What an AeroSkin Light is and why it matters for your Ram
An AeroSkin Light is a tonneau cover—a rigid or semi-rigid lid that covers your truck bed. For a Ram 1500, it reduces wind drag, which improves fuel economy slightly and makes highway driving quieter. It also protects cargo from weather and theft, and it keeps your bed clean between uses. The AeroSkin brand makes covers that fold or roll, so you can still access your bed without removing the whole cover.
Installation is something you can do yourself with basic hand tools, though the first time takes longer than a shop would need. The cover bolts to your truck bed rails—no drilling, no permanent changes. If you sell the truck later, you can remove it completely and take it with you.
Key Takeaways
- AeroSkin Lights bolt to your Ram 1500's bed rails using existing holes or clamps; no drilling or welding is required.
- Installation takes two to four hours the first time and requires only a socket set, wrench, and the hardware that comes in the box.
- You need to know your Ram's bed length—5.5 feet, 6.5 feet, or 8 feet—before ordering, because covers are bed-specific.
- The cover must be aligned square to the bed before you tighten all bolts, or it will bind when you open and close it.
- After installation, check all bolts monthly for the first few weeks because vibration can loosen them.
Verify your Ram 1500 bed length and cover model
Before you start, confirm which AeroSkin Light model you own. The cover is sized to your bed length: 5.5 feet, 6.5 feet, or 8 feet. You can find your bed length on the door jamb label (look for "BED" followed by the measurement) or measure from the inside of the tailgate to the inside of the cab. If you ordered online, your receipt or packing slip will list the model number.
Lay out all the hardware that came in the box: mounting brackets, bolts, washers, and any shims or spacers. Count them against the parts list in your manual. If anything is missing or damaged, contact the seller before you start—it is easier to get a replacement part now than to stop halfway through.
Prepare your truck bed and gather tools
Park on level ground and open your tailgate. Remove any bed liner, tonneau cover, or other bed accessories if you have them. Clean the top edges of your bed rails with a dry cloth to remove dust and debris—this helps the cover sit flush and prevents dirt from getting trapped under the mounting brackets.
Gather your tools: a socket set (usually 10mm, 12mm, and 13mm sockets), a ratchet, a wrench, a level, and a helper. You do not need power tools. Lay the cover on sawhorses or a workbench near your truck so you can inspect it and attach any brackets before lifting it onto the bed.
Attach mounting brackets to the cover frame
Most AeroSkin Lights come with brackets that bolt to the underside of the cover frame. Flip the cover upside down on your work surface and locate the bolt holes along the frame. Insert the brackets into the slots or holes, align them square, and hand-tighten the bolts first. Use your level to check that the bracket faces are parallel to the frame, then tighten all bolts firmly with your socket set.
Do not over-tighten—you want the bracket snug, not stripped. If your cover has side rails or clamps instead of bolt-on brackets, follow the same principle: attach them loosely first, check alignment, then tighten. Some models have adjustable brackets that slide along the frame; these let you fine-tune the fit after the cover is on the truck.
Position the cover on your truck bed
With your helper, carefully lift the cover and position it over the bed. The front edge should sit just behind the cab, and the rear edge should be roughly even with the tailgate opening. Do not set it down hard—lower it gently so the mounting brackets make contact with the bed rails. The brackets should rest on top of the rails or clamp around them, depending on your model.
Before you bolt anything, step back and look at the cover from the side and from above. It should be centered left to right and sit level front to back. If it is tilted or off-center, adjust the position now. Once you are satisfied, mark the bolt hole locations on the bed rails with a marker or tape so you know where to drill or clamp if your model requires it.
Bolt the cover to the bed rails
Insert the bolts through the mounting brackets and into the bed rail holes or clamps. Hand-tighten all bolts first—do not use the ratchet yet. This lets you shift the cover slightly if it is not quite square. Use your level again to confirm the cover is not tilted. Once you are sure the alignment is correct, tighten each bolt in a crisscross pattern (front left, rear right, front right, rear left) to keep pressure even.
Tighten firmly but do not strip the bolts. If you feel resistance, stop and back off slightly. Stripped bolts are hard to remove and can damage the bed rail. After all bolts are tight, open and close the cover a few times to make sure it moves smoothly. If it binds or sticks, loosen the bolts slightly, adjust the cover position, and tighten again.
Test operation and check for gaps or movement
Open the cover fully and check that it moves without resistance. Close it and look for even gaps between the cover and the bed rails on both sides. Gaps should be roughly the same width from front to back. If one side is tighter than the other, the cover is twisted—loosen the bolts on the tight side, shift the cover, and retighten.
Press down on the cover at several points to check for flex or movement. A small amount of movement is normal, but the cover should not rock or shift side to side. If it does, one or more bolts may be loose. Check each bolt with your wrench and tighten as needed. After you close the cover, take your truck for a short drive at highway speed and listen for rattles or wind noise. If you hear something, pull over and check the bolts again.
Maintenance after installation
Check all bolts after your first week of use, then again after one month. Vibration from driving can loosen bolts gradually, especially if you drive on rough roads. A quick walk around with your wrench takes five minutes and prevents bolts from falling out or the cover from shifting.
Clean the cover regularly with mild soap and water. Do not use harsh solvents or pressure washers, which can damage the seal or paint. If your cover has weatherstripping, inspect it twice a year for cracks or gaps. Weatherstripping keeps water out of your bed and usually lasts three to five years before it hardens and needs replacement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to drill holes in my Ram bed to install an AeroSkin Light?
No. AeroSkin Lights bolt to existing holes in your bed rails or clamp around the rails without drilling. The mounting brackets are designed to work with the Ram 1500's factory rail design. If your model requires drilling, the manual will tell you exactly where and the kit will include a drill bit.
Can I install an AeroSkin Light by myself, or do I need a helper?
A helper makes it much easier, especially when lifting the cover onto the bed and holding it level while you start the bolts. You can do it alone, but you will need to use blocks or a jack to support the cover while you work underneath. A helper takes two to four hours; solo installation may take longer.
What should I do if the cover binds or sticks when I open it?
The cover is probably twisted or not aligned square to the bed. Loosen all bolts, close the cover, and check that the gaps on both sides are even. Adjust the cover position until the gaps match, then retighten the bolts in a crisscross pattern. Open and close it a few times to confirm smooth operation before you drive.
Will an AeroSkin Light improve my fuel economy?
A tonneau cover reduces wind drag, which can improve fuel economy by one to three miles per gallon on the highway, depending on your driving speed and style. City driving shows less improvement because aerodynamics matter less at lower speeds. The exact gain varies by truck, cover design, and how much highway driving you do.
Can I remove the AeroSkin Light later if I want to?
Yes. The bolts come out with a socket set, and the cover lifts off without any permanent damage to your truck. You can store it, sell it, or install it on another Ram 1500 with the same bed length. The mounting brackets stay on the cover, not on your truck.