I am looking for a tonneau cover, a soft one since they are cheaper. I will be using it to store my snowboarding gear and tools to get up to the mountain, so it should be waterproof and not too much of a hassle to roll up in the winter. I will also add a poplock for security, I know they can still cut through the vinyl, but that is the best I can do. Suggestions.

 

Search craigslist first. These are mostly just personal preference. I can't really suggest one cause I haven't had one.

 

I have an extang blackmax cover I bought about 4 years ago. It's awesome and held up well. However, we had a really nasty hail storm that flooded our place a couple months ago and the hail damaged the cover in a few spots.

Extang also has a 10 year warranty on the cover tho so I'd definately recommend that brand.

The bars and snaps also have 2 available locations to help ease up rolling it back up in the winter. It's still going to be a b!tch to roll up in the snow tho.

Here's a couple pics




I would not recommend gettin the soft covers that fasten with velcro, or the ones that slide under the rails or whatever it is. The snaps might seem a little tedious, but they're definately the most reliable method.

 

We have an Access Roll Up cover on our F150....

 

I'll have to run out and check, I can't remember the name of the brand I've got on mine, but you can get mine at a Checker/Shucks/Kragen auto parts store for a bill and a half. Mine came with the truck, but since I'm OCD about finding everything there is to know about my truck, I hunted it down and found thats where it came from. I like it, but I'll be pulling it off here in the next couple weeks and putting my rails back on, as I don't run the winter with the tonneau on... don't want the snow to stretch and ruin it. Mine's exactly like loneranger93's though, so to give you an idea.

 

Extang Full tilt 10000000000000%

the beauty of a soft cover. lifts up like a hard cover and comes off in secs if you need to haul something large... and will also roll up... comes in snaps or snapless...










to take off pop off the struts..


next lift up to a 45deg angle and pull off... then leave at home if you know your going to pick something large up thats what i do...

 

I had one of those i HATED it.. couldnt stand the velcro.. and i could never adjust it tight enough to where it wouldnt hold a puddle of water in one corner when it rained...

 

If I needed to purchase another one, this is exactly what I'd get. I prefer the soft cover oppose to the hard one, but I really like the full tilt soft cover. Removing the snaps and rolling the cover up all the time is a PITA, especially if it's a large item but only takes up a bit of room in the bed.
I highly recommend the soft full tilt cover, but as stated earlier, it's all about personal preference.

 

I ve got an Access roll up cover. Had it two years now never had a problem rollin it up in the winter, and get freakin cold here at times one person can roll it or unroll it and lock it down in a bout a minute. They are a little more money than an average soft tonneau but are well worth it.

 

Tri-fold, i think mine is made my lund...

 

Had an Access Cover and I think it is the best on the market, If you know how to adjust it (takes a few minutes) you will never have a puddling problem. No messing with snaps, no wondering where you have to store it when you need full use of the bed.

~HJ

 

Extang Revolution. It is a roll up cover. I have one on my Ranger and am very pleased. Installation is easy and it seals without velcro, is very low profile, and is well made.

 

love mine but can be a pita when they are cold to put back on the truck

 

another reason i love mine i have never unsnaped it ever unless i was taking it off completely to be stored...

 

Do you think my stuff (some tools, snowboarding stuff, etc.) would be safe under a roll up soft tonneau cover and a Pop & Lock? Would you/Do you use your bed for storage?

 

I went with a Truxedo one (name may not be 100% correct) but it is velcro secure on the side and only way to open it is by dropping the tailgate. I have a pop and lock whatever they are mine only made it through one winter before getting crudded up and not working no matter how much WD40 and other things I try to put in it to work again. Sucks because I really liked having a locking tailgate.

 

If someone wants in on a soft tonneau all they have to do is slash it. If you want it safe a hard cover is the only way.

 

hards are easy to brake into also.. i dont think either should be used for storing extreme valuables...

soft is more for mpg and keeping some things dry..

 

i spent about 40 min working on the one i had still had it.. mine might have been warn out all i know is i didnt care for it at all..

 

i have a hard top that came with the truck.

as soon as i buy a lock for the low-profile toolbox i had on my dakota, i will be putting the hard top away... i haul stuff too much for it to be practical.. but i am wondering what is does to help my gas mileage

 

I have a ARE hard tonneau. I love it, pretty sturdy and lockable.

 

Do not pay full retail for one. Take a look on craigslist. You should be able to find a good one for $50-75