| From | Message |
dan
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/25/2002
10:01:05
|
 Subject: Soft tonneau covers - PLEASE HELP!!!
IP: Logged
Message:
I am asking all Dak owners for a huge favor. I am looking for a soft tonneau cover and want people's opinions. I want to know BOTH what you like and dislike about the cover you have on your Dak. Also, please tell me what brand and model you have. Ideally, I'd love to have one with a black anodized frame, the bow system (monsterbows) like the ones used by extang, and the rear rail that either clips on (extang) or pulls out and adjusts (SportMasters), just one that is QUICK & EASY to remove. I want to know what people think of the snapless ones compared to the snaps? If anyone has the Extang Tuff Tonno III (aka Saber), I'd LOVE to hear what your thoughts are on this specific model. Are they hard to close up in the winter after you open it? ANY information that can be provided based on your experiences with soft tonneau covers would be greatly appreciated. THANK YOU ALL in advance.
|
handi2
GenIII
2/25/2002
11:34:58
|  RE: Soft tonneau covers - PLEASE HELP!!!
IP: Logged
Message:
Dan,
I have the Access Cover. It is the soft cover with the bows built in and the black annodized rails. I am in a wheelchair and this is the easiest cover I have used. It has velcro on the sides instead of snaps. The velcro is a "soft" type that catches and releases easily but will not come loose during use. You can roll it up without going around and releasing the sides. It has tension adjusters that are easy to use when needed. It sounds like I am trying to sell it but I am just happy with this one. Check it out below.
http://www.accesscover.com/
2002 Quad Cab SLT 4.7 Every Avaiable Option
Bed Rug/Access Tonneau Cover/2"by3" drop
Airaid Intake/Jet 2/Roadmaster Suspension/Bed Extender
|
dan
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/25/2002
11:47:54
| RE: Soft tonneau covers - PLEASE HELP!!!
IP: Logged
Message:
Thanks for the reply Keith. I have seen their site. It does look REALLY NICE! However, I don't think velco will last very long in the Northeast winters. Florida on the other hand..... :)
I think they go for over $400 anyway right? More than I'd like to pay for a SOFT cover. But again, I do appreciate your input. Thanks!
|
JohnnyC
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/25/2002
12:23:19
| RE: Soft tonneau covers - PLEASE HELP!!!
IP: Logged
Message:
Hey, Dan, if you want my advice, don't buy a soft cover. Spend the extra bucks for a hard cover. I live in PEI, Canada and had a soft cover on for two years. It was better than nothing but I will never buy one again. I bought one from extang with silver aluminum rails and snaps. If you don't mind spending 10 minutes snapping or unsnapping or hauling alot of cargo it's great. If you live in a cold climate buy one with an adjustor because it's virtually impossible to close because the vinyl shrinks big time. One advantage is that you can still open the tail gate with the cover closed but if what you want inside slides to the front of the box you still have to unsnap or crawl in. I just bought a hard cover this year and love it. The whole bed is accessable in two seconds and can be safely locked. Only problem with my hard cover is that it has a pop-up handle and in winter it sometimes gets iced up. That's just my opinion, Dan, hope it helps.
|
dan
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/25/2002
12:36:47
| RE: Soft tonneau covers - PLEASE HELP!!!
IP: Logged
Message:
Thanks J.C. for the response! I'd rather have a hard cover personally, especially for the looks and SECURITY (plus, putting a spoiler on it would look great!) but for all intensive purposes, it's not an option for me. :(
I frequently haul stuff that stands above the height of the bedrails and need something that i can "roll up" out of the way and tear down (bows) when needed. A hard cover can't do this. I've seen a guy with a fiberglass tonneau pick up a large item and had to drive around with the cover nearly at a 70degree angle. Talk about wind resistance!!
|
Wayne in MN
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/25/2002
12:40:24
| RE: Soft tonneau covers - PLEASE HELP!!!
IP: Logged
Message:
I have the Access cover. I love it. With me money was not an issue, I've spent most of my life going cheap only to have to re-purchase latter. So, I walked into Trucking America asked for which was best. In seeing that I told them money wasn't a consirn, they could have sold me anything. The sales guy said that a soft top was best because it usallay takes two people to remove the hard top. We both ride motocycle so I could see his point. As for Access, he said that he wouldn't suggest the cheaper covers. The snaps, cold weather problems, etc. associated with them are plenty. It's your call, but if you plan to owning the truck long term, don't go cheap. Save for a while and get what you want the first time around.
|
dan
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/25/2002
12:49:24
| RE: Soft tonneau covers - PLEASE HELP!!!
IP: Logged
Message:
Thanks Wayne! I only have one concern with the Access cover. How well does the velcro hold up in the winter? It would seem to me that it would lose it's hold over time. This is just me thinking of it from a logical standpoint, however, I don't have one so I defer to you since you have first hand experience with it. I don't mind spending the extra money if it's truly worth it but it just seems that for twice the price, you get velcro! Materials costs should be about the same as other covers so it seems like the cover shouldn't sell for as much as it does. I guess you pay for the ease of operation??
|
Dave
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/25/2002
12:54:24
| RE: Soft tonneau covers - PLEASE HELP!!!
IP: Logged
Message:
I have an Extang cover on my Dak(Snaps and aluminum rails). All in all Ive been very pleased with it. The comment about it being tough to close up in winter is quite true, the snaps on my rails are reverable to make closing in winter a "little" easier. I'd buy another.
I had a Cover with Velcro on a previous truck, it was dreadful, high wind or get it wet and it would be flapping in the wind, huge pain in the neck, i'd never buy a Velcro one again.
|
dan
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/25/2002
13:03:11
| RE: Soft tonneau covers - PLEASE HELP!!!
IP: Logged
Message:
Thanks Dave! So given the choice, you would buy the same snap cover all over again?
|
NJQCDak
GenIII
2/25/2002
13:46:25
| RE: Soft tonneau covers - PLEASE HELP!!!
IP: Logged
Message:
Dan,
I have a Downey SST Tonneau. It has inverted snap system and the rear bar sides slides out. I found it easy to remove to utilize the tailgate extender. Black rails. All soft covers stiffen up in the colder weather or stretch less in the cold, so they harder snap shut. I think the Extang, you can switch the snaps around to give a little, but I heard of people losing snaps. I bought mine off of www.tpcarguy.com. I like your assessment of the hard cover. I love the look & security but worry about picking up something that's above the rails. Plus, I think you need two people to remove it.
'01 QC Sport, 3.9L V6, 5spd, 2wd, Volant Intake,
SS Gibson exhaust, MSD Wires, Accel Super Coil, NAPA Cap, Flometrics Billet 48mm TB , JBA Silver Ceramic Headers
Soon: Autolites 3923s
|
autocrosser
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/25/2002
13:49:42
| RE: Soft tonneau covers - PLEASE HELP!!!
IP: Logged
Message:
I have a truxedo soft cover. It looks just like the Access cover. Same principle with the rails and Velcro. No drilling needed for installation. Mine has a lifetime warrenty on all materials. I really like it. No problems with the cold weather and snow. I saw a Explorer going down the road the other day with a hard cover on his truck pulling a trailer with a chair in it. What's the purpose of having a truck when you can't haul anything with it ? Get the Access cover. You won't regret it.
|
dan
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/25/2002
13:55:01
| RE: Soft tonneau covers - PLEASE HELP!!!
IP: Logged
Message:
Thanks NJ! How do you find that the Downey SST inverted snaps hold up? What are they like? The only thing I can go by is what's written on their website and the pics aren't good enough to really see what the snaps are like. Do you have pics or can you tell me more about them? Do they have the same limitations that all other snap and snapless tonneaus have during the cold months as far as difficulty in closing?
|
Simpleman96
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/25/2002
13:55:26
|  RE: Soft tonneau covers - PLEASE HELP!!!
IP: Logged
Message:
I have also used the EXTANG cover and was very pleased with it (good quality). I plan on buying another one soon. The cover lasted me four years and it probubly paid for itself over that time in gas. I have also considered one that lifts up with the shocks (soft cover) for ease of putting larger items in the bed.
|
dan
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/25/2002
13:57:39
| RE: Soft tonneau covers - PLEASE HELP!!!
IP: Logged
Message:
Autocrosser - so getting the velcro wet has no affect on it's ability to stay secure and hold? Yours has a lifetime warranty on the actual cover itself?
|
Geoff
GenIII
2/25/2002
14:08:07
| RE: Soft tonneau covers - PLEASE HELP!!!
IP: Logged
Message:
What about the checkmate flush mount one? I believe they have one that tilts up with gas shocks as well. looks real nice being flush. I cant find the website but i'll post it later
Geoff
2000 3.9L RC Sport. Flame Red. 5-speed, 3.55, Airaid, Vortex Muffler, F&B 48mm TB, 180 T-Stat, Autolite 3923s, IAT Adjuster, Clear Corners, SS Grill Insert, JBA Plug Wires, Underdrive Crank Pulley. Hurst Shifter, Removed Clutch Fan, Sony CDX-MP450X MP3, Infinity Reference Speakers
|
Geoff
GenIII
2/25/2002
14:09:36
| RE: Soft tonneau covers - PLEASE HELP!!!
IP: Logged
Message:
here is the site
http://www.checkerpro.com/fxsoft_tonneau.html
i was thinking about this one, but have no personal experience with it
Geoff
2000 3.9L RC Sport. Flame Red. 5-speed, 3.55, Airaid, Vortex Muffler, F&B 48mm TB, 180 T-Stat, Autolite 3923s, IAT Adjuster, Clear Corners, SS Grill Insert, JBA Plug Wires, Underdrive Crank Pulley. Hurst Shifter, Removed Clutch Fan, Sony CDX-MP450X MP3, Infinity Reference Speakers
|
handi2
GenIII
2/25/2002
14:09:59
| RE: Soft tonneau covers - PLEASE HELP!!!
IP: Logged
Message:
Dan,
As soon as I find my reciept I will post the price I paid. I am sure it was less than $400.00. It was purchased online. (The Access Cover)
2002 Quad Cab SLT 4.7 Every Avaiable Option
Bed Rug/Access Tonneau Cover/2"by3" drop
Airaid Intake/Jet 2/Roadmaster Suspension/Bed Extender
|
bjlindsey
*GenIII*
2/25/2002
14:21:32
| RE: Soft tonneau covers - PLEASE HELP!!!
IP: Logged
Message:
Dan, try here. No drilling, easily removable end rail, adjustable!!
01 QC 4x4 5.9L 3.92 LSD
K&N clone, Clear Corners, Carbon Fiber Tails, Aluminum Billet 3rd Brake Light Cover, Bug Guard
www.FreeGasForYou.com
|
jon
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/25/2002
14:26:50
| RE: Soft tonneau covers - PLEASE HELP!!!
IP: Logged
Message:
Roll-n-lock
|
dan
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/25/2002
14:30:31
| RE: Soft tonneau covers - PLEASE HELP!!!
IP: Logged
Message:
Thanks Geoff, but the clamp on style only allows access to the bed through the tailgate. Lift style.....see my comments on hard covers. Same deal.
Handi2 - looking forward to your post of the price. Thanks. How does the velcro hold when wet?
|
jon
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/25/2002
14:32:37
| RE: Soft tonneau covers - PLEASE HELP!!!
IP: Logged
Message:
Roll-n-lock, secures tailgate and rolls away when hauling.
|
macman37
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/25/2002
14:33:40
| Freedom by Extang
IP: Logged
Message:
Hey Dan,
I just got a "Freedom by Extang" cover for my '02 quad cab. I only have the v6 in mine so you could really notice the difference in wind resistance when I accelerate to get on the expressway.
I bought mine in the winter (I live in Michigan) so the vinyl cover was contracted due to the cold... I just put my head gun in the bed with the vinyl cover flopped over the rails, and slowly pulled on the cover until it fit. Took a few minutes, but it worked with no damage to the cover. I can also open and close the tailgate by unsnapping 5 or 6 snaps in the middle of the back frame, and lifting the back frame up slightly while I open/close the tailgate. Helps when you're about to get 8" of snow and need to add weight!
long post longer, I like the cover and wish I'd have gotten one back when I had my '96 CC Dakota!
jim
|
macman37
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/25/2002
14:36:13
| RE: Soft tonneau covers - PLEASE HELP!!!
IP: Logged
Message:
Dang, I forgot one more thing. The cover was about $170 from Murrays auto parts.
jim
|
macman37
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/25/2002
14:36:13
| RE: Soft tonneau covers - PLEASE HELP!!!
IP: Logged
Message:
Dang, I forgot one more thing. The cover was about $170 from Murrays auto parts.
jim
|
jon
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/25/2002
14:36:36
| Roll-n-lock
IP: Logged
Message:
get one
|
dan
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/25/2002
14:39:41
| RE: Soft tonneau covers - PLEASE HELP!!!
IP: Logged
Message:
Brian - Thanks for the link. That's VERY similar to the SportMasters. Do you have one of these? If so, do you favor the snap style?
Jon - Roll-n-lock (sigh). Sweeeeeet! Wife would kill me though if I spent that much JUST for the tonneau. ;-) I think they go for close to $700. Still have to get nerf bars put on so she won't complain about not being able to get in with a dress on. LOL.
|
jon
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/25/2002
14:42:03
| RE: Soft tonneau covers - PLEASE HELP!!!
IP: Logged
Message:
I know what your saying, My girls short and cute but she practically has to jump into my dakota. :)
|
dan
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/25/2002
14:43:50
| RE: Soft tonneau covers - PLEASE HELP!!!
IP: Logged
Message:
Macman - Freedom by Extang? Don't think I saw this model on their site. Can you send me a link?
|
dan
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/25/2002
14:48:52
| RE: Soft tonneau covers - PLEASE HELP!!!
IP: Logged
Message:
Jon - I hear ya. I picked my wife up from work one time and she nearly had my head because I picked her up in the Dakota. Kept saying something about "you knew I wore a dress today and this is what you bring?" :-)
I may keep a rubbermaid step stool in the cab until I get the Nerf Bars!
|
macman37
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/25/2002
15:18:06
| RE: Soft tonneau covers - PLEASE HELP!!!
IP: Logged
Message:
Hey Dan,
I KNEW I wasn't going insane... There isn't a link for the "freedom" line on Extang's website for whatever reason... I'd like to think it's because I'm so cutting edge that I'm the first one to own one, but it's probably because I'm the last one and they've discontinued them... I have no flipping idea.
I did find this link though: http://www.ultimateparts.com/catalog/FamilyPage.asp?toplevel=1&model_id=131&modelyear=2002&category_id=435&a=&c=1
Check that one out... and if you have a Murrays auto parts, they can order it for you cheaper and with no shipping than this site can... I only included it because it's the only link I've found to it...
jim
|
dan
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/25/2002
15:25:46
| RE: Soft tonneau covers - PLEASE HELP!!!
IP: Logged
Message:
I did a search on it. It's the mass production cover made by Extang. It utilizes plastic snaps. Not a good idea in my neck of the woods unfortunately!
|
| | P 1 Next Page>> |
