I have a 4x4 Sport on the way and I'd like a way to hide and secure some belongings in the back now & then. The items will not fit behind the seats, so...

Without getting silly and/or fugly, there seem to be three basic solutions:

1) a flat, rigid panel that is hinged at the front & locks at the back

2) a fabric/neoprene "roll-uppable" sheet of some kind that comes right off (and is vulnerable to a sharp knife) and cannot be locked at the back

3) a "normal" cap (with windows on the sides and rear) that is clamped onto the bed rails and can be locked at the back. (I presume some sort of extension must be done with the anti-collision light on these(?) Is it the law or just a prudent thing to do?)

And I think there are a few hybrid solutions that involve three-section hinged panels that are rigid or semi-rigid(?)

I'm sure someone's gonna ask, so I will try to answer in advance:

It is not a work truck.
I will VERY RARELY carry stuff in it that is taller than the box rails.
I will VERY RARELY carry stuff in it that is longer than the closed box.
I will VERY RARELY leave the back un-covered.
I do have a place to leave a large panel-type cover or a "normal" cap on days when I need to carry big items.
It is coming with a bed-liner (although I am not certain whether this is a factory item, a dealer-installed item or an aftermarket-arranged-by-the-dealer item).
I am keenly interested in putting on rail covers/caps to protect the upper surface from stupid people who step on the paint when they jump out. (but I realize that this will not be an issue when the box is wearing its cover/cap) I only mention it in case it influences the choice of lock-able box cover.

I am open to buying something used.

Gentlemen?

** EDIT **
I suppose there is some sort of nifty, roll-up garage door equivalent (horizontal, of course) and that'd be great...but I should also mention that I am in no position to drop a thousand bux on this solution)

 

How big are said belongings? If they are small enough I would stash them behind the jump seats.

 

Your first option seems to be the best one.
A sort of Fiberglass tonneau cover.

 

DOH! I just *knew* there'd be a parameter that I'd forget to specify! On the days in question, the cabin will not be an option.

 

you haven't considered a toolbox?

 

Indeed I have, and there is an excellent chance that I will get one for exactly that; tools. But I am not willing to restrict my secure area to a tool box - I need to be able to lock down the whole box. (again - within reason. I'm not going to install the sort of safety-deposit-box units that are on flippin' Hydro trucks or fire vehicles...I just want a secure cap of some sort without taking out a second mortgage on the house!)

 

arguably, an aluminum truck tool box is safer than a cap (i.e. caps have easily smash-able windows.) bolt or clamp it down to the bed. they have locks, they are pretty water proof, and they look good. and you still have an open bed. and they're cheaper than caps or covers . BAM.

 

A lockable box in the bed versus a full size tool box may be what you are looking for or a foldable tonneau cover but the good ones are expensive.

 

Indeed. It's beginning to look like I want a Fold-a-Cover, which comes in LS or G4_Elite. And yeah - it's a bit dear, but I haven't found anything comparable for anywhere near the same $$.

Aside from two additional anchor points on the G4, there seems to be little difference between the two (aside from the $90). And they're offering free shipping AND a two-year warranty until 07/31/12.

Hmmm.

Does anyone have any experience with this design? or - better still - this exact item?

 

i would just get a soft cover like the access lorado i have on both my trucks. its rolls up so you haave full bed use, but it unrolls. latches at the back. and you cant open if the tailgate is closed. then get a lock for the tailgate. and put a under rail alluminum tool box at the front of the bed.

 

Dude...whatcha got in your bed :X

 

Just the usual - a half-dozen expensive cameras, several rifles, 30 cases of cigarettes, a few hundred DVD first-release movies, three Honda portable generators, a couple of kg's of scrap gold...

Pretty standard stuff.

 

O...that is pretty normal stuff for a quick border run...or a "camping trip' to the 'farm'
In that case...I was thinking out of the box and maybe trick out a used Yakima/Thule rack system on CL if you are indeed just doing occasional runs and no contraband on board.
Seems you've thought of everything else

 

All the options are good. Just decide which you like the most. The choice is yours!

 

I had a 'Pace-Edwards' bedlocker electric on an F250 and spent all my time opening and closing it for fun
The rails are the critical part. I did not look at fold a cover

 

^ waste of money on a ranger

 

That does sound cool, but yeah - just a smidge over the top!

The decision has been made; it'll be a Fold-a-Cover LS (as opposed to G4_Elite) I got a good deal on it, and it looks like it's exactly what I want.

Thank you for all the feedback, gentlemen!

(Onward - to the LF: Winter Wheels thread!!)