want to get a tonneau...

naturalbornmudder · October 17, 2006

I am looking at getting a tonneau cover for the drive out from Alaska to Pennsylvania.

Is this something that is relatively easy to do, or should it be done professionally?

I have been a Jeep guy for 4 years so I know nothing about trucks other than I just bought one. I do know basic mechanics, installing ring and pinions, differential lockers, turning disc rotors, re drilling bolt patterns, installing lifts, etc.

Is this job in my range of experience? Do you recommend hard or soft tonneau? Snaps?

ZR Rider · October 17, 2006

I perfer a roll top. I have a Pace Edwards Jack Rabbit. It works very nice and also locks!

Soft covers are nice, but snapping those buttons in the winter can be a pain. Nice thing with the roll top, it's very fast. Turn the latch, give it a push, it's open!

Mine locks every 12", so if you have something big at the back, you can cover the front stuff up.

Pace Edwards

dewfpo · October 17, 2006

I second the roll-top recommendation (I have a Retrax) but they are expensive.

DEWFPO

gmcjoe · October 17, 2006

Pick up a nice soft tonneau, not the snap kind.

You can install it in a few minutes once the cover is warm enough to stretch over the frame

cmoore74 · October 17, 2006

Sounds to me like you're mechanically inclined so any tonneau cover (soft, hard flip, hard roll-up, etc.) should be easy to install.

I really like the hard covers, but they are a lot more expensive than the soft covers. I went with a bak-flip and it was very easy to install. It only took about a 1/2 hour, taking my time, and required only simple hand tools.

bigchipfan · October 17, 2006

I have a Downey Products SST soft tonneau. It uses teflon squares that snap in to a track. Keep the top warm in the house before snapping it on in the cold, if it is off the bed for any length of time. Works great for me...

http://www.downeyproductsnortheast.com/sst.html

MustGoFaster · October 17, 2006

I bought a Truxedo for mine, installed it in 10 mins - only needed a 1/2" socket. it's got 2 rails that attach with clamps, which locks in a front bar that has the canvas (or whatever the material is) attached to it. the rails have velcro to keep the edges down. the tail end has a clip-lock mechanism that keeps it down.

I was kinda skeptical about the velcro thing but it locks up solid and works perfectly. couple people around here have had them for a few years and it looks like they stand up to the weather really well. I think it's got a lifetime warranty on the cover too - I will have to look though to make sure.

firefighteremt3100 · October 17, 2006

I perfer a roll top. I have a Pace Edwards Jack Rabbit. It works very nice and also locks!
Soft covers are nice, but snapping those buttons in the winter can be a pain. Nice thing with the roll top, it's very fast. Turn the latch, give it a push, it's open!

Mine locks every 12", so if you have something big at the back, you can cover the front stuff up.

Pace Edwards

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Id like to get one of these as well, but I know they are pretty pricey, I believe something like 800+, too much for me currently. I dont remember what hard flip up tonneau's are, but they are kind of a pain. Nice in that they are solid and lockable, but if you have something taller than your bed, you either have to leave the lid 0pen (Which might be ok at lower speeds, but you know those hinges are only made to take so much) so higher speeds it probably wouldnt be a good idea, or take it off. The old one I had was a bear for one person to take on and off. The rollup hard ones are nice. I believe there is a power version of the jack rabbit as well, that works electronically.

Elwood 2000 · October 18, 2006

The Pace Edwards is a very nice top. I used to have a soft top with snaps. Bad news for cold weather, but still a good top. If you want a soft top, look into some of the tri-fold tops. They look real nice.

If you can do a ring and pinion, you can do a top in your sleep! LOL

Best of luck with your choice!

ZR Rider · October 18, 2006

Well, I have had all 3 kinds, the soft was a pain in the cold and seeing he will be driving in the cold this winter (Alaska to Pennsylvania.) The fiberglass is very clean looking untill the one time you go get something taller then the bed, then you leave the lid open and travel down the road, the cover twists and flexes, my step fathers actually cracked in the corners.

They are pricey, but you get what you pay for.

Now, I have had my Pace since May, with only one issue! I had to shim the very back a 1/16th on either side so locks would engage abit more. Closed, open, half closed with stuff at the back... no issues while driving.

One thing I have been looking into is the different rail types. They have one set with a groove down the top for rack towers, then you can add cross bars and put a storage bin or bike rake, or even a ladder rake onto of the bed with the cover closed! I don't want bed rails on my truck, so the thought of just adding towers to a hidden track is too cool for me!!

Good luck!