Contractor/Tool Guy - Best Tonneau Cover?

I am coming to a Tacoma from a 15 year old Envoy XUV. It is ugly as sin but with a retractable roof and a folding midgate it really was the best truck for hauling the family and tools. I really need some advice on covers/racks, I was 99% of the way though buying a truck this weekend but held off because I was not sure how I would outfit the bed. I do need a short bed as I work in the city and a long bed will make parking too hard.

Here is how I mostly use truck
*90% of the time I travel with a few dewalt tstack, stackable tool organizers and maybe a shopping car full of supplies.
*A couple of times a year need to haul a few pieces of 8 foot lumber
*A couple of times a year I need to haul 8 or less pieces of sheetrock.
*A couple of times a year I need to haul a small bundle of 16 foot molding.
*I park my truck outside and would like a solution that is less prone to leaking
* I am looking to buy an ocean kayak or stand up paddle board this spring.

I was thinking about a DiamondBack cover. The pros would be the fold up front and rear would make access easier and the fact that it seems more water tight and heavy duty if I want to leave some tools in it and have it on the street. I can also mount racks to the top of it and/or strap heavy items to it. The con would the fact that you cant fold it all the way to the front so something that is both wide and tall could be issue. If I go with the diamondback - what do you do if you get to the store and whatever you need doesn't fit under the cover? It doesnt seem like it flips forward all the way? I know I can mount a 'roof' rack on top of the diamondback or maybe each just stap anything big do the top. Maybe do a FrontRunner platform on some roof mounts like BattlyCryTaco did. I would look for a platform with a bit of railing but otherwise the same general idea.

Is there something I should be looking at besides the diamond back?

 

I too was looking at the Diamond Back but after a few of the cons you mentioned above, I went with a Peragon cover. Its nice because its solid aluminum, retractable, removable, and lockable. Made in america and their customer service is outstanding. When you go to check out, just ask if they have any promos going on too and they will throw some kind of % off the price.

 

I had a Peragon on my F150 and I did like it a lot. The only issue I had was that you cant full load the front of the bed or if things slide up to the front they get in the way of opening the bed. Also I dont think I would be able to put a rack on while this cover is on? I do see situations where I could use extra storage or a ladder rack

 

I use Undercover S.E. So I can gain access to the full bed. I carry tools full time and don’t even think about the rain. Not a drop of water in the bed. I plan on mounting racks soon. Says it is rated to hold up to 800lb. Also cheaper.

 

ahhh, yeah I discovered that problem when my gear would slide around but i go a shower pole from walmart and set it up. Have had no issues since then though. Sadly, you would not be able to put a rack directly on the cover. You could either mount a rail system directly to the walls like so:

or get Or the direction i'm going is getting the the MAX Modular Bed Rack Tonneau Brackets

 

Those brackets are very interesting. Looks like you height adjust them so it sits a hair above the cover?

 

i live and work in Los angeles, and i bought a long bed. i have zero issues parking it.
id get the OEM tonneau cover as its very modular, and super easy to take off/ put back on by yourself.
either way, with a camper or most tonneaus other than the diamondback, a resourceful thief is just gonna use a crow bar to pry the back open to get to your stuff. so as long as it locks and keeps stuff out of sight i think you're gonna be ok.
get prinsu roof rack and a bed rack that goes around your tonneau and youll be able to carry shit on the roof too.

 

On the Diamondback, the gas struts have quick detatches and once detatched, either the front or back section can be removed or folded all the way back flat against the rest of the cover.

As shown here:

 

Oh man.. I really like that cover too.. but I assume if I wanted to do a rack/platform above I would have do similar to what did in another video and mount the brackets to the top of the Diamondback. In another video I think he did a setup where he had brackets bolted through the mid cover with the other set bolted through the middle and then his tent on top of that. This still allowed you to flip up the front but not the back.

 

Or do something like this and mount the bars far enough back to open the front half some:

http://www.kbvoodoo.com/shop/toyota...-use-with-tonneau-covers-fits-years-2005-2016

 

Those would be good. I would only need the extra storage there a few times a year. Can those brackets be removed easily or does it go on before the diamondback?

 

The bars and brackets can both be removed with the Diamondback in place. You'd remove the bars from the brackets with the DB closed, then open the DB to remove the brackets. This is the setup I have and it works great.

If you have the bars on and need to remove them to open the DB it literally only takes a minute. No need to remove the brackets for the bars.

 

Forgot about this option!

 

Get the OEM factory equipped on your new Tacoma....battle tank ready....you can set whatever on top of it while you work without worry. And as OEM, it's under factory warrantee.

 

I personally have a Diamondback SE and have really enjoyed it this far. Consider how long you want to keep your vehicle and your usage cases. For me, I intend on keeping the vehicle for many years and will actually use it as a truck, so durability is key. The line-x (or similar material) coating on aluminum will probably outlast the vehicle. The utility usage is tremendous and, in your case, should serve you well. Probably offers the highest level of protection against people/the elements, even against a hard topper. Lifetime warranty, 4 locking points, minimum payload rating on top of it is 400 lbs (1,600 on the HD, which is more than the Tacoma's rating itself). They are not cheap but, as the old saying goes that is often true, you get what you pay for.

Plenty of options out there, but Diamondback is among the best in my opinion.

 

Just another note on the Diamondbacks, there is a group buy for it if you're interested in it.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/diamondback-tonneau-cover-group-buy-round-3.586947/

 

Thanks.. Already sent over an email.