DIY tonneau cover

Lmao

 

You were rude! Being insulting to someone is not funny, you must be over-reacting if you think he has no sense of humor! If you think I have no sense of humor I read this forum!

 

I agree!

 

wow. science.

 

Not my cup of tea, but as others have said, I would be super worried about this thing getting wet. Not only will it begin to rot out, all the hardware you used to mount it could be compromised if they wood becomes soggy. The cover itself is a nice design, but I would be extremely skeptical of how the materials holds up. I would be way to afraid of that thing flying off going 75+mph on the highway.

I was in the same boat as you, wanting a hard cover tonneau but I just wanted until I found a cheap used one. I checked the forums, craigslist, and facebook marketplace everyday and finally found someone selling an OEM tri-fold hard cover with no hardware. His orginall ad was for both the cover and a set of steps for $150, I asked him about the cover alone and he sold it to me for $80. So $80 for the cover, about $175 for the hardware (not including the pre-cut bed rails), and a good pressure wash later and I have an OEM bedcover for roughly $250, and the good thing was I didn't have to pay it all at once. I just bought the cover then could buy the hardware as I had the extra cash to buy them...

Not trying say the same thing would happen for everyone, but if youre ever looking to replace the DIY one I would just keep an eye out. I've seen a few people trying to sell the OEM cover without hardware for like $150. I was able to talk this guy down some by just telling him that I would have to spend around $175-$200 extra just on the hardware and another $250 on the new bed rail covers (which I place to cut my own current ones instead). I don't mind paying a little extra to know that it fits and is secured properly.

 

@Taco-rado Congratulations on your project!

 

How does it handle in the rain or doing 80mph down the expressway? Those would be my big questions?

 

I'd like to see how this thing is holding up after 2 years.

 

Phhh, I could have done it for cheaper than $90...

Just kidding, good on you for doing a great DIY project Taco-rado!

 

I agree with DIY stuff. But in the end when you add in all your time spent into it and gas (going back and forth to stores) and then add in all the materials used, could have probably bought one that fit perfectly.

Questions I would have is:

1. How well does it do in high speed?
2. Plans to waterproof it?
3. Can it be locked?

Keep up the idea and can't wait to see a finished product!!!

 

Surprised this tread came back from the dead.

The cover has held up extremely well over 2 years. Nothing major has happened. The water proofing I put on during the initial build has held up. The hardware is all still solid. No issue in rain. During the winter it’s been taken off the truck and kept in the garage to avoid excess moisture from snow.

It’s never flown off and killed someone and caused a “lawsuit”.

So all in all I’m still happy with it, I may wind up making a 2.0 version soon just for some fun. But we will see.

*will update with pics once I get a chance*

 

Glad to hear it's held up so well. Congratulations on your ingenuity and DIY skills... Showing all the haters what's what!

 

Good start! I have seen this DIY before by professional woodworkers. You can better finish it with laminated counter-top or carbon to better protect it from the weather. Having the wood spray painted and exposed will not last long.

 

Plastidip the whole thing man. It’ll give it a nice matte finish and it’ll look like some of the hard covers out there.

 

I would finish it with a hand painted Giant Wizard and a Dragon breathing fire...... More power to anyone building and crafting rather than buying something made in China. My luck would be seeing that blow off on the highway killing a woodchuck.

 

That would last about 2 weeks here in Southeast Louisiana. As long as it never rains in Denver you should be fine though . . .

 

I like some ones idea of using the outdoor rug to cover it. Depending on the color of rug and texture you get it would look nice. Also would feel nice to lay on too.

 

That cover I doubt was free. Don't think the dealer gives anything for free.

 

How much $$$ for the annual termite inspection?

 

Or after you have it all finished the way you want it put clear epoxy resin all on it. That is that thick clear sealant that is put on wood furniture that stays out doors. On indoor stuff to but point is that it makes it weather proof.