Looking to buy an '04 Silverado

Xao · May 5, 2004

I'm looking at purchasing a new truck, probably the 1500 Ext Cab WT w/5.3 engine.

I have a couple of questions. I do a lot of camping and Mtn. Biking.

I currently have a Yakima Bike Rike that mounts on the roof of my '02 Malibu and I noticed that GM sells a hitch mounted bike rack, has anyone used these and can comment about the quality of them? I have a pretty nice Mtn. bike and if I invest this much in a truck, I can invest in a good bike rack. I do want a hitch mounted solution though and one that can house at least three, preferably four bikes.

My second question here is, I have been reading the discussions about Tonneau and hard top covers. How do the locking covers work? I mean, if you lock the top, can't you still just open the tailgate? I would probably like a soft cover w/locking capabilities if possible. If so, what would the group recommend as a easy to install/remove cover to protect camping gear, etc...?

Last and final question is how to protect my bed, I have been reading many good things about the Bed Rug and I think I might lean towards that but I do have concerns about mud or grass if I put the lawnmower or anything back there, can anyone comment on their experience with this product? If I don't go with the Bed Rug I will probably get the Line-X as that seems pretty popular and people seem satisfied with it.

Sorry for all the questions, just getting excited and once I get my new baby, I want to accessorize.

Plus I am heading up to Wisconsin to go camping over memorial day and sure would love to drive the new wheels.

Thanks to all that respond.

OUMike · May 5, 2004

I'm looking at purchasing a new truck, probably the 1500 Ext Cab WT w/5.3 engine.

You'll be very happy with this truck. The WT is pretty stripped, but most of the option on the LS you could add later as aftermarket. Not sure about grille, but I'd emagine the LS or even the all chrome Tahoe ones would probably fit nicely.

My second question here is, I have been reading the discussions about Tonneau and hard top covers. How do the locking covers work? I mean, if you lock the top, can't you still just open the tailgate?

With most tonneau covers you can't open the tailgate unless the cover is up. Maybe someone else has different expirence with this?

Last and final question is how to protect my bed, I have been reading many good things about the Bed Rug and I think I might lean towards that but I do have concerns about mud or grass if I put the lawnmower or anything back there, can anyone comment on their experience with this product? If I don't go with the Bed Rug I will probably get the Line-X as that seems pretty popular and people seem satisfied with it.

Two words...Rhino Liner.

Hope this helps.

JamesB · May 5, 2004

I don't have any answers for ya on the other questions, but I can def. recommend the Line-X! I have it in my '02 Z71 and love it. My brother and several friends and co-workers have the Line-X as well and are very satisfied.

James.

Wingnut · May 5, 2004

If you're going to have a bed cover on, and are not going to be doing heavy duty stuff with the bed...I would say bed-rug. But that's just me.

As for the bikes....Just being the devils advocate here, but why would you buy a truck with plenty of room to protect your moutain bikes....Then mount them on the rear hitch where an absent minded driver could turn them into piles of scrap?

Welcome to the forums by the way

Stllrs · May 5, 2004

I always used my bed for mountain bikes. I used a small mount that attached onto the rail. You take off the front wheel of the bike and the fork fits into this little mount. I never had any problems with it. Check out:

http://www.backcountrystore.com/store/prod...038&id=zR2cHvKU

Or google truck bed bike mount. You can put several bikes back there and cable them through the bedside for security if needed.

The mounts clip on fairly easily, but with a tonneau you probably would have to put the mount on when hauling the bikes and take it off to cover up.

I never felt too comfortable with hanging the bikes on the exterior of the vehicle.

Regarding tonneaus, I don't see the point of a locking soft tonneau. If someone wants to check the bed for something to steal, they're cutting your tonneau. Depending on where you're parked, people may mess with it just because they can. A locking hard tonneau is much more of a deterrent. Not all hard tonneaus lock, but you can get a tailgate lock (pop-lock) and combine it with a non-tailgate locking hard tonneau. If you get a hard tonneau, I'd get a folding one that may still allow you to get 3-4 bikes in the back and not have to dismount the cover.

I've always just used bed mats, but with my new truck, I'll probably go with Line-X.

carguru · May 5, 2004

I have the Bedrug in mine and I do heavy work with mine. The Bedrug can take quite a bit of abuse and clean up nicely. I have hauled dirt, rocks, mulch, dirt bikes, three wheelers, and engines on it before. All I have done afterwards was wash it out with a pressure washer. I've used the Bedrug for many years now on several trucks with no problems.

I have a hitch mounted bike rack that I use. I have one from Graeber that holds up to 4 bikes. It is pretty good. The only thing I have found is that on steep inclines, I can drag the bike rack on the ground. Also when used on an extended cab pickup, parking in a tight parking lot can be a problem. Other than that I've been relatively happy with mine.

As for tonneau covers, I have a soft Downey SST cover on mine. I've been happy with it. You can open your tailgate with the cover on with most soft covers. With most of the fiberglass ones (ARE, Leer, etc), they tend to wrap over the sides and lock the tailgate in place. It is very dependent on the design. I chose the soft cover over the hard cover because I do haul varying size loads. With the soft cover, all I have to do is roll it up and it stores very conveniently out of the way. Can't quite say the same about a hard cover. The drawbacks of having a soft cover is that it isn't lockable. It keeps valuables out of sight, but if someone wants in bad enough...

Plainsman · May 5, 2004

I had a Saris BAT rack, that mounted on the hitch and worked well. There are a lot of advantages of a bike secured to the hitch.

I dont care for the Rhino Liners, I have always Line-Xed. But if you are dropping heavy stuff into the bed, you may want to put a drop-in over the line-x to prevent bed dents/impact damage.

atomoverride · May 5, 2004

I also reconmend Line-X, just dont be fooled by that crappy alternitive rhino lineing.

Line-X baby! Had mine installed 5 days after I bought my truck.

99silveradoz71 · May 6, 2004

I've had a Permatech color-matched spray-in liner in my Rado for about 5 years with no problems or issues. As for a cover, I have a Sportmasters soft cover on mine currently due to hauling a lot of yard equipment etc. If I had more cash at the time or had it to do over, I'd probably get a folding segmented cover- The best of both worlds; security of being able to lock it and convenience of being able to fold it or remove it quickly.

Wingnut · May 6, 2004

Or you could always go the roll-up type bedcover.

1500CCZ71 · May 6, 2004

I have had Rhino Liner and Line-X and would reccomend either. I also had a Downey SST soft tonneau and the one draw back is security. You can't lock it but acccessing the bed is conveniant and the cover rolls up and stores easily if you need to remove it. The tail gate will pull down with the cover in place.

I now have a hard tonneau cover made by Fold-a-Cover. This cover gives me locking capability at the expense of a little less conveniance. To open the tail gate, you need to unluck the cover first. Still can access the front of the bed from the cover but need to unlock the first section to do so. The cover can be removed and stored by one person but not as easily as a soft cover. Hope this helps.

Plainsman · May 7, 2004

I've had a Permatech color-matched spray-in liner in my Rado for about 5 years with no problems or issues. As for a cover, I have a Sportmasters soft cover on mine currently due to hauling a lot of yard equipment etc. If I had more cash at the time or had it to do over, I'd probably get a folding segmented cover- The best of both worlds; security of being able to lock it and convenience of being able to fold it or remove it quickly.

The segmented covers waste front box space. I doesnt work well for atvs or motorcycles. If you dont need the security get the Access covers they can just be rolled up.