Tonneau Covers - good or bad?

[tuffr2]

I am thinking of getting a tonneau cover for my new truck. I have had the old type tonneau cover that was black plastic on top with a cotton fiber on the underside. It was held on by snaps...remember those?

Anyway, now looking at a folding hard tonneau cover black. Here in Florida how long will it stay nice?

[mrgrayaz]

I wouldn't be without one. Hides the hitch and generator, and I keep our blue boy back there too (in front of the hitch).

I am running the Truxport X15 - which has a convertible top style material. I expect it will last quite a while. However this is a soft rollup, not a hard cover, so maybe not what your looking for.

[tuffr2]

I am thinking a Bak-Flip tonneau cover that has 4 sections.

[mrgrayaz]

Lots of info here:
http://www.irv2.com/forums/f44/tonne...rs-383292.html

[bfisher003]

I live in Florida and have a Truxedo LowPro. I’ve had it for over two years and it’s holding up well,, including sitting in the driveway when Hurricane Matthew is came within 25 miles. Only had a few drops of water in the bed and I think that blew in around the tailgate.

[ScoobyDoo]

When I bought my new pickup I learned if I did not cover the bed the buckles on my bibs would eat the top of rails when I put lunch box behind cab. Installed a roll-up by Truxedo. (The velcro is much nicer than snaps on '69 El Camino) Put a board across behind wheelwells to keep lunchbox in back, my tailgate opened more often than right door...About 10 years later, the velcro was coming off the cover, so I sewed it back on. My sewing looks like the south end of a northbound mule, so I went back to where I bought it to get parts. They don't stock parts, so called the manufacturer. Told me to E-mail picture of receipt, and picture of the problem. 3 days later, new cover on the porch, no charge.

[Zoom Zoom 1]

On my Silverado, I bought a "Fold a Cover" from the dealer. Like others mentioned here, it is 4 sections that fold forward. Key locked on front and rear panels so each can be opened independent of the others. Also, the unit can be easily removed if needed to accommodate some larger loads.. The only down side is the top surface is made of aluminum and seems to dent too easy. Hides (and protects from elements) the Fifth wheel hitch and all the other things I keep back there.
Other than that I really like it and would not travel without it.
Also, when folded forward it clears under the front of my Fifth wheel.
Zoom

[DGBPokes]

Not to steal the thread: I am shopping for one. Do you really see the MPG improvement the adds claim?

[tuffr2]

I am not looking for any MPG difference. Maybe a bit less. It does change the areodynamics but I think the change is slightly worse. Might make the little duck tail on the tailgate ineffective.

[bfisher003]

I read an article recently where they tested a RAM pickup mpg with and without a tonneau. The RAM actually got around one mpg less with the tonneau on. Surprised me.

[Super Thirty]

I have the Truxedo as well. I don’t see any difference in fuel economy with it closed or open. I got it for the “ out of site, out of mind” when parked with stuff in the box. I still cable lock things like my generator etc. What I like is the ability to roll it up out of the way and be able to use the entire box. I have a friend that has a folding hard top version which is really nice except he says he can only use 2/3 of the box with it folded open.

[Excesses]

Originally Posted by tuffr2

I am thinking a Bak-Flip tonneau cover that has 4 sections.

Attachment 203682

We have the Bak Flip cover on our Dodge Ram 1500 Hemi. The only thing we didn’t like about it was that it did not lock, but we got by that by purchasing a locking handle for the tailgate.

Otherwise we love it. Great value for the $ and very well built.

Cheers

[chinobob]

I've had a hard shell BakFlip on my truck since 2015, and I live in Las Vegas. Certainly not the rain you get in Fl, but definitely the heat and sun. I take it through car washes as well and no water in the bed. The weep tubes work as expected. Looks great and no evidence of UV fade at all! Functions great, with 0 issues! Highly recommended!

[tuffr2]

Great to hear about the bak-flip as this is what the dealer recommends and uses.

I googled 'Does adding a tonneau cover to a truck increase MPG'. Like I remembered, no, it actually hurts MPG buy about 1.