Newbie shopping for Tonneau cover

In my 2020 access cabs bed there are already slotted holes on each side at the end of the bed from the factory to drain off any water. Its rained pretty hard here, so far i've only seen a very small amount of water that got under the end of the cover.

 

Interesting. I'd be curious to see this honestly (since mine is 2016).

 

I have just purchased a 2020 Sport AC and have been looking at different tonneau covers and at this point really like the Fold-a-Cover. It sits on top of the bed rails so it isn't low profile like Bak Flip or the others but it doesn't require a gutter system and tubes to take care of the water. It also has four sections so when it is open it allows a little more bed access. I do have to say that I have not found many reviews on this so I don't really know how well it performs. Does anybody have this cover or know anything more about it? I plan on pulling the trigger soon so would appreciate any info that you would have.

 

I ended up ordering a Lomax today through @GotExhaust and am looking forward to installing it when it arrives. Looks like a straightforward and unobtrusive install with great reviews and a low-profile. Plus it was a great price from a TW vendor. Win win in my book.

 

One question for those of you have purchased an aftermarket cover: I live in Phoenix and we can get some sizable hail once or twice a year. I have been looking at Bakflip and others but am concerned that the aluminum covers would get all dented up from hail. Can you please share your experiences? Thanks!

 

also curious about covers as its going to be a thing I will want immediately when I do get my truck. I was looking at the TruXdo Trucksport roll up cover as its cheap and seems to have good reviews, also considering hard covers like the Gator EFX and now the Lomax. I know the TruXedo limits the bed rail use some. I see on the Lomax site the mount wil disable or limit the use of the bed rails. how serious of an issue is this? will I not be able to have a few cleats to keep things in place?

 

Lomax for the win.

 

I have a Fold-A-Cover on my 19. I bought it because the locking system seems very secure. It uses a striker system like a car door does. What I really like about it is the panel next to the cab locks and open independently allowing access to the front section which is where I keep emergency gear. The cover has been really dust and water resistant. The panels stack up next to the cab so you lose that front section if you have the cover all the way open. The rail system is completely usable and the cover is easily removed.

 

The Fold-a-Cover looks like a touch install compared to the others. Is it plastic like the OEM or aluminum?

 

Glad to hear you like the Fold-a-Cover. Does it still have the eight points of securement? I know the install video they have on their website is for a second generation TACO. When you look at the installation guide for that it shows an extra tee nut per side plus a center latch bracket that does not show up in the install guide for the third gen TACO. They still say there are eight points but I don't understand how that center attachment would work.

 

The panels are aluminum and the rail is plastic. I didn't find it hard to install. Basic tools and processes.It also came with a nice tailgate seal.
The lock system seems harder to defeat than the cable-pull type. I'm very happy with it so far.

 

It does. Two strikers in the front, the double hinge (attached to the rail) mount that allows the independently opened front panel, the butterfly latch, then the rear strikers. It stays down well which keeps it secure and helps keep dust and water out.

I looked at all the covers out there and I had a roll up on the last truck I had. I like the security of this one and having the front access for emergency gear while keeping the tailgate clear for whatever I am carrying.

I'm also working on a configurable carrier design to use on the cab side section to carry emergency gear neatly plus a fuel can when necessary while leaving the space below open. I got the idea from Fold-A-Cover's tray you can buy for this use. I think it is too expensive and I can build a better one that can be configured for larger or smaller loads. Generally, I like to have a set of cables, first aid, tie downs, and so on back there. On a trip I like to add recovery gear, compressor, and 6 gal. of extra fuel. I also want to be able to not have it interfere if I need all the bed space. we'll see what I end up with.
One thing I wish this truck had are stake pockets. My old truck had them and I had a low profile rack I built from DOM that was configurable. It could be used to haul our canoe, lumber or steel, or be used a platform or for lighting. It was low profile and looked similar to a cage. Whatever you wanted to do with it, you bolted that carrier to it. I can't do anything like that with this truck and have a tonneau. I decided the cover was more often used than the rack. I have a trailer anyway.

 

Are you concerned about the Aluminum getting dented by hail?

 

Tyger Auto T3 Soft Tri-Fold Truck Bed Tonneau Cover Compatible with 2016-2018 Toyota Tacoma | Fleetside 5' Bed (60") | TG-BC3T1530

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01H2TONUO/ref=cm_sw_r_apa_i_DhZUEb080QRWB

This is the cover I have had for 2 years. No complaints so far. I got it 2nd hand for 100$ at that. Only thing is it's vinyl and can probably be cut but nothing has happened so far. I have no complaints at all.

 

I agree about the security of the locking mechanism being better than the open cable system esp after watching their video on how the cable systems can be opened with a coat hanger. I also like that it can be opened without opening the tail gate. Fold-a-Cover's front tray does seem pricey and I am not sure I would use it. If I do see a need I can probably fabricate something.

One thing I did see on some videos by owners is the locks can freeze in the winter. I am in Pa. and this could be a possible problem but I am not too concerned about it. I am out in the country and won't lock it when around home and will take some sort of heat along if I am traveling and need to thaw a lock.

This will be my first truck in over 12 years and will be my only vehicle. Hopefully I will be getting it this week. Because I wanted an extended cab with certain options and color I had to order it. Then this virus hit and that pushed delivery off even more. Fold-a-Cover is still shut down and probably won't open for another ten days at least so not sure how long it will take to get it.

Plan on traveling and camping with it besides daily use around the house. Figured a tonneau cover would help keep things dry and help some on the gas mileage. Trying to come up with a simple and quick tarp set up over the bed that I will use for camping. One of the first things I want to work on once I get it.

 

OP here.
same. That’s what I ended up doing. can’t wait to see the end result.

 

It hadn't crossed my mind, but I live in Southern California so it's not something we really have.
When I retire in a few years we are probably moving to Texas so I guess that's something I'll have to think about.

 

Lots of choices out there, many are very good. I currently have an Extang Exceed, hard trifold. It's my third Extang tonneau, the previous were soft tops, and I had zero issues with them so I went with the Exceed. I am pretty happy with it except for one thing. With my old soft tops I could remove them in minutes, with the hardtop, not so much. Other than that, it seems well built, doesn't seem to leak, and is very secure. Paid $811 after a $100 rebate Extang was running at the time.

 

Bump on the back flip, love mine ! Had dealer include on sale of my 2020. I really like how it sits flush unlike other covers . I had a tri fold on my 2013- held up and was very cheap on Amazon like 200. But the backflip super clean/ locks with tailgate / easy to use . Very happy with mine .

 

For the people that have had both, roll up or tri-fold? I see benefits of both and am currently leaning towards roll up so I don't "lose" 1/3 of the box. Suggestions?

I'm not looking for anything expensive and I'm not overly concerned with security.