Are Modifications Needed To Install A Tonneau Cover On A 2019 Chevy Colorado With Sport Bars

Published 02/16/2023

Question:

Shane H. re: I recommend the Pace Edwards Switchblade Retractable Hard Tonneau Cover - Aluminum and Vinyl - Black Item # 311-SWCA03A25. With this cover being retractable it would not interfere with your sport bars. Is there any modifications to be made to install this product?

asked by: Al P

Expert Reply:

In the answer that Shane gave he was referencing how the sports bars bend in towards the bed and could end up interfering with roll-up style tonneau covers. From a manufacturer standpoint sport bars and tonneau covers that both mount to the inner lip of the bedrails are not compatible with each other.

However, there are forums where Colorado owners "made" them compatible. Some owners just forced the rails of the tonneau cover over the brackets of the sport bars and others talked about using a cutting wheel to trim parts of both to make them fit. Both of these installation methods would void the manufacturer warranty because it's not being installed as intended so you would need to keep that in mind if you attempt this and realize it's just not going to fit or if you run into issues with either later on. You could potentially also run into seal issues and water leaking into the bed since the cover wouldn't be sitting correctly on the bedrails.

If you're comfortable trimming and or bending up the rails of the # BAK39126 you were looking at, or any other cover for that matter, then you could make it work with the sport bars on your Colorado.

P.S. Shane says "hi"

expert reply by: Kevin C