Help me convince the wife!

virus · 09-29-2004, 09:50 PM

She likes the Titan LE, we got an incredible deal on one that's fairly loaded for $28,500. Her concern is this: We have 2 children ages 2.5 and 9 months. We have a double stroller. Obviously we would have to put this in the truck bed. Are there any truck bed covers that will keep the truck bed entirely dry when it rains? Forgive me if this is a stupid question. If the answer is yes, where is the best place to purchase a really good bed cover that locks and is waterproof?

DallasTitan · 09-29-2004, 10:03 PM

http://www.pace-edwards.com/ Runs bet. $700-1300. http://www.tonneau.us/

http://leer.com/tonneaus.html#700series call for price.

NorCal 4x4 · 09-29-2004, 10:55 PM

If your wife already has a minivan or SUV you're covered. You will be driving the truck by yourself most of the time, most likely. Don't ask for permission, be a man. She won't like it but will respect you more, even if she won't admit it

[Mine is still PO'd but my kids love it]. If this will be your only vehicle though, consider an Nissan Armada, unless you really need a truck. It is a lot easier to deal with baby stuff in a SUV or even a van. Trucks are good for Home Depot/Lowes trips, junk, trash w/creepy crawlers, hay, manure, and/or motorcycles, but the bed rails are tall to reach over, even for a 6'3" guy like me. Then when your babies are old enough to appreciate a truck, get a Titan Crew Cab and they will be happy with all the room. But really - do what's right for you and your family.

BigRedTitan · 09-29-2004, 10:59 PM

ARE LSII is a nice cover. See it at www.4are.com. It is color matched to your truck and has the same lines as the hood. Looks like a factory accessory. It will keep the bed and everything in it completly dry. Prices I have heard are from $700-$1200 installed. Their website has a link to find a local dealer. Hope this helps.

caltitan · 09-29-2004, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by virus

...We have 2 children ages 2.5 and 9 months. We have a double stroller...

Usually, the more you spend on a bed cover, the more water proof it will be. But if you're just worried about the size of the double stroller, then ask yourself how much longer you expect to be using it? Will not the older child soon be moving around without using a stroller and then all the younger child would need is a much smaller stroller? An umbrella stroller would fit easily on the back floor of the Titan.

NorCal 4x4 · 09-29-2004, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRedTitan

ARE LSII is a nice cover . . . It is color matched to your truck and has the same lines as the hood. Looks like a factory accessory. It will keep the bed and everything in it completly dry . . .

BRT, if you need to carry something tall with this type of cover, what do you do, i.e. are they easy to remove?
I like the way they look for sure, but think a hard roll-up like Retrax, might be more practical, (depending on the load).
Hey virus, if you use the search tab at the top of the page for retrax, a SL of threads on covers will show up. Also try bed cover.

daschtick · 09-30-2004, 06:24 AM

I'll admit that I have limited experience with this, but although my truxedo soft cover is not perfectly water tight (car wash), it only drips a few drops along the very front corners. You may be able to get away with a top similar to this, as it is pretty secure, and weather protected. If you are really concerned about the bed of the truck getting damp, you could always set the stroller into a large plastic tray or mat, to keep it off of the floor. I don't think that you necessarily need an expensive and heavy tonneau cover to solve this issue.

As far as family practicality, I have a KC LE, which has more than enough room for my wife, my 3 year old daughter, my golden retriever, and me. We actually chose the Titan over the Armada due to lack of need for more interior space than the Titan already had, the wide open extended cab made for easier access to my daughter, the easier access for my dog (he can easily make it onto the backseat floor of my Titan with the step rails, but not into the high cargo liftover on the Armada), and the near $10,000 price advantage. The huge unlimited height, uncarpeted, cargo space was another bonus.

I actually was looking at the Armada also, but my wife actually preferred the Titan styling plus the outward visibility was far better.

TriKKy · 09-30-2004, 06:38 AM

Have you considered the Advance K-Cover...it is foldable and lockable
ADVANCE, K-COVER install

No matter which tonneau you get, unless you put weather stripping around the tailgate it will never be 100% waterproof.

virus · 09-30-2004, 06:55 AM

The ARE LSII does look nice and there is a dealer 2 miles away from my house. Another concern on the waterproof remark in my last post. I'm really sick and tired of calling upon friends to help bring home large items from the store, hearing the wife get pissed that dirt and mulch spilled out while getting her plants from the nursery. We went to Myrtle beach this year for 2 weeks. The Durango was packed to capacity along with the 20 cubic ft cargo carrier. My wife is very concerned that water will get on everything if we would pack the Titans bed for another treck down to the beach. Will the LSII do the job? How hard is it to remove the LSII?

TriKKy · 09-30-2004, 07:01 AM

It isnt that hard to unhook but takes 2 people to lift it off.

This is what makes the advance nice, and is the reason I am getting it. A lot of times I will be out and just want to buy something on a whim...I need to be able to do this...I don't want to have to plan purchases when I'm out. So, with the folding you get the best of both worlds.

That being said, nothing looks better than the true hard covers...they look awesome.

greg w · 09-30-2004, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TriKKy

Have you considered the Advance K-Cover...it is foldable and lockable
ADVANCE, K-COVER install

No matter which tonneau you get, unless you put weather stripping around the tailgate it will never be 100% waterproof.

You would have to back up really fast or live in FL this year.

I had the ARE first, now I have a Jason. Never had a drop of water in the bed with the Jason. The ARE came in craked, sent back, very poorly repaired then not put on right when it came back and they dented my hood, ( thought hood release was brake release). Got refund and ordered Jason.

Use the search. There is a thread here on a pulley system to remove the top in your garage with full instuctions. I've used a similar process and it will work well with one person.

virus · 09-30-2004, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greg w

You would have to back up really fast or live in FL this year.

I had the ARE first, now I have a Jason. Never had a drop of water in the bed with the Jason. The ARE came in craked, sent back, very poorly repaired then not put on right when it came back and they dented my hood, ( thought hood release was brake release). Got refund and ordered Jason.

Use the search. There is a thread here on a pulley system to remove the top in your garage with full instuctions. I've used a similar process and it will work well with one person.

Do you have a link to the Jason's?

greg w · 09-30-2004, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by virus

Do you have a link to the Jason's?

I like the looks of the ARE but with the raised center it was rather hard to see over as big as these trucks are. The Jason gives a better rear view. Also has unique hinge system that pulls cap away from cab and then up for a tighter fit.

http://jasoncaps.com/

VaTitanOwner · 09-30-2004, 06:03 PM

I second the ARE LS-II. Mine has been totally waterproof thus far. I have been told that it is thicker than most lids and, therefore, it may offer more long term reliability. The matched color and lines are great. You cannot open the tailgate without lifting the lid an inch or two. I see that as added security, others may see it as a pain.
My wife loves our CC LE. We drive to NYC alot and it is great on the road. If you get a CC, the rear seats lift up and this gives you tons of room in the back. With the 60/40 split you could probably put both young 'uns in the 60 and use the 40 for the stroller. Just a thought.
Regardless, Good Luck
(Glad both of mine are in college!)