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Tonneau Cover 8’ bed.

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rynosback

I’m looking at getting a tonneau cover for my 15 3500 DRW 8’ bed. The ones I have been looking at are trifold covers. My reasoning is that I could still hitch up and tow my 5ver but be as low as possible on my bed rail for best clearances. I know that there are inside rail mounted ones, but I was concerned with clearances when taking tight turns. Plus some of them are more than I want to pay. I know that they make quad covers, but the hight when folded is much taller above the bed rail. These are the ones that I think that I’m down to. The main difference besides price is what the material of the cover is. Not sure which ones are more durable and what the maintenance of them are.


Manufacture , material, price plus tax and shipping and then a link


  1. Mopar cover, premium haartz fabric, $750. https://www.allmoparparts.com/sku/82211274af.html
  2. Tyger T3, heavy duty 24oz. marine-grade vinyl. $255. https://www.tygerauto.com/tonneau-c...3-2023-2500-3500-2019-2023-classic-8-bed.html
  3. Lund Genesis Elite, Elite twill material. $429. https://realtruck.com/p/lund-genesis-elite-tri-fold-tonneau-cover/lnd-95863/

Any feedback would be great or if you have other covers that I have over looked. Thanks
 
Anything that sticks up can be a problem. Personally I would go with this, Highway Products bed height 30" front to back box. I have used this one since early 2,000's starting with my 98 12V.

9ED62CC5-8525-47DB-BCAA-3889D673B853.jpeg
 
A friend has a 19 RAM with 8' box, He did sorta listen to me and got a below rail cheap 18" front to back tool box but has not removed the MOPAR tri fold top as I told him the first time he is in a slow tight corner with the terrain dipping and twisting he will be punching a hole in the front cap of his 5er. I asked why he has not sold the cover, he said "because I like the looks of it".

Same goes for these tool boxes that set on the top rail sticking up 3" or so.
 
Cummins12V98 said:
Anything that sticks up can be a problem. Personally I would go with this, Highway Products bed height 30" front to back box. I have used this one since early 2,000's starting with my 98 12V.

View attachment 140109
Click to expand...
One of my main reasons is to cover my new hitch. I picked up a Hensley TS3 this Winter. So I want to keep the air bags out of the sun so they don’t degrade. And keeping it and the other things dry is a bonus.
 
Cummins12V98 said:
A friend has a 19 RAM with 8' box, He did sorta listen to me and got a below rail cheap 18" front to back tool box but has not removed the MOPAR tri fold top as I told him the first time he is in a slow tight corner with the terrain dipping and twisting he will be punching a hole in the front cap of his 5er. I asked why he has not sold the cover, he said "because I like the looks of it".

Same goes for these tool boxes that set on the top rail sticking up 3" or so.
Click to expand...
Cummins12V98 said:
A friend has a 19 RAM with 8' box, He did sorta listen to me and got a below rail cheap 18" front to back tool box but has not removed the MOPAR tri fold top as I told him the first time he is in a slow tight corner with the terrain dipping and twisting he will be punching a hole in the front cap of his 5er. I asked why he has not sold the cover, he said "because I like the looks of it".

Same goes for these tool boxes that set on the top rail sticking up 3" or so.
Click to expand...

I thought I addressed my concerns with an in bed mounting system? Some trucks have low clearances when you have to turn sharp. I don’t mean the bed rail height, I mean the width. It would suck for the pin box to hit and bend up the track system. I know in some Fords people have had to trim the pin box or change over to a GenY Executive set up.
 
@rynosback, The tarp you're using will trap condensation! You need material similar to a car cover that allows it to breathe. I had the same complaints when working with small equipment and people would cover with tarps and machine would rust out in a few short years! I told them to get better cover or just make a roof with tarp so that air could move around and not get trapped! I found a RV cover that was starting to wear at the corners that the owner was giving away. It had plenty of good material left on it to make small covers for other items. I would think the cover from the manufacture would be breathable type material. Good luck get it figured out.
 
Don't know what is 'more than you want to pay', but I have a BakFlip on my 6.4 bed and it folds 4 times and will stand straight up at the front of the bed so plenty of room for the 5th wheel.
 
Topzide said:
@rynosback, The tarp you're using will trap condensation! You need material similar to a car cover that allows it to breathe. I had the same complaints when working with small equipment and people would cover with tarps and machine would rust out in a few short years! I told them to get better cover or just make a roof with tarp so that air could move around and not get trapped! I found a RV cover that was starting to wear at the corners that the owner was giving away. It had plenty of good material left on it to make small covers for other items. I would think the cover from the manufacture would be breathable type material. Good luck get it figured out.
Click to expand...
It does not seal up the bed. There are gaps on all sides. I picked up a 5x7 tarp that is like 21mil.
 
@rynosback, Doesn't matter that it has an opening on the bottom. The tarp isn't breathable, and traps moisture under it. Think of how a chimney works, it will draw air up and out. With a tarp, it just traps the heat and moisture under it. If you had it straight across the bed, like a roof, it would be better.
 
It is across the bed. It is bungeed in place from the outer stake holes on the rail. I do not have it wrapped over the hitch directly and bungeed on. But I completely understand what you mean.
 
I'd bet that you could find a grill or deck chair cover for less money the want the manufacture cover would be. Would be a good option even with a bed cover as it would keep the unit cleaner from dirt and dust! I've got a small grease gun for chain saws that I keep Mobil One grease in that stays with the hitch. Small enough and has a tip to apply a thin line of grease as needed. Have pulled my hitch apart and greased all points and bushings that the fittings don't reach. Also works for u-joints with the ball type fittings. This is the company; https://dualco-inc.com/push-type-utility-guns/
 
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Issue 128 – Digital Version
Digital Magazines
FREE!
TDR Test Drive - Digital Edition
Renew
Subscribe
Gift Subscriptions
Back Issues
Subscription Status
Address Change Form
Buyer's Guides
Ram Diagnostic Trouble Codes
The Perfect Collection
The Perfect Collection Vol. II
TSB Updates
Dodge/Cummins Historical Overview
Cameron Collection
What Makes Us Tick?
Product Showcase
Advertising



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