Does this mount directly to the bed rails without drilling or welding?

Yes. The cover mounts at factory attachment points—no bed modification required. Standard hand tools and a helper make installation straightforward.

Can I open this from the tailgate, or do I have to get into the bed?

You can fold the panels from either inside the bed or outside. The manual mechanism works both ways, so you're not locked into one method.

What do I need to do to the cover before installing it?

The panels ship ready to install—no prep, priming, or painting required. Unpack it and mount it straight to the truck.