Just wanted to pass along my experience with the Downey SST Tonneau Cover. I put one on my 98 short box when I bought the truck. It's great during the summer and man it's a major struggle putting in on in the winter months. Seems the canvas cover shrinks in the cold and wont fit in the back.

What sort of experiences have other people had? I have used other brands and never had troubles as bad as this.

 

That's no problem. With the Downey, you can unsnap the whole thing and take it inside to warm up so it's easier to put on.

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2000 reg cab sb XLT 2WD
5.4
silver
3.55 LS
4 wheel antilock discs
K&N
17x8 TSW Trackers
285/60-17 Pirelli Scorpion Zeroes
Downey SST Tonneau
Gibson Stainless Split Rear Catback
2 inch drop shackles

 

Im looking around right now for a new Tonneau. I had a Lund cover on my 94 it lasted about 4 years but I had the same problem- when it was cold it was a pain to put on. Plus the whole design wasnt made to hold up. The rail system was cheezy and the seams on the cover ended up splitting.

Im really partial to the Tekstyle covers but i want to find out more about the Downey cover you are talking about. Is it hinged where the whole frame can lift? And how are the rails and the ribs attatched?

After years of crawling into the bed to grab something im wondering if a hinged cover wouldnt be the way to go?!?!

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Struck by Lightning
Lightningstruck9@aol.com

Furthering the American Quest of Unlimited Horsepower and Crappy Gas Mileage!

 

I've had the same problem with the Downey in the winter. No way to possibly get it snapped if it is below freezing. The thing must shrink about 1.5-2 inches.

I tried the taking it inside to warm up. When it is 5 out it cold real fast. Impossible.

So if you must unsnap in cold weather remember you may have to wait until a thaw to replace it.

I bought mine specifically for winter use too 8^(

-jeff b.



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2000 F150 4x4 SC/SB 5.4 ORP Lariet Oxford White with Harvest Gold 2 tone.

 

SSt: i had two of them and i love them i live in MI and could snap mine in the winter, but think about it if you want somthing that wont stretch or shirnk get a fiberglass cap of the flat fiberglass tonne covers. Their customer service is great my second one for my dodge had a small pucker in the rear of the material, they replaced it free of charge sent a call tag to get it picked up. Are the rail adjusted properly? they could be out to far causing it not to go back on. Like i said i took mine off and on in the winter without any problems.

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*2000 blk xlt f150
*5.4 4x4 3.55 ls
*sc orp pkg
*tow pkg, 17 inch wheels
*herculiner,remote start
*flowmaster, air box mod
*bfg ko's A.R.E. cap
*sony 10 disc cd player
*k&n air filter
*superchip
* havoline synthetic oil
****mods to come*********
harley davison hitch reciver plug.
removing stock cab steps& installing westins.