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Soft tonneau , which is best

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Old Jan 19, 2001 | 07:55 AM
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Don C's Avatar
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From: Waltham Ma.
Question Soft tonneau , which is best

Hi all
I am looking to get a soft tonneau for my new L if it ever gets here. I have to put stuff in the bed all the time, so a hard cover won't work for me. I was wondering which is the best one?
If anyone has pics of a soft tonneau on a L I would like to see the pic. I am concerned how it will look with the curved side of the flareside bed.
Thanks
Don
 
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Old Jan 19, 2001 | 09:55 AM
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I really like the factory cover on my lightning. I have a tek style on my chevy sportside and its not nearly as good or easy to take on or off.
 
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Old Jan 19, 2001 | 10:04 AM
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The best soft tonneau cover I have ever seen in general is Sportmasters. From Texas.in general,The frame is black aluminum,The snaps stay in place,The corners DONT fall off and the Fit and finish has always been top notch and the cover doesnt sit too high,sag or ANYTHING!One other key thing is no matter what color you get,The snaps match the color.This is good when you get funky like me.My cover is light grey and the snaps are light grey also.One more thing,They come with the same contoured sides as the flaireside bed.even the fleet sides dont come strait.they all contour great!!I waited over 2 months for mine.The are of the highest quality.Stay away from extang.
 
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Old Jan 19, 2001 | 10:10 AM
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From: Ft. Lauderdale, Fl
Cool

I put an Extang on my '94 and loved it. The rails bolt on, no drilling, and the cover slips on and off w/out snaps...real easy to use. Still have it if anyone needs one.
Black. $100.00 plus freight. Like new.
Timburntire@aol.com
 
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Old Jan 19, 2001 | 01:45 PM
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From: New Hampshire
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Old Jan 19, 2001 | 02:59 PM
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Don,
I have to agree with Badpit. I have the factory cover on my 99 L and I have a Extang on my 97 4x4 X-Cab. The factory cover on the L takes about 1 minute to remove or put on. It fits very tight and does not bow down any even at "high" speed. The Extang on the 97 takes about 10 minutes to take off or put on in warm weather. In cold weather, don't even think about it, it is nearly impossible to put back on without a couple of helpers. I have the Extang on the tightest setting and it still bows down very badly at speed. I would definitely recommend the factory Ford snapless cover over the Extang anyday.
 
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Old Jan 19, 2001 | 05:44 PM
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Don C's Avatar
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Thanks Guys
I loved the Extang onmy 93, the one on my 99 is not as good. Seems there quality has suffered since 1993.
I had heard some bad things about the factory cover, glad to see that you guys like it, I will think about it.
Lightningquick
Where did you get the Sportmaster cover, I work in Nh so maybee I can get it where you got yours. My truck will be Silver I bet the grey would look good on a silver L
 
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Old Jan 19, 2001 | 05:55 PM
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check out the Access bed cover. im getting one and the quality is great . a guy has one at work and he really uses it. and it still is perfect . http://www.realtruck.com/Products/AccStan.asp

------------------
silver 00
99 flht
lots of bills
 
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Old Jan 19, 2001 | 05:56 PM
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From: New Hampshire
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The only place I can find that sells them around here is Complete Car Cleaning in rte 1 (bridge rd) Salisbury MA.My friend has a silver ford with a grey cover.LOOKS AWESOME!!!! and about $$600 cheaper than a hard one and comes on and off in a breeze!!
 
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Old Jan 19, 2001 | 06:04 PM
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I have the factory soft tonneau cover on my truck. It's great except at sustained speeds in excess of ~75 MPH. The cover sometimes starts coming off on the sides after half hour at these speeds.

The cover has metal support beams on the styleside. I don't know about the flareside.

RCL


------------------
2000 XLT 4.6 V8 5speed 4x4 RC SB Amazon Green

Modifications:
K&N
Mobil 1
Magnum Deflecta-Shield
Soft Snapless Tonneau
Ford Duraliner


 
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Old Jan 19, 2001 | 07:49 PM
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From: Waltham Ma.
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Thanks for the help

Lightningquick I found where to get the sportsmasters, cap world in Salem NH

retics4me I called them up, they are sending me a video.

RCL I have seen many factory covers doing what yours does, maybee I flew by you on 128, 495 or rt 93 I am allways going faster than 75 mph, just imagine how fast I will be going with the new L, weee heeee

Those both look like good options, both of them have contoured sides which is what I am looking for.

Bad Pit, 1BAD 4D, thanks for the info, I didn't realy like the factory cover, thats why I didn't order it with the truck. I am glad you are happy with it.

this is why this site is great, I would have never heard of the Access bed cover, if not for F150online.com
 
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Old Jan 22, 2001 | 04:18 PM
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I have the Extang cover on my 98 Flareside.
It came as a dealer installed item, so I probably (definitely) paid too much for it.

The cover has been great, All the snaps work fine, and the canvas does not show any signs of wear.
 
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Old Jan 22, 2001 | 04:59 PM
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From: Baldwin ,Wi.
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HEY DON C
access also has a cover that has anodized framing instead of natural aluminum .i think it would look much better with fords bed rail protectors
 
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Old Jan 22, 2001 | 05:47 PM
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Well nobody here has mentioned the Downey SST so I thought I'd pipe in. I've had mine for nearly a year now and it has been great. Installation was pretty easy. It snaps on or off in a few minutes. Comes with two bows. Stays very secure at speed. I'm happy with mine and would buy another.

------------------
2000 Black Lightning
#1326 of 4966
Born on 03/20/2000
PSP Chip
Mobil 1 10w30 synthetic oil
Best time: 13.372 @ 102.57 mph

 
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