Let's talk Truck Tonneau covers

[nylyon-(Admin) 7,268]

I wasn't sure to put this here or in other brands, so mods feel free to move 

 

I have a 2018 Ram 3500 short bed.  The purpose of the truck is to haul our 13K# 5th wheel camper.  The remainder of it's life is spent going to Tractor Supply for some dog toys, and hauling bulk items from Costco.  Point being it's not a work truck in the traditional sense.

 

In the summer, I want to leave the 5th wheel hitch in the truck.  I want a tonneau cover which is strong enough to prevent theft (no fabric top) and needs to allow access to the hitch.  I can't use a one piece "lid" because that would need to be removed when using the 5th.

 

I have my eye on the Retrax Pro MX, but want opinions from those of you who have tonneau's on your truck with what works for you or not.

 

An added note, the truck is NOT likely to have a tractor in the back, I have a trailer for things like that.

 

 

[prondzy 3,881]

First off, very nice truck. I have only owned one hard tonneau cover which is the factory one in my avalanche right now, it works. Of the other trucks i have owned i prefer the access brand soft tonneau for ease of use and durability , i know you said you prefer a hard top,  but a tonneau cover is like a tailgate lock on your truck, they only keep honest people honest. If someone wants whats in there they will get it.

[WHNJ701 4,165]

tonnopro.com

I have a trifold soft on my nissan truck, simple and easy to use, can take the it on and off in about 2 minutes, mounts right up with zero modifications.  it's been on there 5 years now still looks like new.  

[nylyon-(Admin) 7,268]

47 minutes ago, prondzy said:

First off, very nice truck. I have only owned one hard tonneau cover which is the factory one in my avalanche right now, it works. Of the other trucks i have owned i prefer the access brand soft tonneau for ease of use and durability , i know you said you prefer a hard top,  but a tonneau cover is like a tailgate lock on your truck, they only keep honest people honest. If someone wants whats in there they will get it.

Thanks, and yeah I agree with that but it'll make a lot more noise breaking into a hard cover than a soft one  

 

37 minutes ago, jabelman said:

tonnopro.com

I have a trifold soft on my nissan truck, simple and easy to use, can take the it on and off in about 2 minutes, mounts right up with zero modifications.  it's been on there 5 years now still looks like new.  

Do you have any issues with rattling, or leaving it folded up?  From the looks it seems like you have to open the tailgate to open the cover?

[WHNJ701 4,165]

yes, you have open the tail gate,  when it's folded up there are 2 straps that click together.

[Pullstart 62,787]

I think this came from realtruck.com and so far it’s a keeper in my book!  We got it to keep our luggage safe and dry.  It has drip rails and tubes that I would need to drill holes through the bed and run out the bottom up front, but I haven’t yet.  It will fold it’s rearmost panel forward and buckle in place, it could be that you could get away with the hitch being behind what’s left?  It is recommended to not travel with it in the propped up position.

 

 

 

 

[squonk 41,022]

First off I am not a high roller  so I have a 13 yr. old truck with 209,000 on the clock.

 

I bought a USED  Truxedo fabric cover. Clamps on the bed,velcro sides and 2 latches to unlock it. Rolls up and 2 straps hold it there. 5 yrs. with no issues.

[Daddy Don 905]

I have the tri-fold on my Ford 4X4 off road and you can put a four wheeler on the top of it and it will not break.  No key to lock or unlock it is done by leaving the tailgate down and locks to the under side of the bed with pull down handles. Never had any problems with it or anyone try to break into it.  

[KC9KAS 4,741]

My 2005 F250 had a locking fiberglass tonneau  cover when I bought it. I wanted a "camper" shell for more room, and found one.

I have tried to sell it, but I can't give the tonneau cover away!

[Ed Kennell 38,022]

I have had a soft tri-fold like @jabelman on my 2010 F-150 CC from new.  No leaks, cracks, or other issues.   Very easy and quick to open and close and can be completely removed or installed in 5 minutes w/o any tools or drilled holes.

[cruisnblue48 835]

Real nice RAM truck you have there, Karl.  I've never owned a hard tonneau cover.  So, I can't give an opinion on that style.  However, I bought a used Extang Trifecta 2.0 tri-fold heavy-duty vinyl tarp tonneau cover for my 2017 Ram 1500 pickup.  I like it a lot.  Looks sharp and as mentioned above, it can be removed in a matter of a couple minutes by pulling down two spring-loaded clamps inside the bed on the rear corners and two knob screw clamps on the front corners, fold twice, secure with the two attached straps, and lift off. Just as quick and easy to remount.

 

 

 

[Reel Mower Freak 125]

On 2/7/2019 at 1:51 PM, prondzy said:

First off, very nice truck. I have only owned one hard tonneau cover which is the factory one in my avalanche right now, it works. Of the other trucks i have owned i prefer the access brand soft tonneau for ease of use and durability , i know you said you prefer a hard top,  but a tonneau cover is like a tailgate lock on your truck, they only keep honest people honest. If someone wants whats in there they will get it.

I also prefer the Access soft cover. Works great. Easy to roll. Looks good and it's so taunt it's hard to tell its a soft cover. I've had the current one for 8 years now and it's just starting to weather at the fold lines.

[Digger 66 3,478]

My boss has one made by these guys https://bakindustries.com/bakflip-g2

Not sure what model you'd be most interested in , but they make a great product .

[Sarge 3,463]

I loved that Access Elite cover that was on my '08 Tacoma TRD Off Road - mine was around 8yrs old as well when I traded the truck, still looked new despite being here outside for 3yrs. For the folks that use the soft tonneau covers, I'd recommend using the Aerospace 303 protectant on them. I only did a good treatment twice a year - that's it and no sign of weather damage at all. Stayed nice and supple and did not stretch over time one bit. Mine was rolled up and snapped tightly back down again many, many times during my ownership - still, no signs of wear. I swear by that product and use it on all rubber/vinyl surfaces as well as black plastics - I have found nothing that comes to close to the same performance. I showed this stuff to a buddy with one of the famous Avalanche pickups with the black plastic rail parts behind the cab that was almost down to a light gray - one treatment and they went back to black - and stayed there for a long time. I hate Armor-All and what it does to vinyl/plastics - Aerospace 303 does exactly what the label says it will do - extremely well.

 

Sarge

 

 

[nylyon-(Admin) 7,268]

Thank you everyone.  I pulled the trigger on the Retrax Pro.  I went with that one because I primarily use the truck (as a truck) to tow a 5th wheel.  The Retrax allows me to close the cover unto the 5th wheel.  When unhooking the trailer, I will be able to just close it up and keep the 5th wheel hitch hidden and secure.

 

I like the ability to open the cover without having to open the tailgate.  My truck has a locking tailgate that automatically locks.  When we're camping, I often need to get into the bed of the truck for firewood or other things.  Having the cover able to open without opening the tailgate means I don't have to unlock the truck to get access.

 

It was a little on the pricy side, but I like the way it looks and functions.  Should be here in a few days.

 

[Pullstart 62,787]

That is the cover I initially wanted, but decided on the cheaper folding panel cover.  I’m happy with my purchase, but I bet I would still prefer the Retrax!