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The Electric Slide

Pace Edward's Power Tonneau Cover
By Calin Head
Photography by Calin Head
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The first part of the install was to run the supplied wiring harness; Shaughn ran it into the stake pocket hole, down the frame, and up the firewall to the electrical center under the hood.
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The end in the bed has a preinstalled plug on it, so pull all the excess into the engine compartment.
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The tonneau unit is set into the bed and supported with a little step stool. The electronics and the tonneau slats (like a roll-up garage door) are ready to go.
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Next, the side rails are installed; these are the tracks that the tonneau itself runs in.
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This is where friends come in handy because as they are slid forward, the tonneau has to be fed into the rails
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Here are the clamps that Pace Edwards designed. They feature a pivot point to provide a firm hold on the rails without the need to drill holes.
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The clamps index into a channel that runs the length of the side rails.
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Since most truck beds are tapered and the tonneau is straight, Pace Edwards sends one set of adjustable-clamp-style shims and some flat stock so you can square up the bed.
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Now the clamps are snugged up.
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The rails are lined up with the tailgate.
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Next, the brain is mounted to the side of the main box with two-sided tape. This piece of equipment controls the tonneau's opening and closing; it features a safety overload switch inside that will stop the motor if something interferes with the operation or when the cover contacts the tailgate.
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With that, it's time to hook up the power.
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Shaughn cuts the excess off the harness and hooks up the power and the ground per the instructions.
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The last step is to install the lid that covers the mechanism and make sure all the clamps are tight.
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With just a push of the alarm-style key fob, the tonneau slides open. The cover can be stopped at any position, and thanks to the powdercoat finish, it will stand up to Mother Nature.

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