I'm currently trying to find out what the best low profile (not top-rail mount) soft tonneau cover is. After an extensive search of the archives here, I've only come across comments referring to the LeBra Low-Profile Tonneau. None of the comments reflected on the units quality.

I don't want anything that has top-mounted rails because I'm planning on adding a rally bar, thus will need access the stake pockets.

I've looked at Downey SST, and Extang with no luck. Any others?

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2000 F-150 XLT, Styleside, White, Dark Graphite Int., 4x4, 4.6L, 3.55 L/S, Off-Road pkg (Skid Plates, Cab Steps, Heavy Duty Shock Absorbers, LT265/70R17SL), Class III Towing pkg with Heavy Duty Cooling pkg, 4 wheel disk ABS, Overhead Console, Factory In-Dash CD, Remote Keyless Entry, and Sliding Rear Window.

Added: K&N FIPK, Cabin Air Filtration, Ventvisors, Ford Bug Deflector

 

I was hoping to see some replies to this as I have a Le Bra Low Profile, it was the only one I could find. I wondered if there are others, but based on no response to your post I guess not.

Quality wise the Le Bra is OK but not great.

My Lightning is a '99 so it is a Flareside which means the bed is tapered and bowed, and if you look closely the bed rails also have a taper to them.

What does this matter? The Le Bra side rails are straight aluminum stock that will flex to match the bow when you clamp them on, but the taper of the bed rails causes the Le Bra side rails to sit at a slight angle making the tail gate rail very tight to install and remove and almost too short as it slides into a groove in the side rails. I tried shimming the side rails to make them sit straight. That made the tail gate rail fit a lot better, but then the fabric was too loose across the width of the cover. Also, it leaks at the front of both side bed rails unless you make your own filler piece to close the gap.

It looks nice, but I give it a 7. They could have done better.

[This message has been edited by Hawkeye (edited 05-11-2000).]

 

I have a Saddleman flush-mount soft tonneau that I have been pretty satisfied with. The main complaint that I have with it is the cheapo soft aluminum clamps that came with it. They will not hold the frame in place. I decided to drill holes through the frame and the inside of the bed rails and bolt the frame directly to the bed rails. If you are leasing or are very particular about having "non-factory" holes anywhere on your truck, then you wouldn't want to do this. I'll tell you what, that frame isn't going anywhere. You can still use your stake pockets for whatever you want. The cover setup has one bow that runs the length of the bed, from front to back, straight down the middle. This sends the water off to the sides because of the slight raise at the center. I've had quite a few people ask me about this cover. Hope this helps.

 

Well, supposedly Lund makes one, at least that's what one of the aftermarket accessory shops in town tells me. They want $269 installed for the Lund cover, including overnight shipping. I couldn't find one on Lunds web site, although I only loocked quickly. I did notice that they're selling they covers for $251 direct, so I guess $269 isn't too bad.

I guess I will pay them a visit during lunch today and have them order it. I'll report back with my findings.

 

Y2K OffRoad please do let us know about the Lund cover. I understand they make the Ford factory soft tonneau, and am interested to know what you think of it. Maybe you could post some photos. Thanks

 

I don't know if you have looked into the Access Rollup cover? That is one that you still have access to the stake pockets on the truck, and is really secure for a soft cover. They are really popular up here in Minnesota that I have seen, and there are a lot of them on trucks. Great cover for the little added that you pay for it. They mount to the inside of the rails on the box, and then secure with velcro to the rails that are mounted to the truck. Fully adjustable, so that you can get it tight, so that it doesn't flop in the wind, like a lot that I have seen. Hope this helps or gives you another option.

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1999 F-150 4x4 Offroad, SuperCab, Prairie Harvest Gold, 5.4L Triton w/ K&N Air Filter, Lund Interceptor Bug Guard, Lund Headlight Covers, Smittybilt Outland Sport Bumper Gaurd w/ Hella 500 & 550 Driving lights, Access Roll-up Cover, Bedliner, Ford Reciever Hitch Cover, Taillight Covers

Future Mods:
Gibson Cat-Back Exhaust, 4" Lift w/ 34 OR 35 Inch Mickey Thompson's, 2 or 3 Inch Body Lift

 

The best soft cover I have seen is the one from Extang (www.extang.com). The cost is about $265 and it uses a snapless mounting system, it is low profile, and it is very strong. It even comes with a great warranty. For soft covers it seems to be the best. I also like it because it does not curl up around the edges like a lot of soft covers do.

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Brian
1999 F-150 Lariat Supercab Styleside, 4.6V8, 4W-ABS, Gatorback liner, Nerf rails, Ford Wrap around bug deflector, Captain Chairs, CD, Pace Edwards lockable roll away hardcover, Green paint with gold flare trim.

 

I've been looking and researching pretty hard for the best soft tonneau cover without snaps. So far it looks like there are a number of brands to choose from:

SportMasters
LeBra
Saddleman
Downey SST
Lund Elite
Extang Tuff Tonno III
Ford factory (same as Lund?)
Access Roll Cover

Most of them are in the $200-$300 range except for the Access Roll cover which is in the $400-$500 range.

I've read mixed results about a number of the above brands. Mainly the complaint has had to do with the rear corners not sealing correctly.

If you own one of the above brands, please comment on why you chose the brand you did and how you like it.

 

I will admit that if I were to buy a soft tonneau I would go with the Access. Everybody I know that has one is really pleased. Then again, another North Dakota product...what would you expect?

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99 XLT 5.4L SC 4x4 ORP Wedgewood Waldoch - 3.55LS, grey/blue leather, wood dash and door inserts, Lund Deflector, Trenz Billet Antennae, Clear Corner Lenses...and too many things on my want list!
1977 1/2 F250 4x4 "Low Boy" 400-4spd

 

I would have to go with ND-BMW with what he said. Access covers are a little more in cost, but they are so easy to use, and look great on the F150. I used it during the winter, rolled and unrolled it, and never cracked like my buddies Lund cover that he had. Just my two cents!!!!

 

Avoid Advance Auto Parts like the plague. Those *^&*@ idiots lost me order. I talked to the salesperson on Tuesday of last week on the phone and he said they'd have to order the LeBra low profile direct from the manufacturer because it was out of stock at their warehouse. I was told that it would be in Friday or Monday.

Today (Tuesday) I called after dinner since I haven't heard anything, and nobody there even has a clue about it. My name or order wasn't on the computer was all they said. And I was also told that it could be on tomorrows regular shipment. The girl I talked to just couldn't grasp the concept that it was ordered (supposed to be) direct from the vendor.

Needless to say someone is going to catch hell from me tomorrow when I get to the office. I wrote down the kids name I spoke with, and he's gonna get an earful if they don't have my tonneau cover tomorrow! Then I'm going to go visit Autozone who told me they'd overnight it at no additional cost!

So as my post first said, I'm *still* looking for a tonneau cover!!

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2000 F-150 XLT, Reg Cab/Long Box, Styleside, Oxford White, Dark Graphite Int., 4x4, 4.6L, 3.55 L/S, Off-Road pkg (Skid Plates, Cab Steps, Heavy Duty Shock Absorbers, LT265/70R17SL), Class III Towing pkg with Heavy Duty Cooling pkg, 4 wheel disk ABS, Overhead Console, Factory In-Dash CD, Remote Keyless Entry, and Sliding Rear Window.

Added: K&N FIPK, Cabin Air Filtration, Ventvisors, Ford Bug Deflector, New: Ford Bedliner, SuperChip

 

It's finally here!! They didn't lose the order, just messed it up a little! Apparently it wasn't ordered properly, but I happened to call to ball out the manager when he told me that one just came in.

So I've got it, and almost got it installed too! But I ended up running for cover, thanks to a thunderstorm that decided to head my way just as I was unboxing the damned thing. So tomorrow I will try the install again.

 

It's a kickin cover! I installed it over the weekend and I will say that I'm impressed! It looks very sharp, I like the low profile look, and it wasn't too difficult to install. I had a problem with it fitting as a result of the factory bedliner, but I was able to resolve that by removing the L-bracket off the back rail and installing it backwards.

Overall, well worth the $180 cost, now all I have to do is add some weatherstriping to the tailgate to help keep the dust out when going offroad!

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2000 F-150 XLT, Reg Cab/Long Box, Styleside, Oxford White, Dark Graphite Int., 4x4, 4.6L, 3.55 L/S, Off-Road pkg (Skid Plates, Cab Steps, Heavy Duty Shock Absorbers, LT265/70R17SL), Class III Towing pkg with Heavy Duty Cooling pkg, 4 wheel disk ABS, Overhead Console, Factory In-Dash CD, Remote Keyless Entry, and Sliding Rear Window.

Added: K&N FIPK, Cabin Air Filtration, Ventvisors, Ford Bug Deflector, New: Ford Bedliner, SuperChip