Professor Mike Installs the Westin Power Retractable Tonneau Cover

Any dedicated truck enthusiast knows that building the perfect rig is a balancing act. It is all about finding the sweet spot between aggressive capability and clean, factory-like aesthetics. Professor Mike is taking this exact philosophy to heart with his 2020 Ford F-150 XLT Sport. Bypassing the over-the-top, flashy modifications in favor of a sleek OEM plus build, he recently outfitted his truck with our Westin Power Retractable Tonneau Cover to dial in the utility and style of his bed space.

Ditching the Bulk for a Streamlined Profile

When it comes to protecting your truck bed and securing cargo, the aftermarket is flooded with bulky, high-profile trifolds and oversized fiberglass caps. For a streamlined build, a flush-fit retractable cover is the gold standard. Mike immediately appreciated the aesthetic upgrade:

“I think the really cool part about it is just how how sleek it is. And it doesn’t look bulgy.”

– Professor Mike

Beyond the low-profile look, the cover features a highly durable yet lightweight construction, equipped to support up to 500 lbs. To keep cargo safe from the elements, it utilizes a built-in water drainage system to route rain and moisture out of the bed, as well as an integrated LED cargo light to illuminate gear during late-night loading.

Real-World Installation: Working With a Drop-in Liner

While the standard installation of a Westin Retractable Cover is generally straightforward, Mike’s setup presented a common real-world challenge that many truck owners face: integrating a new tonneau cover with an existing aftermarket drop-in bed liner.

Because his F-150 was equipped with a thick plastic Pendaliner, the installation required some custom modification. Mike and his dad spent a few hours on the project, carefully measuring and trimming the plastic bed liner to properly seat the cover’s aluminum mounting brackets. Clearances were tight; they had to be certain there was zero wiggle room so that the F-150’s tailgate could still close smoothly against the weather seals. It was one of those projects that proves a little patience and custom fitting yields the best results!

Westin Tonneau Covers

The Westin Power Retractable Tonneau Cover comes equipped with a built-in motor and a remote key fob for fully automated, push-button opening and closing. While Mike is currently operating the cover manually as a standard retractable unit, he may later choose to route the wiring harness down through the cab and wire it directly to the F-150’s battery for full electric functionality.

For now, Mike is happy to have a cover that is a functional and aesthetic centerpiece for his exterior mods. Ready to add a tonneau cover to your rig? Check out our catalog of covers by exploring the links below.

Browse our site for functional, great-looking products, outstanding customer service, and long-lasting quality that overlanders, off-roaders, and auto enthusiasts count on. Contact us with any fitment questions, and order today!