2022 Retrax ProXR Install

I thought I would share my install of the Retrax ProXR on my 22 today.
HEADLINES:
=> I really like this cover... many advantages over folding ones. Very sturdy, rolls smoothly. Very secure.
=> Install went very smoothly and there were no fitment issues. Took about 2 hours but could probably do a second one in under an hour.

Some things you might find useful:
1. Other trucks require some big bulky clamps to stabilize the rails of the XR which include the T-Slot track. Not the Tundra! The clamps they supply are compact and unobtrusive and utilize the factory bed rail system. (I had to call the factory about this because the documentation was not clear on this one point)

2. I decided to modify the drip tubes in order to minimize the chance of damaging them and to maximize the usable space under the Retrax canister. I bought some nylon 1/2" elbows at the hardware store and routed the tubes out the front of the bed, as high as possible. You need to use a 9/16" bit for the tube hole, but drill a pilot hole first. Watch out where you drill, there are some interference points between the bed and the cab you need to avoid. The supplied tubing fit tight on the barbed elbows, but I wrapped them with electrical tape so I didn't have to look at the white plastic. By doing this mod I now have 7" of clear space all the way to the front of the bed... plenty of room for sheets of plywood or drywall.

3. I cut a redwood 2x8 to 62" and have set that in the bed wall detents as protection for the Retrax canister...in case I have to slam on my brakes and the cargo comes hurtling forward. It is easy to remove when I want that space for storage.

Very happy with my purchase and self-install. Here are some photos:

 

Thanks for the review/ guide, after seeing this i just got one ordered for myself!!

 

Excellent - thanks! This will help me. I expect to use this in the next couple of weeks - I pick up my truck tomorrow and will order this Retrax directly after

 

I like this a lot and think this is the route I’m going.

How are the locks?

Does the tailgate open easily with the tonneau on?

 

if i have a 6’5 or 8 feet bed, I will get a retractable for sure.

but for 5.5, the canister takes too much bed space

 

Looks great! I really like it.

What made you decide to use redwood for the board?

 

Looks great. I have a similar Pace Edwards retract on my Tacoma and I love it. One thing I would change on yours is to replace the electrical tape on the hose fittings with screw or spring clamps, zip ties, or best of all Oetiker clamps.

 

1. The only downside with with Retrax, and it is a small one for me since I park in a garage, is that you have to lock with a separate key. I basically don't plan to lock it unless I have something valuable in it or am traveling and parking overnight somewhere sketchy. The lock works smoothly and on takes a few seconds to operate, so no big deal. But I know some other covers are locked in place when the tailgate is up and I wish the Retrax had the same feature. (But then you would need to lower the tailgate to open the cover, so I guess that is a tradeoff)

2. The tailgate swings down and up easily with the cover closed. However when you use the bump switch on the taillight, the gate releases but does not swing down due to the friction of the seal of the Retrax on the top of the gate. However a gentle nudge on the gate and it will swing down. I haven't used that bump switch yet and don't think I will...seems like a gimmick. When using the normal tailgate latch you there is basically no noticeable change in the operation of the tailgate.

 

I thought about that, but since those buggers went on the barbed fitting so damn tight (I warmed the tubing a bit to get them to go on), and any water in the tubing will be at zero psi, I did not see a need for clamps or zip ties. Once they are on you could not pull that tubing off the barbed fittings. The tape is purely cosmetic.

 

That is what I had on hand! (other than the fact that is is rot resistant to boot)
The bed detents fit any 2x8 (7.5" wide) board

 

Yeah, I don't have any clamps on mine. I was wondering that if you had tape maybe the tubing was loose.

 

My Pace Edwards also has external key lock which is actually not a bad feature. You'd be in a real bind with those others if the tailgate lock got jammed. With the separate cover lock you can still open the cover and get at the back side of the tailgate to unjam or fix the lock. I know, not an issue now on a new truck. But not bad to "be prepared".

 

^^

 

I have had this happen on an old truck with a backflip. Once was mechanical and ended up at the shop to get fixed. The other time was ice up and I had to warm the area up but lost some of the seal.

 

I just had my Retrax pro installed.
Anyone know how water resistant they are going into a car wash?
Also what type of maintenance should be done. I didn’t see much online

 

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