Orval,
Have you gotten your Lo Rider Tonneau cover? Do you like it? I've been trying to contact Raider by their e-mail address, but the address is not recognized. Were you able to contact them directly or did you go through a dealer?

[This message has been edited by cavecrew (edited 12-28-2000).]

 

Well this is a fine surprise when checking the board this morning. I now have my own topic in the supercrew section.

I have had the LoRider for about 2 weeks now.
I like it so far even though we only have had one day so far that the sun came out enough to thaw the snow off it. If I can get some decent weather I will get some pictures.
My last top was a Sportlid by Ranch. The sportlid sat on top of the bedrails and had no sharp corners. It was very rounded. I know we talked about this before in some other topic but I went for the LoRider as it is suppose to come off quick and it does. You still need 2 people. Instead of using a piano hinge across the front it uses 2 metal clips on the front that slide into 2 pieces of sloted metal on the rails. I have found one disadvantage to this hinge system. The old top would hinge at the front edge of the box and the piano hinge was like a solid seal across the front. The LoRider when lifting comes up and the gasket attached to the top lifts up away from the aluminum rail and any water that that was beaded up on the top now runs down over the front edge and onto the aluminum rail and some or most runs into the box. It looks like a very nice gasket setup and well sealed except when lifting. The water on the sportlid would run over the hinge and between the cap/box and cab and not into the box. Its not a problem for me but if I where to install say a bedrug and try to keep the box dry this would not do.

Anyway in regard to the LoRider Fiberglass Tonneau I am pleased.
As far as styling I really like the look from the back. Its very sleek with rounded corners. The only thing that looks a bit funny is the front corners. Only as the driver will you notice this. As far as from the street it looks great. This may also be the case with most Supercrew tops that cover the bedrails.
The sides of the truck box wrap the side of the cab. The part of the top that covers the bedrails has to follow the wrap up beside the cab. Therefore if looking from the front corner you see this point. In the rearview mirrors it looks like the point of a wing and the dealer told me one of his customers was very upset with this. I can see by looking at it though and the dealer also stated they have to make it come forward like this and follow the wrap or the whole thing would look goofy from the side and the front edge would end at a diiferent point than the bedrails. Looking at it from the side you would see the front of the bedrails.
The only thing they might be able to do is tighten the tolerance on the gap between the bedrails and the top. This may risk rubbing the rails or the box though.

As far as contacting Raider I only dealt with a dealer located about 1 hour from me. I did try to contact Ranch though by email and was unsuccessful. These guys all seem to have web sites as a token marketing tool but are not yet real serious about using these or expecting us to.

I have had people at gas station etc. asking me about the top and where I got it so it obviously looks attractive. One of the guys that asks had a Dodge Dakota Quad Cab.

I will try to get some pictures if the weather lets up. We are suppose to get another 2 inches or so of snow today. My pictures aren't great but will try to get some shots of the front edge and the hinges. I use my camcorder and a video capture card and the quality well.....

Hope this helps. Keep us posted on what you decide.

------------------
2001 Silver XLT 2x4 SCREW 5.4L 3.55LS Tow Package & Cab Steps

Mods: K&N Filter, LoRider by Raider Fiberglass Tonneau

Tow: 31FT. Glendette Deluxe Camper Trailer

recent memory: 1998 F150 XLT SC 4.6l

 

Orval,
Thanks for the reply. You deserve your own site. You're the only person with the Lo Rider cover. I think your pictures look great, nice looking truck. Just too much snow. Looking forward to seeing some pictures of your cover. I'll have a Bed Rug in my Screw. It sounds like it's keeping the bed dry unless the cover has standing water on it and you open it? I was wondering how much hardware is visible when the tops removed?
Can you give me any help with contacting a dealer or Raider in the U.S.? As you mentioned I've tried E-mailing them with no success.

Thanks again, Cavecrew

4x4 Lariat Screw, Arizona Beige,5.4, 3.55ls, 6cd, bed extender,captains chairs, slider rear window

[This message has been edited by cavecrew (edited 12-29-2000).]

 

Finally got some pictures of the cap.


















[This message has been edited by Orval (edited 01-26-2001).]