Pickup bed tonneau cover

[Gale Hawkins]

I have a flip back that will be 10 yrs old come July. It was the economy model and it still looks pretty good and functions as it should. I would buy another one but would probably get one I could walk on (if they make such a critter).

I think the old one (HD)on the son's 2002 Ram 1500 is rated to support 400 pounds. The newer lighter weight aluminum BAKflip (G2)on my 2010 F150 is good for like 300 pounds. When we went to get 109 bales of hay on the 22 foot tilt trailer only 108 loaded naturally so I just set the single bale on the BAKflip against the back glass and it rode fine untied for the 10 mile trip. After these two BAKflips I like them. The son found his underground (it had been laid under a tree several years before he learned about it a couple years ago) and he had to use a pressure washer to reclaim it.

https://o.b5z.net/i/u/5000332/f/PDF Files/BAKFlip_Comparison_Chart_PDF.pdf

 

[4570Man]

For the upper end of that price range I bought a Suburban and IMO it’s way more practical. There’s very little that an suv and small trailer doesn’t accomplish better than a half ton truck. I still have and will probably never sell my dump truck but it doesn’t do very much pickup stuff. Most of what I do with it would total a regular bed truck. Loading in the trailer is way easier than the bed of a truck.

 

[oosik]

Ha, ha - 4570Man - when I was checking out the Chevy PU - I looked at the Suburban. The thing I though about- with the Suburban - fantastic traveling Hotel room. No need to ever worry about finding a room or place to sleep. You have it all right there. Air bed - pillow - one of my down sleeping bags.

One of the reasons for some form of tonneau on the Power Wagon. I'll be doing the same thing with it. Air bed - pillow - down sleeping bag. The tonneau will keep me dry and warmer in the bed of the PW. I will drive til I drop - find a side road - I'm now where I will sleep for the night. I did exactly that when we lived in AK and now its the way I travel down here. It's weird/perhaps unusual, but it's my way. Maybe this Norwegian is also part HOBO. It's me and my dog going our way.

I've NEVER had one bit of trouble - safety/security wise. Been woken a few times by LEO, but they were mainly concerned about seeing nobody in the cab. And the unit being parked on some lonely, deserted side road.

I sure like the looks of the Back Flip MX4 & the Extang units. It's the six foot bed length of the PW, rather than the normal 6.5 foot bed, that's the killer. I've had a Truxedo on the F-150 for thirteen years and it's been fine. I'll keep searching and find something I like.

Sure appreciate the comments from all you guys. Keep them coming.

 

[oosik]

Well, I finally got the word out to several tonneau companies. When I say the bed is 6 feet long - I don't mean 6.4 feet. So it won't be - Peragon, Truxedo, Extang or Bakfip. I'll just wait til I go in and get it. I know there is SOMETHING available. I saw in their commercial. I will let the salesman figure it out.

They all have covers the handle the RamBox system - it's the bed length that is the bugger.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I had the aluminum roll up ones but they take up too much space up front and you cannot use them with snow and ice on top.

I LOVE my Extang solid fold, mainly because you can take it off in a minute or so and usually have room to stick it next to cargo if need be, or usually just leave it at home. My friend has the fabric snapped on cover. My Lord, what a PITA!

 

[tc55da]

I want a pickup bed tonneau cover for my new Ram Power Wagon. I have a roll up one on my Ford. I would like a slide up/fold up type hard tonneau cover. I see they range in price from $400 to $4000. The $4K model better have features that I dare not mention here on TBN.

What have you guys found to be acceptable and for less than $1500? The PW will be garaged except when in use.

I'm on my second Extang on my second F-250. I would have used the first one i bought but the body/bed style on the 2nd 250 changed. my bed is the 6.5 ft. I have had no issuses with either one. SHOP around if you decide on that brand. i had quotes from $670 to a little over $900. A couple places wanted to charge an installation fee. I went with the $670 guy and they put it on in less that 15 minutes. They come off and go on very easy and not that heavy. i can do it by myself. good luck on whatever you choose.
Steve.

 

[Industrial Toys]

My old Extand was aluminum and kind of got wrecked when it closed violently, from not being strapped down in the open position. Then hail did a real number on it (and the truck) and the insurance replaced it with a new plastic version of the Extang. Funny, I got the old Extang back and sold it.

I don't know what installation there would be. Crawl in there and tighten two clamps. Like I said, a minute is all it takes.

 

[George2615]

It may be a few bucks more but the dealer probably has a cover available since the video ads show one on the truck while describing the cargo management. system.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Maybe that girl couldn't damage it, but fairly minor hail sure did.

 

[oosik]

There are a whole LOT of things different about Alaska - other than the people that live there. Liquor stores are privately owned. Every Wednesday was their big advertised sale day. People buzzing around the liquor stores with shopping carts. In AK - booze is BIG business. Kind of like raising corn for gasohol in Iowa.

So one Wed - I was there. Big ad with "she with plenty" bending forward - picking up a jug of hooch. I told the cashier - to H**L with the booze. I'll just take her. He didn't even crack a smile or bat an eye. Looked at me and said - "Number 43".

 

[oosik]

Soooo......reason I'm a bit goofier than normal. Last four hours searching the internet for the right tonneau cover. I've decided, but will wait to purchase until the vehicle is in hand. I will be ordering - DiamondBack HD. Plenty strong, looks nice. If you believe the literature - I will be able to crawl into the pickup bed, shut the lid, survive the blast wave from a close-in thermo nuclear detonation. And the price - - right in line with the new pickup. All, very important.

You know - there are those of you who question why I'm going this way. With the new truck and this tonneau cover, etc. All the $$$ being spent. Well, I'm 76, not getting much younger. And after YEARS of research - if I want it, I better get it now. Likely, I'll not be coming back around for a second shot. And I do mean legitimate research. With Father Henry at the Catholic church in Spokane.

Anyhow - this cover DOES look nice, it's tougher than a bull rhino, the video show a rock simple instal, it WILL protect from weather and all but the most determined thief. Won't even need a copy of - Tonneau installation for dummies.

Thank to all for suggestions, commentary and hanging in. Pictures aplenty when I get it.

 

[Ford850]

We're looking forward to your pictures of the new truck, the new cover, AND some road trip pictures sprinkled in. After spending the night in the PW's bed, does it make you breakfast?

 

[oosik]

No breakfast. However, when I was young & tolerant I would do this when I went moose hunting. I've slept in the bed of my pickup when it was REALLY cold. The stupid air mattress would deflate because of the cold. Your arm, shoulder would feel the freezing steel of the truck bed thru the deflated air mattress, get cold, start aching. Wake & have to reinflate the mattress.

People ask - why not sleep in the cab. The moisture in your breath freezes on the metal ceiling of the cab. For the first hour or so - after you wake and start the pickup. It thaws and drips down all over the inside of the cab.

Very best solution - army folding cot - right out on the ground - two down sleeping bags. Once you get in and get settled its OK. I never had any kind of tent or camper.

However, every late hunting season I alway got a moose. Sixteen seasons - sixteen moose.

You are looking forward for pictures - - I'm still waiting for a vehicle that is supposedly "in transit". Must be coming from China.

I've irritated the "instant chat" folks on at least half a dozen tonneau sites.

Life was simple back in those days. When I went hunting it was usually 2-3 days. The wife would make me baloney sandwiches and I had apples. Three baloney sandwiches, three apple per day. No cooking or other tasks required. Hunting was not a sport or for pleasure. I was out to get meat.

 

[Ford850]

No breakfast. However, when I was young & tolerant I would do this when I went moose hunting. I've slept in the bed of my pickup when it was REALLY cold. The stupid air mattress would deflate because of the cold. Your arm, shoulder would feel the freezing steel of the truck bed thru the deflated air mattress, get cold, start aching. Wake & have to reinflate the mattress.

People ask - why not sleep in the cab. The moisture in your breath freezes on the metal ceiling of the cab. For the first hour or so - after you wake and start the pickup. It thaws and drips down all over the inside of the cab.

Very best solution - army folding cot - right out on the ground - two down sleeping bags. Once you get in and get settled its OK. I never had any kind of tent or camper.

However, every late hunting season I alway got a moose. Sixteen seasons - sixteen moose.

You are looking forward for pictures - - I'm still waiting for a vehicle that is supposedly "in transit". Must be coming from China.

I've irritated the "instant chat" folks on at least half a dozen tonneau sites.

Life was simple back in those days. When I went hunting it was usually 2-3 days. The wife would make me baloney sandwiches and I had apples. Three baloney sandwiches, three apple per day. No cooking or other tasks required. Hunting was not a sport or for pleasure. I was out to get meat.

Simpler times = Good times = Good stories.

 

[oosik]

Another question - same topic. This cover I'm looking at is aluminum diamond plate. I wonder if any have had a tonneau of aluminum and had it sprayed with a bed liner product. Such as Rhino or Line-X. If so - how did it work out. The Diamond Back company will spray it with black powder coat. An option for $320. My experience with powder coat on farm equipment - not so favorable, at all. I could easily take the standard bare AL cover to a local business and have it sprayed with undercoat, before installation. I know, undercoat would not be shiny, like powder coat. I'm looking for longevity - not shiny.

 

[Ford850]

Looking at the DB site, the black version doesn't look like any powder coating I've seen. It looks like bed liner, with a rough finish. My initial thought was "$320, no way". But after seeing the pictures of it I do like the finish. Depending on your truck color, I would either stick with the bare aluminum, or opt for the black finish from DB. Removing all the hardware an gaskets, getting it sprayed (adding a lot of weight), reinstalling the hardware and gaskets so it doesn't leak, makes the factory option seem fair in my opinion. Also, I'd bet your warranty would be toast once you removed everything and sprayed it with bed liner.

 

[oosik]

Yet, another confusing point. When I look at the DB black unit, it looks like bed liner product to me, also. Fact - one of the owners posted a review on the DB site. He called the black unit - his black bed liner tonneau. Instant chat with a DB tech on one of the dealer sites - she said the black was powder coat.

I have an email to Rhino regarding the cost. Never though about warranty.

I think you make a very valid point, Ford850. The unit has a lifetime product warranty. Last thing I want to do - screw up the warranty. If I want black - let the DB do it. Otherwise - get the raw AL version.

I also have an email to Diamond Back Corporate on this. Maybe you can get either powder coat or bed liner sprayed, by corporate, on the unit.

When you see the pictures of the DB Heavy Duty unit and the deer/elk hunters, on their web page. There is little doubt in my mind - that unit has black bed liner sprayed on it.

 

[oosik]

Holy smoke & oakum. Never received such a rapid reply from a company. Reply in less than ten minuets. TBN says the email response is "invalid file". Otherwise, I would attach.

Jordan Smith, Corporate Diamond Back Truck covers.

"Thank you for contacting us. The Rugged Black is a premium UV protected spray on truck bed liner."

That certainly answers the question. Knowing how tough the bed liner product is and for the added $320 - I'll opt for the black version.