What is: “Warning: do not install accessories directly onto molding”

[John E Davies]

My new Raptor has this message at all six bed rail accessory attach locations. I am trying to figure out what it means, surely you don’t have to remove the bed rail plastic caps to install a canopy/ topper? The owners manual has nothing about it, that I could find. Comments?

Thanks,
John Davies
Spokane WA USA

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[CACTUSGREYFX4]

As stated don't just install on the molding make sure the clamp that is used goes over far enough to "bite" onto the metal behind the plastic molding. After I had my cover put on I noticed it was only gripping a bit of the metal so I installed a extra backing plate.

 

[Catalyst]

I don't have an answer to your question, but love your RR in the garage! (Im)Patiently awaiting my Velocity Blue RR to be built

 

[John E Davies]

As stated don't just install on the molding make sure the clamp that is used goes over far enough to "bite" onto the metal behind the plastic molding. After I had my cover put on I noticed it was only gripping a bit of the metal so I installed a extra backing plate.

Thanks, that makes complete sense, but the wording is pretty strange. It sounds like Ford is worried that the plastic might deform….I will install a Go Fast Campers Topper and those beautiful cnc machined clamps reach deep inside the steel part of the rails. I was at the GFC Montana shop just a few days ago.

Love the truck, I am completely blown away by everything about it. And this is coming from a die hard Land Cruiser guy.

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

 

[Richie]

Thanks, that makes complete sense, but the wording is pretty strange. It sounds like Ford is worried that the plastic might deform….I will install a Go Fast Campers Topper and those beautiful cnc machined clamps reach deep inside the steel part of the rails. I was at the GFC Montana shop just a few days ago.

Love the truck, I am completely blown away by everything about it. And this is coming from a die hard Land Cruiser guy.

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

I have been looking at getting an aluminum topper and am torn on a few options. I looked at GFC and they have a 6 month lead time for a delivery and installation in Denver.

What made you go with GFC if you don't mind me asking?

 

[John E Davies]

The GFC engineering and strength is an order of magnitude better than any other brand. The fittings are beautiful CNC works of art. Very light weight (about 175 pounds for the Topper -no tent, without the front and rear windows and load bar options). All repair parts are readily available. The V1 units had a fully welded steel truss frame, those are incredibly strong, and heavy, but if they got damaged, they were not easily repaired. The V2 versions are 99% aluminum extrusions, are completely modular, much lighter, all the beams and angle struts are bolted in. Made in USA is very important to me, the guys in Belgrade MT are true fanatics, they love Overlanding and the vehicles that they support. These units are worth the wait. I am torn about their new cabinets, but those can ship on a pallet for self installation any time…

https://forum.gofastcampers.com/t/long-term-durability-of-gfc-v1-vs-v2/21626/11

These pics are from my visit a few days ago, They freaked out over my new Raptor. Told me “you gotta get black panels with that truck!” LOL.

Since you are in Denver, Belgrade is not that far a drive, the install cost is way cheaper $175), you can wait and watch while they install it, and you can afterwards play around in Yellowstone NP, Glacier NP and all those wonderful National Forests. Belgrade is a very close-in suburb of Bozeman, it is completely surrounded by stunning scenery, on all sides.

John Davies
Spokane WA

 

[John E Davies]

Coming back from SD with my new truck, the mountains are on the north side of Bozeman.

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

 

[Rangerdude]

As stated don't just install on the molding make sure the clamp that is used goes over far enough to "bite" onto the metal behind the plastic molding. After I had my cover put on I noticed it was only gripping a bit of the metal so I installed a extra backing plate.

I returned a Gator hard folding tonneau cover because of the clamps used to hold the tracks in kept popping off and not enough bed metal to clamp to. What did you use as a backing plate?

 

[olefordguy]

Search “J Brace” on this forum, you have to have them installed before any bed toppers etc that I think weigh over 88 pounds or do extreme off reading. There to add support for the bed structure, which imo ford should have done at the factory
https://www.ranger6g.com/forum/threads/j-brace-installation-yikes.9637/

 

[CACTUSGREYFX4]

I returned a Gator hard folding tonneau cover because of the clamps used to hold the tracks in kept popping off and not enough bed metal to clamp to. What did you use as a backing plate?

I used this. I took the plastic push pin out of the moulding and screwed this in to make the metal a little thicker.

https://www.homedepot.ca/product/everbilt-3inch-zinc-mending-plate-8-piece/1001076029

 

[Rangerdude]

Thanks dude

 

[SurfRanger]

Thanks, that makes complete sense, but the wording is pretty strange. It sounds like Ford is worried that the plastic might deform….I will install a Go Fast Campers Topper and those beautiful cnc machined clamps reach deep inside the steel part of the rails. I was at the GFC Montana shop just a few days ago.

Love the truck, I am completely blown away by everything about it. And this is coming from a die hard Land Cruiser guy.

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

Also getting GFC installed in the very near future! Been a superlite owner for years. Do you have any pics of the mounting hardware for the RR?? Does it go in those stake pockets? Just curious. Thatd be cool.

 

[John E Davies]

Also getting GFC installed in the very near future! Been a superlite owner for years. Do you have any pics of the mounting hardware for the RR?? Does it go in those stake pockets? Just curious. Thatd be cool.

No way that could work: the GFC rail clamps go around the round aluminum extrusions, so there isn’t any access to the Ford factory stake pockets.

They are strong as can be, but they do recommend retorquing each bolt that goes horizontally through the bottom tube, hand tight, and each vertical bolt that secures the “jaw” that hooks around the steel bed lip. First time after 500 miles, if I recall correctly, and then the jaw bolts after every offroad trip. Those latter bolts are Torx at 40 ft lbs, so you should carry a torque wrench on trips.

How to Install a V2 Camper

John Davies
Spokane WA

 

[DanTheMan]

Thanks, that makes complete sense, but the wording is pretty strange. It sounds like Ford is worried that the plastic might deform….I will install a Go Fast Campers Topper and those beautiful cnc machined clamps reach deep inside the steel part of the rails. I was at the GFC Montana shop just a few days ago.

Love the truck, I am completely blown away by everything about it. And this is coming from a die hard Land Cruiser guy.

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

I have seen posts on here of guys tightening down clamps on the plastic to 'spec' and it deformed the plastic quite badly.

 

[djjohnr]

No way that could work: the GFC rail clamps go around the round aluminum extrusions, so there isn’t any access to the Ford factory stake pockets.

They are strong as can be, but they do recommend retorquing each bolt that goes horizontally through the bottom tube, hand tight, and each vertical bolt that secures the “jaw” that hooks around the steel bed lip. First time after 500 miles, if I recall correctly, and then the jaw bolts after every offroad trip. Those latter bolts are Torx at 40 ft lbs, so you should carry a torque wrench on trips.

How to Install a V2 Camper

John Davies
Spokane WA

How did the install turn out? Did they mount the GFC rails onto the molding or did they remove the molding?

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