Tonneau Cover

[JThiessen]

I've got a Roll 'n Lock

Got mine online for 825 delivered. I like it so far, however, there are a few drawbacks to it:

1) THe side rails extend out into the bed, thus giving a "weak" spot that I constantly have to be very aware of.

2) Have noticed leakage at the rear corners where the rails terminate. May be able to solve this with some correctly applied silicone.



I'm extremely suprised nobody else jumped on XCX's remarks of 2mpg increase. XCX: Always take claims like this and ignore them - you'll end up older and wiser in the long run. I started off believing these claims, but every aftermarket "MPG improver" I've ever installed has come up way short, if anything at all. This is my second tonneau (first was a soft Extang), and I havent improved a single drop in MPG. Remember, the design of a pickup somewhat utilizes backflow of air against the back of the bed/cab (ever noticed that lighter "stuff" ends up in the front of the bed?). Thats why actual tests of having the tailgate down typically show ZERO mpg improvement.

 

[dGottschalk]

I totally agree with JFirebaugh. I also have an ARE cover that I love. I have had it for about two years now. No problems at all. Not a drop of water in the bed. The color match is perfect and i too love the styling. I also like the fact that the lock is on the back tailgate portion of the cover, not the top like some others.

Doug

 

[LaxCummins]

Leakage on the folder

FD

Leakage? Haven't noticed any yet, but the water's been awfully hard around here lately . I figure it's at least as good or better than a snap down tonneau and I can lock it up. Price was good and it looks pretty decent on my silver 2500 shortie.



Seals look to be pretty good - it's got two seals on the sides and one that overlaps the front of the box.



PC

 

[BSkinner]

Originally posted by Fireman Dave

Hey BSkinner and Connolly_P:



How are those covers for keeping water out?



Thanks,



Dave

I'd say the Advance cover does a pretty good job. I get a little bit of water when I drive through the automatic wash. Otherwise, no problems (but it doesn't rain much around here. )



Bob

 

[Fireman Dave]

Thanks, guys. I currently have a Leer fiberglass lid on mine. It functions great - dry as a bone in there and it covers the tailgate, so all is locked up. The downside is I don't like how it looks all that much and it's very limited for versitility. Taking it off is not practical when needed - it's gotta weigh over 200 lbs.



Hey PC - where's LAX? Maybe I could hook up with you and look at your setup.



Dave

 

[LaxCummins]

LAX

LAX = La Crosse. I guess that's how the locals glamorize the name. Cracked me up when Buick had to rename the "Lacrosse" SUV hybrid in Quebec, Canada when they found out that the word was a euphamism for "self love" among teens there.



Just moved here in September from Denver. Used to hang with Bill Swails of Earthroamer.com fame (his business partner is my sister-in-law). Was also a volunteer firefighter/emt from 1993 to 2000.



I don't get it - around here there are lots of 2500's - but probably only 1 in 10 is a Cummins. If I hear one more person ask me "Got a Hemi?", I'm gonna kick 'em in the jimmy.



Back to the cover talk. It's got the double seals on the side and the front and back both have an overlapping seal. I'm probably going to do a spray-in bedliner when I get the turnover ball installed to keep things from rusting.



PC

 

[PKitchen]

Does anyone have any experience with the factory installed "Soft Tonneau Cover" option? How difficult is it to remove and reattach the cover? Could I add a Line-X bed liner that extends over the rails at a later date and not interfere with the cover's attachment points? Pictures of the factory cover would be especially helpful.

 

[StephenThomas]

I would advise that instead of the factory soft tonneau cover, that you at least consider buying the soft mopar tonneau cover as an aftermarket item instead. Reason..... the Dodge soft cover is made of vinyl and the Mopar after market cover is made of the same type of material as a convertible top. It looks much much better in my opinion. So much so that I bought one not too long ago. Here's my . 02 on the mopar cover:



Good: -Material is well made and looks great! -Cover is very easy to install - took me around 20 minutes. -Cover fit over my over the rail spray on liner. -Keeps all my items in the bed dry. - Easy to roll up when hauling larger items (easy on/easy off). -No snaps to deal with. -Improved fuel mileage? -Held ice/snow cover without a problem.



Bad: -A bit pricey (just under $400). -Support rails do not roll up with the cover. -Support rails poke up a bit (wish they were flat), but I'm sure this is to add more strength.



In short..... I like mine and I'm glad I didn't get the factory vinyl cover and instead chose the mopar premium cover as an aftermarket item.



Good luck with your search.

 

[Fireman Dave]

Sent you a PM, LAX.

 

[dkosheba]

LT Sport Cover Installed

Gentleman,



I got the LT Sport two weeks to the day from ordering it, met the Yellow Truck driver with 53' trailer at the end of my driveway and placed it in back of truck to take up to house. I installed Wednesday night, and took many pictures to do a complete write up on it for you all. Problem is, I am leaving Tomorrow morning from MI to NC for a Red Cross mission trip with Daughter and won't be on-line or back home for a week.



If I can stay up a little longer tonight, I will post a couple images in readers rigs and then follow up with the 40 other shots to show installation in the next couple weeks.



I have not put any miles on truck since the install, but will be able to get more info in a couple weeks. My advise now is that it is a nice lid an does look very nice on my truck. I do have some issues with it from the manufacture, but I am very picky and the solution only cost me 50 cents in parts to make right, so I will fill you in next week.



Don

 

[bighammer]

Originally posted by Fireman Dave





Hey PC - where's LAX? Maybe I could hook up with you and look at your setup.



Dave

I was thinking Los Angeles Airport. (Isn't that LAX? )





I was reading this because I'm looking at a cover for the 03. I was looking at the Extang Tough Toneau III or the full tilt one.



I think I want soft top (light and rollable) but I'm not sure of attachment. Anybody have the tilt? How about the Peel & Seal? Not sure I want a bunch of snaps. Velcro sounds sort of cheezy (popular in WI? ) to me.



Bummer I didn't keep in contact with a couple of HS friends. (who started Extang)

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

For anyone looking for a soft tonneau I would HIGHLY recommend looking at the lite-rider cover (you can get them at Genos garage at http://216.167.41.9/CoastalData/showdetl.cfm?&DID=30&Product_ID=1092&CATID=1 ) or the "access" cover. The manufacturers page is at http://www.accesscover.com/ . I have had a number of soft tonneaus over the years and this is BY FAR the best one I have ever owned or seen. It takes seconds to roll up or roll down - literally can be done in 20 seconds or so. It has easy adjustments so that it's tight winter or summer, etc. After owning it I know I will never own a different style of soft cover. They have a slide show of rolling it up on the access site at http://www.accesscover.com/Features/SlideShow.asp . It uses velcro down the sides and a bar that locks in at the rear. This is the first soft tonneau I've ever used that I can use on and off in winter.