cant decide myself on tonneau covers: #44

[lightningwill]

all of them have trade off, all the expensive ones (1k+) looks nice anyway, and it seems you'd want to use them for a month before you know if it fits your use cases haha.

i used to have a cap on a t100 so no range problem or space problems, but on the lightning im afraid it cuts the range too much.

i need it to work in the winter (low 20s, not the coldest), but im a bit concerned about trifolds being annoying when you need to leave them fully open, or when you want to have stuff sticking out of the bed (long skis, boards, 2x4's, etc). ideally, doesnt take much bed space and isnt too heavy since it reduces range and load capacity fairly quickly.

These are two thing most reviewers barely ever talk about. curious if anyone have one they love that function well with these parameters.

Sponsored

 

[21st Century Truck]

all of them have trade off, all the expensive ones (1k+) looks nice anyway, and it seems you'd want to use them for a month before you know if it fits your use cases haha.

i used to have a cap on a t100 so no range problem or space problems, but on the lightning im afraid it cuts the range too much.

i need it to work in the winter (low 20s, not the coldest), but im a bit concerned about trifolds being annoying when you need to leave them fully open, or when you want to have stuff sticking out of the bed (long skis, boards, 2x4's, etc). ideally, doesnt take much bed space and isnt too heavy since it reduces range and load capacity fairly quickly.

These are two thing most reviewers barely ever talk about. curious if anyone have one they love that function well with these parameters.

Look into the Decked Drawers, 2nd generation. I've had mine for 20 months and in all kinds of Summer and Winter weather, all over the country. Very satisfied. Plus I could finally clean out my basement as the Decked Drawers hold a lot of my tools and my camping stuff, organized and very easy to retrieve.

Their deck, about 10 inches higher than the bed floor, holds an equal load weight to the bed. Moreover You get four (optional eight) floor tiedowns. My Decked Drawers have never ever jammed up, they are snowproof waterproof and dustproof.

I looked at all the covers two years ago... no cover was a perfect one. Once I bought the Decked Drawers, I was and remain today one happy clam.

Good Luck!

 

[B177y]

I have a combo roll-up tonneau that also has a cab height soft topper, made by Fastop. Everything is easily folded down when you need the full bed. Kind of the best of both worlds functionally, but not as secure as a hard top. No range hit for either the tonneau or the topper.

 

[lightningwill]

interesting..i think im partial to the cap or cover rather than boxes then i always put different things in. but im curious about cap efficiency now .my understanding was that they all cut some range between weight and how truck aerodynamics work (thats why the cybertruck is slopped down, the airstream at 65mph is made to be sucked down at the tailgate)

 

[RickLightning]

interesting..i think im partial to the cap or cover rather than boxes then i always put different things in. but im curious about cap efficiency now .my understanding was that they all cut some range between weight and how truck aerodynamics work (thats why the cybertruck is slopped down, the airstream at 65mph is made to be sucked down at the tailgate)

A tonneau doesn't impact range, except as to weight. Mine weighs 125 pounds (Diamondback HD). It also can support 1,600 pounds. And has 12 or 16 cleats (can't remember). I lay most stuff on top, and strap it down.

 

[Shmoe]

all of them have trade off, all the expensive ones (1k+) looks nice anyway, and it seems you'd want to use them for a month before you know if it fits your use cases haha.

i used to have a cap on a t100 so no range problem or space problems, but on the lightning im afraid it cuts the range too much.

i need it to work in the winter (low 20s, not the coldest), but im a bit concerned about trifolds being annoying when you need to leave them fully open, or when you want to have stuff sticking out of the bed (long skis, boards, 2x4's, etc). ideally, doesnt take much bed space and isnt too heavy since it reduces range and load capacity fairly quickly.

These are two thing most reviewers barely ever talk about. curious if anyone have one they love that function well with these parameters.

If there is any range hit, it is not noticeable whatsoever.

 

[halfbakedenchilada]

I've had first a tonneau cover and now a cap (a smartcap), no change in efficiency at all. This has been documented, not by me but by others on here. As long as it doesn't stick out above the cab, you will be fine. Just get whatever best suits your needs and don't worry about it.

 

[RickLightning]

If there is any range hit, it is not noticeable whatsoever.

The range hit, if any, is due to weight. My cover weighs a total of 125 pounds. Although not significant, that is a range hit.

 

[JayF]

One of the very 1st mods I do when I get a new truck is a tonneau and it's not for just 1 reason but the main reason doesn't hold much hope for humanity. @#$%@#$ ass%^# walking by a parked truck with an open bed and deciding to use the bed as their personal trash can.

I've owned several trucks; and been victim of this zero times (and I've lived in very urban *and* very rural areas on both sides of the US). Are people not afraid of someone throwing hands (or slugs) when they do this? Holy crap.

 

[lightningwill]

i read a lot of good about the worksports..curious, can you easily sandwich stuff with it at the tailgate, like skis or boards?

 

[DavidS]

Will,
I don’t know where you live in CA but if you live in the Bay Area you pretty much need a trifold or rigid roll up or never leave anything of value in the bed. Otherwise, for snow, a flexible roll up has the advantage of being lightweight, relatively inexpensive, and self sheds snow.
The Truxedo Pro X15 Soft Roll Up Tonneau Cover has a matte fabric finish that looks pretty smart.

 

[lightningwill]

Will,
I don’t know where you live in CA but if you live in the Bay Area you pretty much need a trifold or rigid roll up or never leave anything of value in the bed. Otherwise, for snow, a flexible roll up has the advantage of being lightweight, relatively inexpensive, and self sheds snow.
The Truxedo Pro X15 Soft Roll Up Tonneau Cover has a matte fabric finish that looks pretty smart.

tahoe

sometimes bay hehe.

 

[Heliian]

No noticeable range hit with a tonneau cover. Full caps will reduce the range by a few percent.
Just go with what best suits your lifestyle. I run nothing because I need the box.

 

[dpwmc93]

I have a Hard Folding Tonneau Cover by RealTruck.com, Very nice and secure. I originally wanted the retractable cover but heard those tend to leak.

 

[CrimsonGhost603]

Just get the T3 and be done with it, 6 months with mine and I love it. Reviews are probably higher than any other cover on the market.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B94WC2F...UUK1XVPG+5154frCaOG2zrliSB1JdPZM/FcU37KMJVg==

Sponsored