Tonneau Cover for 1st Gen

Tried posting in the “Tonneau Cover” section with no luck, so I guess I’ll try here.
I’ve been thinking about buying a tonneau cover in order to have dry storage in the bed of my truck. However, almost all of the information on here is for 2nd and 3rd Gens. All I’m asking for is a some quick input on one of the ones I’ve found. Keep in mind that I’m not looking to spend more than a few hundred since I won’t be using all the time and I don’t need it for security.

https://www.realtruck.com/rugged-e-series-tri-fold-tonneau-cover/R183134P2001Y608MA.html

Finally, should I be looking for a folding or roll-up cover? Or is it mainly personal preference?

 

@HSmith_11

I am not a big fan of roll up cover but each has its pros and cons.

Roll Up cover:
PROS:
1) can roll all the way up to the cab allowing for more space
2) Cheaper than Tri-fold usually
3) .....can't think of anything else LOL

CONS:
1) Velcro sucks and either doesn't give a good seal over time or just plain wears out quicker
2) Snap in style sucks as you have to snap a bunch of them together just to put the cover on
3) Snap style also has that many more parts to break. Ever had a snap style clip bend and cant close? Yea it sucks especially for pants
4) A bunch of fasteners in a row don't always produce the best seal.
5) Requires Frame installed to the sides of the bed (I'm not a big fan of drilling any holes in my truck)
6) Just a pain the ass IMO

Tri-Fold - I personally use this one
PROS:
1) EASY to operate, unhook 2 spring clamps and fold it back to the cab clicking it in place
2) Creates the best seal IMO if installed correctly
3) Less parts to break
4) No frame needed to install on the sides of the bed.
5) Easy to remove as 1 unit when don't need it
6) Fast to close up anything that is in the bed if it starts raining! Undo 2 clips, fold, fold, and pull the 2 spring clamps and close the tailgate done.

CONS:
1) Usually a bit more expensive
2) When folded all the way back (opened) you have less space than the roll up cover
3) Leather gets stressed over time in the spots that actually fold (keep the leather from drying out and it should be fine)
4) The unit is pretty light overall but still heavier than the roll up if needed to remove the unit it is fairly large so need to have room in the garage to leave it.
5) If not installed perfectly you may have small gaps in the seal for water to leak in. Just make sure you install it correctly.

Personal Verdict:

My father has a roll up snap in on his Nissan Frontier....It has held up fairly well but he already has a few snaps broken and I absolutely hate having to snap every single one of them just to close it. Also, If he wanted to remove the assembly and bring it back to stock he will have to undo the rails on the sides of the bed. This limits what he can and can't haul as at times I have had to have something resting on the sides of the bed of my truck that I know for a fact would have damaged a few clips on the railing for the cover. Yet on my truck with the tri-fold, I merely folded the tri-fold, undid the 2 screw clamps and took the assembly off bringing the truck to 100% stock with no damage or evidence of even a cover being there. I would buy a tri-fold. I need to replace mine but mine has been on since 2001 and is dried out, cracking, and shrinking. Not a big deal considering the use I got out of it.

My2c

To answer your first question: The one you found looks good to me. Good reviews and Tri-Fold. Just check warranty info just in case but it looks like a good buy.

 

Thanks for the help. Do you have any pictures of yours? I’m having trouble finding picks of trifolds on the 1st gen.

 

I will shoot some over to you after I get home. My cover is beaten up, taped up, and is in rough shape but that's after MANY years of service. At least it will give you an idea of what it looks like.

 

Sorry for the late reply. Here are the photos I promised. As I stated before, that cover has been through many years and has always been parked outside. I need to get a new one but I've got other priorities at the moment.

 

Thanks! Still looks good

 

I’ve had an Access roll up for almost 9 years now - and I bought it used. It is installed about 8 months of the year, when my softopper isn’t on. No-drill clamps hold the side rails on. The Velcro started to give way about 2 years ago, but it was fixed easily with a $30 kit from Amazon. If I were to take the time to clean/treat it, it would probably look like new again.

In short, it’s been a great tonneau and if something happened to it, I’d buy the same again.

Note: I’ve never heard of anyone being long-term happy with one with snaps

 

Thanks for the first account info on the velcro. How is it mounted to the bed sides? For information purposes. I just know that the snaps type was drill bolted on my dad's frontier from the factory.

 

I recently got a used Ex-Tang rollup tonneau cover for free, so I'm not going to complain. But I was thoroughly please to find out it doesn't have velcro or snaps! It's got stiff channel that is J shaped, and it's really fast and kinda auto-tensions itself.

They don't make this same one now, their Revolution model is close but it's much much fancier.

If I hadn't gotten this one for free, I was willing to take a chance on this one:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/TRI-FOLD-S...234495?hash=item1e9960277f:g:TK0AAOSwO4paah24

 

Not my truck below, but this is how it is attached. It basically pinches the bed rail. Mine works great with my plastic bed caps:

 

I've had an access roll up on mine for about 5 years now with no problems. Velcro is still holding up great but it stays rolled out more than not. Got mine on ebay, new open box kinda deal. Would definitely buy another.

 

I decided to go with a roll-up cover since it works better for my needs. I ordered the Access Literider Soft Roll-up Cover last night after reading nothing but good things about them on here and also other sources. I should have it put on sometime after Christmas, and I'll try to remember to post here about how it goes.

 

hey all, i know that this thread has been dead for a little while but i had some questions that i thought y'all might be able to answer. i've currently got a canopy but i don't like the lack of visibility with it or the look of the truck. however, i am stuck with it at the moment since i need the protection from the elements and relative security it offers. i enjoy the convenience when camping but i actually sleep in the truck less than 5-10 times per year so i was thinking i could put it on on and take it off as needed for camping. i was hoping to find a hard-shell, tri-fold tonneau cover. my criteria is to be able to set stuff on it, not necessarily heavy loads or for travel but temporarily (i.e. guns, chainsaws, axes and other tools, a small toolbox now and then). i also really dislike the idea of a 1 piece as i need to be able to take it on and off relatively easily for hauling larger loads. i was figuring on folding it up and stowing it in either the cab or bed when i need to do that. i've seen hard tri-folds on newer tacos and some frontiers and really like the idea but have been unable to find a good option for first gens.

so what are y'all's thoughts (and recommendations if any)? the other thing i was worried about was how shallow the first gen beds are. has anyone had issues with this after putting a tonneau on?

thx in advance

 

I just got this from Amazon this past weekend. It's a tri-fold design but has ABS panels under a vinyl cover. It folds like the soft tri-folds and doesn't weigh that much more. I'm actually impressed with the quality and wasn't expecting too much based on what I paid for it.

Stehlen 733469491323 Compatible with 1995-2004 Toyota Tacoma / 1989-1994 Pickup 6 Feet (72") Short Bed Lightweight Hard Tri-Fold Tonneau Cover (Black) with Truck Bed LED Lights

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07GZ33NB7/ref=ppx_od_dt_b_asin_title_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

that looks like it could be a real good option, how sturdy is it? how much weight do you think you'd be comfortable putting onto it?

 

ok, also here are a couple that i found, i was a little reluctant to go on Amazon because a lot of what they sell on it is cheap chinese junk. that being said, after doing some looking, i found these two. what do y'all think? i know that the cheaper one is not going to be as good, but my question is how bad will it be? i really like the BAK but i don't really want to shell out that much money unless i really need to.

cheaper option:

$469 Auto Dynasty [New Upgrade Model] FRP Hard Solid Tri-Fold Adjustable Truck Tonneau Cover Compatible with Toyota Pickup Tacoma 6Ft Styleside Bed 1989-2004, Black Powdercoated

https://www.amazon.com/Tri-Fold-Ton...32-9----8-1---&vehicleName=2004+Toyota+Tacoma

more expensive:

$1,100 RealTruck BAK BAKFlip G2 Hard Folding Truck Bed Tonneau Cover | 226403 | Fits 1996-2004 Toyota Tacoma 6' 3" Bed (74.5")

https://www.amazon.com/BAK-Industri...32-9----8-1---&vehicleName=2004+Toyota+Tacoma

also, OP, sorry for thread Jacking but i didn't want to make a whole other thread.

 

It seems to be pretty sturdy. I've stood on it and I weigh about 150 lbs, but I probably wouldn't do much more. I don't plan on putting anything on top of it anyway.

 

online classified is a good option for used. I got my, albeit single, Undercover plastic tonneau for under $200. I can lift it off myself as it's only 54 lbs. just remember anything as wide as the bed will not fit in the cab without issues.

 

ok, after doing some more research i am leaning towards spending more and getting something better. that being said, if i can get a good one for much less i think that makes sense. i will be curious to see how yours holds up. once i have enough money for one i'll check back in to see. thx for the help.

that sounds like a good option. i've been scanning craigslist for a while but have not seen anything as of late. as for the bed width thing I realize that, however i think that if I can get hockey sticks to comfortably fit i can get the tonneau to fit. worst case i either put it in the passenger seat, or stow it in the bed when it needs to be completely removed.

 

I have the same cover russianman has. Been using it for two years now no issues.