BSM,

Thanks for the info. I actually had already returned the tonneau. It's just a big jump from 150 to 300 plus bucks (for me anyway). Just trying to be as economical as possible because the truck gets used a lot as a truck and I don't want to spend a ton on a tonneau to abuse it, on off, on off etc.

Thanks

Jason

 

yep, that exactly how i do mine except i don't remove any bows. i have the extang black max. soft covers are a real PITA when its cold.

 

I have the Extang soft cover on my '04 Screw. I had the luxury of parking the truck inside my garage with most of the snaps already done up. The next morning, I still had to use pliers to "pull" the vinyl far enough to snap the last remaining ones - and this was with the snaps set to winter mode. This is not unique to Extang soft tonneaus; I had to do the same thing with the Lund soft tonneau I bought for my '01 screw.

 

Get the Ford snapLESS cover. Although it has a slight sag in the back section at about 65 mph, its a pretty good cover overall. No snaps, just has a 2 channel groove setup. Makes it nice and easy to take off and put back on. I have no problems with it. I put it on last night and it was about 23 degrees out. Heres a picture of the chanell. Theres more in my gallery.

 

Just installed a TruxedoPlus combination toolbox/soft tonneau cover. Velcro on the side rails and a latch system over the tailgate. It's a "snap" to roll-up or close. Should be fairly water tight as well, but it hasn't rained yet, so can't say for sure.

Made in America, nice quality and workmanship. I really like the way it looks too.

GREGORY

 

20 degrees F outside and had to put some stuff in the back, open and close perfectly (truxedo lopro)... came back inside and had a good laugh at this post again.


Chris

 

I just got a carbon fiber look Tek Style and BARELY got it snapped.

I finally took a pair of pliers and put a rag over the jaws and used it to sneak the last couple of snaps on.

I don't know why you don't hear about Tek-Style stuff more often. I had one on my 2001, 2003 and now my 2004. I'll buy nothing else because I think the quality is so damn good.

Here's a pic of the carbon fiber look if you're interested.



-Fatz

 

I have a Truxedo cover on my F-150 too. Cost about $400, but it's worth it. It doesn't sag at all in the cold because of the support bars. I have a hobby farm, and my truck is used constantly to haul everything from chicken feed to fencing to lumber. Between the Truxedo and the spray-on bedliner, my truck performs well for the work I need to do.

Jake

 

Hey guys,

Thanks for all the help, info and pictures. I looked around a bit and it looks like the best way to keep the price down and get what I want (inexpensive tonneau) is to go for the extang tuff tonneau III. Looks like it has a tilting mechanism on the back rail so you can press in the j-hook and then rotate the whole back bar to snugg it up. Looks like the same idea as the ford factory with a pivoting rear rail.

jason

 

I have a Truxedo Lo Pro and roll it up and back all the time. I live in Michigan and it's been pretty darn cold lately and it performs like a champ. Snow hasn't caused any sags yet!

 

To keep cost in line study the Truxedo concept and try to find a cover that fits withen your budget. Avoid the snaps and go with a top that secures either through velcro or some other mechanism. Also make sure that thereis a bar on the rear that acts as leverage to close - especially in the cold months. Like I said - I think Truxedo is the way to go but if your trying to save some cash look around for something similar. Good luck.

 

I have the Extang Black Max. I love the cover but it sucks to take it off and put it on in the winter. I know some guys who have these take them all the way off when they open it and put in someplace warm (inside the house) till they are ready to put it back on, this way it has a little more stretch.

 

Hey Brewdude, I'm getting the Ford cover for Christmas. Do you have to roll the cover off to the side when you want to carry something large in the bed? Or can you roll it back to front?

Thanks,

Scott

 

Justis01... It rolls up from back to front and has two straps that you tie it up with. Real easy to do. can do it myself if I stand in the bed as I roll it up. The cross members come off and go on real easy also. Just give it a little bend and they pop in and out. Im sure your gonna like it.

 

Hey thanks again! I like this one the best over all the others.