Tonneau Covers

[JJZ 109]

Anybody haul dogs in dog boxes with a tonneau?

That's why I stopped using tonneaus. Once I got a golden retriever in 1998 and then another in 2000, they rode everyplace in back of that truck. Instead of constantly attaching/removing the thing I just did away with it.

 

[oliver28472]

I have a Retrax and like it OK. Had ARE fiberglass covers that hinge in the front before and they were good but had limitations if you wanted to haul something tall. The Retrax takes up some room at the front when fully retracted but can lock in place anywhere along the way. Would probably look at Bakflip next time, then decide.

 

[bdeboer]

my son has an undercover brand on his truck . Not painted the same color as the truck ,but he likes it

i have the black ABS plastic Undercover for my '08 Chevy. Weighs about 65lbs, fairly secure with the locks on the back. Take if off for the summer put it back on in the winter to keep the bed dry.

Undercover ™ is the new standard in tonneau covers. Our Patented X-effect ™ design and advanced polymers give this tonneau cover unparalleled strength and durability at a fraction of the weight and less cost than fiberglass.

 

[Scooby074]

I have a Jackrabbit cover made by Pace Edwards (think those side doors on beverage delivery trucks). It was expensive. Too expensive in hindsight because while it is very secure and works extremely well in summer... It freezes in winter and takes up a bunch of bed space all year round.

If I was doing it again (and I plan on a new truck soon) I'd go with the rigid Tri-Fold model (likely ex-tang). It gives a fully open bed when needed, yet is still secure for the times you need to protect valuables.

 

[Scooby074]

Next truck will have a Diamondback HD on it.

DiamondBack HD Truck Bed Covers - Heavy duty truck bed covers : DiamondBack Truck Covers

I saw my first truck with one of those on it the other day.. It was a bit shocking to see a couple ATV's crossways on the back of a pickup.

Those covers look expensive. This was a dealer's truck. Ive never seen on on a average Joe's vehicle if that says anything.

 

[WilliamBos]

I saw my first truck with one of those on it the other day.. It was a bit shocking to see a couple ATV's crossways on the back of a pickup.

Those covers look expensive. This was a dealer's truck. Ive never seen on on a average Joe's vehicle if that says anything.

Around $1400, but when you look at what those fibreglass ones cost, these are not much more.

 

[scrappy isb67]

Next truck will have a Diamondback HD on it.

DiamondBack HD Truck Bed Covers - Heavy duty truck bed covers : DiamondBack Truck Covers

I like these and would love to have one BUT, I hate diamond plate! If they offered that in a smooth surface I would be all over it!
this is nice in the fact that it would allow access to my combo toolbox/fueltank!

 

[dodge man]

I have had several different ones over the years. I would never buy another soft one, but some I had were O.K. They just don't last long term in my opinion. I had a Bak Flip, and like it, but it seemed like it might not hold up well over the long haul. I sold the truck when it was about 3 years old so I wasn't sure about the long run. I had a little bit of problems with the weatherstip on it and wasn't sure about how well the rubber that held the sections together would hold up. What was really nice about the Bak Flip, it folded up against the rear window of the truck, so it was 100% out of the way of the bed if you wanted it to be. I also had the kind the wind up into a box in the front of the bed. Its still a hard cover, but gets out of the way in about 2 seconds. This was probably my favorite style. The only draw back is that they can frezze and not open up. This was never a problem for me as I kept in inside, but I've heard other people complain about it.

 

[WilliamBos]

I like these and would love to have one BUT, I hate diamond plate! If they offered that in a smooth surface I would be all over it!
this is nice in the fact that it would allow access to my combo toolbox/fueltank!

You can get them in black too. I prefer the black over the shiny plate any day.

 

[Spidermonkeywrench]

Ok. This is an area Im proficiant in. I did truck accessories for 4 years. Roll and lock systems are good but need to be installed exactly or they will end up binding. Soft tonneau covers are great but lack security. Hard covers are great but can cost almost as much as toppers. That being said there is a company I think you should check out. Jason toppers and Tonneau covers come with a pretty good warranty and some neat fetures. The lids can actually be removed without removing the frame. So you dont have to realign it every time you have a big load. They can also be fitted with screens, carpet and even integrated into the security system of the vehicle. Im not sure if you will be mounting this permanantly or if you want it clamped down. Either way spend the extra few bucks and get a rail saver system installed. Its a rubber double channeled gasket that will save the paint on your truck and a headache down the road. PM me if you have more questions about ANY accessory questions. Thats one area I exelled in.

 

[sld]

Watched the Bakflip video. Those look pretty good! Price seems high but I paid 1400.00 for my last topper. And then you are always worried about a paint match.

Thanks for all the feedback and ideas.

 

[Spidermonkeywrench]

Hard fiberglass tonneau cover might run $650 painted to match with work lights. Heres a link to help you out. Its the Dimention series from Jason.

Dimension Series | Jason Industries, Inc

MSRP is useless. I was selling them new from the factory for $400 fully loaded. Just shop around your local truck accessory stores for the best price. Good luck.

 

[Scooby074]

Around $1400, but when you look at what those fibreglass ones cost, these are not much more.

Not that bad. My Jackrabbit was $1800 IIRC.

Next one will be lightweight and easily removable by one person. Im not installing anything that eats up bedspace either with side rails or at the head of the bed again. It was an expensive lesson learned.

I just watched a video on the diamondback, it only folds back to the middle of the box which means losing box space unless you remove the centre mounting section which is held by c-clamps. The Diamondback while tough and having neat features (drive on ramps etc) wont meet my requirements for my next cover. Im sure there are many who will like it. Here's the video, they make it look easy to install and remove (dont they always) but I got a feeling based on past experience with fiberglass tonneaus and c-clamps that they are being generous with their assumptions on how quick it can be removed.

 

[hawkeye08]

Regarding soft covers, I am as comfortable about their security as I am about the tailgate. Apparently, it is very easy to defeat the lock on modern tailgates. I like the way my Truxedo LoPro QT looks and works. I got it brand new to my door for $350.

 

[sld]

One thing about the foldups, I see them unfolded all the way and standing up against the back window. Can you drive with them in this position?

 

[Scooby074]

One thing about the foldups, I see them unfolded all the way and standing up against the back window. Can you drive with them in this position?

Yes. The cab creates a bit of a slip stream over the folded sections. I see people driving with them folded up a fair bit. I think that at least one of the cover manufactures includes a strut to hold the folded sections in the vertical position... this might be a bit of overkill though.

Obviously rear visibility with the cover folded all the way back is basically nill so if you can plan it removing the cover might be a safer alternative.

 

[sdkubota]

Regarding soft covers, I am as comfortable about their security as I am about the tailgate. Apparently, it is very easy to defeat the lock on modern tailgates. I like the way my Truxedo LoPro QT looks and works. I got it brand new to my door for $350.

I have the same one and can't say anything bad about it. My truck is in a garage at night and living in the Midwest...not much thievery around.

 

[grnspot110]

Two hand nuts & my Ex-tang is off & can be stowed in the bed!

 

[sld]

When you are folding / unfolding the hard covers, can it be done by one person standing beside the bed? All the videos show someone on each side of the truck.

 

[Diamondpilot]

When you are folding / unfolding the hard covers, can it be done by one person standing beside the bed? All the videos show someone on each side of the truck.

I put in a offer on a 2006 Ram 3500 Diesel the other day. It had a cover that rolled up like a roll top desk or roll up garage door. It was pretty slick but did take up about a foot of the bed near the cab.

Chris