bed covers
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Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2005
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bed covers
what kind of bed covers are everyone running out there? i never really liked the look of them but i think its usefulness for my situation would be great, i seen the one everybody seems to have that kind of "lifts" up and has a lock on the back, i was wondering if there was some kind of hard bed covering that could easily fold up or roll up for when i need to carry something taller than the bed without having to take-off and store it? and looks good also? and is there any truth to covers improving mpg? i looked online but can't seem to get any pic in my head about it and want some real world tales about it. thank you.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2005
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There is one that is called something like fold a cover that I have seen advertised, that is a hard type but can be folded from the rear or the front to give access. The lift type hard covers are no good for those that need to use the bed to hook up goosenecks , and this is the only one that seems to fit the bill. That is why i am interested in it and need to find it locally , none of the other kind of covers will work in this situation, and will not go to a soft cover as i think the durability would be short.
Sorry I have no link.
Sorry I have no link.
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Elder User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 626
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From: Orange Park, FL
ROLLTOPCOVER or www.rolltopcover.com this is the link for the product I use. It is called a Retrax. Extremely durable, easy to install, locks at any position. As for Mpgs, I would not say it was significant with mine, maybe .5 to 1. Some will say 2, which is possible, but for me it wasn't as significant as I was already getting 18.5. As for the install, it comes in 2 Fedex packages, you just put it together, lift it onto truck, and clamp it to bed with 4 clamps. I installed mine in about an hour and used a friend who happens to be a girl to help lift it onto the truck, it is not heavy, just ackward lifting to bed. That was all the help I needed.
I have used mine for about a year now and I thoroughly enjoy it. The canister does not take up too much room in the bed. When I ordered mine I ordered the tailgate gasket also and it was worth the money. I think the cover runs about $900-$1000 and the gasket was $25. Leakage is probably a question, I do get a very small amount of moisture if driving in a hard hard rain. But the moisture is not much, we are talking about a few drips. Happy shopping...Deac
I have used mine for about a year now and I thoroughly enjoy it. The canister does not take up too much room in the bed. When I ordered mine I ordered the tailgate gasket also and it was worth the money. I think the cover runs about $900-$1000 and the gasket was $25. Leakage is probably a question, I do get a very small amount of moisture if driving in a hard hard rain. But the moisture is not much, we are talking about a few drips. Happy shopping...Deac
Last edited by deacjrt; Dec 18, 2005 at 08:33 AM.
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 6,245
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From: IL, USA
I have the Retrax as well. Love the cover, had the rails custom made to fit with my over the rail toolbox. Looks great. I picked up a "blem" or "factory second" from them (thanks to the tip from Bear Hunter) and saved some coin.......and the best part is I can't figure out for the life of me why it's a blem, it looks brand new to me...
Elder User
Joined: May 2002
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From: Robbinsville NJ
I had seen the retrax on a truck and it looks real nice. I'm thinking about getting one this spring, but had a question about the tailgate gasket. How does it install, is it mounted on the retrax or gate / truck? If it's on the truck, is it easily damageable?
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FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Millersville, MD
I installed one of the Peragon Aluminum Folding Bed Covers on my '05 F250SD. I pull a 30' 5th wheel and I hated it when I had to remove the big, heavy fibreglas hard cover from my old '92 truck. Check 'em out at their web site at peragon.com. You have to install it yourself and it helps if you have another person to give you a hand. It'll take a Saturday afternoon to get it on and adjusted, but it's well worth the effort. If I had to buy another hard cover, this would be the one.
Bud Pytko
2005 F250 SD PSD 4X4 4 door
1994 30' Prowler 5er
1997 Lincoln Mark VIII
Bud Pytko
2005 F250 SD PSD 4X4 4 door
1994 30' Prowler 5er
1997 Lincoln Mark VIII
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Senior User
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Ok, Undercovers apparently only have models for short beds, no real trucks need apply. And Retrax is just too darn expensive, plus most people with rollup types talk about how they freeze all the time in the winter, and your stuck with whatever position it is in till thaw, no thanks. If you have a fifth wheel or really use your truck, sorry those just don't cut it.
Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: TX
I have Retrax
Works great, I do get some leakage in a rain. Gasket kit is a waste IMHO. I got it, but... I thought I cleaned the surfaces very well but after a while dirt got in between the rubber and the bed surface and over time the gasket no longer stuck except in a few spots. I finally tore it off and tossed it.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Orange Park, FL
Originally Posted by rmilchman
I had seen the retrax on a truck and it looks real nice. I'm thinking about getting one this spring, but had a question about the tailgate gasket. How does it install, is it mounted on the retrax or gate / truck? If it's on the truck, is it easily damageable?
Tuned
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 499
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From: Brew City, USA New Berlin
I got a torza top. I like it. It took me a little manipulation to get it like I wanted but.
I got the premium fabric top so its kinda like the top of a convertible 'look'
The things I like about it...
http://www.pbase.com/xxpilot/image/47874238.jpg
Here is how it folds:
http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B0...CLZZZZZZZ_.jpg
Website:
http://www.torzatop.com/
Here's what the underside/inside looked like: (before I stacked extra bows on top of the other bows)
http://www.pbase.com/xxpilot/image/47874239.jpg
Images changed to links. -Beast12
I got the premium fabric top so its kinda like the top of a convertible 'look'
The things I like about it...
- It looks much classier than the vinyl soft tonneau covers
- It unhooks and tri-folds up in like 20 seconds so large cargo can fit in the bed
- Because the clamps that hold it on are underneath and the actual 'cover' part doesn't come off the frame, when you lock the tail-gate it is actually not possible to gain access to the contents of the bed without cutting the fabric with a knife.
- The design isn't perfect. Hard to explain, but I ordered extra bows (the bows are lightweight square tubing) and stacked the extra bows on top of the original bows (and duct taped them together) to give it a little higher 'dome' for water run-off.
- Does not seem to be 'exactly' the right size for my bed. Not a big deal, but about an 1" too long. I just cheated it forward on the rails a bit.
http://www.pbase.com/xxpilot/image/47874238.jpg
Here is how it folds:
http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B0...CLZZZZZZZ_.jpg
Website:
http://www.torzatop.com/
Here's what the underside/inside looked like: (before I stacked extra bows on top of the other bows)
http://www.pbase.com/xxpilot/image/47874239.jpg
Images changed to links. -Beast12
Last edited by Beast12; Dec 24, 2005 at 05:19 PM.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: All Over
Retrax here as well. Like DCSpecial's this was supposed to be a factory "blem"....but have yet to find the blem anywhere. Picked it up for $600....if you look closely you can see the custom rails. Retrax cut out the stakehole pockets and re-powdercoated the rails for $23
http://www.truckblog.com/gallery/BearHunter/12422.jpg
Image changed to link. -Beast12
http://www.truckblog.com/gallery/BearHunter/12422.jpg
Image changed to link. -Beast12
Last edited by Beast12; Dec 24, 2005 at 05:18 PM.