which tonneau?

I got a ’08 access cab courtesy of my 2000 rusty frame. I would like to give myself a tonneau for Christmas. I like the look of the Leer and ARE but wonder about the utility of having the height restriction when carrying things. Does the hardware get screwed up if you ride with it open? The roll up type like bakflip, does not look as good IMO but may be better for hauling stuff. What do you think? I don’t want to make a mistake since it will run $1000 +. Thanks. Some links. http://www.4are.com/, http://www.leer.com/tonneaus.html, http://www.bakflip-tonneau.com/?gclid=CLuX___l15YCFQObFQodiT3N2Q

 

I have the ARE tonneau. I am very pleased with it. Also it has added 2-3 MPG better with it. I have ridden with it popped open. The ARE's are tough. Mine has steel bars that lock it in place. They do not bend. I wrap my bungees around them when holding the cover down. The lock is high quality, no problems. It comes custom painted to match your truck. I have the ARE LSII series.

 

Was that a "now drill" install?

 

I went with a soft top roll up one from agri-cover. (http://www.agricover.com/index.php/products/category/C11/)

It has been great so far. I just got a pop and lock system to lock the tailgate.

 

Undercover!
Dual locks,LED lighting,high quality etc.

 

oops, "no-drill"

 

It was installed by an auto accessory place. I got it in 05. Paid $880 painted & installed.

It bolts on in the slots that the adjustable hooks ride in. They may have drilled on the cab end of the bed.

 

welcome.another jersey boy.i use an access cover.i too haul alot of crap.its doesnt protect against dirtbag theives but helps against weather. these have all the hardware roll up with the cover.they also have removeable ladder racks(high and short versions). the hard roll up cover is your best bet. i just didnt have $800 to spend on one.

http://www.agricover.com/index.php/products/category/C9/

 

Wow! Fast replies. Thanks. I am indeed a jersey boy, north jersey. What do you think of ARE VS Leer? You guys with the ARE seem to be happy.

 

Access LE soft roll up

I had an extang solid fold that spent more time off the truck than on. I liked the cover, it was just too much of a pain when I needed to haul something - which seemed like all the time. The soft cover takes a minute and it's out of the way.

 

I got a roll n lock and love it. Its not 100% waterproof but it really needs to rain hard to get in. IMO, its well worth it. I get all the benfits of having a bed cover and when i need to put stuff in the back, it rolls away. I don't have to worry about taking a hard cover off. Plus, its alot more secure then a hard cover. I carry alot of valuables in the back and i hate having to worry about them. Check out this video http://www.rollnlock.com/Downloads/Videos/ROLLNLOCKProductVideo/tabid/67/Default.aspx

 

Thanks. My truck is an Impulse Red 08 Access 2.7 Std shift. I love the look of the hard cover with matching paint but I'm afraid what you say rings true ImpulseRed008.

 

i just bought a bestop.....seemed like the best of both worlds for me.....so far so good

 

alexamado, just watched the video. Looks good. Thanks

 

i got the bakflip. i like the flush look. but i wished i had the money to have gotten the metal retractable one.

 

I just got the ARE LSII installed a couple of weeks ago and I love it! Sorry no pics yet. Weather has been crap to get any good ones!

I looked at the LEER first, but I really didn't like their "body lines" they put in it. The offer a flat top, but I think it's $250 more and the lock is on top (as opposed to the rear) which leaves it susceptible to early failure from snow and stuff. The guy at the accessory shop said he's had quite a few fail since they started selling them.

But, I liked the body lines of the LSII better and it was a little cheaper. $900 installed and no, they didn't have to drill anywhere. Hooks in to the bed rails.

ARE FTW!

 

When I looked. Leer was too expensive. ARE was a better value at the time. Not sure today how the two compare.

 

Here in Minnesota, when I priced them, they were:
LEER - $1050 installed
LSII - $900 installed

And this was about a month ago.

 

Leer has always been proud of their products. Always most expensive.