A bed cover installation can greatly improve the look, security, and aerodynamics of a truck. But despite these benefits, many people feel uncertain about how long it takes to install a bed cover on their truck.
The answer is that it depends on the type of bed cover you purchase and the difficulty of the installation. Generally, it will take somewhere between 1-4 hours for an experienced do-it-yourselfer to install a bed cover on their truck.
If you opt for a soft-style tonneau cover, like a roll-up or folding cover, they are usually the quickest to install and can be done in as little as one hour. These covers are made from vinyl or fabric, and use straps or snaps to attach to your truck’s bed rails.
Many times these covers come preassembled and premeasured so that you don’t have to worry about making any adjustments before installation.
A hard tonneau cover generally takes longer to install than soft covers due to its heavier build and more complex design. Hard covers are typically made from aluminum or fiberglass and have more components that have to be assembled together before being mounted onto your truck’s bed rails. While these covers often require some cutting or drilling for best fitment, they also offer better security than soft covers due to their harder materials.
For those who aren’t comfortable with DIY installation of a bed cover, there are professionals who specialize in installing them for a fee. It’s important to note that this will increase the cost of the project significantly but may be worth it if you’re not confident in your own abilities.
Conclusion:
Overall, installing a bed cover on your truck can be done quickly by an experienced do-it-yourselfer in as little as one hour or take up to four hours depending on the type of cover chosen. Those who prefer professional installation should note that this will add significantly onto the cost of the project.