16 vs 15 tonneau covers

In August of this year I bought a 2016 Tacoma access cab. While searching for tonneau covers every site including ebay I contacted told me because the beds were no difference in size, I could buy the 15 tonneau cover for much cheaper than the 16. So I ordered one sunday. WELL yesterday my father decided to go get rid of his chevy colorado and get a 15 tacoma access cab (same color as mine, MGM). He picked up the truck today and his bed seems to be a bit different. across the bed up by the cab he has a utility rail like we both have down the sides. I do not have this rail. AND I have a square bar across that area instead. Also his bedliner sits on top of the rail and not on front of bed or on the tailgate. so I cant see how a tonneau cover would go on his bed. Has anyone had this experience or know any info on it?

 

I haven't seen any instance where a 15 or earlier will fit a 16 or later on any product pages. I also can't speak to the differences on the distance between the utility rail and the bed edge.

What I can tell you is that most tonneau covers that I've seen only mount to the side rails and rest across the front of the bed (whether it's a rolled steel lip, bolted on square tube or the top edge of a utility track) and then again on the tailgate when closed.

There may be some truth to that compatibility. If that's the case, it would be super valuable information for this forum because I don't think I've found any mention of them being compatible when I was searching.

At worst, you've got your Xmas shopping for your dad done early... for the next few years.

 

Well it is due in tomorrow so I will know when it gets here. I watched a couple videos after posting this thread about the 15 and it showed a foam piece to fil that gap that he would have. I have the square tube there so doubt I will need that as I have no gap. but most of the videos for the 15 show rails being added and not using the utility track. I will know tomorrow and will post accordingly. fingers crossed. it was def a big diff in price.

 

Some tonneau covers (at least for 2016-17) allow you to reuse your utility rails by mounting them to the tonneau rails with the use of special mounting clips. Check out the install videos for Bax MX4 or Revolver X2, as examples. You might be able to fabricate something to let you keep using your utility rails.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=expAD2kcT5g&t=409s

 

Apparently the second gens came with the track rail across the front of the bed but the 3rd gens don't. I've seen many people put one on the 3rd gens though

 

So it came today and couldnt wait to open the box. I dont see any reason it wont fit my 16. It is too damn cold right now to try but I measured my dads track and mine and they are exactly the same distance apart. It came with a foam tape strip to put down across from rail of bed (mine is square and he dont have one.) so I assume it was to fill the gap he would have. The only thing I didnt see (but didnt dig through the bag) was the piece to fill the gap at the end of the square tube but I will cut squares off the end of the strip I got. For the record, this 15 version I bought on ebay and the seller wanted 159.99 or make an offer and I figured he would meet me half way between his price and my offer and I offered him 140 and he took it. free shipping. Thats a big diff in price to the 16 tri fold.

 

AND the seller has plenty and he just marked them down to $107.10

 

Your more then likely will need to replace your front rail with the 2015 cleat rail.

 

Rail system will have to be modified as well, atleast the truxedo brand had to be.

 

The 2015 header rail will fit on your 2016. Here is a pic on my sport access cab under the Revolver x2

 

So I installed the 15 on my 16. Had no issues except I put a small pieces of the foam they sent with it in the gap at the end of the rail up towards the cab to fill the gap. So I just ordered one for my dads 15 as well. The ebay seller has them marked down for about the next 24 hours to 107.10. if anyone is interested, here is the link. http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-ETX-Sof...ash=item2a6aeae630:g:KisAAOSweWVXc1sE&vxp=mtr

 

U received a great deal Tell your father welcome to Tacoma world.

 

Quick question, debating on a tri fold or a roll up cover. Do you lose any bed space when you fold it or it leans against the back window?

 

I have a truxedo lopro lq and can take the cover off in 1 minute.

 

I never timed myself but I would say that is about right. I have the Lo Pro QT also.

 

Also comes off with two hand knobs screws

 

Undercover flex tonneau

 

I know this an old as dirt thread, but that is a cover for 2005-2015 and it fits no problem on your 2016 model?