When my husband expressed interest in a truck bed cover, the light bulb went on...Father's Day!! Well, I know nothing about them. He has a 2004 Nissan Titan. I know he doesn't want the hinged kind, he would prefer the soft. I also know that I don't have $1000 to spend on it. I was wondering if any of the fella's, or heck, women too, may have some experience with different covers? Thanks in advance! April
I'd start with places like "We Do Trucks" on S Saunders St. Do a little research at sites like this (http://www.powerblocktv.com/site3/index.php/trucks or http://www.agricover.com/index.php/products/). I'd prefer the soft ones but make sure you take good care of them. Mike
The problem with some of the soft covers is they do require a little more care and will draw up in the sun and rain over time. If you make a mistake of not keeping it stretched over the bed most of the time, they become very hard to put back on. That's my experience with the soft. I've also had the fiberglass lift covers (that typically match the paint) and they are certainly the best-looking IMHO. However, they only lift up usually but so far and I never attempted to take mine off. Currently, I have one of the black structural foam, hinged covers (Fold-a-cover brand bought through the truck dealership) and it suits me best. It fits fairly flush with little rise, doesn't flap or bounce going down the road and is versatile to carry taller items in the bed or cover it completely. The only problem I've seen with the hinged cover is ofter time the seals over the hinges dry-rot (especially if it stays outside a lot) and will split. This causes more leakage of rainwater into the bed. Its not that big a problem, but I have to be more careful with my cargo to keep it dry now. Of course, the cover is probably 5 years old.
Another good place to try is Gottch Covered in Smithfield, they also install. Brad is a good guy to work with.
We bought ours at We Do Trucks. They promised not to charge an extra fee for using a debit card, and then did it anyway. Then they put the cover on wrong, and left a gap, which of course leaked. Then accused us of taking it off when we brought it back to be fixed. I do like the cover, it is an Undercover brand. They tell you one person can take it off, maybe if that one person is Arnold Schwartznegger. The cover is a hard one, also comes with hangers to put it on when it is not on your truck.
I have the best truck bed cover ever made. It cost $500 installed, but it can be rolled up to expose the bed in about 30 seconds and then unfolded to cover the whole bed just as easily. It was installed on my truck in 2006 and it looks and functions as well as it did when it was new. I have had the hard covers, and this one is by far the best. PM me if you would like more details.
BakFlip Tonneau Cover Do a google on BakFlip Tonneaur Covers. They are also a hinged hard folding cover. It removes easily if you need to remove it as well. I have been very happy with mine and it is less than $500.00 Easy self install as well.
My husband got one of the folding Tonneaur Covers from Agri Supply on 70 in Garner for his Ram. He loves it. He only paid like $265 for it there. It was the best price he could find. They are soft, but have a hard frame and fold up. They are also easy to remove and put on if needed. We have made several trips to GA and AL and back in pooring rain and haven't had any leaks on our luggage. It has been great for us at a reasonable price. He does put some sort of conditioner or something on it once or twice a year. He didn't like the roll up soft covers. Just thought I would let you know.
Best ones are homemade, but kinda heavy. Make a frame outta 2x4s just big enuff to fit in bed. Put a sheet of plywood on that. Go to fabric store, get enough thin foam & "pleather" to cover the top. Cheap, sturdy enough to stand on, & will last a lifetime.
