DIY (plywood) bed cover - anyone done it?

I'm looking at bed covers and not totally thrilled with the idea of paying $250+ for what amounts to a sheet of vinyl (when it comes down to it). However, I'm wondering about the feasibility of fabricating one out of plywood. I just got a 2017 DCSB, so it's got the internal rails to which some supports could be attached. Also, since I don't plan to haul things all that often, the extra weight would aid in traction (a bit, anyway).

The upside: It'd be cheaper and I could make it to my exact specifications. Also, it'd likely be more durable (or could be, depending on materials used)

The downside: It'd be more work than buying and installing one. Also, it could look kind of "ghetto" (again, depending on materials and finish)

 

I think the fellow that built this has one:



Seriously though I think if done with some finess your plan could work, It will likely however be rather heavy as you indicated.

Also I agree, the prices for commercial covers are absurdly high...

 

@Pugga

 

Just buy one. It wouldn't be watertight and it'd look dumb.

 

That would be dependent on the OP's fabrication skills--if good enough it would be quite possible for it to be watertight and look better...

 

I'm keeping my eyes peeled on CL, but thinking I like this one best, esp since that material is easy cheap, easy to get and easy to work with.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/homemade-tonneau-cover-pics-and-how-to.102674/

 

Guy I knew in college had a homemade plywood cover on his Ranger. Looked like shit. The wood was warped and curled up slightly. It was secure, but not sealed.

 

I built one out of 1/8 diamond plate alum. 10ft sheet cut in half, 60 inches reaches across,rip 9in off lengthwise, bend45 deg at 1 inch at back,90deg at 1inch at front . Add support at center. Cant access photos right now but ill try later

 

cant see much under mud, but i have eyebolts in front for tiedowns, buttonhead allen in back

 

I got lucky. I was going to get a trifold cover. But I was checking Craigslist, EBay, the local paper, etc... and then, I found a roll up type cover in near mint condition. Usually those sell new for a lot more than the 225.00 I paid for it.

 

Like this

 

recently tried to make one out of 3/4 inch plywood and a few boards I had -I used to be a professional remodeler and it was not done half-a$$ed- to try and reduce weight vs. my hard shell... I ended up only reducing it by about 90 lbs vs. shell and was not happy with the results due to storage difficulties, so I am back to the hard shell... I got a lot of compliments in the few weeks I had it on tho- seems people like to see something new and out of the ordinary...

 

@tacabode

 

i made a rectangle frame with 2x4s and taped a tarp to it. Used paracord to tie it down from inside. was good enough for a trip last summer at total cost <$10. Tarp free at harbor freight with coupon. Other materials i had around.

 

Made with wood from a giant shipping crate, aluminum L brackets, t slot nuts, garage door seal to keep water out. Has tie down rings in top of it now. Strong enough for me to stand on

If someone wants it I'd take $40 for it (less than what the hardware is worth). Needs a new paint job. I'm looking for a cap

 

On a brand new 2017 DCSB, I think anything plywood would look ghetto. You probably wont be able to put anything on the wood to make truly weather resistant. The sun, rain, heat, and cold, would make it warp to some degree. Try looking for a used hard cover or just open your wallet and buy a new soft cover. In the end I think you'd regret making something even though you saved some cash doing it. My brother made one for his Frontier. Did it in 3 pieces with hinges so that he could fold it up, and painted it silver to match his truck. Honestly, it was terrible. Yes, it kept stuff dry for a while, but it too warped and the plywood started to delaminate and then it really looked bad, ghetto bad. What's a new 2017 DCSB cost, over $30K? $250 doesn't sound like a lot to me, but maybe it's just me. Good luck in your quest. If you do make something, post it up, I'd like to see how it turns out.

 

Plywood looks pretty ghetto on an old truck as well. Back in the early 90s I occasionally had to drive this old 1980s POS Ranger we had at work. In order to keep the freakin' rednecks from stealing my sample coolers I made a plywood cover with a couple of gate hinges and a locking hasp. I'd prop it up with a broomsick- total ghetto but it worked. I was working for an environmental company collecting waste water samples from all over as well as doing fish kills, ground water sampling, etc. The thought of some retard using one of those coolers for his fish or beer made me smile but damn I hated having to go back and resample a couple of times.

I have seen one nice stich and glue cover that the owner had put some work into and it looked raally nice.

 

I did abandon the idea, realizing that I don't have the time or skills to do what I had in mind properly. Also, I found some Amazon gift cards I'd forgotten about, so I paid very little out of pocket for a Tyger tri-fold.

 

I know a guy who made a really nice one, I will try to drum up some pictures.

 

Don't think I didn't notice your, "I make dirt look good" sticker.. That's quite a good mud run look you did, bravo.