The timing could not have been more perfect. In order to install the Billie Bars for the rooftop tent I needed to take the bed cover apart and reinstall it.
The whole process of installing the cover and the Billie Bars took about 3 hours. The installation instructions for both products were very clear and easy to follow.
There was a small amount of trimming on the plastic bed liner near where the clips for the cover are attached. I also trimmed the weather stripping where the Billie Bar mount sits on the truck rail. In the image below you can see just how little of the material of the plastic bed rail cover needed to be trimmed – it was maybe a 1/8 of an inch – just enough to allow the bracket to sit under the plastic and flush against the mount holes for the now relocated bed rails.
I installed the Billie Bars with the 8″ high bracket. This allows access to the bed interior while the bars are in place. In the final install, I am able to roll the cover easily under the first bar and up to the second. While the entire bed is not uncovered, it is enough for me to be able to access anything I might need.
Overall, I am very pleased with this installation and feel it offers the perfect combination of configurations.
I will always have the BAK XS4 Revolver tonneau cover on the bed and with the crossbars removed I can roll it all the way to the cab for a wide open truck bed, or leave the crossbars in place and roll the cover to the second bar, and mount my rooftop tent to the crossbars and still have the security of a truck bed cover to house gear.
