So, today's Ram project was to install the Peragon bed cover and finally get the assembled framework off the living-room floor.

The cover is on and I must say that it is impressive in form and function. I don't have any problems with the product and will be interested to see how it works and holds up over time. I just saw a post in another thread about a "...friend's rattling," but I don't see how that could be if installed correctly and maintained. Therein may lie the rub... read on. So, to the quick, I initially like the product... a lot.

But, to some issues. For such a well designed, built, and packaged product the instructions are simply... disappointing. Yes, as the picture below shows, they can be used to successfully install the cover, but they have many needless problems. Instructions should be clear and organized, without errors--especially for a product apparently intended for amateur self-installers who will only do the job once. None of these qualities could be used to describe Peragon's instructions. It may be like with early computer hardware and software that those who create the products also produce the docs, and they simply aren't the ones with the requisite skills to do so very well. A minor problem is with the generic rear weatherstrip. Even with meticulous measurement and careful installation, it is simply too thin to close the gap with the top of the Ram tail-gate, and that with the OEM gate protector adding thickness! This can easily be fixed, but shouldn't need to be, even at what I consider the Peragon's bargain price.

Specific problems with P's instructions range from them being multi-pieces of mostly loose-leaf papers of various sizes scattered about the packaging, to... One piece showing how to install side weatherstrips was a picture so dark as to be all but unuseable. Different terms were used for the same part in different places in the instructions--needlessly confusing. On one picture, part labels were incorrectly interchanged, ditto. There was no "big picture of the entire assembly in "exploded" form to give one a sense of where one was going. The main instructions (fortunately stapled together) were generic with irrelevant steps that needed to be skipped. Because of being generic the instructions for installing the front weatherstrip do not take into account the Ram's curved front bed rail and can cause misplacement. Finally, not all parts are clearly labeled (besides the mis-labeled) in the instructions, nor are diagram's drawn to scale to ease understanding and identification. On a positive note, though, there was a very clear Ram specific picture sheet for installing the bolt-in frame brackets. And, markings on the actual parts were clear and correct and referrences to those marking in the instructions were spot-on, as well.

All in all, the install took me most of the day, not because of the product, per se, nor the instructions that MUST be thoroughly read completely at least once while identifying all parts before starting (imho). I have the OEM Dodge drop-in, under-the-rail bedliner that took considerable trimming for proper fit of both the four mounting brackets and the front rail cover. Also, I obtained and used upgraded mounting hardware at key places. I used correct length bolts (supplied generics were often toooooo long) and higher quality (grade-8). I used double nuts and better, larger washers, etc. It could be that some with rattling problems may have not followed the intructions as carefully as warranted or have not periodically checked tightness of requisite parts--as the instructions specify.

I bought the Peragon for a variety of reasons after two months research and walking through many large parking lots looking at every truck with a bed cover. One of my main issues was one that bolted on, as opposed to clamping and/or mounting with sheet metal screws into the rails (which could never possibly stay tight for long). I wanted one with quick, helpful support if needed. Prior to buying, I e-mailed Peragon a couple of times with a number of questions, once over a weekend and got a helpful response within hours!

I hope this info is of use to others weighing a purchase. Sorry the picture isn't better; I didn't take the time to get my good digi, nor move my wife's street car.

Oh, one thing I forgot. The little thin plastic rail end pieces that Peragon supplies are simply SILLY! I'll make and install aluminum when they break, as they surely will. What were they thinking?

All the best.


[IMG]local://upfiles/14944/313CBEB692D14B1A8246B95529A2F75D.jpg[/IMG]

 

very noice

 

Nice cover.

 

I've been thinking about getting one of those...wish I had heard of em before I bought my Extang RT (which is a good top for what it is, but I want something more solid)

only thing I've been curious about is the bed seems to be an inch or so wider toward the cab of the truck, so I couldn't figure out how a roller sytem would work in that respect

 

I've got the Peragon as well. the function is great and i don't have any rattling issues. The cover finsih isn't holding up though. The powdercoating is coming off. I suppose I'll have it redone sooner or later.

 

How long have you had your top that the coating is coming off?

 

I little over a year. There coating isn't chipping or anything, it's just wearing away. I found a local shop that can remove and retreat the powdercoating.

 

Todd:

Your experience with their powder-coating is NOT encouraging. A decent paint-job should last decades if cared for. The whole point of powder-coating is its toughness. I must say, that I wondered when reading the instructions and it said NOT to wax it and to wash with mild-soap (or some such) and water. I have to e-mail and ask them how they suggest removing things like tree sap. It seems one might question what exactly they are using for their coating.

Oh yeah, as I recall the current warranty on the coating is 5 years, but without looking I cannot be totally sure. Have you talked with Peragon about your cover?

Later.

 

I contacted Peragon and gave them the url of your post. I invited them to respond accordingly. Here is the body of the reply they gave me:Hello Mike,

Thank you for your interest in our bed cover. As with any product you
install or assemble at home, some customers will have no problems,
others will have a difficult time. We are constantly improving our
instruction manuals as we receive feedback from customers. I do not know
if this particular customer has ever contacted us, but I will be sure to
forward the link on to the correct people. We often suggest that you
read the instructions through in their entirety once and identify all
your parts and where they are needed before starting, as this will help
ease your installation. Please keep in mind, you are installing a
product you haven't actually seen and it is one that installs completely
different from any other cover on the market. Hope this helps you out!
Please be sure to let me know if you have any other questions.

- Rebecca
Not much in addressing the problems listed in the post?

 

My next email to them was as follows and as of this writing, no reply:

In a message dated 6/28/2005 8:51:28 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, sales@peragon.com writes:
"We often suggest that you
read the instructions through in their entirety once and identify all
your parts and where they are needed before starting, as this will help
ease your installation."

Thanks for your reply. The author of the link I provided in my original message stated he did call for assistance and received prompt answers. He also stated that the parts were incorrectly marked and there was some sort of fit problem at the tailgate and other problems a lay person wouldn't be able to correct. He also seems to be pretty savvy in making fixes as he goes along. I think it would be a good gesture on your part, since I see you do advertise through some method, on this forum, that you create an account to answer the claims or make comments. The sponsors of the site often chime in giving advice and suggestions and plugs for their products. Just trying to help.
Thanks again
Mike