Bed Covers Hard vs. Soft

ehart · August 15, 2002

Greetings Group,

I have started to compile a list of addons that I would like to get for my new truck (Just ordered '03 2500HD/Crew/4x4/SB/Dmax). Up till now I was planning on getting a hard bed cover until I ran across this retractable soft cover.

Does anybody know anything about this? RETRAX Roll Top Bed Cover

I have not seen or heard anything about this product and was wondering if anybody has any good/bad input.

My friend has a hard bed cover on his Chevy Z71 and calls me everytime he wants to remove it due to the weight. I would like to avoid that if at all possible.

Security is somewhat of an issue so a Vinyl like product is probably not going to work.

Thanks for any input...

Eric

GnatGoSplat · August 15, 2002

How about an aerocover? Not as smooth as a painted 1 piece cover, but a lot more practical.

Aerocover

STEPSIDEZ71 · August 15, 2002

i had a checkerpro hard bedcover on my s-10. it is flushmount lockable and relativly light i think it was about 20-30 lbs. With the quick release hinges i could remove it by myself. It is a foamboard construction with a fiberglass overlay. it was pretty sturdy and only $300.00 making it a good price for a hard bed cover. here is a link

http://www.checkerpro.com/

I was very happy with it

HeyJoe · August 21, 2002

I recently bought a 1999 Silverado that already had a hard cover installed. I've looked at it pretty closely, but I can't find a manufacturer name on it anywhere.

It has four aluminum panels connected by hinges, and it opens by folding the panels back on themselves. It can be opened from the front of the bed or from the back, and it has a lock on each end. The lock near the tailgate latches directly to the tailgate, so the gate locks, too. The cover is strong enough for me to walk on, even in the middle.

If anyone can name the cover I've described, that might be helpful. I'll take some pictures of it and post them. I find it extremely useful and don't know how I'd be getting by without it.

-- Joe

MountaineerTom · August 21, 2002

That sounds like the GM hard cover, but I've never actually seen one.

Here's a page with a pic of it: GM hard bed cover

HeyJoe · August 21, 2002

Wow, Tom, that was fast. I was just returning to post an update myself, since I just found the exact same page you did.

It could be a GM factory cover, and I also found these possibilities:

http://www.kcovers.com/index.html

http://www.fold-a-cover.com/

as well as a general list of cover manufacturers:

http://dmoz.org/Shoppin...._Covers

So, bottom line, I don't know who manufactured the cover I have, but I find it very useful and would recommend the style to anyone who wants a locking hard cover.

For the record, I don't think this cover would stop someone who was really determined to get into the truck bed, at least without the addition of some extra side rail bolts, but it should deter the casual thief.

Oh, and added bonus, I've found that it is completely watertight.

-- Joe

Jake99Z71 · August 21, 2002

I would suggest against an Aero Cover. I have one and it is starting to crack apart on the corners of each panel. I have had it installed for 20months. I have removed it about 6 or 8 times. I know a couple of other guys on the Diesel Page have experienced the same problem.

99silveradoz71 · August 21, 2002

Have a softie on my '99 Rado with no real complaints or problems. If I had the $ at the time and if I were doing it over, I'd probably get some type of modular design. I haul a lawnmower or snowblower over to my Grandmother's frequently enough that the bed gets uncovered weekly or so. I like the looks of a hardcover, but for me, it wouldn't be practical. I guess the first thing I'd ask myself if I were you is, what are my needs. Then you can go from there and do some research. Also note that your climate may play a role due to snow/cold.

SilveradoWV · August 21, 2002

I went with the ARE LSII Fiberglass cover, painted the same as the truck! I went with it because of the security, its not theft proof, even the cab isnt, but if someone wanted in they would have to do some damage to get in! The roll type was what I was wanting but was a few hundred more and it was just black! The looks of the ARE is a lot better IMO but yeah its heavy to remove and it does limit your load capacity! We have a trailer I usually put lawnmowers,ATVs, and such in!

Desperado · August 24, 2002

I have a retractable hard cover and it is great when you need to haul some lumber etc. The downside is the space that the front canister occupies. I cannot close my tailgate when hauling my quad. The cost is another, plan on spending around $800. If you are interested in more details, let me know and I'll send you some pics as well as the manufacturer.

vortec4800 · August 28, 2002

I've got a hard cover on my truck and I love it. I converted the bed of my trunk into a huge trunk, putting a bedrug in it and some nets on a sliding rail to adjust compartment size to avoid my stuff flying around back there. Its not too hard to take off, me and a friend can take it off easily in 10 minutes or so, and I just helped my friend move without a problem... I would suggest the hard cover over the soft cover mainly because they look better than the soft IMHO, and they're easy to use.

Just my $.02