factory bed rail protectors

pm26 · December 1, 2006

I have a crew cab truck that came from the factory with bed rail plastic protectors that snap in. I want to install a hard folding cover which I bought some time ago, but I am reluctant to do so over the top of these protectors. Here is why:

1. The hardcover requires installation of black stick-on mouldings which the cover sits on, and stick-on rubber weather seals. These mouldings and weather seals would have to go on top of the plastic protectors, which have a grained finish, so I do not know how well would the 3M tape stick to this surface.

2. Also, the factory bed rail protectors are the snap in type, and I am worried about the additional weight of the cover on top causing scuffing of the paint underneath by the plastic protectors.

Would it be better to remove these protectors and stick the mouldings and seals directly to the bedrail tops? I think the tape would adhere much better.

What about the tailgate finned protector? Would it be bettterr to remove that one also and substitute it with a stick-on unfinned protector (GM accessory)? You have to do this when installing a camper shell, as the rear window of the shell will not clear the fin on the factory protector.

Anybody has installed one of these Advance cover hard folding covers on a crew cab 1500 series? If yes, did you remvoe the bed rail caps and the tailgate cap?

pm26 · December 1, 2006

Nobody?

ricko2 · December 1, 2006

I'd put the cover on over the caps for several reasons.

1: if the cover is designed specifically for that truck, it is designed to fit over the caps,

2: The top of the bed rails are not finished like the other beds, they are UGLY!

Tailagte cap? might have to replace it, depends on how the cover fits, I'm not familiar with that exact one...

Can you tell that I work for a truck accessory place?

Believe me, I've been to this barbeque before...

pm26 · December 2, 2006

I'd put the cover on over the caps for several reasons.

1: if the cover is designed specifically for that truck, it is designed to fit over the caps,

2: The top of the bed rails are not finished like the other beds, they are UGLY!

Tailagte cap? might have to replace it, depends on how the cover fits, I'm not familiar with that exact one...

Can you tell that I work for a truck accessory place?

Believe me, I've been to this barbeque before...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Are you telling me that they left the bed rail tops partially unfinished before they put the caps on at the factory? I will take one of mine off and take a look.

Actually,the cover can be installed both ways. The concern again is with the 3M tape not sticking well to the grained vinyl surface of the bed rail caps.

ricko2 · December 2, 2006

I'd put the cover on over the caps for several reasons.

1: if the cover is designed specifically for that truck, it is designed to fit over the caps,

2: The top of the bed rails are not finished like the other beds, they are UGLY!

Tailagte cap? might have to replace it, depends on how the cover fits, I'm not familiar with that exact one...

Can you tell that I work for a truck accessory place?

Believe me, I've been to this barbeque before...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Are you telling me that they left the bed rail tops partially unfinished before they put the caps on at the factory? I will take one of mine off and take a look.

Actually,the cover can be installed both ways. The concern again is with the 3M tape not sticking well to the grained vinyl surface of the bed rail caps.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yep, they don't smooth them out. Fairly rough surface, and lots of holes...

HawkeyeOC · December 2, 2006

When I had my '06 Crew Cab sprayed with line-x, they didn't want to remove the plastic rail caps. They don't look right when they are off. I got the same advice when I purchased a hard tonneau cover.

It's best to leave them on. I am sure the 3M will be fine on top of them.

fossil · December 2, 2006

Those bed protectors scuff your paint at the outer edge area. Dont' believe me, take them off and have a look. Mine were warping in the sun and I took them off instead of having it warrantied. Truck looks better without anyway. I noticed the paint starting to scuff, luckily some polishing compound took it off. I'd hate to see if they would have been on for a year what it would have done to the paint.

pm26 · December 2, 2006

Those bed protectors scuff your paint at the outer edge area. Dont' believe me, take them off and have a look. Mine were warping in the sun and I took them off instead of having it warrantied. Truck looks better without anyway. I noticed the paint starting to scuff, luckily some polishing compound took it off. I'd hate to see if they would have been on for a year what it would have done to the paint.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That's exactly what I am worried about. I have had bad experience with bedliners as far as paint scuffing. Even the sunroof deflector on my Mazda, which is made of rubber and sits on the roof, rubbed ALL of the paint off to the bare metal in several places after 6 years!

If I was installing a camper shell, the bed caps would definitely come off. Maybe instlaling some wide foam tape under the bedrail caps is tthe solution to prevent paint scuffing? i did this on the tailgate protector on my Nissan truck, becuase it too was scuffingg the clearcoat badly, despite the protector being firmly screwed to the tailgate. there is enough movement there as the bed flexes twhen driving to cause severe paint damage over period of time.