Last weekend I got chance to install the Leer 4-Panel Folding Bed Cover on my 2024 F250 XLT Super Duty and wanted to share my experience and impressions for anyone else considering the Leer cover.

I researched multiple brands and styles of bed covers and ultimately decided on the Leer HF650 4-panel folding cover. I wanted a hard cover with full bed access (without having to remove the cover) so that narrowed my choices to 4-panel hard folding covers. I also really wanted to avoid drain tubes (personal preference) so that limited my choices even more. WeatherTech makes a cover without drain tubes, but I just didn't like the slick look of the panels or the unfinished look of the panel edges. Ford Accessories offers a Leer 4-Panel Folding Bed Cover on their web site that looks identical to the HF650 but it's nearly $500 more. Another thing I liked about the Leer cover is that it uses latches that you squeeze with your fingers instead of cables that you pull. From what I've read, some of the cable-operated covers can be opened with a coat hanger, or something similar, by snagging the cable. I wasn't overly concerned about that; I just liked the cleaner look of the latches compared to the cables.

INSTALLATION:
I ordered the bed cover directly from Leer with a 10% veteran discount on a Monday and it was delivered the following Thursday. The box was packed neatly and there were no missing or damaged parts. The included instructions were terrible but fortunately there are several good install videos on YouTube, including one made by Leer.

Installation was pretty straightforward. Each rail comes in two pieces that have to be joined together using the pre-installed couplers and the included allen wrench. A foam block with adhesive gets stuck to the cab end of each rail to provide a seal against the front of the bed and then the rails are clamped to the bed rails using the provided clamps and allen wrench.

The rail clamp with the "Tie-Down Loop" goes on the front (cab end). It's not obvious in the instructions, but the Leer install video says to put the second clamp next to the ball mount for the prop rods. I put the third clamp about halfway between the second clamp and the rear and the fourth clamp as far back as the bed rail would allow. The kit comes with a bolt that threads into the bottom of each rail clamp that's supposed to be removed after the clamps are tightened down. I never could figure out what the purpose of this bolt was, it didn't seem to make any difference.

Next, I centered the folded bed cover on the front of the bed and made sure the rubber seal was lifted up on top of the front bed rail. The underside of the bed cover has slots for the clamp screws that hold the cover to the bed. The slots on my cover weren't quite wide enough for the screw diameter but a few passes with a flat file on each side of the slot quickly took care of that issue. There's a sticker on each side rail indicating where the cover clamp mates with the rail, but you have to look carefully at the picture in the instructions to make sure they're going in the right way. After installing the front cover clamps loosely, I unfolded the cover to make sure it was square near the tailgate. All looked good so I folded the cover back up and finished tightening the front cover clamps.

Next, I installed the prop rods and retainer clips, which was pretty straightforward. The kit came with a roll of butyl tape but the instructions gave no clue what it was for. At first, I assumed it was to put on top of the front bed rail to form a seal between the bed rail and the cover but it wasn't long enough. However, later after installing the cover without it, I found another install video that shows the tape needs to be stretched to fit. <forehead slap> I think I'll wait to see if it even leaks without the tape before I go back and put it in.

Overall, I'm pretty happy with the fit, look, and function of the bed cover so far. The seals on the sides are somewhat deformed from being folded up in the box but I think they'll relax and flatten out once they're exposed to some sun. (The below freezing temps in my shop aren't helping) I haven't been able to check it for leaks yet, but when I do, I'll try to update the post.