Tonneau covers: What type to choose?

hciaffa

Thanks for your input. I have a hard fiberglass cover that I may sell because I tend to carry stuff around and I really don't use it. It came with the truck when I bought it used. More convienient to have a soft top cover.

rm13

Look at the ARE LSII. (www.4are.com) On the F150 it covers the rails and tailgate. This cover is designed to blend with the styling of your truck so the cover for Dodge may not be the same. I think the web site lets you view the cover on your model truck. There is also a $20 coupon you can print out (not much compared to the $650+ price). The quality of the cover seems excellent (I've only had mine 1 month) and it looks great. No water is going to get in due to the cover,but obviously the tailgate is not airtight. I washed salt off truck twice at do-it-yourself carwash and bed stayed dry.

peatmoss1

After alot of research, it appears the roll-n-lock is the best all around tonneau for several reasons; you don't need 4 people to remove it, cold weather doesn't impact it as much as the snap type vinyl covers, tailgate-lock, no hole drilling on most trucks, mostly watertight, good looking, solid reputation, easy to move to carry a load higher than the cover and ease of installation. It is however quite expensive ($750-$850). If a cheaper one does't do the job you ask of it or fails altogether, what is it really worth?
PEAT-MOSS

seamariner

I have an A.E.R. on my 00' Nissan Crew Cab and the fit and finish are excellent. I like the lock design using one key and placed on the horizontal lip covering the tailgate rather than on the top of the cover. Lifting is effortless and there are no holes drilled into the rails. They even reproduce the ridges that are seen on the hood of the truck for continuity!! Only negative is that the optional bed extender will not work because of where the rear mounts are located. I have one dealer that claims they know how to install it so that the extender will function. We shall see. This is a quality product...........$750 installed for me

kawa900stx

I am looking at the Scott and Aeorcover. Both are hard covers. The scott is a gull-wing style and the Aerocover is a multi-sectional. Any experience with any of these. Any place have good pricing? Also I have Line-X over the rail bed liner, do these covers work?

cspaulding

We have an ARE lid on our 2000 Chevy crew cab. We love the lid, but it also limits your carrying ability. The only thing we didn't like were the waves in the moulding that they have. We contacted our dealer and ARE, but they said we can ship it back, be without it for 3 or 4 weeks and still have it come back in the same condition. We bought the ARE because we liked the styling, but after the carpeting under the lid, for $900.00, I may try a different brand next time.

Just an opinion.

hciaffa

: When I purchased my 98 Ranger extended cab used, it came with a fiberglass tonneau cover that I don't use and I would like to sell. It has a black finish which is paintable and it locks. Manufactured by Snug Lid sells new for $675 and I'm asking $300. When the cover is closed it makes a pretty tight seal no leaks. I keep it stored in the garage except for this winter I put it on. I live in the central Connecticut area. If interested e-mail me.

hciaffa

Forgot to post my e-mail longbow48@aol.com

salesrep

I had one installed on my 2000 Silverado by the biggest retailer in Mpls for Access. IT LEAKS!!!!
I have talked to many guys at jobs sites that have them on various trucks. They all complained about the leaks. Go through a car wash everything gets wet. Drive in rain everything gets wet. The dealer went back and resealed the front and sides and no help. I have side rails so the holes are covered. There are 2 holes in the front of the box that need to be sealed, but that didn't help either.

Now the dealer has added the TruXedo line and is goin to replace my Access at no extra charge. The TruXedo has a self adjusting tensioner so it will not flop around when you are on the highway. With Access you have to readjust for summer or winter as the cover tension does change.

He also says that the way the TruXedo is Velcro'd it has a better side seal. A lot of the water leaking in on the Access comes through the Velcro sides.

I am having the TruXedo installed nexr week and I will report back what I think of this cover.

gatorfan1

I am considering buying the '01 Silverado and would also like to put a hard cover on this truck. Can anyone tell me if they make a cover that can hold a bicycle rack on the top of it? Can these hard tops even hold that much weight? Also, has anyone heard of any options for the underside of the lid that maybe has some type of pockets or straps or something that you can slide some fishing rods or guns into so they are out of the way and not sliding around in the bed. I would like to know if one is made that will perform both of these functions. Can anyone help with this?
Thanks.

jcmdie

The hard tops can handle that weight, at least the ones I've seen and the one I have. They will disclaim this to cover tier but however. I believe that mine could support a couple of people on it.

shiftless

GATORFAN1

I have an ARE cover on my 2K GMC Sierra with a NOMADIC “Glider“ Roof Rack . In my opinion the rack adds a bit of class to the cover and it very useful to carry a variety of things. The NOMADIC rack has special accessories which clamp directly to the basic rack. A bicycle rack is one option. This combination of ARE & NOMADIC is not cheap but it looks and works very well.

Ed

shiftless

Apparently, quotation marks cannot be used on this system. The numbers 8220 were added when I posted. I'll try again. The following is what was intended.

I have an ARE cover on my 2K GMC Sierra with a NOMADIC Glider Roof Rack . In my opinion the rack adds a bit of class to the cover and it very useful to carry a variety of things. The NOMADIC rack has special accessories which clamp directly to the basic rack. A bicycle rack is one option. This combination of ARE & NOMADIC is not cheap but it looks and works very well.

Ed

gatorfan1

jmcdie
shiftless

Thanks for the info. That helps. I was hoping they would be strong enough to support the weight.

Does anyone have an answer if they have seen anything for carrying fishing rods and/or guns under the cover so they do not roll around in the bed, yet still allows you to store gear in the bed?

gatorfan1

saari

Hi. I bought an Extang vinyl cover for my 2001 Ranger and I like it.It gives a better mpg and looks sharp. It is hard to snap the rear tailgate snaps in the winter weather, but if I can`t get snaps that are looser I will modify the rail some so it goes ahead a little further , that should make it easier. On my Ranger the bed rail doesn`t quite cover the stake pocket holes so put a square piece of duck tape over them before clamping down the rails. You can`t see it , but it will keep out any water that would surely find it`s way down the stake pocket holes to the inside of the bed..!

1i2cu

I've had vinyl, and in cool CA. weather they are a bear to unsnap and snap up. Snap would come apart. I now have a fiberglass lid made by GAYLORD'S KUSTOMS Truck Lid,6765 Paramount Blvd., Long Beach CA. 90805 or GAYLORDSLIDS.COM, This is mounted on a 93 GMC ext. cab,s/b.
On the GMC 2500 HD on order since Nov 13,2000, I plan to mount a SNUG LID made by SNUG TOP. SNUG Top is at 1711 Harbor Ave., Long Beach, CA. 90813 or SNUGTOP.COM. Keep on truckin.

lspangler

I had an A.R.E. Hard Tonneau on my '96 chevy. The bolt holding one of the hinges to the rail sheared and the cover had to be sent back to A.R.E. for repair and the twist rod that connects to the handle broke 3 times. My cover rubbed the paint off from the rear edges of my bed even though I continually raised the adjustment to stop it and no matter how the dealer adjusted it, the handle would constantly unlatch itself while I was driving unless I locked it. It was a nice cover but I was pretty glad when I sold the truck.

rm13

Just curious about the repairs, do you ship at your expense or return to the authorized dealer? I've not had any problem yet,but its only two months old?

gulfguy

I was just about sold on the Roll and Lock cover over Pace Edwards when I saw a post about RETRAX with this link... http://www.rolltopcover.com/home.html

Does anyone have any experience with this cover?

post here or email me direct... tomcrain@gulftel.com

valsigplym

I will be buying a compact pickup and can choose between a "over the rail bed liner" or a "under the bed rail liner"

Are all tonneau covers compatible with either bed liner? Can I use either style liner- and not have issues with the covers performance?

I think I want a soft tonneau cover but dot know if the type of bed liner be incomparable with the liner. Can you help?

jcmdie

Any one putting a tonneau cover or cap over the bed will want an under the rail liner. The frame from the tonneau cover or cap should directly on the bedrails with the exception that usually a foam rubber seal tape is laid between. The frame will not seal properly over a bedliner and is not really safe unless you drill and bolt it in. i would not clamp the frame over a bedliner.

cspaulding

ARE lids have to be returned to the authorized dealer. Under their warranty (ARE's), they pay for shipping...the only cost to you is the fact that you are without a lid for 2 weeks to 2 months, depending on when they decide to return it. We purchased ours on our 2000 K2500 crew cab in June, the quality wasn't what we expected for $900.00.
Chris

rm13

Thanks for the info. I'm pleased so far but just thought I'd ask when the other poster mentioned sending it back. I hope they straightened out your cover.

cspaulding

Our truck as a whole is a jinx, but we bought the cover to have it on the truck, not to send it back for an unknown period of time. We use this truck for going out, hunting/fishing, trips up north, etc. and need the cover. I just highly doubt the next truck will have the same brand. Ours came in scratched and knicked, the dealer touched it up (as we were going on vacation and the other alternative was to ship it back and wait--we already waited a month to get ours in). There are waves in the side moulding that look like crud, but we decided it wasn't worth the wait and loss of use...guess that's what ARE banks on.
Chris

jcmdie

Nicks and scratches sound an a lot like shipping damage. I wouldn't blame A.R.E. for what some trucking firm does to it.

dinosierra

Just a note on speciality power covers. I've got a friend in KY. who is a dealer for these covers. He told me that Speciality Pwr. covers had been brought out by a large company.And as of now,they are not taking any orders.
Got one on my 99'GMC, Works good, sometimes a problem with snow,ice. Like useing the remote to open it.
Ordered a 01 2500HD GMC. If specialty covers arn't available. Have to check out Pace Edwards.
Just a note to anyone interested

namfflow

I have skimmed through these posts and I haven't seen anyone mention what I feel is the best ctop out there. The GEM GT Classic. It sits flush on the bed, seals well, (haven't had a leak in the 4 years I had it) is steel instead of fiberglass and is strong enough that racks are sold as option for it. It locks and above all looks good. Always getting people asking me where I got it.

I like it enough that I will be adding one to the 2nd Dakota I just ordered. Oh, they are painted at the factory to match your VIN. Perfect.

gatorfan1

This cover sounds very durable and sounds nice for hunting/fishing and mountain biking/skiing. Not sure that I have ever seen one of these on a truck. Can you stear me to some info on this cover (web site, cost, rack types)?

toddstock

I shall teach you something... If you ever want to find anything, and I mean anything... Go to www.google.com here is the address for that GM GT Classic... I also have a question for you nammflow... Did you have to drill holes as it did not say on the site.. Can you give a ballpark what you paid... Is it easily takeoffable..lol... And I must say, you are right, that does look very sweet... It being flush like that, how does it keep most of the moisture out... I already realize that no cover is going to prevent all leakage, but have been told that the flush one's are much worse.. Maybe you can make a sell on me.. TIA Appreciated

Oh yea, the address http://www.gemtopleer.com/gemtop/gtclassic.htm

namfflow

The website for the GT Classic is www.gemtopmfg.com. You can buy it from them or an authorized local dealer which is listed on the site. The prices are listed.

I paid a little over 700 for mine installed. I have had it for 3 years now. I have never had a leak. My wife washes the truck and she uses a high pressure hose nozzle (I know bad, but she is willing to wash the truck so who am I to stop her) no leaks. It isn't flush as in below the surface like some. It sits right on the surface level. It has a rubber gasket all around. Sometimes it seal so tight opening it is like opening one of those flip top jars with a rubber seal. To install it it has several holes drilled. 6 holes along the side rail, 3 for the hinge and 3 for the strut bracket and 2 in the tailgate for the latch.

The top weighs about 100lbs. It does come off pretty easy. Unhook the struts put them in their slots, lay the top down slide it back a couple of inches then lift off. Just don't do like I did and take it off in the hot sun (ouch!!).

kjsmith97

purchased a '99 ford f150 last week and love it! I want to put a soft tonneau on the bed so i can still haul stuff in the bed (after all that's
why i got a truck and traded in my car but get increased mpg. what kind of recommendations would you make for a soft tonneau? i am looking at tonneaus from extang and penda because of their warranties. also would like to know if you recommend snapless or snap kinds. i have heard that snap kinds can be hard to snap in cold weather but don't get much cold where i live (northeast louisiana) but get lots of heat. also would be interested to know what i could expect to pay and how well your soft tonneau has held
up through the weather. thanks in advance for your help and replies

tucsonjwt

I have one and it is a soft snap type cover, but it is hinged - so you usually would not unfasten the snaps - just lift the whole cover from the rear like a hard tonneau cover. You can remove the cover completely by undoing all of the snaps. The rear rail is spring mounted - so you can still work the snaps in cold weather. I did not get the snapless type soft cover because I did not think that the rubber strips would hold up well in either the desert heat or cold weather. I have had mine only about 3 months, but it has been throught freezing temperatures OK. I used 303 protectanct a couple of times and it brought back the black color nicely.
I recommend rail covers with no stake pocket holes (I used BAK brand) and an underail bedliner(I used Bed Rug). The disadvantage of the soft cover is that you cannot lock your gear, but you can get locking containers to go over/above the wheel wells to give you some locking storage. I just put some 2x8s in the lumber slots to create storage compartments. I don't plan on storing valuables in the bed - just want to keep stuff out of the elements when I am driving.

kjsmith97

thanks for the advice tusconjwt! I found a place in Las Vegas that will sell me a berlin tonneau for $179 w/o hinge and ship it to me free. this is another make i am seriously considering. if anyone elso out there has a berlin tonneau, i would like to hear how you like it. thanks for your help!

tucsonjwt

I ordered from them but the order never went through. After about 3 weeks, I got the phone number and was told that the website was not working properly the company could not get it fixed. They were not able to accept credit cards. I would call them before you place any orders. Also, why would you not want a hinged cover? It sure is handy to lift the whole top in one motion to put items in the bed. Snaping and unsnaping will get old real quick - an extra $100 well spent, IMHO. I would check out nettruckcap and tntserve.

kjsmith97

thanks for the warning the Las Vegas place is Ultimate Tonneau. I will probably use NEtruckcap if i decide to get the berlin.

jcmdie

The hinged soft tonneaus can get torn off at the higes if the cover gats away from you on a gusty day. It acts like a huge wind sail. The convenience has got to be great if you are careful.

tucsonjwt

Some soft hinged tonneaus have big brackets that seem to lock onto the truck bed. I have never had the cover blow up or off at highway speeds, but a hurricane force wind would be another matter. The Berlin cover has straps about 8 inches long that snap on to the rear clamps which I think are designed as a safety feature. I only snap them up when driving for an extended period on the highway. I think if you keep the snaps all snapped up the wind won't be very likely to pick up the cover. Some tonneaus screw/bolt to the truck, but I did not want that. I have lifted the cover in a 35-40 mph wind and it was a handful - I just didn't let go of the frame. I did add extra truck cap rail tape around the edges of the bed and tailgate to make sure that it was air tight. I think keeping air out from under the cover is the best protection against losing the cover in a high wind. Of course, you can go with a hard locking tonneau for a lot more $ and deal with the limitations for tall loads. My thought was that I could lose the whole tonneau several times before I approached the cost of a good painted hard cover. Each to his or her own.:-)

jcmdie

The wind problem was only when the truck was stopped and you were opening the lid. I guess the light weight cover is a lot easier to get away from you. I have a fiberglass one and I like it, but it has drawbacks when I want to use the whole bed. I always liked the flip top soft tonneaus but the dealer that sells them in my area apparently has had a couple bad experiences and warned against it. I have never had one of these units nor have I personally known anyone who has had one that was wind damaged. In theory, they seem to be the best of both worlds. Next time around I likely will try another softy. They are versitile and inexpensive.

hciaffa

I recently sold the clam shell type hard tonneau cover that I had because I didn't use in the warm months and in the cold months it got in the way of hauling large objects. I am looking at the Berlin Tonneau cover as well as the Penda Custom Cover with Sure Fit System. The Berlin model has a spring in the side rails at the back to allow for easier snapping in the winter months and the Penda has a spring cam mechinism as well. Price for each is around $200.00. Berlin covers have been mentioned on this site before but has anyone bought or have delt with Penda????