Home-made Tonneau

**goathead** · 03-11-2005, 08:45 AM

Started work on my tonneau cover and thought i would show you the progress. so far ive only cut the plywood. this is not acutally my idea but an idea that i got from O'Silent1(another TT member). For now, i cut the boards to fit inside the channels. that way i can use it until i get a chance to get all the other supplys and mount it correctly. also, o'silent1 said that one thing he didnt like about his cover is that water might settle into where the locks are causing all kinds of problems (rust,rot, etc..), so i decided to cut some 2x2 plywood squares and mount the locks through those as well to give them some height.

here is the link to O'Silent1's thread to show what his looks like. i will be using black vinyl. Another home-built bed cover

*Mike Up* · 03-11-2005, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goathead

Started work on my tonneau cover and thought i would show you the progress. so far ive only cut the plywood. this is not acutally my idea but an idea that i got from O'Silent1(another TT member). For now, i cut the boards to fit inside the channels. that way i can use it until i get a chance to get all the other supplys and mount it correctly. also, o'silent1 said that one thing he didnt like about his cover is that water might settle into where the locks are causing all kinds of problems (rust,rot, etc..), so i decided to cut some 2x2 plywood squares and mount the locks through those as well to give them some height.

here is the link to O'Silent1's thread to show what his looks like. i will be using black vinyl. Another home-built bed cover

Did you just build this for security? Doesn't look like it would keep water out, which is my priority. Want a bargain priced Pace-Edwards Jackrabbit hard tonneau?

Good luck with your new cover and have a good one.

**goathead** · 03-11-2005, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Up

Did you just build this for security? Doesn't look like it would keep water out, which is my priority. Want a bargain priced Pace-Edwards Jackrabbit hard tonneau?

Good luck with your new cover and have a good one.

my main goal is security. also, when it gets covered w/ the vinyl and all pieces in place, it will not be "waterproof" but i should leak a very tiny amount. in addition, when its finally done, it would make a great platform for sitting. i will reinforce each panel w/ a piece of angle to prevent sagging and give strength.

steve

*Mike Up* · 03-11-2005, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goathead

my main goal is security. also, when it gets covered w/ the vinyl and all pieces in place, it will not be "waterproof" but i should leak a very tiny amount. in addition, when its finally done, it would make a great platform for sitting. i will reinforce each panel w/ a piece of angle to prevent sagging and give strength.

steve

Sounds like a nice cover that'll fit your needs. Looks like the panels are placed down on top of the utilirail. Since it wouldn't have to slide in place, if I'm thinking correctly, perhaps you could takes some thin rubber and add it to the sides of the panels. The rubber flaps then could overlap the rail caps and tailgate and seal out water. Just an idea. For me, security isn't as much of an issue as is the cover being water tight. When I have my sleeping gear for camping, my tent, and other gear in the bed, they simply can't get wet.

I'm having a Tonneau Master rolling cover installed Tuesday along with Weather Tec rain guards. While the Tonneau Master is a soft tonneau, it does keylessly lock inside and only can be unlocked by opening the tailgate. If it's cut, obviously the inside contents can be stolen. However, cutting the tarp is like breaking a window out, it will be timely and will draw a lot of attention to the thieves activities. Your cover and other hard tonneau covers offer the best security since even a truck cap's door or window glass, can be easily broke out to steal the contents.

Looks like the finished cover should be really nice. Good luck on it. I personally don't know if I'd have the patience.

BTW, that is a 3 piece panel set, correct? If it is, should be really easy to remove when needed, when moving something that's not planned.

Also might mention, you might want to get some screw done plastic covers for all 6 locks. If you get any snow or freezing rain, you won't be able to unlock them when ice sets up. My Jackrabbit lacked this vital feature while other rolling, hard tonneau makers were smart enough to include this feature.

Have a good one.

firecracker · 03-11-2005, 09:02 PM

Looks good, Goathead.

Here's mine:

My bedcover idea

TITE-N · 03-14-2005, 09:28 AM

I used vinyl fence cut to fit sideways. Works just like wood, just does not warp or rot out. THen I took boat carpeting and covered it. Lastly, used aluminum carpet strips (used when carpet meets tile or edge) on the ends to help secure the carpet to the fence face.

**goathead** · 03-14-2005, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TITE-N

I used vinyl fence cut to fit sideways. Works just like wood, just does not warp or rot out. THen I took boat carpeting and covered it. Lastly, used aluminum carpet strips (used when carpet meets tile or edge) on the ends to help secure the carpet to the fence face.

lets see some pics please. sounds interesting and worth taking a look.

steve

DjKamper · 03-15-2005, 07:04 AM

Hey TitanE

Very intrigued to know more... what kind og vinyl fence did you use? ANy pics? I will probably do something similar to you and goathead - good ideas!

firecracker · 03-15-2005, 09:07 AM

Yes, post some pictures! Gotta see this!

vector6 · 03-15-2005, 10:15 AM

i really believe if nobody would pay the outrageous price for a bedcover the prices would come down..

remember when they were around $100 ? .. i do. and i refuse to pay 5-6 hundred for a bed cover.. If more people followed suit.. we all would benefit.

ok i'll climb off my soap box now.