I have a Raider LoRider fibreglass tonneau on my 2004 F150 with 6.5ft bed. When I bought the truck, the tonneau was real hard to open. So I switched the two 80lbs gas struts for two new 90lbs struts. The cover now opens much better, but to get it opening from the closed position is a real struggle. You have to push really hard with both arms to get it going.

It only has the gas struts and no 'lift assist' type mechanism.

Any ideas on what I can do make this much easier to open, surely it wasn't this hard from new? I've seen some guys lift fibreglass covers with a gentle nudge!

 

Those are always hard getting hard to operate as it get old, mostly with some parts that rub together and start rust or accumulate dirt making it hard to open. Most people I know prefer fiberglass tonneau to deal with snow and winter. If I were you I would invest in new and better once with good warranty. Check this list: Ford Truck Covers
Some hard or tri-folding are around $700 or less

 

Ummm... Mine is a hard fibreglass tonneau buddy.