the hard edit @2:14 tells me that unhooking the thing to flip it open is a massive ordeal

Finally Someone who makes a good explanation.

This thing fucking blows, instructions aren't clear. The metal from the bed of the truck bends a lot just to tighten it down and while the instructions states the thread is supposed to stay straight in the clamps it fucking bends and you can see that on the video too! We had to modify it ourselves with small pieces of wood to get it right and here's hoping the cover will last.

Total junk. Worst $500 I've ever spent in my life. Has been flipped open maybe 20 times and the very end tailgate piece is already broken off.