Factory Tonneau Cover - Not!

I don't like the factory cover either. On my 5ft bed it blocked the front third, what about 18", that were constantly under a cover. And it wasn't even kind of water resistant any longer. Way better options I think for almost $1000

 

The only beef I got with the factory cover, or maybe most hard covers is when backing up my utility trailer, or boat. I can't see exactly what the trailer is doing opposed to having no cover, and the tailgate down.

 

I can see that. Not my technique, but i understand.

 

I had to get use to doing more mirror driving when backing up a trailer with this cover.

 

I'm not sure where you got the $1,000 price tag for the OEM cover, buy per my window sticker, the OEM cover on my 2022 DCSB was $650. For the few loads I've carried where I need the front 18" of my bed, I simply pop the cover off; yes, the OEM cover is a tad heavy, but it is a relatively fast operation to remove and replace it.

 

$700 MSRP plus the modified rails plus tax is going to be dang close to $1000. And that's if you get free shipping, which on large parts doesn't happen real often.

 

Truck I am waiting on has it, and it’ll be removed in short order. Hoping to sell it for a few bucks rather than keep it taking up space

 

The point you're missing is the OEM cover only costs $650 installed if it is part of the factory build.

 

I like my factory cover, granted my truck has 22k miles on it and is garage kept and still looks like new, functions perfect and the fit and finish is perfect for me. Every aftermarket cover I see looks good but I don't like the drain rails from the cover through tubes into the bed floor. It looks cheap and the squared off edges looks like a flat sheet of plywood covered up. Aftermarket looks good but aftermarket and I have yet to see a cover as nice as the OEM cover. Mine came with the truck as that's what I wanted, My Son's truck is the same year, stays outside and is treated monthly and still looks new as well. These OEM covers that are faded, broken or beat to death are just simply abused and neglected. It's hard to beat the OEM cover and if you need to remove it simply unbolt the one bolt and remove it. It's simple but fine for me.

 

What's it treated with?

 

I treat my cover after a washing several times yearly depending on weather and use. After it dries, I use 303 to clean and coat it, after that I then use Mcquire's black plastic/rubber restorer on top of the 303, in the shade. Looks great and protects. It literally takes all of 10 to 15 minutes start to finish. I do however garage my truck yearly, so it rarely sits outside for any seriously length of time. I can understand the complaints for those who are unable to garage their truck, as I have seen some OEM covers on TW that are trashed. The sun and heat destroy a lot of vinyl, plastic, rubber stuff. I am fortunately retired and have time to do this, but I am a bit anal about my vehicle.

 

The point you're missing is if someone added it later, it's not $650.
Hell, the OP doesn't really want the cover, I'm not even sure what is going on here.

 

Maybe my mental thought was i can't even give away factory cover from my '17. It fits fine but is definitely not water resistant, and looks like crap now.

 

I missed nothing, this thread started with the OP asking about buying a new Tacoma with the OEM cover.

 

If you don't treat these vinyl covers with a protectant, the suns ultraviolet rays will destroy it. 303, or Wolfsteins are some of the best out there.

 

Factory cover or aftermarket, if you neglect it and don't treat it they all will like like junk. It's all in how you take care of it I use a plastic coating every year, mine doesn't leak. Mother's back to black leaves streaks down the side of the truck when it got wet so I switched to a plastic coating I got from a detailing online store.

 

I have the factory fiberglass one. The PO didn't take care of it so it's faded and the paint has come off the aluminum between the first two sections. What's the stuff your using?

 

Gtechniq C4 coating on mine. Looks better than new!

 

I see they have 15 and 30ml bottles on Amazon. How much you think it takes for 1 treatment?

 

I used a large, two coats.