Tonneau Covers / Snaps or Velcro

[rmrc]

I'm starting my search into what type of bed cover to get. I ruled out the Pace Edwards & Roll-In-Lock due to price and loosing almost a foot behind the cab. I'm trying to weigh the pro's and con's regarding snaps vs velcro tonneau covers.



Any suggestions, past experience or preferences would be appreciated.

 

[JWhitcomb]

I have the one Geno's sells (Lite Rider???) and find it very easy to use (Velcro). I install and remove it as often as I use the camper and the install is quick and easy, removal is very quick. The Velcro keeps it smooth and tight.

 

[tntway]

i have snaps...

and i hate them. they can become hard to snap and this is a problem for my wife. i have pulled them apart from corrosion in the past. i am currently looking to replace my Sport-Tite with a Fastback II hard tonneau.

 

[RPetersen]

I've got a fabric cover but it snaps to a frame so it opens like a hard cover, but it's a piece of cake for 1 to take it off when room is needed. Had it 3 years with no regrets, Oh, one corner piece broke las year and the manufacturer sent me two, free. Nice folks.

Rodg

 

[bfreel]

Do not, buy a Velcro tonneau cover! The Velcro wears out, it will peel from the truck in hot weather, when installing the cover after it's been off, is a pain in the butt if the Velcro sticks in the wrong place ETC. ETC. Downey Products makes a very nice SST tonneau cover with a black anodized frame without metal snaps, that can be fastened to the frame anywhere along the frame rail. The framed tonneaus, that have the male stud that slides along the track of the frame, are the absolute worst pain in the butt to use.



42. 75 years installing these things!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Casey Balvert]

I had a snap type cover on my 97. Keeping the buttons lubricated once every other month with a rag with a bit of WS40 worked great. But it was a bugger in cold weather. The 2003 came from the factory with a snapless frame design. Hard to describe but there is a plastic rail sewn into the hem of the cover that inserts into a slot in the frame. So far it works really nice, is more water resistant and works well in cold weather. Just might be worth a look. Cheers,



Casey

 

[bfreel]

I think I've seen those. They look pretty good.

 

[heliopilot]

Do a search for the brand "CoverCraft" on the net or your local parts store. they use neither snaps nor velcro . but the tonnaeu cover fits into the aluminun channel. this system works well in the new england cold as well as summer. good luck.

 

[JohnMcIntyre]

TruXedo

I am currently using a bed cover from TruXedo and although I had some reservations about Velcro, so far it seems to be okay... ... The installation instructions were pretty straight forward. It (still) looks good and has already survived a couple of European winters without mishap. It's a well made and versatile product and worth checking out IMO.



later... ...

 

[CharlieMiller]

Snaps

I have an Extang Classic with snaps that flip 180 degrees for when the weather cools and the cover shrinks. The cross support bars also have 2 positions to tighten the cover. I have had it for about 3 months and so far so good. Comes off & on easy and keeps the cargo covered and dry. I'm a happy camper its a whole lot better than the top on the old truck. What do you want for just over $200? Better than any tarp that beats the paint job to death since it never stays in place. :{

 

[vssman]

I have a Tek-style tonneau cover on mine. I fell for the "easy installation" after seeing it installed on one of the truck shows on TV. It has snaps that slide on a rail to give you the "best of both world. " All I can say is the designer is sadistic. NO WAY will it go on in the cold. I've seen the cover that Geno's sells on a truck at the NE Seafood wrench day. Looks good and the bows are part of the cover. I think it was on wheaties truck.

 

[Cooker]

I also have a Truxedo on my truck. It has been on for a little more than a year and is holding up well. Velcro seems just fine and should something happen to the cover (including the velcro) is guaranteed for life.



Take care,

Ryan

 

[rmrc]

Truxedo vs Access ( Lite Rider )

It seems that the Truxedo and Access ( Lite Rider ) covers are very similar. Does anyone know the difference between the two?

 

[Cooker]

Note that the Lite Rider is not the top model of the Agri-Cover line, the Access Roll Up cover is.



The difference were explained a while back in one thread. JohnE did decided on an Access cover, but I do not know what made him decide over the Truxedo



I'll see if I can dig up that thread.



Here it it: https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=27933

 

[JohnE]

I forgot about that thread, Ryan. .

I did get an Access cover (after the Espar). I got a "Tool-Box Edition". I have a long box Ram with rail mounted tool box. The Access cover fits nicely.

I decided on the Access brand versus Truck-Hyde or Truxedo based on the sides that mount to your truck (extrusions). The Access extrusions are sloped and give you easier easier access (no pun or pitch intended) if you have side rails.

Both Access (Lite-rider) and Truck-Hyde (Truxedo) are quality products. I would not settle for anything less.

 

[dremelts]

Those of you who have the Access or Truxedo: can you tell me how much higher the frame is above the bed rails? In the summer I pull a 5er and don't want to reduce the clearance between the bed rails and the trailer any more than I have to.

 

[JohnMcIntyre]

Feedback

Originally posted by dremelts

Those of you who have the Access or Truxedo: can you tell me how much higher the frame is above the bed rails?

Dave, if I understand your question correctly, the Truxedo tonneau profile stands just under 1 inch higher from the top of the the pick up box sidewalls, front back and sides.

 

[JohnE]

I measured my Access cover. The frame alone stands 1½ inches above the bed rail.

Your are cutting it close if that distance would hinder your 5th hook-up. The covers are held on with clamps similar to topper (canopy, camper, shell, ... ) hold downs. If the trailer strikes it will just shove the frame down.



Here's a link to a 93 (I think) first gen with a custom pintle hook hitch. The quarter panels were in the way the first time the owner turned left and right.

worked truck

 

[stownsend]

I've been doing a little research on the different types. The Extang Tonno III looks kind of cool. Does anybody know how the Tonno III differs from the CoverCraft? Both look like they use some type of plastic hook to attach the cover to the rail. How reliable are these?



Steve