Pick Up Bed Cover

[Ted]

I tow a 2002 Yuma with a 2002 Tundra.  I'd like to cover the bed when heading out for camping to keep the Yuma light when towing and to have a place to protect things from the weather that I don't want to take inside the camper, such as extra propane, ice cooler, etc.  I've been hesitant to put a hard shell on it because those are not easy to take off and put back on unless you have an extra set of hands.  

I've recently seen the folding bed covers, and wonder if anyone has had any experience with them.

I'd also be interested in experiences, opinion, and recommendations campers might have about hard shell covers, should that be the preferred option.

Ted

[Dan]

I tow a 2002 Yuma with a 2002 Tundra.  I'd like to cover the bed when heading out for camping to keep the Yuma light when towing and to have a place to protect things from the weather that I don't want to take inside the camper, such as extra propane, ice cooler, etc.  I've been hesitant to put a hard shell on it because those are not easy to take off and put back on unless you have an extra set of hands.  

I've recently seen the folding bed covers, and wonder if anyone has had any experience with them.

I'd also be interested in experiences, opinion, and recommendations campers might have about hard shell covers, should that be the preferred option.

Ted

Ted,
I have dealt with the 2-piece folding covers, and in my opinion, would suggest one of those 1-piece snap-on vinyl covers. Easy to install/remove/roll-up/store, etc. Price-wise I believe they are cheaper than the other brands. ask around at an auto supply store for options.

[brainpause]

Here's another option:

//www.softopper.com

Cheaper, too, than most of the bed covers. Very versatile, and only takes one person to take off. I have asked for reviews at my Nissan board, and the reviews are stellar.

I am begging Holly to let me get one, mostly just to keep our firewood dry, but also to be able to throw some things in there like suitcases, and not worry about rain.

I have seen them on ebay for a little cheaper (50-75 less). Look for softopper or truck topper. I think the seller is named softopper.

Larry

[nascrfn]

I would reccomend any Tonneau cover by Extang. They make some really great covers!

[tafkas]

Used them both and much prefer the soft cover.  You can roll it up out of the way for larger items, it looks nicer, and is just as waterproof as the hard one.  The only advantage to the hard cover (which I use now) is that you can lock it.

[Ted]

Here's another option:

//www.softopper.com

Cheaper, too, than most of the bed covers. Very versatile, and only takes one person to take off. I have asked for reviews at my Nissan board, and the reviews are stellar.

I am begging Holly to let me get one, mostly just to keep our firewood dry, but also to be able to throw some things in there like suitcases, and not worry about rain.

I have seen them on ebay for a little cheaper (50-75 less). Look for softopper or truck topper. I think the seller is named softopper.

Larry

I appreciate the replies from everyone.  Larry, have any of the reviews mentioned anything about how the soft tops travel?  Are they fairly firm in the sense that the "soft" doesn't flap at 70 mph?

[Ted]

Used them both and much prefer the soft cover.  You can roll it up out of the way for larger items, it looks nicer, and is just as waterproof as the hard one.  The only advantage to the hard cover (which I use now) is that you can lock it.

Tafkas, the locking aspect is something I didn't think about.  How important is that when camping?  I suspect we all spend time away from the camper and the tv.  I've not seen mention of theft as a concern.  I've been out only twice so far and, while, it is something that has crossed my mind as I walked away from camper and tv, I heard myself saying, "oh well, there is nothing there that isnt replaceable."  How much is theft an issue while camping, to the extent that something like a lockable pick up cover is important?  I am quite sure that the Yuma would be easy to get into.  The local RV place intimated that those keys are standard, in the sense that they are not keyed to a specific lock.

[brainpause]

I appreciate the replies from everyone.  Larry, have any of the reviews mentioned anything about how the soft tops travel?  Are they fairly firm in the sense that the "soft" doesn't flap at 70 mph?

Here are a few threads about the softopper at a Nissan forum. I am brainpause on it as well:

Softopper 1

Softopper 2

Softopper 3

I REALLY want one!

Hope these threads help.

Larry

[Ted]

Here are a few threads about the softopper at a Nissan forum. I am brainpause on it as well:
 
Softopper 1
 
Softopper 2
 
Softopper 3
 
I REALLY want one!
 
Hope these threads help.
 
Larry

Larry, thanks for the links.  I'd like to see one in person.  I'm in Texas and can't recall seeing one on the road, but I am definitely going to keep an eye out.
 
I really your appreciate your help.  Sounds like you are only a teensy bit away from getting one!

[Scamper]

....I've been hesitant to put a hard shell on it because those are not easy to take off and put back on unless you have an extra set of hands.....  

I used to think the same thing, but I have since built 2 different devices that allow me to put my topper on and off myself. On is a pulley system that uses block and tackle pulleys to make lifting a breeze. I can just hoist the topper off the pickup and up into the ceiling of my garage, tie it off, and then drive out from under it. The other is a stand up cradle. While in storage, the topper sits on it's side in a roll around cradle. When I need to install, I lean the whole cradle structure up against the side of the pickup and lock into the bed cap holes to keep it in place (uses carpet pads against the side of the pickup to prevent scratching). Then, I just slide it up some runners onto the bed.

I prefer the hard covers because all it takes is a pocket knife to get into most soft cover, regardless of the locking mechanism.

[chasd60]

I have a softopper on my diesel truck and I travel 95 miles RT to work with no flapping. I have sped up to about 90 with no flapping either. I can fold it down in about a minute or so. I bought some flooring at Home depot and I folded the top down while they loaded it in the bed with a forklift, I then flipped it back up over the load.
 
I have found that it is much easier to roll up the sides before backing up with the camper because you have no side vision through the softopper when it is up.
 
 
The only problem I have had is with the velcro sticking to my bedliner, it doesn't like to be glued to it. I am going to screw a few snaps into the bedliner at the cab end and just snap it on.
 
I have a hard cap on my gas truck and anyone can get into that with a good yank on hte handles. The softopper is just as safe as a soft top Jeep, a convertible or your camper.

[Ted]

I used to think the same thing, but I have since built 2 different devices that allow me to put my topper on and off myself. On is a pulley system that uses block and tackle pulleys to make lifting a breeze. I can just hoist the topper off the pickup and up into the ceiling of my garage, tie it off, and then drive out from under it. The other is a stand up cradle. While in storage, the topper sits on it's side in a roll around cradle. When I need to install, I lean the whole cradle structure up against the side of the pickup and lock into the bed cap holes to keep it in place (uses carpet pads against the side of the pickup to prevent scratching). Then, I just slide it up some runners onto the bed.
 
I prefer the hard covers because all it takes is a pocket knife to get into most soft cover, regardless of the locking mechanism.

If only I had your technical, creative ability and a taller garage or wider garage!