American Tonneau Company manufactures tonneau covers for different types of pickup trucks. They construct soft, roll-up, hard, folding, retractable, stylish, and high-quality tonneau covers. This article is all about American tonneau covering problems and solutions.
In the USA, they are one of the top-selling companies with a best-seller rank for their well-known tonneau cover products. But unlike all other successful companies, there are some problems with the American tonneau covers.
Today I will analyze 5 common problems, reasons, and solutions for American tonneau covers. So, without wasting more time, let’s begin with our first problem.
Table of contents
Best Practices for Maintaining American Tonneau Covers
Maintaining your American tonneau cover is crucial for its longevity. Regular cleaning and inspection can prevent many common tonneau cover problems. Use a soft cloth and mild detergent to clean the surface, avoiding abrasive materials that can cause scratches.
Seal maintenance is another key aspect. Damaged or worn-out seals can lead to water leakage, one of the prevalent tonneau cover problems. Replace the seals periodically and ensure they are properly aligned to prevent water ingress.
Lastly, don’t overlook the mechanical parts. Hinges, latches, and locks require regular lubrication for smooth operation. Neglecting this can lead to tonneau cover problems like jamming or difficulty in opening and closing the cover.
What are the Most Common American Tonneau Cover Problems?
American Tonneau covers, known for their smoothest retractable action and double-walled aluminum construction, still face some issues. The most prevalent problem includes frame flex problems, where the cover may not align properly due to the truck bed’s flexing. This misalignment can lead to tire issues and convertible top problems, especially in models like the GMC Canyon 2nd generation.
Users on home forums and general discussion threads have reported gas mileage concerns, possibly due to increased drag from improperly fitted covers. Furthermore, issues with heavy-duty aluminum clamps failing to secure the cover adequately have been highlighted in new threads and existing user comments.
American tonneau cover durability problem and solution
The users of American tonneau covers have complained that they are made of low quality compared to others. And they also didn’t last long enough as expected. They also said that the cover is not much durable. For this reason, they could not use it for a long time.
Reason
The reason for this problem could be the material used in the cover was not a heavy-duty material, or the cover became damaged.
If the cover is not made of heavy-duty material, then it will not be able to provide long-lasting service. Or if the cover isn’t appropriately maintained and gets damaged, it will surely become less durable.
Solution
To prevent this problem, first, you have to check the complete details about the cover’s built material and if the cover is damaged or not.
If you find any damage that can reduce the durability of your cover, then you must repair it as soon as possible.
And you also have to take very good care of your cover regularly. In this way, you can add durability, and you will also be able to use the cover for a long time.
American tonneau cover Seal damage problem and solution
The customers who purchased the American tonneau cover and users may have faced this problem. Some users said the seal is made of poor-quality material, which is why it gets damaged.
They also complained that when the seal gets damaged, it breaks later, and then the cover becomes hampered. Water or dust gets inside from the broken seal and causes serious damage to the cargo.
Reason
This problem can occur for many reasons. For example, those seals come with the cover when you purchase the cover. When you receive the cover after purchasing, the seals may be already damaged due to bad packaging, or they can also get damaged while shipping.
After you get the seal, you will need to install it, and if you fail to install the cover properly, it can be damaged at that time. Another reason is when you are using it for some months, and you don’t maintain the cover properly or take good care, it can also be damaged easily.
Solution
To solve this issue, first of all, you need to buy the cover from a trusted marketplace, and after getting it you need to make sure that everything is fine.
After that, you have to install the cover carefully according to the instructions so that it doesn’t get any damage while installing. And finally, you must check regularly and properly maintain the cover by following the manufacturer’s instructions.
American tonneau cover Installation problem and solution
Most of the American tonneau covers don’t come with preassembled clamps which are used to make the installation process easy and fast. And because of that, this cover gets hard to install sometimes for some people who never used or installed a tonneau cover.
Sometimes it requires drilling and cutting holes to install the cover, and that’s when you will need extra tools for installing the cover. Which makes the installation process more complex compared to other tonneau cover installations.
Reason
The installation process becomes difficult for many reasons. The manufacturer creates different types of covers in various ways. That’s why all tonneau cover doesn’t come with the same features.
Some come with an easy installation system that doesn’t need drilling or extra tools, but some also require drilling. Sometimes it becomes hard to install the cover due to missing parts or a lack of proper installation knowledge.
Solution
The manufacturer has provided an easy solution to this problem. They created some easy instructions for installing the cover properly that come with the cover itself.
There are also a lot of videos you can find for installing the cover. By watching them and following the process step by step, you can install the cover independently without any trouble.
American tonneau cover Water leakage problem and solution
Water leakage has become a common problem for almost all tonneau covers. While heavy rain, this problem can be noticed mainly in the low-quality tonneau covers.
This problem can cause very serious damage to your cargo if you put something very important inside it.
Reason
There are many reasons for the water leakage problem, and one of them is the lack of watertight seals. If the cover doesn’t come with a watertight seal or drainage tubes, then water will surely get inside your cover and cause damage.
Another reason can be broken or damaged seals. After using the cover for a long time, the cover can be damaged, and the seal could break for many reasons. And when the seal breaks, water gets a way to come in.
Solution
To protect your cover from water leakage problems, you can follow some instructions provided by the manufacturer. You can add extra seals to make the cover waterproof.
You must check for holes or any spot where water can enter and then try to close them all. If the cover gets any kind of damage anyhow, then you must measure the damage and repair it as soon as possible.
And you should test your cover sometime after installing it to see if any water is leaking inside the cover.
American tonneau covers Flapping problems and solutions
Another common problem for every tonneau cover is flapping. This problem is very annoying because it makes different kinds of noise while driving and sometimes they are very loud when you drive at a higher speed.
This problem can cause your cargo to be damaged because it makes the cover open and from where water and dust may come inside the truck’s bed.
Reason
A tonneau cover is made to keep to keep the cargo safe and protected, so the cover needs to be installed perfectly. But if it isn’t installed perfectly or doesn’t fit with the bed, the flapping problem will surely occur.
If any of the cover’s seals are broken, air will get under the cover and cause flapping.
Solution
To prevent the flapping problem, first, you need to check the bed and cover sizes. If they don’t match, you must look for the perfect match.
After you find the perfect size, you have to install the cover very carefully and perfectly, and for that, you can follow the instructions the manufacturer gives.
When you complete your installation, do a test drive and check for any noise or flapping. The flapping problem can occur anytime, even after using the cover for a year, so you must check regularly.
How to Avoid American Tonneau Cover Problems?
To prevent common American Tonneau cover problems, proper installation and maintenance are crucial. First, ensure that the general tech technical issues are addressed during installation. This includes checking for frame flex problems and ensuring the heavy-duty aluminum clamps are fastened correctly. For models like the GMC Canyon, ensure that every inch of the cover fits perfectly.
Regularly visiting home forums and reading blog entries can provide insights into new items and maintenance tips from top contributors. Additionally, monitoring new posts and general discussion contact forums can help you stay updated on American Tonneau’s advanced user tagging v330 and other existing user experiences.
American Tonneau Cover Installation Guide
Installing an American Tonneau cover involves a few critical steps to ensure smoothest retractable action and gas mileage efficiency. First, align the cover with your GMC Canyon or similar model, ensuring no frame flex problems are apparent. Attach the heavy-duty aluminum clamps securely, as discussed in general tech technical issues on online search forums.
Ensure the wider side rail seals are properly in place, as this prevents convertible top problems and enhances durability. New member introductions in home forums often include installation tips, so consider these resources. Also, check the statistics hottest threads for any new unread posts or new showcase comments regarding installation challenges or tips.
American Tonneau Cover Maintenance and Care Guide
Maintaining your American Tonneau cover is essential for its longevity and functionality. Regularly clean the cover, especially the double-walled aluminum construction, to prevent dirt accumulation. Check the heavy-duty aluminum clamps and wider side rail seals periodically to ensure they are tight and intact.
Be aware of general concerns like frame flex problems, which can be mitigated through routine inspections. General discussion forums and posts blogs can be excellent sources for maintenance and care guide advice. Engaging with existing users and top contributors in these forums can provide valuable insights into new items and care techniques.
American Tonneau Cover Safety Tips
Safety is paramount when using American Tonneau covers. Always ensure the cover is securely fastened with its heavy-duty aluminum clamps to avoid tire issues or accidents. Be cautious of frame flex problems, particularly in GMC Canyon models, which might affect cover stability. Storage facility conditions should be ideal to prevent damage to the double-walled aluminum construction.
Regularly participating in home forums and general discussion contact can keep you informed about new threads discussing safety tips and existing user experiences. Also, keep an eye on user alert systems for any recalls or safety notices related to American Tonneau covers.
Conclusion
In conclusion, addressing American Tonneau cover problems effectively requires a blend of awareness, preventive measures, and regular maintenance. Understanding the common issues, such as frame flex problems, tire issues, and convertible top problems, particularly in models like the GMC Canyon 2nd generation, is the first step towards ensuring a long-lasting and efficient tonneau cover. Proper installation and meticulous care, guided by resources from home forums and expert blog entries, play a crucial role in avoiding these problems.
Regular participation in general discussion forums and keeping an eye on new posts and existing user feedback can provide invaluable insights into the latest maintenance tips and safety guidelines. Utilizing the advanced user tagging v330 system and staying updated through search forums search images can further enhance the user experience.