Troubleshooting Retrax Power Tonneau Cover Motor Wiring

Updated 09/21/2026 | Published 09/17/2026

Question:

motor want work as it should

asked by: Herbert R

Expert Reply:

Hey Herbert, thanks for reaching out. I do not recommend wiring the # RTX79TR motor based on wire color alone. The motor connections come pre-attached to the controller/electronics box, while the separate power connection is identified by the “P” label and the motor connection by “M.” Retrax uses different wire colors across different generations, so red-to-red and black-to-black is not necessarily the correct way to judge the motor wiring.

Since your replacement motor # RTX79TR is intended as a direct replacement motor, I recommend matching the new motor wiring exactly to the original factory configuration and checking the P and M labels/connectors before changing any splices.

Give that a try and let me know how things work.

What do you usually haul that you need quick, reliable access to?

expert reply by: Jesse M