Is the Ford tonneau cover a waste of money? I plan on getting an ARE but I need to save for a month or two. I need a cover to keep things dry when I travel and I was wondering what everyone thought of the Ford tonneau option? Does it look good on the truck?

 

I had one on my 99 lightning.I miss it on the 2000.The quality in framing and such is first rate.Looks great.Yes it is a perfect water resistant seal!I have two problems.My dealer wants $375 for another one.Its only $175 as an option???????The corners warped up a little.Not bad at all,It would not stop me from buying another one if they were cheaper.I figure I can buy a hard one for 550 so thats what i will do.

 

I have heard its hard to get because of availability. I would skip the "option", save the money and buy the one you want.

Just FYI - I really like the Downey SST they sell in the online store here, although it is not completely weatherproof.

 

I had an aftermarket one with the (*&(*^%*&% snaps on my '97 that fetched $90 this past month (was pretty good).

I have the Ford model with the silky-smooth plastic zipper-like connection -- Love it! I even used it in the winter -- which was clearly a must-avoid with the snap-type.

One person can put it on in less than 5 minutes.

The fit-n-finish for both are first rate -- however the bows have fallen out already a couple of times with the new Ford one -- don't know how that is happening -- and wind has partially un-zipped the side once (again ???).

For the up-charge on a new vehicle, it's a no-brainer -- cheap -- and would even be worth buying with the intention to sell.

(My first post didn't make sense -- hope this does.)

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Y2K™

XLT SC SB 5.4L 3.73LS



[This message has been edited by Y2K 7700 4x4 (edited 05-08-2000).]

 

Well, you can do just as good with a Lund,since the Ford is a Lund. I work at a Ford Dealership, and also at a custom shop. I have a Lund on my truck with the snaps. The owner of the shop doesn't recommend the plastic "zipper" style due to the wind lifting it. They do a lot of business with the Extang. I like the Extang because you can flip the snaps around for tighter or looser fit, which translates into winter fit, or summer fit. I dare not unsnap my Lund in the winter. Shrinks down to what seems like a Ranger cover. I don't like the fiberglass hard covers due to weight, and it's so dammmm hard to remove them. I like to put my bmx bike in the back standing up, can't do that with a hard top unless I got a friend around!!

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1997 F-150, 4.6, automatic, Dark Toreador Red, Supercab, Flareside, 4X4 Off-Road, Towing Package, Ford hvy dty rubber floor mats, Kenwood 10-disk cd changer, Kenwood am/fm cassette head unit, Ford bugshield, Chrome Grizzly Wrap Around Push Bar with 2 KC 100w Daylighters, Ventshades, Ford bedliner, Lund Premier tonneau cover, cab and bed professionally undercoated, Code Alarm Sure Start RVS remote starter, Ford alarm, Realistic CB with Wilson Little Wil antenna and Astatic power mic, ported MAF sensor, and Lots of TLC!! (Besides being an F-150 nut, I am a Ford auto technician.)

 

I also like the look and weight of a soft cover but the convenience of ahard cover, so I installed a Craftec. It is a soft cover mounted on an alumium frame that opens like a hard cover. Weighs less than45 lbs and can easily be removed as a single unit by one person. Its very low profile and looks great.(IMHO) It breaks up the big expanse of white. has a weather seal all around. Can open the tailgate without lifting the lid.It apperrs like a very high quality unit. About 250 bucks. Its a textured black vinal