Tonneau (driving with it slightly open)

Hello Forum,

I'm going out of town in a couple of weeks & on my way to my destination I will pick up 4 wheels with tires mounted on them. I am also getting an Undercover SE tonneau installed before I go. With the Tonneau closed I have 17"'s total height inside the bed but 2 wheels/tires stacked up is 23"'s. I was thinking of putting 3 wheels in the bed with the 3rd wheel towards the tailgate & 1 wheel in the back seat (it's a double cab). The problem is that I will have to drive 10 hours this way at 70-75mph.

I've seen trucks driving with the hard tonneau open completely many times but I am not sure how safe this is. In my case I'm talking about the cover being open about 10"'s, not completely open. If I do this I will minimize the movement of the tonneau & stress on the hinges by bunjee cording it to the truck. Luckily I have a lot of bunjee cords.

Anyone ever have a similar situation?

Any input from you hard tonneau guys or anyone with experience in this matter will be greatly appreciated.

 

I would either remove the tonneau for the trip or install the new wheels when I pick them up and sell the old ones. I don't see too much of a problem if you only leave it open an inch or two but 5-6 inches for a long period of time can cause some damage to the tonneau frame and struts.

 

I have an Undercover from about 8 years back that has a looped pull strap in the back of it to close it. If they still use this method, you can tie a line from the rear "D" rings, through the strap to hold it down tight against what is in the bed.

I have done this numerous times at speed with no problems.

 

ANT2013taco, Even if I install the wheels I still have to drive the 10 hours with my current wheels in the back so I'll be in the same situation.

Tacologist, My Undercover SE also has the looped strap & the hinges are concealed. It's the UC4056 model. I was thinking of doing exactly the same thing that you suggested. I have 8 D-Rings total. The 2 OE ones & 6 more OE D-rings attached through the bed bolts. I also want to run the bunjee cords accross the top so as to minimize the stress on the hinges. Basically, it will have even pressure all accross the tonneau.

 

I've did this several times without issue...

 

Thats GOOD NEWS so far!

Not only am I going to secure it from the rear OEM D-rings but I am going to run bunjee cords through my other 6 D-rings so the pressure on the top will be even accross the tonneau thus reducing stress on the hinge.

Thanks for the info so far folks!

 

I saw a Tundra this morning parked by my sons school. It was parked and it has the Undercover Classic cover on it. There was a large, rectangular, aluminum "fuel tank" looking box in the bed & the Undercover was closed on top of it. As I am looking at it the owner came out. We talked for a few & he let me measure the opening between the cover & the top of the bed. I measured 14"'s at the highest point.

He has 4 ropes running accross the top of the cover (drivers side to passenger side, so you have an idea) & the strap is secured also. Exactly what I plan to do but with bunjee. He had just driven down from Ocala. 7 hours according to him. He also told me the same thing regarding the securing of the cover. He didn't want to just secure the rear of it because it will then add stress to the hinges. He ran the 4 ropes about a foot or more apart from each other. I wanted to take a pic but I didn't feel comfortable asking that.

Atleast this is further proof that it can be done.