Comparing Tonneau Covers - Leer 800 or SnugLid SL?

MickeyMorris · #1 07-26-2009, 02:39 PM

Just traded my 2004 F-150 Lariat 4x4 for a 2009 F-150 King Ranch 4x4...and trying to decide what tonneau cover and bed liner to put on it.

The '04 was a great truck, Bright Red Metallic with a lot of black trim...very sporty-looking. So, a black UnderCover lid was perfect. I also had a Rhino spray-on bed cover installed in it the first week I got it. The Rhino was fantastic...took a beating and still looked great. I had the UnderCover it on for 5 years...and loved being able to take it off anytime I wanted to in just a few minutes. I know a lot of people have said their UnderCover lids never leaked. Well, mine leaked all the time. I have gotten a lot of stuff wet in it...as it leaked from the front corners everytime I drove in the rain. I even tried adding some extra weather sealant under each front corner, to no avail. So, I learned when we were traveling and rain was in the forecast, to put everything in big trash bags to keep it dry.

Now, this '09 King Ranch is a much more luxurious truck than the '04 Lariat. It is the new Royal Red Metallic color (maroon), with the Pueblo Gold accent color. Looks great and turns a lot of heads. So, now my predicament is what kind of tonneau and bed cover to put in it that will not take away from the great looks. And, I do believe any of the black-only tonneau covers will definitely take away from the looks of this truck, as it really has no black trim anywhere on it. So, that leaves me with fiberglass painted to match.

As far as bed cover, I think the Bedrug is a no-brainer. Even if I decide I don't like it a few years down the road, I can still go back and put a Rhino liner in at that time.

For the tonneau cover, I think I've narrowed it down to a Leer 800 or a SnugLid SL. So, what is everyone's thoughts between the two? I definitely want the lowest profile I can get...which is why I do not like the looks of the A.R.E. and Astro covers. Also, does anyone know the weight of the Leer 800 or the SnugLid SL? If I can't find any other reason to pick between the two, I'll choose the lightest.

One other thought I'm having about the tonneau cover, is the color. Of course, my first thought was to have it painted the Royal Red color to match the main color of the truck. However, now I'm wondering how the Pueblo Gold might look...since the bed rail covers on this truck are also the gold color. Has anyone done this, or have any thoughts?

Thanks.

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MickeyMorris · #2 07-26-2009, 03:33 PM

Let me add another wrinkle to this. Does anybody know anything about the LT Extreme Flat covers? They look great on the web site. But, sure would hate to pay over $1200 (including shipping) for something that doesn't work. I haven't seen many pics or people saying one way or the other on them. http://www.ltsportcover.com/tonneau-...0-super-xf.htm

Stealth · #3 07-26-2009, 07:25 PM

I'd want something that completely covers the bed rails. They tend to discolor over time and start looking bad.

Toolcrib · #4 07-26-2009, 09:32 PM

I have the leer 800,I like the look of the cover, but I am not crazy about the functionality. It is almost a must, that you get it with the power lock option.If you have to use the bed of the truck alot it can be aggravating to remember to have the key, or keyfob handy, it automatically locks when shut.

MickeyMorris · #5 07-26-2009, 10:51 PM

Toolcrib,
It does look good on your truck. I don't think the key would be a problem for me, as I always had to have the key when I had the UnderCover as well. I didn't know it automatically locked when shut...I like that feature. Do you know how much your Leer 800 weighs? Can two people remove and reinstall it easily? Thanks for the info.

redx · #6 07-27-2009, 01:05 AM

I installed a power release and a ford flip oval on the cover. The power release is hooked up to my remote start as a trunk release. It was eaisy to do and cost about $30 Canadian when all done. I installed a second release on my brothers tonneau last week, his cost about $75.

MickeyMorris · #7 07-27-2009, 09:38 AM

Redx, that's cool. What kind of tonneau cover do you have? Do you like it? Does it leak? Would you recommend it to others? How much does it weigh? Is it easy to remove? Sorry, but that's what I'm looking for from this post.

Thanks,
Mickey

MickeyMorris · #8 07-27-2009, 09:56 AM

Stealth,
That's a great looking SnugLid cover on your truck. I'm assuming that's the SnugLid? As I noticed it has two locks. I've about decided the SnugLid SL is not worth the extra $300 for the "SL"...which stands for "single lock". You said in your post about a month ago, "My Snugtop snuglid can be removed easily like an undercover, it's just heavier and better looking." How much heavier? That's my biggest issue with a fiberglass lid...and I know they're lighter than they used to be years ago. But, I still need one that my wife and I can remove and reinstall with no problem. This is also the reason I asked about the LT X-Treme Flat lids...they are aluminum and weigh about 58 lbs. Thanks.

MickeyMorris · #9 07-27-2009, 03:36 PM

Let me add something else about this. On fordaccessoriesstore.com they state they have tonneau covers that can be ordered and sent to the dealership for installation. It says, "Choose from a range of Tonneau capabilities & appearances - whatever suits you best. Four covers are available: soft roll-up, soft-folding, hard-folding or hard color-matched." Does anyone know who makes the "hard color-matched" cover on that site? The site does not give details, which they should for something that costs this much. From the picture on the site, which may or may not be correct, it looks like one of those hump-backed A.R.E.s that I do not like. And, it gives this information on one to match my truck: "Hard Color-Matched Tonneau Cover, Styleside 5.5' Royal Red, Part Number: A915O-99501A42-AUK". I've Googled that part number, to no avail. Anybody have a clue?

redx · #10 07-28-2009, 01:06 AM

I know that in 2000 the harley cover was made by Leer. Leer was also suppose to be the supplier of the hard cover for the newer trucks but the covers were discontinued before they were avalible up here.

Mickey......the cover I bought is a Leer 800 but keep in mind my truck is a 2008. I do like the cover and it seems to keep the water out good but I haven't had it in to much rain yet. I don't know the weight of it but it will take 2 people to remove it or re install it. There is 2 wing nut style nuts at the front and 1 shock support pin at the rear of each side. I haven't removed mine and likely never will as the f350 is what I use if I need to move something.

The best thing you could do for yourself is check them all out online then go see them on a truck. Remember if you are driving somewhere and see the lid on a truck just ask the guy if he will show you his cover, most guy's like to show off their truck and won't mind. I looked at a leer 700 in the safeway parking lot then a leer 800 from a machanic that my brother works with. I have also been asked in the mall parking lot about the 700 I had on my 2002 screw and that guy fallowed me for a bit before I stopped.

MickeyMorris · #11 07-28-2009, 09:29 AM

Redx, thanks for the info. I'm trying to do just as you suggested. The problem is where I live...Texarkana is a border-town in the NE corner of Texas/SW corner of Arkansas. And, the only lids I see around here are either UnderCovers, which I've had, or some OLD, funky, huge, ugly fiberglass lids with no name on them. I have no idea where some of these lids come from, nor do I want to know. And, I know those things have to weigh 200 lbs. Just to have a Leer or SnugLid installed, I have to drive 2 1/2 hours to Dallas or 2 hours to Little Rock...which I will do...IF I decide not to order an LT X-Treme Flat. I still love the looks of those X-Treme Flats...and I found out yesterday that they are the same company that makes the Lazer Lite cover. It's just that the Lazer Lite is not painted to match your truck. If anybody has either the LT X-Treme Flat or the Lazer Lite, I sure wish they'd respond...I'd love to see some pics and talk about these.

Thanks again Redx.

MickeyMorris · #12 07-28-2009, 12:08 PM

Wow...I just got an email from a dealer I'd emailed about their Leer 800 lids. She said they weigh about 250 lbs. There's no way my wife and I could take this thing off. Sounds like it would take 3-4 men.

So, it's definitely off the list. Redx, now I see why you said you'd probably never remove yours...I wouldn't either. I have to get one that can be removed easily, so I can still use my truck as a truck. And, I haven't heard from a dealer about the weight of a SnugLid, but I've heard it's about 100lbs. I know Stealth said his SnugLid could be removed easily, like an UnderCover...so just wondering.

So, now it's between a SnugLid and an LT X-Treme Flat.

TJ05FX4 · #13 07-28-2009, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MickeyMorris

Wow...I just got an email from a dealer I'd emailed about their Leer 800 lids. She said they weigh about 250 lbs. There's no way my wife and I could take this thing off. Sounds like it would take 3-4 men.

So, it's definitely off the list. Redx, now I see why you said you'd probably never remove yours...I wouldn't either. I have to get one that can be removed easily, so I can still use my truck as a truck. And, I haven't heard from a dealer about the weight of a SnugLid, but I've heard it's about 100lbs. I know Stealth said his SnugLid could be removed easily, like an UnderCover...so just wondering.

So, now it's between a SnugLid and an LT X-Treme Flat.

I would contact another dealer then. I have been to a dealer locally that has them for me (I'm looking at the Leer 800 myself), I saw one for my 5.5' bed in a box and it said 158lbs on the UPS label. Granted if you have a 6.5' bed and being the '09, I don't know what would cause it to go up in weight THAT much, but I'd seriously consider looking elsewhere.

The place here in Austin I am using actually has female installers and they claim to have no problems lifting them and they aren't big women by any stretch of the word. If my truck wasn't so tall, I wouldn't anticipate it being difficult at all.

I do work in the Sulphur Springs and Mount Pleasant area, so I know how difficult it is to find somebody good out there. I feel for ya!

MickeyMorris · #14 07-28-2009, 12:43 PM

TJ05FX4, thanks for the info. That email came from Razorback Campers in Hot Springs, AR...which is the closest Leer dealer to me. Yeah, we're isolated here in the Ark-La-Tex. Yes, I have the 5.5' bed...but even at 158lbs, that's still a lot heavier than the SnugLid at 100lbs (supposedly, still waiting on that verdict for sure) and 100lbs heavier than the LT X-Treme Flat at 58lbs. Have you looked at those? If I could actually see one of those, instead of ordering, I probably would have already bought one. But, that scares me ordering from the Internet for this much money.

TJ05FX4 · #15 07-28-2009, 01:12 PM

Yeah looked at the Xtreme Flat and just can't get past that it doesn't cover the plastic bed rails and the tail gate on my '05. I want full coverage and something that completely covers it all up. Plus the auto locking feature of the Leer is a big attraction for me as well.

I can get the Leer 800 installed and paint matched, etc here in Austin for just under $1000 bucks out the door, so I'm pretty sure will be the route I take. I'm not worried about the weight myself, but a 50lb difference wouldn't deter me in making my decision if I was. Get the one that looks best and has the best functionality for what you want it to do.