I miss having “trunk space” Thinkimg of getting a tonneau cover

I really miss having “trunk space”. Actually, I find it annoying that I don’t have a place to securely store things out of sight and out of the way. Often I have a need to put my work laptop, kids backpacks etc. other valuables somewhere and all I can do is put a few things behind the seat and then put things on the floorboard behind the front seats and having to cover that with a towel.

So I’m thinking, maybe I get a Tonneau cover for the back of the truck. Then I can put some things in there and lock it up. My concern is will it be waterproof? Will things slide all over the place? Have any of you done this in lieu of a trunk? My truck lease is up in a year and a half and I have to decide if I want to trade this in and get an suv or keep the truck. I think only one single time in a year and a half I’ve used my truck for an actual truck versus if I had an SUV I could use it the same way for all other things. In a couple years I need to decide if I want to buy a gently used SUV or something that will last me for the next 10 years. Because I will buying some kind of used car for my kid who will start driving in about four years. So I need to get myself something sooner and long-term. And this truck is not doing it for me. Heck, my neighbors try to borrow it more often then I use it. Which annoys me as well.

Have you guys had this dilemma?


Thanks,
Kevin

 

If you need a secure waterproof area, trade it. You should only be annoyed at yourself tho as you picked it.

 

This was my first time ever owning a truck. So I did not know what to expect or what I would find inconvenient. So I’m asking others what their experience is and if they’ve had the same concerns after owning a truck for the first time.

 

I got a toolbox to use as a trunk

 

Tonneau is fine for me. Waterproof is up to the effort you put in.

 

Plenty of good locking covers, you can get an aluminum one as well (diamond back), or get a cap/tool box

I just traded in my WRX the other week for my new 2020 Taco and was scared of trunk space to but i found that under the seat and behind the seats i was able to carry all that was in my trunk "organizer" in the WRX trunk which was pretty big

 

Tonneau covers are useful.

Secure? Not absolutely.

Waterproof? Not absolutely.

You can invest in one, and get some watertight storage bins for the back.

Or, just trade it in for an SUV, since that is probably what you really should be driving?

That might sound blunt, and I really don't know your situation, but pickup trucks really shine as utility vehicles.

Lifestyle vehicles? That is just a successful marketing creation, not based on reality imo.

 

This ^
I had an OEM tonneau. No leaks
Sold it and got a softopper. No leaks
Got a modular bed rack, raised softopper off the bed rails and it’s not even water tight. Barely any leaks.
Replaced front of Softopper with mesh. Still. Barely any water.

Get a bed mat and good reviewed brand tonneau.

 

I have a fairly in-expeinse soft TonnoPro trifold - https://www.autoanything.com/tonnea...MIw9-PmMPd5gIVjozICh2HRgC7EAAYAyAAEgJXHPD_BwE

I love it and basically use it in the winter to keep snow out of the bed and cover my skis. In the summer, it is very easy on and off with two quick release in the back and two screw knobs in the front. Overall, it is fairly well water proof, but NOT secure at all as one could cut it right open. Luckily where I live we do not have to worry about theft I leave my keys in the ignition...

 

You lost me at "This is the first truck I've ever owned"

I don't use my truck's capabilities every day, but I don't understand how anyone can live without a truck. If you own and maintain a home, have any kind of outdoor fun/hobbies, or need to go anyplace that isn't paved, a truck is mandatory(ish)

And if you want to ditch your truck because your neighbors ask to use it...grow a set. When asked to loan your truck look him in the eye and with conviction say "Sure, no problem, can I borrow your wife?"

 

First off, Bed mat to keep things from sliding around regardless of having a cover.
I personally purchased a BakFlip MX4 tonneau cover and am very happy with it. It’s not waterproof but does provide some security for items I put back there but I also assume if someone really wanted to get in there they could. I also got a nice medium sized storage bin from Home Depot to provide a nice waterproof storage for my long term stored items like tie downs, a change of clothes (work) etc. I definitely would not store a laptop back there for very long but it does make a huge difference to have that a “trunk space”especially doing shopping errands on the weekend ... like having lunch at a restaurant after picking up items from Home Depot and not worrying about the casual thief stealing stuff.

 

OEM cover is reasonably secure and waterproof. However, I think the bigger challenge is moisture. The bed is not thermally sealed like the cab. It obviously can be with some work, as many have shown on this forum.

 

I have a bed mat along with a bed cover. I still would not keep anything like a laptop back there. Sure, you could put it in a waterproof box, but it really sounds like you need a SUV. They make different vehicles for different needs, and this case proves you don't need a truck. Post pics of your new 4 runner when you get it.

 

$200 Amazon Gator or Tyger tri-fold, add a bed mat, good to go. Keeps the bed reasonably dry. Stuff you absolutely don't want to get wet/moisture (electronics etc )has no business in the bed anyhow. Or get an SUV...

 

When your lease is up get a ridgeline. It has a built in cooler compartment under the bed. It could easily hold laptops, backpacks and tampons.

 

I use the rear seats. I pulled them out earlier this year and put in a goose gear seat delete. Works perfect for me

 

Sounds like you don’t need a truck and that’s ok. Be honest with yourself about what would serve you best and you’ll be a happier person.

 

I do love having my OEM bed cover on...allows me to throw things back there and have it locked up since I have an auto locking tailgate. Is it waterproof? No, so just don't store a laptop back there during a rainstorm. You can also tint your rear back windows so people can't see through them from outside the truck. That's one thing I like about my truck as well...I can leave stuff in the back and people can't see it because the tint is so dark - granted if its a large item and can be seen from the front windows then plan accordingly but the front seats block most of the back anyways.

 

If, as you say, you often need the type of space the truck doesn't provide while admittedly rarely needing the bed space that it does provide, and the only way to convert that space into something that fits your needs is to spend more money on a cover that still won’t function ideally, and it’s money spent on a vehicle you don’t own and will be turning in at the end of the lease anyways....I think the answer is clear. Get an SUV. 4Runners are awesome.

 

I have no idea how leases work, are you locked in for the next year and a half or could you switch to something else sooner? If you’re locked in, then I’d say yeah I guess some sort of a cover for the interim makes sense. Full caps like a leer are way more functional but some people don’t like the looks. I do. Tonneaus seem silly to me, very limiting and purely a huge functional compromise for the sake of appearances. But to each his own.