I never really considered getting a bed cover, but this wk-end I saw a lightning with a bed cover in person. I really liked it, it made a total differnce is looks. I was wondering what the best brands are. What is the cost? (approx.) Do they come painted? Also, if you have a bed cover I would love to see your pics.

Thanks!

 

Welcome..

There have to be hundreds of threads on Covers

Here are 2 Links you will find useful and Lightning

Doug

 

Just guessing, but assume you mean a hard lid.

IMHO, the hard lids are better for if you need security (parked in a remote lot? Parked on the street?) Not that you can't get into them if you're determined, but thieves must be slowed down somewhat by the locks. At least you can't slice them open in 5 seconds with a knife.

Also IMHO, hard lids are easier to live with. It seems soft toneaus are too loose and flappy in the summer and too hard to re-snap in the winter. You might get some argument on this point, however, as some of the newer materials may not be so liable to expand/contract in temperature extremes. Most soft toneaus just come in black, and I think the color matching of the hard lids looks better; some of the soft toneau companies have some really innovative designs, however, so you might find colors available and more "rigid" materials.

That being said, hard lids have some disadvantages, too. They're heavier, more expensive and more inconvenient if the wife decides to buy that new stove at Lowes on the spur of the moment. Having a lid means planning ahead if you're hauling something big enough to require removing the lid.

Hard lids are more expensive, but to me the superior security and looks are worth the cost. Stay with national brands; lots of regional or local folks make these in their pole sheds, and quality and service/support count for a lot.

Lids generally come painted from the factory; you supply the paint code and they match it. I have had three lids and all have matched very well and the paint jobs were superior to Ford's crappy factory paint. I also recommend the type of lid that has a mounting frame that does not require drilling into the bed to install; I hate drilling holes in my sheetmetal.

I have a Leer lid on both the 1997 F150 extended cab 4 X 4 and also the Lightning. Pleased with both. I recommend the styles that wrap over and cover the bed rails: looks better and not so prone to leaking and flying off in a high wind (happened to me with an Astro lid).

Good luck!

 

I'll argue this point. I have the soft toneau from the dealer and the thing is breeze. No snaps, it has a hard plastic edge which slides into a groove on the bed rails. Its totally water tight, rolls up easy and looks real nice when armor all'ed. Dont get me wrong the, the hard covers look sweet but I prefer soft covers.

 

I was talking about a hard lid. Can you give me some guesses on the cost of this & the best brands. I hear Snug Lid is good, do you feel it is one of the better lids on the market. I really like the look of a very flat lid, i dont want it sticking way up on the bed.

Thanks.

 

--Joe

 

Joe,
You beat me to it.

Here is my "hard is better then soft anyday" cover
******* x2000

 

LMAO!!!!!!!!!!!

 

tho' I don't have a hard cover, the one I came close to buying was a flush mount. So many of the other hard covers give the truck a "fat behind" look. I ended up with a Sport Craft soft cover because I didn't want more square footage to wax. Besides, cruising around with a hard one can be right embarring at times.

 

Jeez, I dont know whats worse, me typing that or all you sexual deviants out there who can somehow turn that into a sexual connatation.

 

I don't deviate!! It's pretty ladies for me, dude!

I meant if you don't close it right.

 

What are the cost of these hard lids & the top brands??
I got a price on a Bed Lid hard cover and it was $749 plus $150 shipping. This seems really high, is this a pretty average cost? I really like the looks of the bed lid brand though. Can they be found any cheaper than $749