Out here in the far west, the SnugLid hard tonneaus made by SnugTop (www.snugtop.com) are considered the top-of-line premium product albeit at $1000 plus.

After rejecting an ARE when it arrived at the dealer because of the many defects and poor fit , I decided to go with the 'best-of-show' and spring for the xtra $$.

Mine at: http://www.f150online.com/galleries/....cfm?gnum=3886

 

I haven't gotten one yet, but I really like the snug lid. I had one on my '03 f-150 & loved it.
This time around I'm looking at the Truxedo since I will be doing a fair amount of hauling.

BTW, I absolutely love you truck....
If it wasn't for the warranty issue I'd love to put mine in the air!!!

 

i will be getting the snug lid

 

I have the Lo Rider one which is great for security as the only way in is through my aftermarket alarm system. But the one dzervit has is way more practical if you have to remove your cover on a regular basis.

By the way dzervit are you planning on painting yours as that is what i was going to have done if i went with your model. I think it would look awesome painted on yours.
Trev

 

Painting has crossed my mind, but I really enjoy the look of the black... plus with it's kinda shiney finish it looks great. I think painting it would be a little too much biege.

 

Not as pretty, but very very practical is the Fold-a-cover.






I use the front panel area for a trunk, with keyless entry (5.00 mod) and you can fold up the back three for most cargo, or take it off in about five minutes for full bed access.
Chris

 

I like the low profile looks of the ******* and Snugtop lids. I also like the rugged looks of the Undercover on an off road style truck, like yours BlkButy. I also think the black color looks best on dark colored trucks.

 

My post from an earlier thread:
I put an Undercover lid on right before spring break. It isn't the prettiest cover out there, but with my truck being black and a lot of the plastic trim being matte or satin black, it fits right in. I do wish it had a central locking system instead of two locks, but other than that I am very happy with it. Fairly cheap too, got it for $526 + tax.

Some have commented about their cover (other brands) not covering the bed rail protectors. The Undercover conceals both the bed rail and tail gate protectors completely. Very clean looking installation.

According to the Undercover rep I spoke with prior to purchasing, it is NOT waterproof, merely water resistant. Let me tell you folks, I drove from Orlando to just above Georgia line trying(unsuccessfully) to outrun a raging downpour, and didn't notice a drop of water in the bed when I stopped to say hello to Mother Nature.

For Spring break, I drove down to sunny Florida. My gas mileage on this trip (Northern Virginia to Orlando and back) was considerably higher than any highway driving I have ever done in the past. I normally get about 16-17 MPG on the highway. This trip I got just a tick over 20. I don't know how or why, nor do I care, but you couldn't have wiped the smile off my face with a leather strap when I gassed up after logging 472 miles on a tank of gas.

Added: Before the "better MPG from just a cover is BS" dogs start barking, nothing else is different about my truck. Just the cover.

SL

 

If you really want a hard lid, you need to check out the newest A.R.E. lid, called the LSX. It is basically a step up from the LSII. You'll have to go to your nearest dealer to see one, as the ARE website doesn't have it pictured yet.

It features a special scissor hinge at the bulkhead that lifts up before it pivots, allowing for a much tighter fit than the LSII with the typical piano hinge. Also, there is no 1/2" trim bead around the bottom wrap around edge. Totally flush with the bedsides, and it doesn't rest on the paint anywhere.

It comes painted with a grey carpeted headliner, and the standard lock can be upgraded to a power one that is programmed into the factory keyfob to unlock with the passenger doors.

It is pricey at over $1000, but I've not seen anything like it before. Mine is being put on today, and when the weather clears up around here, I'll post some pics.

 

Thanks ALL for the input!

 

I'm with Zoltan. Retrax is the best! I had a Roll n Lock on previous truck, not as sleek looking and a fair number of adjustment issues. Retrax allows tailgate drop without opening cover. Has infinite number of stopping postions that lock. All these one piece hard covers look good, but what do you do with them when you need to pick up a tall load??

Just my 2 cents!

 

Unfortunately, with a tall load, the typical hard cover has to come off. With the fiberglass lids it's a two man operation, since they will weigh somewhere around 100 lbs., so they are not for everyone.

For me, the top priorities are looks and security. I don't haul tall loads very much, so it's not much of an issue. As a matter of fact, my last truck had a hard lid, and it was a great excuse to get out of helping everyone and their brother moving crap like fridges, washers, and dryers. I would say "If you come over, help me take off the lid, then help me put it back when we're done, no problem". Somehow, I was never taken up on it.

 

snappylips, I don't think anyone disagrees that a cover gets you better mileage on the highway. The debate is over the tailgate thing.
Every study shows better mileage with a cover.
When I popped my Fold-a-Cover and drove the same route I have been driving, I lost over a mile to the gallon. No other changes. Put it back and mileage went back up.
Steady freeway at 70 it makes about a 1.5 mpg difference on my truck.
A smooth canvas one could easily add 2.0 mpg at 80.

Chris

 

Chris,

There are plenty of disagreeing people on this site concerning this subject. PLENTY! While I don't mind them having an opinion, the numbers don't lie. My point was to shut them down before they got started.

SL

 

Um, you mean 'you hit them back, first?"



Just kidding. I know what you mean. Oh well, goes with the territory, I suppose.

I did post mostly just to agree with your point. The tonneau is the best 'bargain' in mileage that I have seen. It's the only mod I have made that just plain got better mileage, no ambiguity like with exhaust, or intake, air filter, tuner, etc. where it might be better, but it might be because you drive differently.

Keyless entry, tonneau, remote power tonneau locking, these are the mods that I think most change the pleasure of use of the truck for me.
As the tuner did the most for pleasure of driving the truck.


Up dated Mod list
Cruise Control
Leather wheel
Lariet 18" Wheels
Fold-A-Cover Tonneau
Colibri Power Windows
Express Down / Up Modules for both windows
Crimestopper Keyless entry
Power Seats
Passenger Lumbar to match stock drivers lumbar
Kenwood MPV622 MP3
Innovatek Monitor In-dash
Camera in bumper
Tailgate keyless lock
Tonneau keyless lock
Autopark rear sensor
Scangauge
FX4 IP
Vacuum Gauge (Autometer)
Homelink
Rockbox Amp
Subwoofer
MagnaFlow 24 inch Catback
Superchips
Pioneer speakers (4)
Ventvisors
Cell phone mount
Lariat A/C chrome/satin ducts
K&N air filter
Bed mat
Cargo bar
Front parking camera
DVD in dash.
Siren for Crimestopper instead of using horn.
Stubby antenna to clear garage door
New;
AEM cold air intake
Dead pedal