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Thread: pickup bed cover ideas

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  1. #1
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    pickup bed cover ideas

    I've seen pickups with various types of bed covers:
    Soft tonneau
    Hard tonneau
    Aluminum caps (shells)
    Fiberglass caps (shells)

    Are there any other options? I want something that goes on/off easy. I won't need it on there very often, just for trips to keep luggage out of the weather and locked in. I've thought of a truck tool box, but they're not big enough to hold even 1 regular suit case. I was wondering if there's anything like a car roof top carrier that could be put in the bed of a pickup? A hard tonneau would be good, but they are pretty pricey.

  2. #2
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    Re: pickup bed cover ideas

    It's sort of a personal choice. I used to have a fiberglass shell on our truck. Could even sleep in it when necessary. Now the camper stays on year round. Can sleep in that too.

    How about a large plastic container that can be locked and securely fastened down. Might take a little looking but I'm sure they are out there.

    Egon

  3. #3
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    Re: pickup bed cover ideas

    egon - Thanks, that's a good idea. I'll check into one of those yard tool storage containers.

    I also found a decent price on hard tonneau covers:

    http://www.prestigious1.com/Tonneau.htm

    Anyone know if these are "too cheap"?

  4. #4
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    Re: pickup bed cover ideas

    <font color="blue"> Anyone know if these are "too cheap"?
    </font color>

    Unless you don't mind looking at primer grey. They require painting to match your truck. The painted version sells for $649. I've seen cheaper painted versions.
    Hazmat

  5. #5
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    Re: pickup bed cover ideas

    hazmat - Primer grey is fine since it won't be on most of the time. I have a cheap spray gun and could paint it good enough to suit me if I decide I need to have it match. The best price I can find around here for a matching color one is $750.

  6. #6
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    Re: pickup bed cover ideas

    "How about a large plastic container that can be locked and securely fastened down. Might take a little looking but I'm sure they are out there.

    Egon "

    I looked into this idea and couldn't find anything big enough. The biggest I can find are about 18"-20" for the width and height, so full size suitcases (which mine measure 22" tall) won't quite stand up or lay down in one. They're long enough, but not tall enough or wide enough.

    I did find some "deck storage containers" at Target that are big enough, but they're not lockable and they just snap together, so even if I put a lock on the lid, it would be easy for someone to pop them apart again, so I wouldn't dare leave anything valuable in them and let the truck out of my sight for very long.

  7. #7
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    Re: pickup bed cover ideas

    </font><blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr />
    it would be easy for someone to pop them apart again,

    [/ QUOTE ]

    Wouldn't a soft cover present the same opportunity?

    Steve

  8. #8
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    Re: pickup bed cover ideas

    "Wouldn't a soft cover present the same opportunity?

    Steve"

    Yeah, which is why I'm not interested in a soft tonneau. I might get a hard (fiberglass) tonneau. I can either get the one I mentioned earlier that's unpainted for $350 (plus shipping, which I don't know the cost of yet), or I found a place not far from me that has painted (to match any color) ones for $625. I'm still trying to decide.

  9. #9
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    Re: pickup bed cover ideas

    Have you tried checking the local scrap yard?

    Steve

  10. #10
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    Re: pickup bed cover ideas

    </font><blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr />
    Soft tonneau
    Hard tonneau
    Aluminum caps (shells)
    Fiberglass caps (shells)

    [/ QUOTE ]

    At one time or another I've had all of those, except the fiberglass cap (my hard tonneau was fiberglass), and you left off "steel caps". I won't ever use the soft tonneau again because if you don't have some "ribs" across the bed to hold it up, water will collect and weigh it down in the middle, and the ribs are too much trouble to be worth it. My personal preference has been the two aluminum caps I've had that not only opened at the back, but also on either side - easier to get things out of the front without crawling inside from the rear.

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