Tonneau Covers

[Taj MaHaul]

Did a quick search but couldn't find this topic discussed before. Any recommendations on the hinged style (hinge behind the cab end of bed) of hard tonneau covers? Better to work thru dealer? One brand better quality than another?

Thanks
Bill
27' Classic to-be-owner (next week!!)

[BillTex]

Bill, I went round and round with this issue when we bought our new truck. I have had hard toppers, soft tonneaus, and no cover.
In the end, I went with the same style I had on my last truck; Express and am VERY pleased with it.

I use my truck for lots of different thing; firewood, mulch, etc and need full access to the bed. You lose some space with the hard covers (6"?). When we are loaded up to tow, I stand our bikes up in the bed, and with the tires on, I need the entire 6.5' bed length. Only the soft covers allows me to do this. This, ultimately swayed me to go with the soft cover again. The Extang is very well made, very easy to use. Even in dead winter (minus temps) I can roll it up to get at our skis.
Highly recommended.

Bill

[thecatsandi]

Originally Posted by ferry360

Did a quick search but couldn't find this topic discussed before. Any recommendations on the hinged style (hinge behind the cab end of bed) of hard tonneau covers? Better to work thru dealer? One brand better quality than another?

Thanks
Bill
27' Classic to-be-owner (next week!!)

ARE. Good quality. you will pay for it. I have owed two the first one saved my bacon in a roll over. Needless to say I am one happy customer.
A.R.E. : Manufacturer of fiberglass pick-up truck caps, truck canopies, tops, toppers, camper shells, hard tonneau covers, work caps and truck accessories.

[Taj MaHaul]

Thanks to both for such quick feedback. Will research both.

BillTex: hadn't thought about keeping my bike upright - was anticipating laying it flat and covering with tonneau.

Michelle - are you actually on the move? Your website doesn't indicate

Thanks again.

Bill

[Blevi]

This topic is very timely for me. I'm looking at this one Pickup Truck Racks & Covers - Ladder, Bike and Canoe Racks with the low rack system. I'm told it has an outside channel to hold a low (for bikes) or high rack (for canoes etc). Price quoted for the cover, which as I understand can be rolled up with the rack in place, and rack system is $869. I still have to buy the bike rack itself from ProRac or Thule. There are a lot of attachments that are available as well for additional cost.

[cosmotini]

I have a Peragon tonneau cover and highly recommend that you STAY AWAY from that brand.

[FordTruck]

What BillTex said except mine is a Truxedo.

TruXedo - The New Standard in Tonneau Cover Technology

Wouldn't trade it for the world.

[BillTex]

Yeah, we haul a slot of stuff when we camp. I took an old roof top rail system, lag bolted it to a couple of 2x's that span the bed, the bikes go in here just as if they were on the roof.
We use Thule system on the roof to carry water toys (yaks, porta-bote, etc). This works out great for us as we can carry everything we like plus still have room for firewood etc in the bed.
I find I need full acces to the bed, hard covers don't allow this. If we are on the road, anytime, and the Wife finds some antique desk, bureau, etc-just roll it up! Can't do that with a hard topper...
Oh yeah; I have a 30' cable through the stake tie down with a padlock, gives me some false sense of security to lock bikes, yaks, outboard motor...
You really need to ask yourself how you use your truck, then decide.
This might help explain our system (double click to enlarge) you can see the bikes go the entire bed length, with tires on. Would not fit like this with the hard roll up (although I do like those-just wouldn't work for us);

[rambn]

I've got a TruckCovers USA cover for my 07 tundra. excellent product. I like that you can unlock the tailgate with the cover closed. Also, you can open in about 8" increments, too.

[extiger]

After considering a number of options, I went with the roll top cover Pace-Edwards

For me it provides the best of both worlds. I can put stuff in the bed and lock the top and tailgate. I can roll the top open and have a full pickup bed. Mine is about 6 years old and works well. There is a little sag in the middle and a split in the vinyl, but it still works.

[Taj MaHaul]

Again, thanks for all the help. We don't anticipate lugging many toys and so far what we have will fit under the cover.

Good point about whether you can access the tailgate w/o opening the lid, too.

Bill

[Journalist]

I bought the Diamondback tonneau cover with the ATV kit added on. It's two panels hinged in the middle made of diamond plate aluminum. It will carry 1600 lbs on TOP of the cover but is still easily removed by myself. Got it to be able to haul two ATVs on top while towing (only one will fit inside the bed) Also got the added bonus of all the space underneath for firewood, a small generator, gas cans and other gear I don't want to stash inside the AS. Now you all see why I pull a 25' trailer with a one ton diesel dually.

[2airishuman]

Originally Posted by ferry360

Better to work thru dealer?... (next week!!)

does this mean you don't have a tow vehicle yet?

most truck dealers have limited brands for shells and tonneau, so it depends on the offerings,

using a shop that specializes in bed covers usually means better nationwide service options, while traveling.

bed cap choice partly depends on how the bed will be used, will there ever be a need to haul tall stuff?

if so taking OFF a hard cover is an issue.

for example taking the lp tanks in for a fill. many are taller than the truck bed, so think about these issues.

a.r.e. now makes one that lifts straight, rather that hinged, TopUp Series...

but they don't come in LONGs yet and they don't recommend driving up...

the hard shell or fiberglass versions appear more secure but that's relative.

the clam shell fits DO keep out water and dirt much better. and bike racks can be top mounted.

laying 1 bike down will use up 1/2 of the bed easily and depending on handle bars, may extend higher than the bed height.

other threads on this topic...

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f48/...over-5423.html

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f161...elp-11494.html

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f238...bad-27878.html

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f161...ver-15855.html

cheers
2air'

[thecatsandi]

Originally Posted by ferry360

Thanks to both for such quick feedback. Will research both.

BillTex: hadn't thought about keeping my bike upright - was anticipating laying it flat and covering with tonneau.

Michelle - are you actually on the move? Your website doesn't indicate

Thanks again.

Bill

Stationary for now. Back to Oregon for May. I am hoping to get an interview with the state shortly.

[happycamper2]

I got these for our police trucks. They work great and are easy to put on and take off. UnderCover Tonneau Bed Covers

[halimer]

I have a roll up tonneau cover and it is OK. When I retire and go on the road this is going to be my next cover.
Folding Tonneau Cover | Hard Tonneau Cover | Foldacover | Fold-a-cover
It is a solid fold cover that will open from the front or rear and it LOCKS, giving you a more security.

[Kintscher]

I have a Leer cover: LEER Tonneaus Light, and water proof.

Brad

[Gregg S]

Just a quick story about a hard cover. When I first gto my truck I wanted a lockable cover and got one the folded into 3 sections with a lock that was on top juct before the tailgate. In winter water would get into the lock a freeze so I got smart and didn't lock it. On day in March we had a weather front come thru with gusts of 75mph. Well the cover blew up, took out the rear window and dented the roof of the truck. The cover was bent so that I had to replace it. I now have a soft cover (non locking).

[safari 28]

Second on the undercover. great product and looks great as well. no drilling and has a oem look.

[waltero]

I have the xtang trifecta, so far I like it very well, it is easy on/off if I want to haul mulch and provides great cover when on....