Tonneau recommendations

Phish · 11-18-2004, 10:11 PM

I'm a new first-time pickup owner, and I'm trying to make an informed decision on buying a tonneau for the Titan. I've been looking that the vinyl roll up models (Access, Truxedo, etc) as well as the multi-panel aluminum fold up models (K-Cover, Fold-A-Cover, etc)..

What I'm asking is for input as far as the benefits, as well as the downsides, to each tonneau type. From what I've been able to gather from pictures, the vinyl units are easier to deal with, and arguably look better, but aren't secure, and the rail system intrudes into the bed area a great deal. I'm not going to be using the truck for day to day work, but I will be doing the weekend warrior thing hauling lumber and other big items to and from the home center. I don't like the idea of having two rather large aluminum rails sticking in 2+ inches on either side of the bed rails, asking to be bent, hit or even worse, taking a big hunk of skin out of my leg/hip while loading stuff into the bed. From what I can gather looking at pictures of the folding panel models, the mounting rails intrude very little into the bed, but the mounting system pretty much renders the utilitrack system useless.. at least with the 4 panel models. The 2 panel model might be a good compromise, but I think it would be unwieldy to unmount and store.

Please, anyone with experience with either of these tonneau types, inform me of what you do or don't like about them. These are a serious investment, and I want to make a good informed decision.

Thanks in advance!

**CaliforniaTitan** · 11-18-2004, 10:31 PM

Phish,

I don't even notice the rails 'intruding' into the bed and we used the '04's bed quite a few times. Loading, unloading etc etc the rails never became an issue.

As far as the Truxedo Lo-Pro in general....this is my 5th tonneau I have ever had on a truck and the others I had in the past pale in comparison.

Chris

cerealkiller2 · 11-19-2004, 05:45 AM

I am actually looking at the Extang RT model, its a low profile cover. Looks a lot like the Truxedo low pro, but about $100.00 cheaper. Here is a link that sells alot of differnt covers. Plus they have free shipping!

Just found a coupon code that will save you $20.00 on any purchase over $199 at the following web site. Just enter this code inside code box.

ACJ-04604

http://www.autoanything.com/products..._tonneau_cover

Sprockit · 11-24-2004, 05:45 AM

I installed a Truxedo low profile in September. I do like the looks and the fit. After getting used to it over the past few weeks, I have to say that it has a major drawback, however. Because it uses the utilitrack side tracks, it makes using the bed extender or bed divider extreemly difficult. For example, I cannot remove or flip the bed extender without removing the back of the truxedo hold downs. Additonally, the bed divider cannot be moved the lenght of the bed, due to the center truxedo brackets. It has to be either in the first or second half of the bed. Knowing what I know now, I'm not sure that I would get this system. If you do not have the bed gear, then I would highly recommend it.

TriKKy · 11-24-2004, 07:19 AM

I love my K-cover. I have a very standard use for my bed dividers though...they stay in the front and back so I don't care that they are limited.

Do the rolling tonneaus have a support bracket that goes on somewhere half way on the track? That would also limit sliding.

Phish · 11-24-2004, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TriKKy

I love my K-cover. I have a very standard use for my bed dividers though...they stay in the front and back so I don't care that they are limited.

Do the rolling tonneaus have a support bracket that goes on somewhere half way on the track? That would also limit sliding.

Trikky -- did you have to remove any of the utilitrack to mount the K-Cover? The website for the advance cover states that the forward track(s) have to be removed. Have you noticed much water leakage? How far do the mounting brackets intrude into the bed? How easy is it to remove the cover completely from the truck? Oh yeah, do you have the 2 panel or 4 panel model?

I've now filtered my candidate list down to two options: the Access soft cover and the K-Cover. I like the price of the Access cover, the availability of a bed box that mounts to the rails, but I don't like the rails intruding into the bed as far as they do. The K-Cover, as far as I can tell, does not have rails that intrude as far, it's a hard cover (more security), and the front can open independently of the rest of the cover for quick access to items in the front of the bed. It doesn't provide the water protection that the Access cover does, but neither of them are exactly watertight. It's also not quite as "sleek" looking as a smooth rolling vinyl top.

Decisions decisions

GO_VOLS! · 11-24-2004, 07:12 PM

Has anyone looked at this system? My buddy has a F-150 and I love this set-up, but I'm concerned about the Utili-track system and this system not meshing well. I think I'm going to call the sales people and talk to them. I'll post my findings after T-giving is over with.

rod_b · 11-24-2004, 10:49 PM

My friend also has the Pace-Edwards Bedlocker for his SuperDoodie. It's really nice. I emailed the 2 contacts from the P-E website and one said...

If you have 2 inches of space between the inner edge of the bed and the outer edge of the bed-extender, then the system can work. There are 2 inches between the inner edge of the bed and the bed-extender but not if you include the space taken up by the utilitrack bedrails.

The other guy emailed me and said...

He's been specifically told by a Titan owner that the system will not work. I've been debating on removing the side bedrails so I can fit this on but I don't think it's worth it. Now the retrax works. If there was a way to incorporate the P-E motor and the Retrax cover...then we'd be set.

rmiller_TITAN · 11-25-2004, 12:51 AM

Can anyone tell me how to install the sliding tray into the bed? I tried earlier today and the tailgate was getting in the way of sliding it into the tracks. Can anyone tell me what the trick is? Do I have to take the damn tailgate off? Much thanks and happy Thanksgiving!

TitanHog · 11-25-2004, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rmiller_TITAN

Can anyone tell me how to install the sliding tray into the bed? I tried earlier today and the tailgate was getting in the way of sliding it into the tracks. Can anyone tell me what the trick is? Do I have to take the damn tailgate off? Much thanks and happy Thanksgiving!

The plastic runners are quite flexible... you have to "bend" them over the tailgate edge when inserting and removing...

GO_VOLS! · 11-25-2004, 11:14 AM

I was thinking that I'd just take the side rails off to get the pace edwards system to go in, but I just realized that the bed extender rides in those rails......%$&@! What is the retrax system like? Is it a sliding hard top too? Anyone have some pics?

rod_b · 11-25-2004, 01:26 PM

Here isthe Retrax system. It's like the Pace Edwards but not motorized and kinda shiny.

http://www.rolltopcover.com/

*corporalk* · 11-28-2004, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sprockit

I installed a Truxedo low profile in September. I do like the looks and the fit. After getting used to it over the past few weeks, I have to say that it has a major drawback, however. Because it uses the utilitrack side tracks, it makes using the bed extender or bed divider extreemly difficult. For example, I cannot remove or flip the bed extender without removing the back of the truxedo hold downs. Additonally, the bed divider cannot be moved the lenght of the bed, due to the center truxedo brackets. It has to be either in the first or second half of the bed. Knowing what I know now, I'm not sure that I would get this system. If you do not have the bed gear, then I would highly recommend it.

You can drill a hole through the flange of the Truxedo rail and the lip of the truck bed, then install a self tapping stainless steel screw. Once complete, remove the Truxedo hold down clamp. Repeat this for each of the five remaining postitions. You will probably only need to do the middle and the rear postions. Member htn123 posted this information

Tough Titan · 11-28-2004, 08:14 PM

Not to hijack this thread, but I am also looking for a tonneau cover. My concern is that I have the non-sliding bed extender and want to know if any of the covers mentioned above will work with this. I've done a search and the only thing that anyone else has seemed to post about is the UT system and the sliding bed extender. Any input would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,