OK - maybe not a crisis - but since you are in here, please help!

As you all know, I am fairly new to the truck scene and am in need of some advice and suggestions as to which tonneau cover to buy.

Basically all it comes down to is value - I want the tonneau cover which provides the highest quality for the price.

I read through the long "Which tonneau cover do you have" thread, and really like the Extang RT, but $300 is a lot for me (now).

I would love to stay around $200. Could anyone make a suggestion for me?

Thanks!

 

ive got the extang classic platinum tonno, it was 200 and im pretty happy wtih it!!

 

I've got an extang classic as well that I bought new on e-bay for $120 including shipping. It does the job. Not as great as a hard cover but easy to use.

 

For $200, you are limited to the cheapest covers available. I'm not saying you won't find good value, but you cannot expect a $200 cover to compare to the high quality stuff available out there.
I almost bought a cover but never did. I did research a lot and had decided on the UnderCover hard plastic tonneau as the ultimate cover, and the price is quite reasonable.

 

I had a Downey SST on my 2000 F150. Held up very well for the 5 years I had it. They still seem to be in your price range. As with the majority of the covers in your price range, it was a major PITA is the winter. The only way to get it on when it was cold was to let it warm up for a bit inside, and then put it on quickly in bright sunlight.

 

Hmm...general consensus seems to be that $200 won't buy much, right?

So if I could float the extra $100, would the Extang RT be a good choice?

 

http://www.anythingtruck.com/tekstyle_info.html

I paid around 200.00 for my TekStyle. I had one on my 2001, 2003 and now my new style 2004 and I couldn't be happier. 1st class workmanship. I special ordered a carbon-fibre one and got it just a few days. This vendor was great to work with.

-Fatz

edit: Hard covers are wonderful until you're 100 miles from home and find something big you want to haul back with you.

 

I paid around $200 for my Extang Tuff tonneau III. Works fine, last a long time!

 

I second the Extang Tuff Tonno...bought one in 1993, finally dry rotted in 2003...lasted thru Tennessee summers and Michigan winters. I'd have another if I didn't have my sidemount toolbox and ladder rack.

 

Absolutely!

 

Can you please look in your "My Ebay" page and shoot me a link to the vendor you bought your tonneau off of for $120 clams?

 

I just installed the Lund Genesis Roll Up.
I went through all the research you're doing now and came up with:
(as far as soft roll ups go)
Access and the Lorado Access are great $420
Extang RT $289
Lund Genesis $329
Access and Lorado would have been nice to get but I couldn't squeeze out the extra dough.
The RT and Genesis are pretty much the same. the RT has a "quick" release button on the drivers side and the Genesis has Pull releases on both sides.
I got the Lund because of the Dual release and also cause I have a couple other accessories from them (diamond plate running boards and bug shield).
Hope this helps

Archer

 

Thanks for your input folks, I really appreciate it.

Could anyone tell me the difference between Extang's Tuff Tonneau III and the RT?

I think I have it narrowed down to those two. I really would like to save the $100, but will spend it if there is a huge difference. I don't want my truck looking like a horse-buggy, and having said that, it looks as if the RT has a lower profile. I dunno, someone chime in!

(Also if anyone knows of a cheaper price, link it up!)

 

Yeah...the tuff tonno had over-the-rail rails. The cover goes over the tops of the rails and wraps around them. You just unpeel the cover, and roll it up.

The RT has rails that go inside the bed rails...then when you hit a button, it releases, allowing you to roll the cover up against the cab.

The Tuff tonno is supposed to be stronger...as in more snow load, etc...but the RT is MUCH easier to roll up. If you're planning on hauling a lot of big stuff, it's a lot easier to hit a switch and roll rather than peel off the cover. I believe the RT leaves the bedrails exposed "lower-profile"...you might not like the look, or might be able to put bedrails on or something...

 

Paid $164 for my extang tuff tonno, I like it alot, but I also use my truck for work not show. If it tears no big deal. This has NO snaps which I hate, connects with "J" strim with 3 adjustable bows.