Truxedo Lo Pro VS. Access Roll-Up

Just got my Access Vanish installed tonight, looks great! It's super low profile, but that doesn't really concern me. I actually think the normal height ones look better, but I got this one on ebay for $90 shipped brand new, and I knew I'd never find a deal like that again so I jumped on it. I'm not that crazy about the oem rail cleats anyway. It would be pretty easy to just bolt something low profile to the rails like these.... http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...splay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

although the cover rails stick out pretty far, so I'm not sure how steep of an angle you could angle the tie downs upward. The only time I picture it being difficult is if you tried to get some straps around motorcycle handlebars, the rails might get in the way. I eventually want to get some d-rings on the bed bolts, but last time I tried to get them out I could only get them up slightly. I think the bolts corroded slightly from the bottom. Eventually I'm gonna get them with the wire brush on the dremel and the pb blaster and try again.

Anyway, the cover works great. Unless you're seriously bothered by the look of normal covers, I'd get a normal height one for the sake of using the rails though. Now all I need is a locking handle and I'll be set.

Sorry the pictures suck, I took them with my phone...

 

Ooh, one thing I forgot to mention, I was really dissapointed in the bolts that were provided. They're fine enough, but I just ordered a 25 pack of stainless steel bolts from McmasterCarr to replace to oem hardware on all the rails a few weeks ago. You only need 15, but they're sold in packs of 25. With those spacers behind the new rails you need bolts that are 50mm long and the stuff they give you is the plain steel that I'm sure will rust eventually. It should be ok for a while because they're protected under the cover, but I'm sure someday I'll end up buying some more bolts. In no way a deal breaker or anything, but if you're picky about that stuff plan to spend an extra $10-15 on new hardware too.

 

Love the look of those covers!

 

Would it be correct to assume that, with the Access line of roll up covers, one has the option of removing the tie down rails completely.... providing one didn't want them intruding into the bed space?

 

You could completely remove the rails with an access cover but there's a few reasons not to. As far as the front rail, it has no affect on the cover whatsoever, you could remove it, but it provides all the stiffness for the front of the bed. Without the rail there you would just have the plastic which is easily movable by hand, not to mention have the 5 Rivnuts left which will just rush faster without the bolts in them. The siderails could be removed but the lip of the bed cover rails actually sticks out way past the tie down rails. Removing the tie down rails wouldn't give you any more space at all, and would just potentially make the bed cover rails a little less stiff. The bed cover rails don't even sit up against the bed like the tie down rails did, they have plastic spacers behind them on each bolt, so I think it's a good idea to leave all of the tie down rails in place. If you removed them I would still find some flat black metal bars to bolt down in their place just for strength. Also, even if you can't use the tie down cleats, the rails still have holes in them by every bolt that you could use for smaller bungees, or even for a bed sized bungee net. If you're confused by this let me know and I'll take a picture to show you what I mean about the tie down rails being recessed, and why it's pointless to ditch them. I was worried about the clearance when I mounted it, but I measured and the bed is still wider than 4 feet, so as long as I can still fit sheets of plywood and drywall in, I have no complaints.

 

Having now more closely evaluated the rails, I agree. I may, or may not, remove the tie downs, but that can happen anytime... I'll just see how I like them.

I went with the Access Original Roll up. Should be here this weekend. The next challenge will be a set of racks that work with it.

 

From the For What It's Worth dept.

I got my new Access Original Roll-Up installed yesterday. I had only one tie down rail torx bolt that would not come out. In order to drill it out and replace I needed to gain access to the nut side of the bolt behind the rail. This meant removing all the torx bolts attaching the drivers side rear storage compartment. Two of the three bolts on the underside of the storage compartment were rusted solid. I have yet to drill out and replace them.

Bottom line. The tonneau appears finely constructed, fits, looks and works nice. In retrospect I might've (repeat might've) gone with the Truxedo just because it does not require removing the rails.

If your vehicle is older (mine is now 6, or so, years), and you live in a climate where road salt is common, and hence rust is ubiquitous, be prepared for some effort removing the rails. This is probably no issue on a newer or sun-belt located truck.

BTW the folks at truckalterations.com were fast in delivering it and the pricing was great.

Cheers, Jim

 

Doesn't hurt to remove them now and get it out of the way, they'll only get worse. I put a bit of anti seize on the new bolts this time and eventually I'll order some stainless hardware to replace it. All of my side rail bolts squeaked the whole way out but eventually came out.

I had a huge hassle with the front 5 bolts. They don't need touched to install the access cover, but I wanted to replace them with stainless, and all 5 oem bolts sheared off when I tried to remove them, and 5 of the 3 rivnuts spun loose. Not necessarily the best design I've seen haha.

 

I measured, and for anyone else who's debated it, I measured and the cover rails extend past the cleat rails 2 inches so they're pretty well tucked under there and out of the way.