a number of issues if you use a tonneau cover on your truck. However, it is important to fully comprehend them and conduct some studies. Once you understand how it works, you can begin the repair procedure. With proper time-to-time servicing and maintenance, you can easily extend the life of your Retrax tonneau cover way more than expected.
