Factory Tonneau cover security

I was just looking at my Factory Tonneau cover an realized that anyone can open the cover, even with the tailgate closed if they had a coat hanger or some type of hook to grab the handle just inside of the tailgate. Has anyone come up with some sort of cover or latch to cover up the handle so that an opportunistic thief cant just stick a hanger between the tailgate and cover and just open it up in 2 seconds flat? I thought it would be secure like a trunk, but now I am very concerned about putting anything in the bed that is of value.

 

First post because I'm totally in for a possible solution to this. I just picked up my new truck the other day and this was one of the first things that crossed my mind about the cover.

Also the fact that if I ever left the tailgate unlocked, never mind stealing the tailgate.. The bolt holding the cover on was hand tight, that would be a nice score as well. It appears to be 8mm x 1.25. Hopefully I can find some kind of skookum security flanged type bolt to replace it with.

 

$8 HH FASTENERS M8 x 30mm Pin-in-head Torx Screws, 8-Pieces, Stainless Steel 304, Silver, Right Hand Threads, Metric

https://www.amazon.com/Screws-Stain...9983619&sr=8-1&keywords=torx+security+m8x30mm

 

Personally I think this is a bit knick picky. I mean, someone can come by and steal the covers off your side mirrors, is their a way to bolt them down? IDK, maybe i'm the only one.

 

The factory tonneau cover is only held on with one screw and a couple of hand latches. If the truck owner didn't have a pop in lock on his tailgate the factory tonneau cover could be stolen very quickly.

 

I mean, I understand that, but if someone was going through that much effort to steal it then this can really be any part of the truck not just a cover. The cover is pretty difficult to remove, you would have to have something stiff with some length with an angle to it to bend under the lip to be able to grab the latch. What i'm getting at is that its more realistic to have your wheels stolen then someone going through that much effort to take the cover.

 

This sums it up in a nutshell. Don't worry so much about having to bolt everything down, its pretty secure as is. If someone wants it that bad, they'll find a way to take it, regardless of what extra security you have.

 

Great now everybody knows how to get into the bed of my truck. Lol.

 

Pry bars work wonders, not like I have any experience taking peoples covers though

 

I would be more interested in protecting the items stored in the bed more then the cover. I have insurance so if the cover is stolen, then I can get a new one, but if I have lets say my tools for a job I am working on, That would be harder to replace as easily.

 

Lmao.

 

At least you know and can find a way to prevent it. Its worse if you found out the hard way....

 

I totally understand my friend. But I honestly wouldnt stress. Just keep everything locked. If I was a thief, I'd want to be in and out quick and not spend time tinkering with your bed. I'm more likely going to smash your window for a quick grab than sit around prying your truck apart.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/tonneau-cover-bolt.476677/page-3#post-15148713

A jam nut.... and the minimum lengths...

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/tonneau-cover-bolt.476677/#post-14466314

 

I dont always keep my tools in the back, its just when I am helping out a friend on a project and dont have the room to store it in the back seats (passengers). Also, I wanted a truck to be able to haul large items that my wifes SUV cannot carry, like a washer/drier, etc. So yes, I would normally put it in the back seat, but also want the option of using my bed, otherwise, why have a cover on it?

 

That is true. Break a window and get access to everything in your cab and bed...I have a pop n lock on my tailgate.

 

For those that may want to use their bed for storage, I was thinking a piece of plexiglass or aluminium shaped like the handle opening, put a hinge on the small area closest to the cab, and attach some velcro on the longer edge towards the bed. So if someone did try to stick a hanger between the cover and tailgate, they wont be able to grab the handle on the cover. I know its not fool proof, but if it will take them more then a few minutes, then they will quit and go on to something else.

 

I'm still with you on this, however I was thinking something more like a removable "door bar" type thing to go between the handle and the molded edge of the the cover.

 

Thats an idea also. how would you keep it in place? Velcro? maybe that would be a better solution easy to remove and no drilling.

 

I share your same concerns. The theft alone is bad enough but sometimes dealing with the consequence are even worst. Like, you had your bicycle in the bed, you planned a bike ride and drove a long distance where it involved staying overnight only to find your bike gone the next day. Yes, I also have wheel locks.

What you need to be aware of when making the bed cover secure is it may work against you. You may make it so secure that you can no longer open the bed cover. Why would this be necessary? One day you may not be able to unlock your tailgate and sometimes the only way to unlock it is to remove the tailgate inner cover.

That said, this is what I did.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/secure-factory-tonneau-cover.497620/