I’m wondering if a tonneau cover would be a good thing for the new to me F250 that I just bought. It’s an extended cab and I’ve lost a huge amount of storage from the crewcab. Since truck is used to pull a trailer, I’m wondering if buying a retractable or folding tonneau cover would work. Do any of you have one of these covers for your tow truck?
I loathe tonneau covers. If you have an actual working farm truck, they are a waste of time and a major inconvienence. Blech!
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I had a retractable on the Tundra I owned a number of years ago. It was great for awhile, but once the inevitable leak occurred and water got into the container it retracted into, it became nearly impossible to open in the winter. If I ever buy another pickup and opt for a cover, it will be something simpler; perhaps a folding version.
I do agree that if the truck bed is going to be used with any frequency, then a tonneau is a pain in the toukous. (That’s a technical term… 
)
You might, instead, look into one of the tool boxes that installs right behind the cab for things like jumper cables and tire irons. Because, inevitably, covers and tool boxes will let in the dust and moisture. Or use sturdy totes you can pack gear into each trip.
I agree that tonneau covers are a huge PITA if you ever have to open/close them instead of install and leave 'em. And they aren’t cheap.
I went with a tool box. I only wish I had spent the extra money on one with two doors instead of one. It’s a pita to have to climb into the bed of the truck to get into it especially when the gooseneck is hooked up.
I have not one, but two, cross bed tool boxes. They are both too tall for the gooseneck to clear comfortably. There is only an inch of space between the bottom of the trailer and the tool boxes.
Now if I could find a tool box that fit down into the truck bed and still be able to open it when the trailer was attached that would better for me than a tonneau cover. Although the covers that fold back are awful interesting.
We have one. Doesn’t leak at all. Doesn’t get in the way of the GN either. The only thing I don’t like about it is flipping it open when it’s hot. Being that it’s black it burns the dickens out of my hands.
I have one of the cheaper versions (snap on vinyl) and have never any leaks with it. It is a pita in the winter to snap back up b/c I don’t have a heated garage and in the summer the metal snaps literally burn my hands. But that said, I have a bed liner and hooked a netting just behind the wheel well to keep most of my stuff that might be needed on a regular basis close enough to the tailgate to not need to snap/unsnap the cover frequently (I have a bumper pull so no issues with needing out of the way of the trailer). I like it b/c when I was in school living in the dorms/apartment, I could basically use it as extra horse junk storage space (no dressing room on the trailer) and when going to shows could be sure all my tack/hay/etc stayed clean and dry.
So yeah, I find it useful in my situation, with a trailer with no dressing room and have made it work (some work gloves prevent any burns and if I need to take the cover off in the winter I make sure I visit a friend with a heated garage some I can get it back on, ). I was too cheap at the time to spring for a folding one but they definitely look nice!
love ours we have used the same one for the last two trucks, had it for at least 5 years. One of the snaps broke this winter because hubby dearest poured hot water on it when ice got in during freezing rain, BRILLIANT, we contacted the company and they sent us a new snap. No leaks, easy to remove or flip back. Not as safe as the stiff ones, but much easier to deal with.
good luck
I’ve got one of the roll up covers and love it. While it wasn’t cheap, it locks and can be rolled up all the way, 1/3 and 1/2 way as well but I’ve never tried the 1//3 or 1/2. When I say roll up I mean like an awning as it has a track on either side of the bed that it run on. It’s not a manual roll up or snap down version.
I looked up what it was called and all I could find was:
Cani88-C GM/CVY/Ford FSSB and when I had it put on in '05 the cost was $895.00
The only thing I can say negative about it is that if it rains hard, water does get in where it meets the tail gate but I’ve never had a serious problem with that. This is the 2nd vehicle I’ve had it put on and if/when I buy another PU, I’ll put it on that one also.
What about a regular canopy? What is the advantage to the tonneau, just the height (or lack thereof)? I am debating getting a canopy, if only for winter. I am so tired of going out to get supplies (particularly feed) and having it start to rain partway through my errands. Or being tired at night and wanting to leave the supplies (again, usually feed) IN the truck, but being afraid to because it will undoubtedly rain overnight if I leave the stuff in there! But I never thought of a tonneau cover, just a canopy.
What do you mean by “a regular canopy”? I’m having trouble visualizing a canopy over the truck bed.
When we had a truck (I still miss it) we had a manuel roll up type. It was a pane in the winter since yeah its stiff and hard to snap. But it was easy to roll totally out of the way if you wanted. It never tore leaked or failed at all. Loved it and if I ever can $$ a truck again I will get one.
Maybe that’s the wrong word. But I think that’s what they call them 'round these parts…
Here’s a canopy for sale on my local Craigslist:
That be a pickup bed cap. Somewhat “permanent” solution. I had one of those, too, but found it to be limiting to what I could carry in the bed. It also complicated unloading of heavy things.
About ten years ago I bought a Truxedo tonneau cover for my pick up. It is vinyl, mounts easily with rails that clamp to the sides of the truck bed(no holes to drill), rolls completely back if I need the entire truck bed, closes with heavy duty velcro, secures before the tailgate is closed, so secure. No leaks if properly tensioned (easy to do). Used it in Florida (no garage for my truck) for about eight and a half years. Finally, the vinyl started to be difficult to stretch to close the velcro. I contacted the company and they sent me a new cover. . . all I had to do was send them pics of my problem and in two days the new cover was delivered. I was amazed that the lifetime warranty the company had advertised was indeed that. My new cover also has a lifetime warranty. I love this cover. Maybe you will, too.
My old Avalanche had one, I loved it in the summer but it leaked pretty steadily in the other three seasons, so it wasn’t too useful then.
Oh a truck bed cap. I have one for my truck. I don’t find it permanent at all. I left it on the first two years I owned the truck, I loved that I could keep stuff back there and keep it dry. I added a dab of silicon here and there and it didn’t leak. It’s off at the moment, I took it off last spring to haul some stuff, I store it in our boat shed at work, we have an old metal frame I put it on, I just back the truck up to it and get a coworker to help me shift it after I undo the C-clamps. Take about five minutes to get it on or off.
If I end up competing and traveling more this year outside of NC, I’ll be putting it back on because it is GREAT to camp in. I can even bring an electric heater for cold nights and battery fans keep it cool in summer, as it has sliding screened windows.
PS, mine had a higher ceiling so you can stand up in it (just keep your head down, so I could put almost anything in there except maybe a refrigerator – haven’t really had a need to haul that yet…). Pic here: http://www.teamflyingsolo.com/2009/12/bits-and-rigs.html
I have an Extang trifecta bed cover and I love it. It is a trifold with a rigid frame so in 30 sec you can switch from 1/3 cover to fully covered. If you want to take it completely off there 2 big wing nut clamps to loosen and in 1 minute it is off. It seals completely and the cold weather is not a problem. i think it cost $400.
I have the folding one and love it! A little bit of a pain to put on sometimes and the hook closest to the tailgate comes undone somewhat easily, but definitely worth it in the long run.
