TexasSteve,

I have the Extang Platinum Classic, which is the same as the Black Max except the rails are aluminum and not painted. I have had my cover for over a year and it still looks like brand new. My truck sits outside 24 hours in Central Florida, too. When I have to haul something it only takes about 2 minutes to remove the back piece, take out the bows and roll up the cover.

Have you taken a look at the cargo cleats that Extang makes?
http://www.extang.com/cleatsindex.html

 

I have had my Extang Black Max almost a year. No problems at all.
I paid $210.00 no taxes and free shipping.
Automotive Accessories Connection
Their web site is www.accessconnect.com
Check'em out.

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2000 F-150 XLT Supercab 4x2. Bright red clearcoat w/gold two tone.5.4L, 3.55LS, class III towing, keyless entry, overhead console and captains chairs.
Ford bug shield and vent shades, Ford(duraliner)bedliner, Extang Black Max soft tonneau, Westin platinum SS nerf bars. Hellwig rear sway bar, Flowmaster 2 chamber dual out the sides catback, Airaid and Superchip

 

Thanks for the responses. I definitely do not want a one piece hard top. I like the hard roll ups but they are too expensive. Maybe I'll go with the Ford or Xtang after all. Price sure looks better.

 

Thanks for all the enlighten info concerning the soft Tonneau Covers. I also do a lot of hauling and was looking at a soft cover for the ease of removal as mentioned here. I had an ARE hard cover on my last truck and cursed everytime I had to go get the trailer to haul something.

The only hesitation I have is the amount of highway travel I do. I have followed many trucks at highway speed and their soft covers are flapping and popping. I saw one Saturday that even had the cross braces and it still seemed to flap and pop too much.

Do all do soft Tonneau cover do this or have I just been behind the wrong one. Base upon all the positive input here, I think I would get the Extang if the movement is not that much. Or maybe there is a trick to prevent this?

Thanks for the insight and I look forward to your input.

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2001 F-150 SuperCrew Lariat
Deep Wedgewood Blue
5.4 Engine
3.55 Limited Slip
Towing Group
Cargo Bed Extender
6-Disc C.D. Changer
Ford Chrome Nerf Bars
AR Nitro 16x8 Chrome wheels
BFG 285/75/16 AT KOs

http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=1342468&a=9989751

 

Well, I have had mine a week now, and I notice that the front billows up somewhat at freeway speeds, and the back part presses down. Seems there is a low pressure area behind the cab and higher pressure back near the tailgate. One can sure see why leaving your tailgate down (or off) would result in significantly better gas mileage!

This effect is stable, in that you don't see it flapping around, but it looks a little odd in the mirror.

I have my cross braces set in the upper tab, which probably accentuates the effect., but reduces flapping. I may try putting the braces lower just to see how it works out.



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2000 F150 4.6LV8 Auto, Supercab SB XLT, Two-Tone Amazon Green/Gold, Extang Black Max

 

TexasSteve,

Thanks for the response. I look forward to hearing if changing the height of the cross bars makes a different.

Can you purchase and install additional bars? That might help to a degree. As long as they are easy to remove that would maybe help me make a decision.

Thanks again!

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2001 F-150 SuperCrew Lariat
Deep Wedgewood Blue
5.4 Engine
3.55 Limited Slip
Towing Group
Cargo Bed Extender
6-Disc C.D. Changer
Ford Chrome Nerf Bars
AR Nitro 16x8 Chrome wheels
BFG 285/75/16 AT KOs

http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=1342468&a=9989751

 

You can buy additional crossbars, and associated hardware; you can buy all the parts if necessary.



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2000 F150 4.6LV8 Auto, Supercab SB XLT, Two-Tone Amazon Green/Gold, Extang Black Max

 

The Ford soft tonneau flaps a little at 60 mph, but not excessively so.

BTW, forgot to mention about the Ford cover. There are convenient mounting holes at the front part of the frame. You roll up the cover and there are two straps to keep it secured at the front of the box. Then you move all the cross pieces to the slots at the front, under the rolled up cover. The back brace slides all the way forward, leaving the box free of obstructions, other than what's at the very front.

[This message has been edited by Dennis (edited 11-23-2000).]

 

I just put on my extang classic platinum tonneau cover. it took about 45 minutes in the freezin' cold. the directions are great, it fits very nicely, and the hardware is good quality. the truck is in the garage now with the heater on so i can stretch the tarp and snap it on, because it is like 25 degrees outside now. the extang is got summer and winter snaps which is a nice feature. go with extang, my .02

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fordtrucker001, 2000 XL Sport White 2WD, with V6, air, automatic and CA emissions. Future plans include ford bedliner, K+N air filter, Wet Okole seat covers, tonneau cover and dual exhaust

 

I moved the crossbars down on my Black Max a few days ago and it does reduce the "turtle back" effect, if that bothers someone, a little. However, the tarp is then somewhat floppier. However, I still do not notice it flapping much, especially at higher speeds. At slower speeds there is a little flap, but not significant. I think I will leave mine on the lower setting for a while, however.

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2000 F150 4.6LV8 Auto, Supercab SB XLT, Two-Tone Amazon Green/Gold, Extang Black Max

 

There are several really great hard tonneau covers out there, too. Mine has double locks in the rear to make sure it fits squarely and doesn't leak. Take a look (the jaggies on the pinstripe, etc. are caused by low res camera):





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2000 F-150 Harley-Davidson
Tonneau Cover
Superchip
'99 FLHRCI
'95 XLH

 

I've got a LeBra Snapless - It's reasonably prices and OK, nothing special but very functional.

Before I bought it, I saw one at Radco that used Velcro to hold it down, and the crosspieces are attached directly to the cover. I had a chance to remove and reinstall one in the parking lot. It was easy to do, and pulled tight. Had it not been 3 times the price, I would have gotten that one.

 

Harley Guy - i see you are a supporter of hard tonneau covers...which one do you have and how much did it cost? what other brands would you consider? if you have any links or anything or know of any places with good prices on them please let me know either e-mail or jsut reply here. thanks a lot!

 

I'm really happy with my hard lid, Tracker Trucker. Welcome to F-150 Online, btw!

My cover is a Unicover which can be viewed at
http://www.nvo.com/truckjewelry/tonn...covers&UID=103

Here are several more links that I looked at prior to making my decision on the Unicover. I'm sure there are a lot of other great covers out there, too. I just liked the looks of the Unicover lid and after talking to them, decided it was best for me.
http://www.glasstite.com/fitmytruck/targa.cgi
http://www.4are.com/
http://members.tripod.com/bskouby/98Ranger/98top.html

Good luck with your choice!



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2000 F-150 Harley-Davidson
Hard Tonneau Cover
Superchip
'99 FLHRCI '95 XLH