I need a bed cover

[bighammer]

I've never had one, (and never even liked the idea of one) but now I need one for my 03. I have no clue as to what to get. I'd like stuff to stay dry inside, and full removal (and storage) not too big of a deal.



Any help or ideas welcomed.



Thanks,



Pete

 

[TnLRacing]

I would suggest one of the retractable covers made by Pace Edwards. They are a little pricey, but they are extremely durable, and easy to use

 

[RobertBolinger]

I second that-I have a PE Jack Rabbit that I just installed. This is their "mid-line" cover that will stop at 12" increments-the high line is electric, and the low line just retracts. It is lockable, and although vinyl on top, it has extruded aluminum slats on the bottom-looks like a roll-up door used at for instance a post office window.



Because the Dodge bed is not square (on the outside) it covers 80% of the rear stake pocket and 20% of the front-so I got Wade bed top caps-this makes the whole install look much better.



I'm not completely waterproof yet-still have some adjusting to do. If your stuff was in Rubbermaid containers inside it would be fine.



It rolls up to take up about 12" at the front, so rolled up it can be used like a truck-just have to be careful not to damage the rolled up cover or the side tracks-tie that V-8 down!



To completely remove it would take probably 20 minutes-maybe 10 with a lot of practice, because a lot of the stuff you do during the install can just stay on the tracks for instance-it is clamp only, no holes to drill, except I drilled holes in those black plugs in the front of the bed to route the drains.



Also, to remove it I would want to install a plug on the wire that goes to the light-PE provides a toggle switch to install right inside the bed-instead I skipped the switch and routed mine back to the cab and wired it into the cab light-that way it is not left on, and instead tied into the HAL 9000 computer that decides after 10 minutes that the cab light needs to be turned off.



I can give some tips in install. I'll try to take some pics, and post Saturday.



I should be able to finish the tailgate lock install Sat. too.

 

[JohnMcIntyre]

No complaints, 4rs+ and 60k+ miles

in all weathers , all over Europe.....

Truxedo

 

[Lsfarm]

Velcro type

Hey Pete, I'd recommend one of the Truxedo, Access, LiteRider type of covers. What is so nice about them is how easy they are to use for one person, and in any temperature. [this will be an issue for you up in the frozen north]



I had and wore out a snap type cover, had it on three different trucks. It was such a pain to get into the bed of the truck, that I took to tying a rope to anything I put in the bed so that I could pull it to the back without having to unsnap the cover, or crawl in.



Now with my Access rollup cover it takes seconds to roll up the cover and retrieve whatever I want from the front of the bed. If you need to use the bed with the cover rolled up, you loose only a few inches of the bed due to the front rail, not a foot or so with some other rollup type covers. I've had this Access cover for over six years and on three different trucks, and it still looks virtually new



They will support over 18" of snow, and not pool rainwater too bad. The only problem I have is the velcro sometimes comes unstuck on the freeway during high airspeed blasts. [90+ mph into headwinds] If I make sure the velcro is fastened real good [run my thumb firmly over the flap] prior to freeway runs, I have no problems.



I sent you a PM.



Hope this helps, Greg L. The Noise Nazi

 

[jphunter55]

Take a look at www.peragon.com , at $499. it looks like a good deal.

 

[bighammer]

I just ordered a Truxedo Lo Pro (low profile) cover for the 03. Oo. The access looks easy without too much bulk, weight or expense. We'll see. When I get it I'll let you know what I think and post some pictures. (Up here, I'm not sure that security is an issue and I don't see trusting a cover much anyway)



Thanks for the input guys.

 

[Cooker]

Good choice on the Truxedo Do you have a link to some pics of the low profile one?

 

[americana]

pace edwards/roll-n-loc will not guarantee a dry bed. the only way you are going to achieve that is with a fiberglass bed cover.



however that limits your ability to carry odd size loads. in the five years i've had my truck (bought with the bed cover) i've yet to see a drop of water in the bed. also you can paint match fiberglass. if you go with truxedo or a pace/roll you better like black.



if i were to choose (actually spend my own dollars... ) i'd be torn. there have been a few (only a few) times where having a roll up bed cover would have come in handy. but i really like the look of the gem top cover and the security.



choose wisely... . neither of these options is cheap.