Recommendations for soft tonneau cover

NoDakota · 07-28-2006, 08:50 AM

Hey all,

My 04 CC with utilitrac and bed extender needs a tonneau cover, hopefully to boost the mileage a tad. I would love a hard cover but it's not in the budget.

Any suggestions for a good soft one that will work with my config? I don't want to spend a bundle but don't want cr@p either.

Thanks!

David

**HudsonValleyTitan** · 07-28-2006, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NoDakota

Hey all,

My 04 CC with utilitrac and bed extender needs a tonneau cover, hopefully to boost the mileage a tad. I would love a hard cover but it's not in the budget.

Any suggestions for a good soft one that will work with my config? I don't want to spend a bundle but don't want cr@p either.

Thanks!

David

I have the Extang Tuff Tonno and absolutely love it. It took forever to finally find a soft tonno that will fit. I also have the 04 CC with utilitrac bed. It's basically water-proof, looks good, and is cheap.

NoDakota · 07-28-2006, 11:07 AM

Thanks Joe

Autoanything.com notes this:

Will not fit flipping bed extenders

Is this a problem with your bed extender?

**Blackbeauty** · 07-28-2006, 11:12 AM

I have the Extang Trifecta. There are some pics in my gallery. It's the best investment I made on this truck yet! Lund also has one for about $80 more and I can't tell the difference. Mine cost $269 @ A&A Auto (on sale). The Lund cost my boss $349 on ebay!

It's easy to install even with utili-trac. Just make sure they order the utili-trac mounting kit with it (no extra cost). It is versatile, easy to remove and reinstall and I have had ZERO water in my truck bed since it's installation.

**HudsonValleyTitan** · 07-28-2006, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NoDakota

Thanks Joe

Autoanything.com notes this:

Will not fit flipping bed extenders

Is this a problem with your bed extender?

I don't have the bed extender but...that's right. However no soft tonno will work with a flipping tailgate extender....unless, of course, you remove the tailgate rail when doing so. Otherwise, yes.....it will fit on trucks with the extender.

netitan · 07-28-2006, 12:37 PM

In my opinion access cover is the only way to go!!!

ttugrad95 · 07-28-2006, 12:38 PM

Thanks Joe, I may pick one of these up. This seems to work with the drop in bedliner and factory rail caps without any mods, and its cheap.

Jerseyparts · 07-28-2006, 01:41 PM

Whichever way you go, DO NOT get a Nissan Tonneau Cover, I would not wish that on my worst enemy.
It is amazing a company that makes such a great truck, can make such a crappy accessory. The soft tonneau cover from Nissan is JUNK!

Hyperion · 07-28-2006, 03:00 PM

I know you said a hard cover isn't in the budget but you can find the hard folding covers for around $500 which isn't too much worse than the approximately $300 for a good quality vinyl and IMHO offer a great compromise between the functionality of a soft cover and the security of a hard cover.

Advance cover will work with your setup except for the fact that you limit how far you can slide anything along the rails (mounts for cover get in the way).

Bakflip can be mounted with the utilitrack but you normally have to flip the rails which makes it so that you can't use the sliding bed divider or extender. It might be possible to only flip the front section of rail leaving the back as is so that sliding accessories can still be used. Look at the pics. Middle clamp would have to go forward 8-10 in. which I don't think would be a problem. Other issue though is if the covers rails and rear clamp would stick out too far for the bed-extender to flip over

If you are only getting the cover in hopes of improving gas mileage you will probably be disappointed. Most have seen very little/no difference with a cover. Personally I am getting around 0.4 mpg better with the cover than without. The cover isn't going to save enough money to pay for itself but this isn't a problem for me since I was more interested in keeping peoples hands off anything I may have to leave in the bed.
Tonneau Cover-increased Mpg?

ttugrad95 · 07-28-2006, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerseyparts

Whichever way you go, DO NOT get a Nissan Tonneau Cover, I would not wish that on my worst enemy.
It is amazing a company that makes such a great truck, can make such a crappy accessory. The soft tonneau cover from Nissan is JUNK!

Good to know, I saw one for $150 and almost jumped on it.

NoDakota · 07-31-2006, 07:10 AM

Great advice everyone - Thanks!

UWSkier · 07-31-2006, 09:06 AM

Installed an Access Lorado last week and have been extremely pleased with it thus far. Install was cake. Only thing I'd recommend is machining the very front of the rails away a bit. The front utilitrack isn't the same height as the side tracks, forcing the front of the tonneau rails up about 1/16"

PGARTHW8 · 07-31-2006, 03:49 PM

I have the truxedo LO PRO cover. I absolutely love it! It's flush and flat across the bed and it rolls back whenever I need to put a large item in the back. I got mine off autoanything.com a few months ago and I paid $340 if I remember correct. Money well spend it also improved my mpg by about 1.4mpg.

05TITANCC · 07-31-2006, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by netitan

In my opinion access cover is the only way to go!!!

I agree. You still have a full functioning utilitrac that you paid good money for when you bought the truck. Most of the others clamp to the trac making your utilitrac useless.

mtofell · 07-31-2006, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Whichever way you go, DO NOT get a Nissan Tonneau Cover, I would not wish that on my worst enemy.
It is amazing a company that makes such a great truck, can make such a crappy accessory. The soft tonneau cover from Nissan is JUNK!

I'm curious what was wrong with yours? I've had one for almost 2 years and love it. It's easy to take on and off, looks okay and is really cheap. I think I paid $250 through a friend with a discount.