Tonneau Cover with belowrail fuel tank/toolbox

[AHolbert]

I have an 04 Ram with an in-bed fuel tank/tool box that the top of sits even with the bedrails of the truck. I want to put a tonneau cover on my bed to keep the leaves and debris out of my bed and I also occasionally pull my fifth wheel so I would like easy on-off capability. The few tonneau covers I have seen use side rails that intrude too far into the inside of the truck bed to be usable with my combination. I've only got two inches of clearance between tool box lid and inside of bed rails on either sides of toolbox and only inch and a half or so between front (towards cab) of tool box lid and inner side of bed rail where front mounting clamps would go for a tonneau. The width of the toolbox is 23" deep into the interior dimensions of truck bed so I should be okay as far as side clamps would go for the tonneau as long as they're not closer than 23 1/2" or so to the front of the truck bed.


Are any of you using a tonneau cover that sits on top of the bed and don't have framework that protrudes into the interior of the bed ? I need easy access to the front of my bed in order to fill my aux tank and occasionally open the tool box. I haven't been able to find any local dealers with inventory I can look at.

I just sent some emails out to a few manufacturers but probably won't hear anything back till next week. It looks like the Tonnopro brand has covers that will work with my setup.

Any feedback is appreciated, especially if you have a Tonnopro cover on your truck or have the same setup as I've got and can make a suggestion or recommendation. Thanks in advance !

 

[lpennock]

Might take a look at a BakFlip. I got one because it was easy to remove but I'm not use the front ears wouldn't cause you a problem. I'm having a bit of trouble figuring where clearance issues would be.

 

[BLNRAY]

i have a truxedo cover that the rails are about 1.5 inches above the bed clears my transfer flow fill neck bout an inch.

 

[AHolbert]

Thanks for the feedback, I'll take a look at both the Bakflip and the Truxedo if they have websites. I have a little bit of time to do a little web research tonight.

My concern is having easy access to the front of my bed where the aux tank/tool box is located and also be able to raise the lid on my toolbox. Even though the toolbox is only as high as the top of the bed, I may have a problem if the mounting rails for a cover are more than 1" or so wide if they mount inside the top of the bed rails. I need a top of the bed rail frame in order to eliminate the side to side clearance issue.

I downloaded the installation instructions for the Extang Platinum and Black Max and I think either cover will work for my application. I sent an email to Extang in order to verify and hopefully put me in touch with a local dealer.

 

[BMelhuish]

I use an Extang Trifecta. It basically clips in folds up into 3rds exposing the hitch. Since it covers the in bed tool box I have, I just take it off when I tow. Here's the website: http://www.extang.com/trifecta-folding-tonneau-covers.html

 

[Larry Willard]

I use the literider cover from Genos with my toolbox fuel tank, used it 3 different models with no problems.

http://www.genosgarage.com/product/lite-lr34179/tonneau-cover

Larry

 

[BILTIT]

This would be the most functional, not sure exactly how low it protrudes though. I will be buying one this spring.

http://www.truxedo.com/deuce/land.php

 

[AHolbert]

After hearing back from Extang, I wound up buying the Extang BlackMax and it does exactly what I need it to do. The mounting clamps only protrude inside of the bedrails by approx an inch so there is no interference between my toolbox lid and the clamps that are between the lid and the inside of the bedrail. Because the BlackMax is a button tarp, I have easy access to any place inside the bed. I'm happy with my purchase and installation was easy and very straightforward. It also looks good on the truck.