Load bearing tonneau cover with integral track, improved latch to vehicle and custom frame attachment

A method for manufacturing a tonneau cover, said method comprised of:

• providing a plurality of tonneau sections, wherein each of the tonneau sections is constructed using friction stir welds, each of the tonneau sections including a hinge knuckle at each edge where it is joined to an adjacent tonneau section, each of the hinge knuckles being joined to the respective tonneau sections using friction stir welding, and having a semi-circular element in the hinge knuckle;
• providing a rubber hinge connection between each of the adjacent tonneau sections, wherein each of the rubber hinge connections is disposed within the semi-circular element of two hinge knuckles;
• and
• inserting a rod into each of the circular elements of the rubber hinge connection so as to expand the rubber hinge connection and hold it securely within the semi-circular elements in order to secure the rubber hinge connection between each of the adjacent tonneau sections;
• and
• disposing an integral track along at least a portion of the tonneau cover, wherein the integral track provides a plurality of attachments points along a length thereof.