GM hard tonneau cover option

Stllrs · April 12, 2004

Does anyone have the optional hard folding tonneau cover for GM trucks? I'm in the process of ordering a new 1500 crew cab and wonder whether I'm better off with this GM option or just going aftermarket. (I've followed earlier threads regarding the aftermarket hard covers).

The cover can be seen at:

http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/accessories/v...rts/fhtc-sp.htm

Thanks for your opinions!

gmcjoe · April 12, 2004

My buddy was going to give me one of those covers, he works at the supplier that makes them for GM.

They started having problems with the pieces flying off while the truck was driving and had to stop and redesign them!!!

I'll stick with my GM soft tonneau

HeyJoe · April 12, 2004

I have a cover like that on my '99 Silverado and think it's great, although I bought my truck used 2 years ago and don't know if I have the GM factory option or an aftermarket cover, so I can't really answer your specific question.

There are two general drawbacks to it, as far as I can tell. First, it's a minor annoyance (but not too bad) when you want to carry something taller than the cover and about the same length as the truck bed. In that situation, you would have been able to close the tailgate if you could push the object (bookcases were the last thing I ran into) all the way up to the cab. But that's pretty minor.

Second, I live near Philly and in the winter the top tends to freeze shut after snow/freezing rain. Also not a big deal, and might also affect soft covers.

I've never had pieces of it fall off, although the hinges are covered with a flexible plastic tubing that has started to split on me. My hinges are now exposed in some places, which probably affects whether or not water can get it (generally, no water comes in at all).

All in all, the ability to lock the bed like a big car trunk is more than worth the drawbacks. I'm very happy with mine. Incidentally, it's also strong enough to walk on, so I've even used the truck as a poor man's stepladder.

99silveradoz71 · April 12, 2004

If I had it to do all over...I'd go this route vs. the soft cover I have. I like the idea of having secure storage back there, and being able to remove the panels to haul a lawnmower or such.

dogzapper · April 12, 2004

I've had one for about a year and really love it. The only problem I've run into is it needs to be covered if it snows overnight and you expect open up the back 3/4 and fold the panels flat the next morning. No big deal; you just cover it with a tarp.

If you are driving and it snows, the snow simply blows off of it.

The tonneau is wonderfully water-tight, looks great and functions perfectly.

The GM hard tonneau is made by Fold-A-Cover (www.foldacover.com). I bought mine from my local Chevy dealer because they warrenty it here and because the price was the same.

Buy one; you'll be delighted with it.

Steve

Tobes · April 13, 2004

How does it attack to the bed of the truck. I have railguards (GM) installed on the rails right now. This seems like a nice thing and the fact that it is waterproof and folds up seems nice. Thanks

gmcjoe · April 13, 2004

The GM hard tonneau is made by Fold-A-Cover (www.foldacover.com). I bought mine from my local Chevy dealer because they warrenty it here and because the price was the same.

Is that the same cover available on the GM accessories webpage or was your dealer selling the Fold-a-cover setup?

Decoma here in MIchigan was making the 3 part hard cover available from GM, those are the systems that had the problems I posted about

hvac1000 · April 13, 2004

The cover in question is cazlled a Fold A Cover. I have had them since they became available for various GM trucks. The cover is well made and works fine for me. It offers a more complete system for transporting different size items and locks the bed also. I know Chuck who is the owner of the company and he takes great pride in his product. It is easy to install and remove by one person if necessary. When Fold A cover first came to market they used 3M tape down rails and they worked fine but you had to be very careful to measure before sticking the rails down. Now they use a bolt on design for the cover and that problem has been solved. The covers DO NOT fly apart and never have come apart. They are also very strong. My 16 year old son who is 6 foot tall and 150lb in weight can stand on the cover with out damage but I would not recommend it being used as such. NOTE :To the person that says the rubber has started to crack on his cover. Replacement rubbers are available from the factory. This is a special material and this usually happens at below zero temps. You have to open the cover slowly at those temps or you might crack the rubber. I will always have a Fold A Cover on my truck because I hate caps and the solid covers make it almost impossible to carry tall objects.

HeyJoe · April 15, 2004

NOTE :To the person that says the rubber has started to crack on his cover. Replacement rubbers are available from the factory.

Hi, that was me with the splitting hinge covers. I looked on the fold-a-cover website and sure enough, you can get replacement covers, but I also took a look at my truck this morning and can't see how it would be possible to replace those things. Do I need to let a professional installer do the work? It looks to me like everything is held together with rivets, and that the entire bed cover would have to be disassembled completely. But I'd like to get it done if it's not too pricey.