Tonneau Cover for 04.5

[RParks]

I have a 4. 5 Quad, 4x4, 2500, LWB, Laramie on order and want to procure a tonneau cover. Someone here has probably done some research and formed some opinions as to the best brand to get. I would appreciate comments and opinions on the subject.



Thanks in advance. . RParks

 

[doldenburg]

i got a truxedo off e bay at a good price. roll up very easy install

 

[EEngel]

Covers

RParks,



I have had all three types of covers. Fiberglass, soft, and the folding aluminum.



The soft cover was nice and user friendly, however it was also broken into without a proble.



The fiberglass looked great and worked very well, right up to when you had to haul something larger than 24" high. I got sick of taking the cover off, so I thought I would just leave the cover rest on the box, and bunji it down. Good in theory, bad idea. The edges of the cover were able to flex more than the center (resting on the load). It cracked the fiberglass.



The folding cover by Advance Cover or Fold-a-cover, a great product. I have had it on the new truck for a few weeks and will not even think of going back to the others.



It's a quick install, it's light, looks good, and best of all, it folds in sections. If you need it all the way off, it takes about 2 minutes and it's gone.



Just my $0. 02

 

[swexlin]

I have a new Extang RT on order. Had an Extang on my 97 V10, and it was very durable. The Ford-issue on my PSD was not as nice.



THe new RT has the bows sewn into the cover. Very trick. Should be here anytime, then I'll see how it is to install.

 

[StephenThomas]

I have the Mopar deluxe tonneau on my 04' and i'm very pleased. This cover is not made of that typical vinyl -- instead, it is made of that same material that convertable tops are made of. There are no snaps to deal with which is a big plus to me. Rarely do I ever get water inside the bed.

 

[boonsur]

Love my Roll-N-Lock. Best of all worlds (secure & "removable" for 5th wheel or large items). Only drawback is that a good ice storm will render it useless (not sure where you live). Even with that, I'd buy another in a heartbeat.

 

[Dean Upson]

Mopar's soft cover is nice, reasonably priced and user friendly. See my readers rigs.



Dean

 

[Yo Hoot]

Originally posted by StephenThomas

I have the Mopar deluxe tonneau on my 04' and i'm very pleased. This cover is not made of that typical vinyl -- instead, it is made of that same material that convertable tops are made of. There are no snaps to deal with which is a big plus to me. Rarely do I ever get water inside the bed.

I got that fabric cover and am wondering how to care for it. I have no care instructions



Does anybody know who makes it?



I like the way it holds on. Had one similar to it on my Dmax and it holds well and looks clean. No snaps or velcro and it naturally pulls tight.

 

[RobertBolinger]

I've got a Pace Edwards Jack Rabbit-it locks shut, and I've got a Pop n Lock tail gate lock that ties into the power door locks. I figure it's about as secure as the cab (glass windows easily broken). It retracts mostly out of the way very easily. It seems most people on here like the Truxedo type, and second would be the one piece fiberglas type, and 3rd would be the others (folding & roll-up) -my 2 cents.

 

[doldenburg]

update on truxedo. 85 mph for many miles+25 30 mph cross-head wind-no problem

 

[Moterhead]

I've used the Extang brand soft tonneaus for many years. When I bought my '03 hemi, I bought an Extang Black Max for it. Seemed to have some problems. The front half billowed up badly while the back half depressed badly. A couple of conversations with the Customer Service folks got me an additional bow for the rear. Even that doesn't prevent the back half depression fully. The story I got from them was the 3rd gen cab shape (quad) coupled with the tapering bed width caused some strange aerodynamics. I won't argue the veracity of that. Just reporting what I was told. Anyway, when I got rid of the hemi & bought my '04, I moved the Black Max along with the rear inner wheel well liners, brake controller, etc. The Black Max was good enough to not just give it away with the tradein. I don't like hard tonneaus for the reasons given by EEngel. The roll up types are cool, but pricey. The soft cover is good enough for me and what I need.

 

[Iguide]

Tonneau Covers

I had done extensive research into tonneau covers before I finally decided on one. They all have short comings, such as being able to break into the soft ones, can't carry tall object with the fiberglass ones and the folding ones take up much more bed room than the Roll-Top. The best on the market is the Roll Top, for my money. It is extruded aluminum covered by closed cell foam and vinyl. It is completely lockable { they also make a tail gate lock }. It rolls up into a compartment box in the front of the bed with the aid of spring tension, or they make an eclectic one. . If you want more details just ask & I''ll get a #. It is marketed by Pace/Edwards.

 

[NSperduto]

You need to first figure out what you want it for. Do you need it for security or just for looks and keeping stuff dry. I had an extang on my Dakota and it was ok. On my next one I would either get a soft type that hinges so that it's easier to get stuff out of, but I'm leaning towards the access cover, which has velcor sides and the bars roll up with the unit. I used trucks with the access cover and it was much easer to use than my extang (which had snaps)

 

[GCross]

I have the Roll 'n' Lock on my 98 that has worked out very well. On the 04 I'm going with the Pace Edwards electric roll up.

 

[LaxCummins]

Advanced

Got the Advanced folding cover. No snaps to mess with, it's rigid and locks both the back and frontmost panels with access to either. When I need to pull horseys, I fold it forward for access to the hitch. When I arrive, I fold it back down for secure storage.



I needed flexibility and security. Drvinylusa.com had a good price on the cover too.



LaxCummins

 

[TurboTerp]

Originally posted by boonsur

Love my Roll-N-Lock. Best of all worlds (secure & "removable" for 5th wheel or large items). Only drawback is that a good ice storm will render it useless (not sure where you live). Even with that, I'd buy another in a heartbeat.

I agree with boonsur, I have the Roll-N-Lock and its a great product. I used to have a fiberglass top and that prevents you from putting anything tall in the back unless you remove the whole cover. The Roll-N-Lock allows for big and tall loads without removing anything. The tailgate is also locked in with the sliding cover.

 

[CAgnoli]

RParks,

I just purchased a Tonneau Master soft cover. It was $350. 00, took only twenty minutes for an idiot like me to install, and has NO Bow's to store, bend, break or lose.



It rolls up completely (the bow's are sewn into the material) Overall I'm very happy with it. NO SNAPS, or Buttons! I drove the truck today over 75 MPH and nary a sign of any sagging.



It locks at the back, and with a simple POP-N-Lock, your bed is completely secure.



Chris

 

[Racechaser]

I bought a Lund Preimier Series vinyl cover, man o' man what a p. o. s. . The front bow falls out at highway speeds, I destroyed one of the snaps the night I installed it. If someone trys to sell you one, run in the other direction as fast as you can!!!!