Tonneau cover deal...

I've been trying to decide on which tonneau cover to get and finally decided on the Fold-A-Cover G4 Elite. While researching I found a discount code that gets you $25 off. Fold-A-Cover is also offering free shipping, free upgrade from 1 to 2 years on the warranty and free tailgate seal. I don't know how long the discount code is good for but the other stuff expires on 8/5. My total came to $795.

If your looking and are on the fence this seems like a pretty good deal. On another note, is there a thread just for posting discount codes, promotion codes, etc...? I should have checked but if there isn't, should there be?

Can't wait to get my cover! Don't like to have my golf clubs taking up the back seats...

 

Yep, thanks. It's standard here, they give a discount to TW folks. Look deeper into the threads we have a sub forum just for that with 4-5 of that cover threads. It's in the thread somewhere, always updated year to year.

It's the cover I plan to get in Nov, please post your thoughts about it during the install and impressions please.

I think it's the best on the market, expensive, but has all the features we want.

One last question, once mounted, how do you leave it open it fully and 'lock' it down so you can drive with 3/4 of the way open?

And get the wingnuts to easily remove the cover when you need to. Check McmasterCarr.com for those parts. They have everything.

You gonna get the pop a lock for the tailgate? I probably will.

 

Forgot to post the code! It's TDSFAC2015.

I'm not completely sure about how to lock it at 3/4 open but from what I've seen in the videos there appears to be a strap or some such device.

One other thing I didn't see mentioned anywhere, and only saw it in the install instructions after I placed my order, is that there is a small bar that gets mounted to the inside back of your tailgate. You have to drill 2 holes and attach it with rivets. Meaning you need a rivet gun.

So the bad news is the need to drill holes in the tailgate (not feeling to good about that). The good news is you can get an inexpensive rivet gun at Harbor Freight for about $12...

I need to read up on the wingnuts thing. I saw it mentioned but don't fully get it yet. As far as the pop lock - the cover comes with locks and they say it secures the cover and tailgate. Is that not true?

I'll find out on Monday how long the shipping is. Once I get it installed I'll post back on it.

 

pop lock is the one that replaces your tailgate latch with a powered one that works off your door remote. Don't need the tailgate tab put on since the tailgate locks. Or get the non powered latch. The wingnuts are easier to remove the cover. You need a wrench unless you have wingnuts.

http://www.popandlock.net/

 

I installed my Fold-A-Cover G4 Elite yesterday (and finished tweaking/adjusting it today). My initial impression is it's a well engineered cover and solid. I like that I can open the hatch closest to the cab and the hatch by the tailgate on their own, plus they both have locks. Just got my remote Pop & Lock in today but I don't know if I'm going to get to install it today or not.

This seems like the best system to me. I can unlock the tailgate with my key fob and put stuff in the bed. If I need to raise the tonneau then I can unlock it manually and do so. No holes drilled in the tailgate.

I have 3 recommendations for anyone installing this product:

1) watch this video several times. It's the best one I found out there.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=S6RgFPg6sFs

2) if you're anal, OCD or a perfectionist medicate yourself before you install the cover. I spent a lot of time after I installed it loosening bolts, pushing/pulling things this way and that trying to get perfect gaps and lines. It's an 8 year old truck that was never manufactured to space shuttle tolerances. I had to accept "close enough" and move on before I threw too many tools into the neighbors yard.

3) for the love of God (and your sanity), separate and mark all of the hardware that comes with the cover before you start. I wasted too much time doing this when I started the install and it was frustrating. It's all together in a big bag and not marked in any way. For me, this is the one big knock I have for Fold-A-Cover. Is it that much more $ to separately bag the hardware? There are several things that look very/nearly identical and the drawings in the instructions do not help. There are 6 brackets - 3 pairs of 2. Subtle differences include a flat top or slightly angled, small bolt holes or no bolt holes. Figure it out during your intial sort and mark them.

Let's play a game. In the picture of the long bolts below, 2 of these things are not like the others. Can you tell which 2? Answer will be forthcoming.



And the finished cover:

 

Thanks for the discount code. Just placed my order today and it worked!

 

Very nice! Thanks for the video. Could you tell the thread size of the bolts that you would place the wingnuts on? I'll find a part number for the wingnuts and post it up. The two aren't like the other? Different thread pattern?

 

Very good! You must have installed one of these already. It drove me nuts as I didn't realize 2 of those had different threads so I was looking for "lost parts" in the packaging, on the ground, in the open spaces around the tailgate, etc...

I didn't get the thread size. I was rushing to get it done (or done enough to drive it) as I was playing golf in the afternoon with friends and was running late. I'll see if I can pull one out and take it to the local hardware store when I get a chance. They have a thread gauge there.

 

No I haven't yet, but I'm a fix it guy at work. I have been researching covers and settled on this cover in the fall, so I pay close attention to the posts and vids etc. Glad it came out so good. I'll 'probably' get the pop n lock but I'll put the tab on it I think, not 100% sure yet.

Look at this page, Item 1, it's stainless Thread is possibly 1/4-20.

http://www.mcmaster.com/#standard-wing-nuts/=yfbxa9

 

Thanks for this thread OP.

I just bought a 2013 Double Cab and I'm very interested in the Fold-A-Cover G4 Elite as well. Before I pull the trigger I wanted to know if the personal caddy works for this application or not.

I was hoping to get a good quality hard cover with an under cover box to hold a measuring wheel and basic tools & straps.

I also need to lock the tailgate and/or cover and that has me confused. I have a backup camera so I'm not sure what I need to buy.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

I'm far (far far far) from an expert but here's what I know. Or don't know...

I have no knowledge about the caddy. Your best bet would likely be to call the company and ask.

Locks - as you know our tailgates have no locks. The fold a cover has 2 locks, 1 for the forward hatch (next to the cab) and 1 for the hatch at the tailgate. With this product they supply a thing called a "footmans loop", which is just a fancy word for a little piece of metal that looks like a mini towel bar. Well, not exactly but the image should give you an idea. The loop is attached to the top center of your tailgate (inside) by way of drilling 2 holes and then is riveted in. The back hatch has a metal plate that slips into the loop when you close it, thereby making it impossible to open the tailgate until you open the hatch.

I did not want to drill holes in my gate, have to open the tonneau cover to open the gate or go by a rivet gun (fairly inexpensive around $12), so I'm opting to install the power lock and not the loop. The power lock secures the tailgate and can be opened without lifting up the tonneau.

So in addition to not drilling holes, buying rivet gun, etc.... the additional benefit with this product is if the power lock actuator fails I can easily open the tonneau and access the tailgate panel to fix the lock.

I know my powers of description are weak so let me see if I can find a pic or two of the loop.

Ok - hope this helps:

 

In this thread (there are many) you can learn more about the lock.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/pop-n-lock-reviews.380443/

 

Have you installed the tailgate seal yet? Any recommendations where to place it? I'm not quite sure how to install it without interfering with the tailgate latch. Thanks!

 

Nevermind... I can be really dense sometmes!

 

Glad you figured it out, but to answer your question - no, I have not installed the tailgate seal yet. And I may not. I don't know if it really makes a difference or not. I can't recall ever reading about anyone who had issues with water coming in through the side of the tailgate. I spent so much time loosening, adjusting, loosening, adjusting, etc trying to get everything perfect I've moved on. Got many other projects to tackle.

But let me know how yours goes and post up some pics if you can. I may get back to it when I whittle my project list down to just 2 pages.

 

I have one on my 2009, it's a few years old now and while I've never had a tonneau cover before (it was on the truck when I purchased it) I have really loved having one and like that it's a 4 piece so it doesn't take up too much bed space (cause with the 5' bed you need it all!).

Be careful with the rear panel, since it isn't supported across the back of the truck (it sits above the tailgate and just has the rubber seal) it seems to fatigue. I've haven't had anything on top of my cover, nor anyone sitting or standing on it, but recently it looks like whatever composite material that is sandwiched between the two aluminum panels is cracked or fatigued and it's sagging in the middle. It's still fully functional but it's frustrating since it doesn't look like the panel can be replaced easily. My theory is that it's from lifting from the left corner (where the latch is) and stressing it, as well as when you close it, the sides are supported by the bed rail but the long side across the back isn't supported at all. It's probably mostly cosmetic at this point and hopefully it doesn't prevent it from working long term.

Their support group was great and answered my inquiry within a few minutes. They do sell replacement panels but it requires drilling out all of the rivets and riveting the new panel back in. It ended up being nearly a $300 repair for the new panel and shipping, so until mine gets worse I won't repair mine.

 

Thanks 916carl, I ordered the Fold-A-Cover G4 Elite and Pop & Lock today. My OCD is high too, so wish me luck!

 

Post up how it goes, any issues you have or something you find works better. Good luck!

 

If the front of the bed is well sealed it may not be a problem; but, my tonneau does not seal at the front of the bed. If you drive on a dirt road for any length of time the vacuum behind the cab will pull dust in the bed through the gaps around the tailgate. Of course, I found this out the hard way: first dirt road drive with tonneau just happened to be about 100 miles worth.

 

I ordered a fold-a-cover and it finally came in last weekend. I started the install, but haven't had a chance to finish it. I did work on it some yesterday and seem to have everything lined up the way it's supposed to. I'm having issues with the latches closest to the cab. It seems I can't get the timing right . They work and lock/latch.. Just not sure what I'm not doing right.

I haven't done any of the seals yet. The outside temp isn't agreeing with me. Hopefully the weather man will be right and I'll see 77 degrees today.