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Pick Up Covers

Started by Ted, Nov 29, 2006, 08:09 PM

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Ted

Following the advice of several on here, I try to keep my PopUp load to a minimum, and am now putting a lot of the "carry on" in the bed of the pick up.  The result is that I can pull the PoPUp at 70 (when legally able) with absolutely no sway.
 
I went camping recently and wished I had a cover for my pick up bed, but I dont want anything permanent.  There are many options and would love hearing about the ones that campers feel work best for them.

skamper75

I have a shell on the back of my truck when I need it. I made a frame in the back yard to put the shell on when not useing and can put it on the truck or take it off by myself in 5-10 minutes.  The frame is simply 4, 4x4 corner post just wide enough to get the truck between, 2x4's on top of 4x4's on either side, and triangle braces in the corners for stability. 2 2x4's to put under the shell and suported by the frame made with 2x and 4x4's. I back the truck between the frame and remove the clamps holding the shell to the truck bed. I stand in the bed and lift the front of the shell with my back, slide one 2x4 under the shell and across the permanent frame; move to the back of the shell, lift and insert the next 2x4. Partially drive some nails into the 2x4's the shell sits on and use the clamps to clamp shell to 2x4's.  Works great for me, then I can put my jon boat partially under it.

ScoobyDoo

After we got the Ram (first new in 18 years) I started looking at covers as pick-ups came in were I work. (We sell landscape materils) I didn't want a shell because I can't walk in one and my knees don't let me crawl. Most one peice hard covers still make you crawl to the front of the bed. The fold up hard covers look like they would leak at seams. If your load is a little too tall the cover will not close, must be removed.A flat soft cover must have bows to keep it from sagging. Bows that roll up with the cover are always were you need them.Snaps are a PITA, velcro will hold it down. You don't need to drill a bunch of holes in the bed.
   A cover stops you from setting things in the front corner of the bed when running around town.(reaching over the side can scratch paint).After I put the cover on I found you need something to keep the little things that you put in at the back so you can get them out. BTW my full size truck got 18.79 MPG on a 950 mile trip at 65-70 MPH with the cover on. Happy hunting

chasd60

I have the Softopper and love it. It is made from Sunbrella and is about as thick as the material used on convertibles or soft tops that are on Jeeps.
 
It easily folds down if you need to carry something tall and removes by pulling two pins. I bought a pallet of flooring at Home Depot and folded the top down for them to load it in with a forklift then folded it back over the material. You can easily access stuff at the front of the bed by unsnapping a few snaps near the front and reaching in.
 
I have driven at speeds up to 100mph with it on and have seen snowloads of about a foot on it (I do clean the snow off).
 
The only downside I have seen is that there are no side windows. I have learned that the easiest way to back the camper into a site is to roll the sides of the Softopper up and have a clear view.
 
As far as security, it does keep things hidden. I have had it on my truck for over two years and have not had anyone steal anything from the back of the truck, but I do live in an area where crime is pretty much nil. We do camp all over the east coast as well. I guess it is just as secure as your popup when you have it open. I usually keep my camping gear in the back year-round because the truck is just used as a tow vehicle unless I need to carry something big.
 
Below is a picture from their website.
 

chasd60

Quote from: ScoobyDooAfter I put the cover on I found you need something to keep the little things that you put in at the back so you can get them out.
I learned to carry a garden rake when I had a tonneau cover, makes it easier to drag things from the front, back to the back where you can reach them.

GeneF

I have seen Chas's topper and it is a nice cover.

I have a fiberglass shell on my pickup.  I never remove it as I only use the truck for camping and going to the transfer station.

It would be pretty easy to remove, four clamps hold it on but it weighs about 200 pounds.

I doubt that there is much security in any type of topper. Friend has a different brand of shell but her key will open my back window.

Brantime

Greetings!

I totally understand where you are coming from when you say you do not want a permanent covering for your truck...I had the same feeling at one time, lol!

We travel a good bit, with and without, the Pop Up, and I carry a good deal of "Stuff" in the back of my pickup to minimize the load on the PU. I finally realized that the lack of security on my truck caused me not to camp as much as I would like to...so I decided to change that, lol!

A couple of years ago I purchased a Leer Hi Rise camper and have absolutely loved it ever since. They pulled that factory paint number and painted the topper to match my truck exactly.

I now have a locking system that allows all my "Stuff" to be locked up when traveling. It is nice to be able to stop at a motel and just lock up the topper and not worry about having to take everything that you have with you or to have to carry it all  into the motel, lol! The head room in the topper is really good and offers a place to put a bed if I so desire to...

Just my little opinion on the subject...

flyfisherman

Quote from: TedFollowing the advice of several on here, I try to keep my PopUp load to a minimum, and am now putting a lot of the "carry on" in the bed of the pick up.  The result is that I can pull the PoPUp at 70 (when legally able) with absolutely no sway.
 
I went camping recently and wished I had a cover for my pick up bed, but I dont want anything permanent.  There are many options and would love hearing about the ones that campers feel work best for them.



I don't know about that extra carrying of "stuff" in the truck bed! As the result of having the truck bed covers, I now carry around so much junk, even the truck is now at max!

I've been driving pickem'ups for years and have had an assortment of bed covers. Presently have a low profile fiberglass cover (just a tad higher than a regular tonneau cover), painted the same color as the truck. It's hinged in the rear, about 1/3 of the cover lifts (I have a full sized, regular cab, short bed truck); what it amounts to is a huge trunk and when I travel out it is completely packed!  The good thing is no one can see what's inside plus it is lockable. The downside, like all fiberglass covers, is that it's heavy. You won't just willy-nilly unbolt it and lift it off the bed ... you'll need help. Whereas, the aluminum bed covers (I know, use to have one), you should be able to manage taking the thing on and off by yourself; and the aluminum cost should be less.

If I were to go the route you discribe, taking the thing on and off ... I'd opt for the aluminum. Then store the thing on some saw horses next to the garage! (LOL) They usually have a locking handle of some sort, no doubt would be only an inconvience for a thief, but then on a camping trip you would be no doubt close by.

You can get about as fancy and as expensive as you want to get ... or kinda simple and a lot le$$ bucks.



Fly

holyroman

I have a bed cover I love.  My brother in law and father in law have them and have had them for years and they still look and preform like new.
It's the Access Tonneu cover it rools up on aluminum rails that clamp to your bed rails from underneath, no drilling.  it has aluminum bars underneath so it never sags and adjusters to tighten which i only had to do ince when i installed it.
it has no snaps but velcro strips along the side that never come up until you roll it up.  it sits neatley up by the cab rolled up and takes hardly no room.
it has a locking feature meaning you can not open it unless the tailgate is open.  which works great if you have a locking tailgate and want to secure stuff out of site.
I know this sounds like a commercial but this is the best product i have bought for my truck.
check it out.
i think i ordered it new off of ebay for around 300 do9llars and installed it myself in 30 minutes

Ted

Thanks for the great suggestions.  Sounds like either the Softtopper or the Tonneau Access will work best for me.  Has anyone tried both?

brainpause

I seriously considered a Softopper, and would have bought it, if I had permission. :) But she was still in school, and we didn't have the $$. However, I did do extensive research, and it has gotten great reviews from actual users I have communicated with.

Also, pick up this month's Trailer Life. They did a pretty good article comparing a dozen or more bed covers/liners/toppers, etc.

Larry