1 of 6
Don Tansem
Review - Flex cover by UnderCover Truck Bed Covers
2 of 6
Don Tansem
Review - Flex cover by UnderCover Truck Bed Covers
Three heavy-duty aluminum C-clamps are supplied for each side.
3 of 6
Don Tansem
Review - Flex cover by UnderCover Truck Bed Covers
The first rail on the left side with the drain hole to the front.
4 of 6
Don Tansem
Review - Flex cover by UnderCover Truck Bed Covers
The Flex cover in open position.
5 of 6
Don Tansem
Review - Flex cover by UnderCover Truck Bed Covers
Snug down the fasteners once everything is aligned and sealed.
6 of 6
Don Tansem
Review - Flex cover by UnderCover Truck Bed Covers
The Flex Cover comes with prop rods to keep it in the open position.
Story & photos by Jason Tansem and Don Tansem
Get the situation covered
I just received my "Under Cover Flex " truck bed cover. I had looked at the soft top cover, as well as the roll top cover and after analyzing the pros and cons, decided on the Flex. I'm somewhat of a handy guy and decided to install the cover myself. It's a sunny day in Kelowna and I'm going to start the install at 12:00. Going to allow myself four hours. Because at four o'clock it’s "Happy Hours"
The only tools required are a ratchet wrench with a ½-in socket and a sharp knife to cut the tough plastic straps.
I cut the multiple straps off the big box that had all the pieces for my Flex cover. Very well packaged and easy to understand instructions. There is a left and right rail, made from extruded aluminum. Each rail also has a drain hole. You attach the rails to the inside of the truck box, with three heavy-duty aluminum C-clamps that are supplied for each side.
I attached the first rail on the left side with the drain hole to the front. Butt the rail up to the front inside of the of the truck box side. Once you figure out how to hold the two-piece C-clamp, it was pretty slick how the clamp slid into the slot on the rail and the inside lip of the truck box. The rails even have "clamp here" stamped on to them, so there is no guesswork on clamp placement. I had to slide one clamp forward 2-in as there was a bolt in the way. No problem. I then attached the right side. I aligned the rails to fit flush with the top of the box. I used my ½-in socket and tightened all six clamps. This had taken 25 minutes.
I managed to get the one-piece folded Flex cover up onto the front of the rails. Life would have been a lot easier with a little help from my friends. I folded up the Flex cover and leaned it against the back window while I attach the cover brackets.
The brackets have a hold down clamp and hand tightened screw assembly that is attached to the bottom of the small front cover on each side. The folded cover leaning against the window gave me enough room to reach underneath the cover and lightly tighten the cover to the rails.
I now unfolded the Flex cover all the way to the back and completely covered the box. I moved the cover a little forward, then back again to get the right seal all the way around the cover and box lip.
I tried to convince my wife to climb into the back of the box with the idea to fasten the cover down and close the tailgate. Maybe lock it. This way she could see if there was any daylight shining through anywhere. Still walking with a bit of a limp.
I decided to use a garden hose instead and check for leaks. The manufacturer also included some extra rubber seal strips for any areas that don't quite seal. Once I had the cover aligned and the rubber seals nicely centred all the way around, I tightened down the two clamps at the front.
The install on my 2016 Dodge Ram 1500 went perfect in the hour and a quarter that it took to get the job done. Great product. Nice finish.