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Factory Hard Shell Tonneau: Specs, Removal

pmoorse

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pmoorse Enthusiast

pmoorse

Posted
Posted

Just bought a new Sierra a few weeks ago, and I had the dealer install the factory hard shell tonneau while they were prepping it. I didn't get any instructions with it, so I have a few questions:

 

1. What's involved in removing it if I need to haul something tall? I ask only because it doesn't look completely obvious. Ideally there would be some kind of means for quick removal and reinstallation once the hardware is in place

 

2. Out of curiosity, does anybody know the limits for how much weight it can support? I don't plan on standing on it, but you never know...

 

3. Anybody have an idea how much wind it can withstand while it's open? It gets really windy here in Albuquerque, and the other day I had to open it during one of our freak dust storms but kept a firm grip on the handle. It seemed pretty stable, but who knows

ruggedlife Enthusiast

ruggedlife

Posted
Posted

never seen a factory one, however i install after market ones all the time, (are you 100 percent sure its actually factory?, alot of dealerships will ship it to an aftermarket store to have stuff put on) however, i would not put any weight on it, its probably just fiberglass, youll scratch the paint and risk crackin the fiberglass either where the weight is or further back by the hinges, most people dont take fiberglass coveres on and off, firstly they're heavy, secondly you have to find a place to store without getting it messed up, and lastly alot of times they will take quite a bit of tweakin to get them lines up andw working correctly again. and deffinitly dont drive with it open or even tied down, fully shut only, and use judgement on opening it during wind storms... keeping your hand on it probably is a good idea

pmoorse Enthusiast

pmoorse

Posted
  • Author
Posted
never seen a factory one, however i install after market ones all the time, (are you 100 percent sure its actually factory?, alot of dealerships will ship it to an aftermarket store to have stuff put on) however, i would not put any weight on it, its probably just fiberglass, youll scratch the paint and risk crackin the fiberglass either where the weight is or further back by the hinges, most people dont take fiberglass coveres on and off, firstly they're heavy, secondly you have to find a place to store without getting it messed up, and lastly alot of times they will take quite a bit of tweakin to get them lines up andw working correctly again. and deffinitly dont drive with it open or even tied down, fully shut only, and use judgement on opening it during wind storms... keeping your hand on it probably is a good idea

 

I guess the only time I'd ever put much weight on it would be leaning on it while trying to wash the middle of it, but even then it's not that much. I doubt I'd take it off except for really special occasions -- I like having it there, which is why I got it in the first place, but in the off chance that I need to haul something or take something home that won't fit underneath it it'd be nice to know how to take it off. Presumably I'd just set it in the garage until I got home and then put it back on. Maybe a utility trailer might be a worthwhile investment some day

 

As for there being an "official" hard shell tonneau cover, it's got a GM logo on the cover over the lock/handle, and it looks exactly like the one on this page:

http://www.gmaccessorieszone.com/GMC/2011/...2b_pi1[type]=gm

 

Here's the picture on this web site

6b72b8388e.jpg

  • 1 month later...
  • 1 month later...
pmoorse Enthusiast

pmoorse

Posted
  • Author
Posted
Check out page 7 of the instructions for how to remove.

 

 

I didn't get the instructions. Do you know a place online where I can find them? Any chance you could give me a short summary or post a picture of the page?

  • 3 months later...
11RadoDB New Member

11RadoDB

Posted
Posted
Check out page 7 of the instructions for how to remove.

 

 

I didn't get the instructions. Do you know a place online where I can find them? Any chance you could give me a short summary or post a picture of the page?

 

 

 

Did you ever locate this online? I just purchased a 2011 Chevy Silverado and had the dealership install the factory GM hard Tonneau Cover painted to match the truck and did not receive any instructions with it. I need to know how to remove mine as well when I need to haul something larger.

 

 

Help is greatly appreciated!

11RadoDB New Member

11RadoDB

Posted
Posted
Simply ask the dealer for info.....

 

 

I did when they were done installing it, I asked if they could show me how it came off...they told me it didn't that it was bolted to the bedframe and I could not take it off without a lot of hassle...thus I was hoping someone here could help.

  • 1 year later...
elZacho New Member

elZacho

Posted
Posted

Hey PMoorse, did you get the cover off by any chance? I'm looking to take mine off. I remember the dealership boasting the cover had a "quick release mechanism" for temporary removal of the cover but for the life of me, I dont see any info on it.

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