Factory Tonneau Cover

hensonbs96 · January 23, 2005

I just order a 05 2500 HD Ext. Cab 6.0 4X4 and was wondering if anyone knew who makes the factory soft tonneau covers. The military sales rep said he would check into it, but of course I can't wait.

biochemist · January 23, 2005

Not sure who makes it but I have it and it is holding up very well...ice storm, big snow last night here in Mass...the way it works is great also...the latching system uses tracks/inserts, not buttons which are a PITA...would like them to make a pop-up version, but this is a high quality piece IMO.

cdn111 · January 25, 2005

they also make a hard folding one that is in like four peices and can fold up and pretty much out of the place, or be removed. It's basically the same as an avalanch but with four sections instead of three.

dogzapper · January 25, 2005

they also make a hard folding one that is in like four peices and can fold up and pretty much out of the place, or be removed. It's basically the same as an avalanch but with four sections instead of three.

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The three hard sections REMOVE on the Avalanche, and then you have to figure out what the heck to do with them (Oh yeah, they hang in an impossibly small bag on the side of the bed). I had a 2002-2500 Avalanche and I sold it early for two reasons; the lack of rear/side visibility was astounding and the hard bed covers were very difficult to work with. Also, the plastic, excuse me, cladding, was degrading and discoloring almost before my eyes.

The hard Chevy tonneau is actually a Fold-A-Cover and it is fantastic. My 2003 Silverado Z-71 EC/SB has worn one since it was a baby and I cannot think of a more useful, more protective, more versatile tonneau cover. I hunt a lot, prolly six months every year, and I am forever using the amazing versitility of the Chevy Hard Tonneau (aka Fold-A-Cover).

When I replace my current Chevy with a new Chevy (a crew-cab, this time), the Chevy Hard Tonneau or a Fold-A-Cover will be my very first mod. It isn't as pretty as the clamshell tonneaus (ARE, Leer, Snugtop, et al) nor as retro-looking as a soft roll-up tonneau, but it is more secure and much more useful.

Steve

cdn111 · January 26, 2005

The three hard sections REMOVE on the Avalanche, and then you have to figure out what the heck to do with them (Oh yeah, they hang in an impossibly small bag on the side of the bed). I had a 2002-2500 Avalanche and I sold it early for two reasons; the lack of rear/side visibility was astounding and the hard bed covers were very difficult to work with. Also, the plastic, excuse me, cladding, was degrading and discoloring almost before my eyes.

They do have a product out to use on the cladding on the avy to help it from fading. I'd love to have an avalanche because they drive so well, but if you are needing a true 3/4 ton you would need more bed space than the avy offers. To each his own, but I love the avy's. For thousands that love them you can check out http://www.chevyavalanchefanclub.com .

dogzapper · January 26, 2005

They do have a product out to use on the cladding on the avy to help it from fading. I'd love to have an avalanche because they drive so well, but if you are needing a true 3/4 ton you would need more bed space than the avy offers. To each his own, but I love the avy's. For thousands that love them you can check out http://www.chevyavalanchefanclub.com .

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I have been a member of the CAFCNA since early-February, 2002 and am among the first 100 members of the forum. I've been relatively active on the forum and, believe me, I know PRECISELY what an Avalanche is. I have also personally particpated in the Portland, Oregon CAFCNA Meets; what a wonderful bunch of guys and gals.

Eventually, I decided that the Avalanche was wonderful for a garage truck, but that it didn't suit my active live style---like actually driving it safely down the highway and being able to clear myself when I pass and try to go back in the righthand lane. And like driving in the rain, when the carpet would be covered by a flood of water.

Yup, there are potions and lotions to apply to the plastic; some work for a while some don't. None work over a couple of months.

Actually, the five-foot bed was fine; it would hold an elk or four deer, so I was cool with it.

Other than the inadequate tonneau cover, there were severe leakage problems. Both the midgate and tonneau leaked like a sieve. And then, there is the miniature back window and excessively high bed area that REALLY kill both rear and right-side vision. If you can deal with that, you qualify as an Avalanche owner.

By the way, have you ever tried to actually fill an Avalanche 2500 gas tank? It has a little tank stacked on top of the main tank and actually getting a full load of fuel is a ten-minute affair. Actually, you usually give up after you've almost made it and leave the gas station about four gallons shy. Either that, or you give up when you have successfully puked boo-coo gas down the side of the vehicle.

As far as driving, heck it is a Suburban. The Avalanche is totally based on the Sub and the drivability is absolutely superb. But given the lack of visibility, the difficulty in fueling and plethora of leaks (the latter two are totally unfixable, according to the dealer) I was delighted to get back into a simple Chevy EC/SB Z-71 Silverado.

But then, I'm a simple guy.

Steve