New tonneau cover - out with Downey in with Lite-Rider

[Steve St.Laurent]

Last week I lost part of my tonneau cover. I had a Downey SST cover that I've had on the truck for about 3 years. To attach the cover it used plastic snaps that stayed on the cover and snapped into a long channel in the rails - it didn't have those snaps that you have to slide back and forth on the rails. The problem was that the cover SUCKED in winter time! I couldn't take it off during winter because once it was off it was nearly impossible to get back on because of how much it would shrink. I'd have to leave a couple of the snaps undone because it was so tight. Then in the summer time it would be pretty loose. I was working on my truck in a heated shop and when I was driving home (it was 10 degrees outside) the cover evidently shrank so fast that the snaps came undone on the rear. That allowed the rear bar to fall out . I noticed it when I was driving down the freeway and the cover was flapping in the breeze.



I had seen the Lite Rider cover on Lsfarm's truck and how easy it was to use and I knew Geno's garage carried it. I ordered one and got it in yesterday. All I can say is it's simply AWESOME! It was very easy to install - took me about 20 minutes. Sits completely inside of the bed so I can now use the stake pockets for tie downs (which I need when I haul motorcycles around - been working around that for years). There's an easy to use adjustment for the length of the cover between cold and warm temperatures. It uses velcro on the sides so there's an adjustment for the width depending on temps. Takes seconds to put the cover on and off and has straps so I can just roll it up when I want the bed open. I wish I had known about this cover back when I bought the Downey. VERY well thought out design - I wouldn't even consider a different soft cover.

 

[JohnE]

They are great!

I've got an Access Toolbox edition to fit behind my rail mounted tool box.

If somone wants a soft rollup tonneau you cannot go wrong either an Access, Lite-Rider (same company) or the Truxedo, Truck-Hyde (same company here). These are the only brands one finds around here. Anything else will not take the temperature extremes.



-John

 

[rmrc]

I just installed the Truxedo, which as previously stated, is very similar to the Access / Lite Rider. Definitely a superior soft tonneau cover!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Lnwing]

Several of my friends have the TruckHyde covers and love them.



You can check them out here. http://www.hoovertarpsales.com/products.html

 

[Cooker]

Sure beats those darn snaps doesn't it I have the Truxedo and could not imagine having to deal with snaps again.

 

[pm720]

Steve,



Do you have any pics yet? I went to your webpage and there were no good shots of the cover. I have been looking for a cover that does not cover up the stake holes so I can use my new Bull Rings. I was about to settle for the Truxedo, partly due to the warranty but this sounds like a good alternative. Price?



Scott

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

I haven't taken any pictures of mine but you can see a bunch of em at http://www.dieselpro.net/lite_rider_edition.htm . Geno's sells them for $369.

 

[TradedV-10foraCummins]

Steve, if memory serves me correctly from Pigeon Forge, you have diamond plate bed rails right? Does the cover clamp on ok with the bed rails or would I have to remove mine? Take a couple of pics for us if you get a chance. Thanks.

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

It would have gone on fine but I removed them. I wanted to get access to the stake pocket for tie downs and the bed rails inhibited that. Also, I'm getting rid of nearly all the shiny metal on the truck.

 

[DennyDay]

Lite Ryder

Steve - - You're gonna' be very happy with your new cover, we're in the middle of the second winter with this cover on Mom's Ram (Last in Buffalo) and Zero problems.



Mom saw it on Robert Patton's truck at Geno's and decided that was the one.



Install was easy and adjustment to keep tight is a piece of cake.



Denny

 

[tpicard]

Steve,



You should get many years of sevice out of your cover. If its anything like it's olded brother, access cover.

I had a access cover for 6 years, 2 trucks, and the only problem I had was the glue on the velcro. I reglued it once with 3 nightmare, and replaced it once. That's not to bad, temps. ranging from -20 to 120 . Sold it with my '00 and it still looked great. I got a new cover for my '03, only because I did not want a tool box in this truck. Anybody looking for a great soft cover the access products should fill the bill.