Tonneau Covers

[sld]

I am in the process of researching a new truck. I have used a topper on my trucks for the last 20 years or so. That is always a big expense with a new truck. This thread is not about trucks (I will be getting an F-150 with ecoboost or 5.0) so I am looking for information about alternatives to a topper.

The reasons for the topper are simple. Camping trips, tools, dogs, hunting stuff, etc.... I would like to go the route of pickup and tonneau cover just for something different. Visibililty is better, it is easier to remove, and it probably looks better.

What are some of your opinions on these covers? I am mainly interested in the hard covers. I like the fact that they are easily removable for hauling big stuff. I have removed my topper a few times to haul big stuff but really it is a pain.

What are some of the pros and cons of the tonneaus based on your experience?

 

[Diamondpilot]

I am not a cover or topper guy but the roll up ones seem pretty slick.

Chris

 

[buck12]

I will follow this thread as I have an f150 and have considered the Back Flip bed cover. I have talked to several people who use the Back Flip and they really like it. Years ago I had a fiberglass cover and it was just too much trouble to remove. With the flip up style covers you can haul over size items without removing the cover.

 

[sdkubota]

I have one on my Tundra and like it. Keeps everything out of the weather and opens or comes off super easy. In the past I have had toppers and hard caps but I like the tonneau cover the best for ease of use. The thing it fails at providing is security as a knife will go right through one. Mine is a Truxedo which is a very quality made cover.

 

[timswi]

I have an OEM on mine...Works great..Not fight to reinstall even in the coldest weather.

 

[sld]

I have one on my Tundra and like it. Keeps everything out of the weather and opens or comes off super easy. In the past I have had toppers and hard caps but I like the tonneau cover the best for ease of use. The thing it fails at providing is security as a knife will go right through one. Mine is a Truxedo which is a very quality made cover.

I wondered that about the soft covers. I think for that reason I will be looking at the hard covers.

The topper really excels in the security area except pretty much everything is visible. At least with the tonneau cover, stuff is hidden.

 

[sld]

I have an OEM on mine...Works great..Not fight to reinstall even in the coldest weather.

What brand is the OEM?

 

[Pixguy]

I've researched them as well and haven't decided on which one. I've seen the soft pleather ones rip after some time at the snaps and although the fiberglass painted ones are slick, they are a pain if you run to lumberyard and need the space.
The hard flip type appear to have the best of all worlds.

This opinion is worth what it cost you.

 

[sld]

Anybody haul dogs in dog boxes with a tonneau?

 

[timswi]

What brand is the OEM?

From GMC..Don't know who actually makes it but it is embossed with a GMC logo.

The bars stay in the cover, the sides are velcro and the back lock is mechanical...I like it...2 minute removal and reinstall.

Run the truck every day hitting speeds of 80mph and never had an issue (except when I forgot to lock the back...Kinda like a Porsche spoiler coming up)

 

[fbiwrench]

I have two F150's. One with Lear fiberglass cargo cover and the other a Bakflip folding cover. Both keep contents dry and and are great. But hands down the must versatile one is the bakflip. If you are like me and you run across that "deal" that won't fit in your truck the bakflip folds back out of the way or removes in a minute with out tools.

 

[cmyoung2]

Years ago-1981- I bought a Datsun pickup and got one of the roll tops. Put 350k on the truck, then moved the top to another. I loved it. Took up about 10" bed space when rolled back, covered anything that fit in the bed, lockable, weather tight. Next truck had a shell, good for camping and moving goats and sheep, terrible for almost anything else. Current truck has a tool box, no cover, but about all I haul is wood, and the truck was used when I bought it. If and when I buy a new truck, it will have a roll top. Maybe not the electric rollup, a spring worked well before. They are not cheap, saw a Leonard at the State Fair a couple of weeks ago, list was something like $13-1400. But if I remember right, I paid something like $700 in 81.

 

[grnspot110]

I traded for an '06 Chevy a couple years ago, it had a soft cover on it. Didn't like the security of the soft cover, so I bought an Ex-tang Solid Fold off ebay. I've been very happy with it, easy fold & off, if needed! ~~ grnspot

 

[sdkubota]

The only comment I will make about the hard fiberglass caps are they are heavy! The use lift cylinders to take the pounds off but they also fail regularly and are costly to replace. It is also very hard to access near the front where the hinge is. I liked a hard topper but it prevents you from hauling anything taller than the door opening.

 

[grnspot110]

The only comment I will make about the hard fiberglass caps are they are heavy! The use lift cylinders to take the pounds off but they also fail regularly and are costly to replace. It is also very hard to access near the front where the hinge is. I liked a hard topper but it prevents you from hauling anything taller than the door opening.

That's why I went with the folding style!

 

[Pixguy]

I traded for an '06 Chevy a couple years ago, it had a soft cover on it. Didn't like the security of the soft cover, so I bought an Ex-tang Solid Fold off ebay. I've been very happy with it, easy fold & off, if needed! ~~ grnspot

Looks like the Extang folds back to about 20" ??

 

[sld]

I have looked at the Extangs on the internet. Not bad.

My only real requirements are the following:

- keep stuff locked and secure
- keep stuff dry
- be able to haul 2 large dog boxes (thus the folding cover)
- be able to remove easily for large stuff

Thanks for all the feedback so far. With my current truck I am using the Bedrug under the topper. Great bedliner that's tough and easy to clean. Will definitely use under the tonneau too.

 

[WilliamBos]

Next truck will have a Diamondback HD on it.

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

 

[kenmac]

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

 

[Lt CHEG]

There's nothing better out there than BakFlip in my opinion. I've tried a couple and always end up with a BakFlip. They're expensive but they are definitely worth it to me.