My Tonneau Cover Experience

Habibi · #1 07-15-2003, 05:37 AM

My Tonneau Cover History

When I first got my truck, I bought an ARE Z series cap:

After 5 weeks, I got rid of it.
It was ok,but wasn't what I wanted.
I really noticed how much lighter the truck was without the cap.

Pros: Tons of "indoor storage" and very convenient if you need to haul a lot of stuff around and keep it dry and secure.
Cons: * Expensive. * Many blind spots, * Heavy (200 pounds) * takes away from the spoty look.

So my next brilliant idea was to get a soft tonneau, I thought I would use this in the winter, and leave it off in the summer.
Here's a pic of an Extang soft tonneau cover.

Pros: * inexpensive, * Light weight, *That's all I can think off.
Cons: * Lack of security, * I never liked the look of seeing the "ribs", A major pain in the nuts when trying to put the snaps in during cold weather, and I mean a big big pain in the ass!

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Habibi · #2 07-15-2003, 05:38 AM

After a month, I sold this tonneau to a buddy and went with a Pace Edwards roll top.
I thought this was the perfect cover for me, but this changed after one year.

I really liked the Pace Edwards cover, but after a years use, the cover was
swtarting to show its age.
In all fairness to Pace Edwards, this cover never fit %100 from day one.
Sometimes it would slide open by itself, and it made an awful "flapping"
noise where the cover meets the tailgate.

Pros: * Looks slick, * Light weight, * opens & closes easily in seconds
Cons: * Poor fit, * False sense of security, * leaked heavy near the TG, * Cheap workmanship for the money, * Expensive

Finally, I bought an ARE LS11 Fiberglass hard lid:

Honest to God, I wish I went with this right from day one, it would've
saved me a ton of cash, and lots of agrivation.

Pros: Best look of any cover (IMO), * Minimal water leakage near the TG area, Security for your cargo is excellent with the cover, * Fit & finish is first rate.
Cons: A little on the expensive side, * Weight is 120 pounds, * Lid is a little heavy, wife has trouble with it (that's why I tell her to drive her Focus and stay away from my truck!) * Can't carry tall items unless you remove the lid first.

All in all, each of the various covers have their own advantages, and how you use your truck is important in deciding which to get.
Just thought I would share my experience here with others who are trying to decide which cover to purchase.

Habibi

goalie88 · #3 07-15-2003, 05:55 PM

It looks like it may have taken you a while to find the right fit for you, but look on the bright side you were able to share all your experiences with us and make our decisions easier. Thanks Habibi.

As a side note I myself am thinking about a hardcover as well. Haven't decided on undercover or fiberglass (Century is available locally)

goats · #4 07-15-2003, 10:33 PM

I agree goalie... I am between the ARE and Undercover... that 56 pounds is one inviting feature.

Habibi · #5 07-16-2003, 12:45 AM

Yw,

Glad my indicision and experience may help someone else save some cash. (that's why I love this site)

You know what would be cool?
A hard fiberglass cover weighing 50 pounds or less!
Cmon, they can send the Casini rocket to Saturn for a 7 year mission, they can build a 50 pound cover! LOL

Habibi

garebel · #6 07-16-2003, 07:09 PM

trying to decide myself.

J-150 · #7 07-21-2003, 06:52 PM

I have the fibreglass tonneau....

looks good
secure
aerodynamic
can walk on it (sometimes when you dont have a ladder)

downsides...

pain to take off and put on by yourself (if moving oversized items)

01 XLT Sport · #8 07-25-2003, 12:53 PM

Looks awesome...

Habibi · #9 07-25-2003, 02:24 PM

Thanks Burt, did you get your bedrug yet?

J-150, I noticed you said you can walk on it.
I was wondering how I would get to the sliding window without removing it.
Do you think those covers are strong enough to fit my big ass on it? Once in a while I like to give the rear window a good cleaning from the outside, and it really is difficult to reach the middle section from the ground.

I thought about getting on it with a ladder, and gently shimmying across it to get to the window, you guys think this would do any damaga?

Habibi

01 XLT Sport · #10 07-25-2003, 09:28 PM

No bedrug yet. It's kind of on hold due to some family things happening right now. I am hoping to get one, maybe before winter. I will see what happens.

Habibi · #11 09-08-2003, 12:50 AM

J-150 · #12 09-29-2003, 08:01 PM

havent replied to this one yet.

As far as walking on it... YES!!!!!

That was one reason I opted for the Leer over the Lo-Rider (the original hard tonneaus)

The Leers and ARE's are double layer construction and can take a ton of weight. This voids the warranty, but so will a chip if you get caught by the dealer.

I weigh about 180-185 and I have stood in the centre of the lid (where it has the least support)

They do may great ladders/workbenches.

And one more benefit that Habibi and a few select others will get....

Its a place to rest your Horton's while fumbling for the keys.

J-150 · #13 10-01-2003, 03:34 PM

Habibi · #14 10-01-2003, 05:53 PM

I've rested my "Timmy's" on there, and drove away cuz I forgot about it, LOL

2001 F-150 SPORT · #15 10-01-2003, 06:12 PM

Or you can get an Extang Full Tilt.

Pros: Tilts for easy access, can be taken off in seconds, costs a little over $300, looks good (IMO).

Cons: Takes about an hour and a half to install due to amount of parts.

I love it, it’s the best bed cover I have ever owned.