OK, Yes I already did do a search & got some great info.
I need more info from the expert's though.
I have narrowed my choices to 2 different soft tonneau's.
#1 Sportmaster $200.00 or #2 Downey sst $228.00.
Both have good warranty's.Here my major concern's.
1. The fastening mechanism-Downey has nylon type that push into the rail with no female end,and nothing to keep lubed or oiled. The Sportmaster has male/female metal snap's .
2.cross member's - Sportmaster has 3 and the Downey has 2.
What work's better with the short bed of the Screw ? I don't want any puddles/ice building up on there & keep flapping to a minimum.
3.The vinyl fabric seem's a little thicker on the Downey along with better sewing.Each place tell's there's is the best .
Thank's in advance for the info.
Mike

 

Show me pics of your Ford mud flaps and I'll share info on my tonneau cover...

Just kidding. I have a Truck-tec tonneau I bought from Ebay for $146 delivered. It has two supports and snaps. So far I really like it. The front part flaps pretty good in the wind but I have yet to see one that doesn't. The supports appear to be enough for our short bed but really won't know until I get 12" of snow on it.

Good luck!


P.S. Pics of the flaps would be nice. I have looked high and low and the rear Ford flaps the dealer offered were much to skinny to do any good.

 

I like the Sort Master. It easily comes off in seconds when I need more room. My only complaint with it is that it tends to slide back. (the lock bar will not work after it slides back) The main clamps have not done a good job. The front sides have labels where the clamps should go ... I had to move the clamps closest to the window all the way to where the front cross member attaches to the short side pieces. Seems to be holding better now.

Any other owners of this top have this problem?

 

I've had the Sportmaster Hinged Slant model for about a year now and haven't had any problems. Because of the curved sides and the straight tailgate section, the tailgate piece does not mate with the side sections as well as it could. The top holds it all together anyway so it's not really a problem. I had to reinstall all the clamped pieces, but only because I did the initial installation last winter when it was cold, and I didn't do as good a job as I should have.

Even after I added the spacers between the side sections and the tailgate piece (they are included in the package to make the sides longer and top tighter) there is still some flapping. I had an Extang non-hinged on my 97 SCAB. It was much tighter especially in the winter!) it flapped a bit too. I agree with kkirt1, they all flap. If flapping is an issue for you, get a fiberglass lid instead.

I have removed (i.e. pull hinge pins, unsnap front, disconnect gas struts) the entire cover a few times. It's easy to do, easy to handle, can even be done in cold weather. You can also remove the three cross supports, unsnap and roll up the top (which I did last week to help a friend transport his new snowblower). Takes less than a minute to do. I never tried this in COLD weather, but based on past experience with my Extang I would NOT recommend it due to shrinkage

My 2 cents - I have had both hinged and non-hinged tonneau covers and a Leer Custom cap (never had a lid). I'm partial to the Sportmaster hinged tonneau for all around convenience and ease of removal.

 

Fallscrew,
I had a downey on my last Ranger. Excellent product. I bought mine from Custom Vehicle supply in Milwaukee. I ripped mine, and they evan warrantied it form me. I wouldn't buy anything else. Works great in the winter.
swenny

 

Downey SST - no problems here. Was tough to get on initially, but since then, have had it off & on a number of times with ease.

 

I just put on a LeBra Tonneau. It's snapless and the top quality seems second to none. There are three support bows and with the snapless design it looks great. I paid roughly $200 for it. It beats my Last tonneau which was an Extang.

 

I also put a Truck Teck soft cover on my 2001 Supercrew..with only 2 supports, it sure flaps a lot...I emailed the company and they sent me a 3rd support. I haven't tried it since it was bent in shipment, but I post another note when I get it working. For $150, I really like the cover...pretty good quality and went on easy.

I have had others and not liked them as well...Covercraft and Tek Style.....and they cost $80 more!!

 

davidzog:

Who did you send an email too? I have the same problem with flapping and the 3rd support would be great.

 

I finally bought one.I bought a Downey SST from Custom Vehicle Supply here in Milwaukee. (Thanks Swenny).I told the I found it on the internet for $228.00 so they matched it. Reg. price 269.00.
It pay's to do some research.
Thank's Everyone for your help on this. Well on to the next mod !!
So far seem's like a nice product.
Mike

 

Let us know if the third support fixed the problem.

 

ummmmm. not to confuse the issue further, but check this product out:
http://www.netsweeper.com/
Solid construction, excellent warranty and a unique fastening system.

 

That top is OEM for Toyota. I had one. It's alright but a pain in the arss to take off. More than you would think.

 

I emailed sales@carmicdirect.com

Got good service...LOL

 

I recently puchased a Truxedo soft cover for my Supercrew. After doing considerable research, it appeared to me that this was the "Cadillac" of soft covers. It uses velcro for the side attachments and has a constant tension system that keeps the cover tight. Also, the bows are attached to the cover so they roll up with the cover. The covers also come in 7 different colors. The navy blue was almost an exact match to my Deep Wedgewood Blue with Arizona Beige trim Screw. Check out their website at www.truxedo.com. A little more expensive, but worth every penny in my book.