Who has a tonneau cover?

[Wheaties]

Hey Everyone,

Who has a tonneau cover as opposed to a cap? What do you like or dislike about them? Have you had trouble with them when it's cold? Does yours cover or leave exposed the stake holes?

I have had long experience with marine type snaps and won't consider anything that has them. Also, I'll probably stay away from a hard shell tonneau--I think they look great, but I'll want something that stays with the truck when you take on something large. I am looking for something really well made.

Even so, I'm finding so many options, that it's getting very hard to make a choice. I'm ready to start cruising the parking lot at Home Depot in an effort to get a glimpse of the product before I buy! I really need your help!

BTW, I ran across something called a BedRug? on the web. Looks like a good alternative to a bedliner which will scratch the paint right off. I've considered the spray in liners, and it isn't for me. Any thoughts on that?

Thanks, Matt

 

[Joe G.]

Matt,

I use a hard fold up cover. I got it from Dodge when I got my truck. The only thing I don't like about it is that the sticky tape on the bed rail guides came loose after a couple of years. I fixed that with some stainless sheet metal screws. It locks and is strong enuff to walk on. If I want to haul something tall it will fold up until it's about the size of a bed tool box. It's easy to remove so I can haul rocks or anything else that's bulky when I want to.

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Joe George
Eureka, CA

'95 2500 CC auto 4X4,3. 54,Combo EGT/boost guage,custom switch panel,PacBrake,TST #5,Automatic motorhome steps on both sides,Foldacover hard bed cover,Cummins chrome kit,Black steel grill guard,Front hitch receiver

 

[BCFAST]

I had an X-Stang tonneau on my old 95. Nothing but good things to say about it... it didnt have snaps, it had a hard-plastic runner down each edge that slipped up under the bed rail frame. . never leaked once!

 

[Wheaties]

Joe G. ,

Do you mean the rails are held on with sticky tape? I really like the looks of the hard fold up cover. Is it relatively watertight? What is it made of? How much does it weigh? Does it leave the stake holes exposed?

BCFAST

I take it you have the Ex-Tang that doesn't have the plastic snaps, but the continuous 'zipper' -- did it behave in cold weather, or was it a bear when it shrank?

I really appreciate your help here! Your covers are definitely two that I was already considering. So many choices, so many questions :-D

Matt

 

[BigBadDodge]

Matt,

I have the X-Tang black max it looks and performs great I am using the plastic snaps though and like them the snaps can be slid off and turned upside down leaving more slack in the cover for winter operation. I am in Boston and I went out to the truck two weeks ago there was 12" of heavy wet snow on my cover and it held up great when roofs where colapsing on the houses it doesn't leak either and I have had the cover for 4 years now and I too have nothing but good to say about the product I like the fact that I can just rool it up and secure it with the velcro straps, drop the bow's in the bed and load what ever it is I need to haul

Good luck with what ever route you choose.

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1997 Dodge Ram 2500 HD / Club Cab, Cummins Turbo Diesel (silencer ring removed), 4. 5" Skyjacker Double Flex suspension lift, 36x14. 5"x16. 5" Ground Hawg radial tires on 16. 5x9. 75 Weld Super Singles, dual steering stabilizer, 4. 10 precision gears, 33-tooth Speedo gear, Psycotty Air Induction, Mag-Hytec rear, Rhino liner, Grizzly double bent nerf bars, Bushwhacker flares, Kanduco grill insert, Confer super skid axle truss, DT Trac-bar, Moog tie rod system, Fabritech Traction bars, Energy sway bar bushings and end links. Truck Pic's

 

[Patriot Diesel]

Matt,

I have a custom made soft vinyl tonneau cover on my truck. I had it made to fit behind my toolbox, I love it. , Although now I am considering changing to a cap, we have two dogs, it gets a little crowded in the cab.

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2000 2500HD QUADCAB CUMMINS, AUTO WITH 3. 54'S,LB,4x4,ALL OPTIONS MINUS LEATHER,UWS DP TOOL BOX,SPORTMASTER CUSTOM MADE SOFT TONNEAU,CARR STEP, VENTVISOR, 305/70/16 PRO COMP'S, RANCHO RS9000, RS5000 STABILIZER, AMSOIL 15W-40, PATRIOT BLUE/DRIFTWOOD

 

[Joe G.]

Matt,

It has some plastic quides that mount on top of the bed rails. They quide the sides of the cover when you open or close it. Also the middle of the side clips mount on it. These restrain the sides of the cover when you run over bumps or bums. The sticky tape that fastens these guides to the bed rails gets old and comes unstuck. It was pretty good about leaks but the most forward of the hinges is leaking a bit now. The fabric cover over the hinge has cracked. Not too bad since I bought it in '95. I'll fix it one of these days when I get aroundtoit. It's not exactly soaking the stuff in the bed.

 

[BCFAST]

Joe G. I had no troubles with temp and fit. The X-Stang frame is aluminum, is clamped to the bed rails with all-aluminum hardware (no drilling, nothing permanent). Yes, it was a continuous plastic bead around the perimeter, with removeable bows across the middle of the bed to keep the cover up. Again, no leaks, no tears or troubles... a high quality product.

 

[Joe G.]

BCFAST,

Can you walk on it? That's kind handy some times. For example, when I replaced the AC on the top of my trailer I just stood on the cover to put it up there. I certainly havn't seen any cover I liked better. It takes just a few seconds to fold up.

 

[Wiredawg]

I've got an aluminum roll top. Works great in the cold, locks and doesn't leak. $750 out the door and about three hours (and a few beers) to install. Nice clean appearance too.

Wiredawg

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2000 4X4 SLT QC 8' bed; 6 spd, 3. 54 ; BD exhaust brake and 4" exhaust syst; TST PM2; Airlift Super Duty rear air bags; RS 9000 shocks; pyro/boost gauges in 2 gauge a-pillar mount; back preasure gauge mounted under dash; KN air filter; Brown's Welding brush/grill guard, rear bumper & headache rack; nerf bars and aluminum roll top rear cover, Warn front receiver and Hadley air horns, 20K Reese hitch,Mag-Hytec dif cover,Psycotty Air.

 

[Wheaties]

BCFAST,

Where do you live, or better yet, where is the 'tea line' you live south of. We had a lot of 10deg days this winter. I want to know I'll be able to put the cover back if it comes off.

BigBadDodge,

I got a rousing endorsement of the X-tang Black Max from a parts distributer who has probably seen more than a few go out the door. I've seen the reversable tabs. What does the piece attached to the tarp look like? Is it a big plastic snap or what?

Wiredawg,

I bet that aluminum roll top is just beautiful, but it sounds awfully pricey to me. Still, I bet it will be the last one you'll ever have to buy. The fabric ones wear out eventually.

 

[Cooker]

I just went this route too. Here is my $. 02.

I've had caps. They are very nice and are great for storing larger items out of the elements (hunting gear, ice fising gear, tools, ect. Caps are difficult to access the front of, unless you have flip up side windows, but I would get them again becasue you are always leaning up against the side of the trcuk with the zipper on your coat or belt buckle. I will say again, flip up side windows are nice. The other problem with a cap is you cannot carry something large and tall. You will have to make the choice if the cap is tall enough for the items you will likely haul.

I couldn't agree with you more on the fiberglass tonneau cover issue.

There are many types of tonneau covers. Snapping vinyl, roll up velco vinyl, hard roll up (Pace Edwards), and Fold a Covers.
I've had a couple of snapping vinyl covers and I will agree Extang make the best IMO. Pace Edwards seem nice, but at a cost $600-$700. The Fold a Covers are pricey too, and are not as nice as the Pace Edwards IMO. You still lose about 2ft of the bed with a Fold a Cover no matter how you have it opened up (at least the ones I've had experience with.

For me the best of everything was the Truxedo roll up velco vinyl cover. I just ordered it last week so I haven't had the chance to check it out in person yet, but after looking at all the alternatives this is the best for my uses. I like the look of vinyl, rolls up out of the way quickly and conviently, full use of the bed, and not too expensive. Convience does come at a price though $419.

My father thinks I'm crazy for spending that kind of money on a tonneau, it meets ever need I have in a tonneau. I hope it live up to my expectations. At the price tag it better. I'll let you know how it works out.

Ryan

 

[Fireman Dave]

Matt,

I have a Leer hard tonneau. It has limitations that you know about, but I like the fact that it secures my box (it covers the tailgate, so everything is locked). It also keeps people from seeing what's in my box. There are times when I wish I had a cap, though.

I also have a BedRug. I like it a lot. It keeps the bed like brand new, and no moisture in there so far (after a year). It comes in and out, although I've never needed to take it out. It's a high quality piece. It's padded, so it really saves the knees when crawling to the front of the box. I got it from California Concepts - UPS. I saved a little money by installing it myself.

It can look a little wimpy when comparing to other trucks that are real work trucks, but it fits my needs very well since I use the box more like the trunk of a car. When I haul wood, I just put a tarp down and vacuum later.

Dave

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2001 2500; SLT; 4x4; QC; LWB; Auto; 3. 54 LS; 265s; Camper; Tow; Sliding Rear Window; Travel Convenience Group; Cab Clearance Lamps; BedRug; Forest Green

 

[Joe G.]

When I want to haul rocks, garbage, firewood, or anything else that's bulky I just take the whole bed cover off. It's easy since it's attached with just four simple brackets.

 

[Wheaties]

Cooker,

The Truxedo sounds a lot like the Access Cover which I have also been looking at and like a lot. Someone emailed me separately on this cover, and I may go that route yet. They're expensive though, over $450, but I hear they hold up well. This system uses rails that fit inside the top edge, so if you want bed rails, it doesn't interfere. Also the sides are held on with 'hook & loop' I suspect they can't say 'velcro' for some reason.

Fireman Dave,

Don't get me wrong. I think the hard covers look great and really add to the looks of a truck. Being able to lock is a definite plus. I have been caught enough times, say by a friend who needs some furniture hauled, to know that I wouldn't have a place to drop the lid and then go back for it.

As for the bedrug, I don't see anything wimpy about a solution that keeps the rust out of my bed, plus keeps things from sliding around. We have to keep up with the Blackwoods, Right ;-) How well are they molded to fit the bed? I understand there are slots in the sidewalls to hold some wood in place if you want to partition things off. Does the bedrug still allow you to do this?

I agree with the tarp plan, that should work well.
Thanks All! This is a tremendous help.

Matt

[This message has been edited by mwheaton (edited 03-20-2001). ]

 

[ftb87]

I purchased a fiberglass cover from Dodge (purchased at cost). I like the cover well and the paint matches exactly! I like the fact that when my family and myself goes on a trip everything stays secure and dry. The only down side of the cover is large or bulky items. The cover will have to be removed, but it only takes about 10 minuites to take off.

Frank

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01 White, Quad Cab,Short Box ,Sport SLT+,5 speed 3. 54 Ltd-slip,4X4,line-x ,Nerf bars,fiberglass tonneau cover

 

[Cooker]

mwheaton,

I was considering the Access cover also. I decided to go with the Truxedo after talking with Craig at Truxedo. As an added benefit it is a few $$$ cheaper $419 vs ~$450.

There are many benefits that sold me on the Truxedo over the Access, and one was lifetime warranty. There are others, email me or post another question for more info. Or call Craig at Truxedo and he'll give you the straight scoop.

Ryan

 

[Fireman Dave]

Matt,

Yes, the rug is molded and fits well. It's all held on by velcro, so it's easy to take out. It also has a zipper connecting the floor and sides, so they can be separated. The partition indentations are in the rug, so you should be able to divide things. The padding is pretty thick, so they aren't defined as crisply as the box itself. I've never used them. It will also cover your cargo hooks, but they could be put on over the rug or the rug could be trimmed to let them poke through. Mine are just covered up until I need them - which I never have so far. Another nice thing is things don't slide around as much as a with plastic liner, but they do slide more than a spray-in.

Dave

 

[Bud Fox]

I have an Extang and I know oyu said you dont want snaps but I just wanted to let everyone know I feel their customer service is #1. I had a few problems with my cover(ie missing a few snaps when I bought-they overnighted me a whole bag. Then one of my snaps tore on the cover becuse a rail came out and we had a bad rainstorm and water built up on the liner. Called them up again and they said they would replace the cover or give me a repair kit to try-I opted for the repair kit first and that did the trick. Would definitely buy from them again

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98 2500 4x4 QC auto "one of the last 12 valvers- late Dec 1997" 305 70 16, K&N ,260/608 torque plate,EGT and Boost gauge under ashtray. Bought a spray can of CAT-BE-GONE. Ring removed- Whats next folks????

 

[RKohn]

Had a fiberglass cover on the last truck. It looked great, but if you wanted to haule something it was a pain in the butt to take off.

Softcovers look ok, but no security.

Just got a Roll-N-Lock. Became a "dealer" to get a better price. Love it so far. Only one downside I've seen. You lose about 9" bedspace for the canister.

I sold one to a friend with a 1500. He thought it was great till he bought a quad and couldn't close the tailgate, so you know the rest of the story...

Now he wants to buy a new 2500 longbed with a Cummins. #ad




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Y2K Red Stealth Sport 2500 4X4 QC SLT+, 5-spd, 3. 54 LotsaSpinDiff, 265-75-16 LTX's (Don't Michelins ever wear out?), DC's dead cow/vinyl interior and 4-wheel don't stop anti-lock brakes, Roll-N-Lock bedcover. What silencer ring? (More fun than my 98 SST)