Plywood Tonneau's ?

[Albert1234]

A couple of months ago I read that a few people built tonneau covers out of plywood. I was wondering what you think about them now that you've used them for a while. Would you do it again?

The reason I ask is that I've got 2 sheets of 3/4" MDO from back in the day when they were $30/sheet. But now that they're $60 to $70 per sheet, I don't want to waste them.

[Titan Ken]

I made a plywood tonneau a few months ago after getting the idea here on Titan Talk. I used 5/8" plywood instead of 3/4" because of the cost factor and the weight of the wood. I made my cover in three pieces for easier installation, since I don't use it except when I'm camping. I primed the plywood, then put three coats exterior black latex enamel, followed by four coats exterior varathane. Looks very good. It worked well during the dry summer months (yes we do get dry weather in Oregon). This past weekend it rained during my camping trip, and I found out how non-water-resistant a plywood tonneau cover is. Of course I expected as much.
Where the sheets of plywood join together, I attached a 1x2" along the bottom of the sheets, so the ajoining sheet would have something to rest on, to help prevent sag. I also used a 2x2" to prop up the edge of the last sheet just inside the tailgate, again to prevent sag. Now that I've been through a rain trip, the sheets did warp a bit, not to mention a lot of water getting inside the bed.
It worked well for my major camping trips this summer, until I can select a good canopy, which I'm going shopping for this weekend.
Would I do it again? Only if I had no other choice. Earlier this year, when there were virtually no companies offering canopies for the Titan, I had no choice.
Considering the cost of plywood these days, paint, varathane and the time it takes, you might put $50-100 into this project.

Good luck,
Ken

[ez4u2say]

I bought a Torza top cover for mine it was about $ 345 I love it no snaps or zipper junk. It has adjustable clamps and folds up with no seams.

[Face0ff26]

I covered my 3/4" plywood tonneau with medium weight vinyl from the fabric store and it's getting me by just fine for now. Since I didn't need a full cover, I only used one sheet of plywood. So it covers all but the last foot of the bed by the cab. I keep it from sliding by pushing it against the tailgate with my bed divider. Since the bed divider could only move another 4", everyting under the tonneau is secure. Obviously it's not waterproof, but I have something that needs to stay dry, I put it in the cab. The cover also cleans up great with ArmourAll Orange wipes. The only issue I'm having is that it's getting some deep scuffs from the Utilitrack on the two occassions I had to take it out. I'll probably change it out once I get the money for a folding unit though.

[hawkeye680]

Would there be a way to build one for a non-utility bed?

[O'silent1]

I don't know if this is one of the ones you were referring to...
Another home-built bed cover
I built this one because I got tired of waiting for Fold-a-cover to come out with a Titan friendly cover. Would I do it again - yep probably. Since then, I have added two of the Yakima bike mounts to the top near the cab and I carry our bicycles on top of the cover. I really like this design as I can remove one, two, or all three panels if need be. While I don't think the panels would support my weight (picnics, firework watching, train watching, etc.), they do support my wife and 2 year old son. Hindsight, I definitely would have chosen a darker color.

[bgh831]

So other people have noticed the absolutely insane inflation of wood accross the country in the last 18 months......makes you wonder why that is. Are we running out of wood? Are mature trees that hard to find?? Have you considered metal, I bought a welder recently........

[firecracker]

Well, just finished my tonneau cover. I wanted a hard cover, but as you all know, no makes one (except one piece) that is usable with the utilitracks. I really like mine.

I put two coats of fiberglass resin on it for watertightness, two coats of exterior flat black enamel, then two coats of exterior anodized broze (semi-gloss) paint with "slip-resistant" additive. I'll get some pictures posted eventually.

Looks good, very sturdy, and easy to install/remove. I, too, did it in 3 pieces for convienence.

I'd definately do it again!

[goathead]

Originally Posted by bgh831

So other people have noticed the absolutely insane inflation of wood accross the country in the last 18 months......makes you wonder why that is. Are we running out of wood? Are mature trees that hard to find?? Have you considered metal, I bought a welder recently........

this has to do w/ the hurricane/tropical storms on the east coast. they need lots of plywood for storm protection.

steve

[bgh831]

So anyone notice a gas mileage incress after covering the bed?

[O'silent1]

I did but I installed it about the same time my truck seems to have finally broken in so am unsure how much increase in mpg is due to the cover.

[firecracker]

Same here, mine is still breaking in. But in my other vehicles in the past, it as given me an easy 1.5 to 2.5 mpg increase.


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