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An automotive enthusiast who finds pleasure in simplifying life for car owners and upcoming mechanics with timely and useful expert tips.
Gator Trax tonneau covers are among the most used truck bed covers that protect the bed and load, impressively being locked at any position. But you may face some Gatortrax tonneau cover problems due to the consistent use, heavy loads, and lack of maintenance skills.
Following that, we will discuss some major Gatortrax truck bed problems and teach you how to fix them. Despite that, you will learn some maintenance tips for the Gatortrax tonneau cover to avoid those problems.
A few common problems with Gatortrax tonneau covers
No matter how high quality your Gatortrax tonneau cover is, using it consistently lowers its durability and brings some problems over time.
You may face issues right after installing the tonneau, especially if you have done it incorrectly. Some common difficulties with Gatortrax tonneau covers are:
Let’s learn why these problems occur and how to fix them to enjoy the perfect security of the truck beds and their loads for a long time.
After installing your gator roll-up tonneau cover, it may seem to be a little tight. So you should adjust the tension. Look across the tonneau cover and you will find a kind of raised edge. The reason is the tonneau was pulled so firmly.
For adjustment, first, release the trigger latch, then roll it up to the ball end and you will find a tension block. Cover up the tonneau all the way so you can see all of the mechanisms properly.
You will get a clip that needs to be pulled out. You can now adjust the tension. If you find the lockset in three, make it four. You will find that the headrail can now smoothly slide back through the tension block. It will reduce some of the tension on that cover.
Now reinstall the clip on both sides. Remember, tension needs to be the same on the side of the driver and the passenger’s side. Finally, roll down your gator tonneau cover to the tailgate. Line it up and lock it down. Now you should have a nice and tight tonneau cover.
The tension is now set at four and it is the least amount of tension. If you need to tighten it again, you can lower the setting incrementally to get even tighter.
Whether you are using Gator FX three or FX five covers, sometimes the tonneau fills up with some water. This water then drains out between the tailgate and the truck bed.
But if the truck is lifted, leveled, or sitting on unlevel ground, the trackback along the bottom of the rail can prevent that from happening.
If you have a little bit of your bulkhead seal leftover, you can just cut a small piece and clean off the bottom with alcohol. Then install that piece with the grooves going inside the side and just set it.
That way, when water comes out, it drops straight down. It’s not going to come back and then track back along the bottom. Do that to both sides, and you’re all done.
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After installing your brand new tonneau cover, apply the first layer of cleaner to it. This is not only going to clean it but also keep it protected.
Very conservatively, spray a little bit of the tunnel cleaner on a microfiber cloth. And then wipe it onto the cover. Now you want to use a special Tonto cleaner. You don’t want to use anything like armor oil that is petroleum or silicone-based. That’s actually very bad for the vinyl.
Following a circular pattern Spray directly onto the cover, getting a little bit of solution on there. And then take a soft-bristled nylon brush and work in a circular motion just to loosen that up before it dries. You want to wipe it all down and then go over it once more. You should get a nice, very thin layer, and that’ll take care of your tonneau cover.
Read More: Can You Use A Truck Tent With A Tonneau Cover?
Trucks are run at extremely high speeds, and this speed cuts the air in an aerodynamic shape to lower the drag.
But while driving at a higher speed, you can also hear noises that can cause fitting issues. A well-fitted tonneau cover shouldn’t make noises, no matter how high the speed the truck is running at.
After hearing the noise, your first step should be to check the fit of the cover. Troubleshoot it immediately if possible before the damage is complete. However, some large-sized tonneau covers make noises.
This problem mostly occurs in soft tonneau covers. The low tension of the tonneau is responsible for it. But don’t be concerned, you can solve this problem immediately by adjusting the tension of the cover. The tension remains on one side of the cover.
By applying proper tension, you can eliminate the flapping successfully. Follow the first section to learn how to adjust the tension of a tonneau cover.
Read More: Can You Sleep Under A Tonneau Cover?
Some Routine Maintenance of the Gatortrax Tonneau Cover
Routine maintenance is the key to having long service from the tonneau cover and avoiding those difficulties. Below is some routine care:
Operate the tonneau properly
It may sound silly, but incorrectly operating a tonneau ruins its productivity. Each tonneau comes with specific instructions that suggest the proper way to handle it.
For example, if you have a hard-rolling TruXedo tonneau, you shouldn’t slide cargo over its surface. Likewise, storing cargo on the top of the cover damages its structure.
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Periodically check the tonneau to see whether it is securely attached to the truck bed or not. Carefully inspect the front header guide-slides and clamps to make sure they remain firm.
Apart from the safety, this practice will prevent plenty of problems, including keeping the clamps from moving around, getting bent, scraping up, or damaging the full tonneau.
Check the rear latch closures
You should inspect the rear latch closure regularly because dirt and grime can accumulate and cause jamming and prevent it from moving properly.
If it has already happened, clean the area, and lubricate it with silicone spray periodically. But make sure the spray doesn’t get on the tonneau cover.
Read More: Best Hard Tonneau Cover For F150
Remove snow and ice gently
After cleaning the ice or snow, treat the cover as you would your vehicle. Use a brush or broom to clear the cover gently instead of applying a sharp tool.
Reduce the dust-tracking marks
You should also wipe out the rubber slat end-caps, side rail surfaces, and the downside of the tonneau. This practice will reduce the dust tracking marks that are usually seen during rolling the cap up.
Read More: Best Roll Up Tonneau Cover For F150
Some DIYers suggest plugging air holes in the vehicle construction boxes to reduce excess dirt and dust buildup in the truck box.
FAQs About Gatortrax Truck Bed Cover Problems
Can I Go Through The Carwash While Keeping The Gator Soft Tonneau Cover Installed?
The soft tonneau cover usually withstands the regular car wash that uses brushes. But some soft tonneau cover producers recommend removing the cover before washing the car.
How To Prevent The Tonneau Cover From Flapping During Driving?
While installing the tonneau cover, make sure all the screws remain evenly tight. If the cap is left loose, it can get stretched due to the changing temperature. This stretch will then cause flapping of the tonneau cover.
How To Make Your Gatortrax Tonneau Cover Look New?
Park the truck in the shade while cleaning instead of direct sunlight, because the sunlight can dry the cleaner on the surface. Then clean the gunk away and hose off. Finally, apply a vinyl rejuvenator to retain the shiny look of your gatortrax tonneau cover.
The GatorTrax tonneau cover can do a tremendous job of ensuring impressive protection for the truck bed, keeping the cargo dry and safe. These are also highly durable, functional, and can hold their max weight, making them popular among truck owners.
But the GatorTrax tonneau cover exposes the hard environment and withstands heavy use continuously, resulting in some issues, likewise others.
But it doesn’t mean you can’t fix those GatorTrax problems and it’s a hard job. By now you have got some of the most common GatorTrax tonneau cover problems and tips to solve them so you can enjoy the top-notch performance of your truck bed cover.
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