Reason for new model/part number of Tyger T3 Tri-Fold for 2019

I called Tyger to ask why there was a new part number for the 2019s, but the person I talked to didn't know the reason.

I think I've found the reason - they've added two "front safety straps" with attached all-metal clamps.

The two model numbers on Amazon:

Tyger Auto T3 Tri-Fold Truck Tonneau Cover TG-BC3T1531 Works with 2016-2018 Toyota Tacoma | Fleetside 6' Bed - List Price: $229.00 - Price: $216.00 - free Prime 2-day shipping - shipped by Amazon

Tyger Auto T3 Soft Tri-Fold Truck Bed Tonneau Cover for 2016-2018 Toyota Tacoma Fleetside 6' Bed TG-BC3T1531, Black

https://www.amazon.com/Tyger-Auto-TG-BC3T1531-2016-2018-Fleetside/dp/B01H2TOR1O

Tyger Auto T3 Tri-Fold Truck Tonneau Cover TG-BC3T1631 Works with 2019 Toyota Tacoma | Fleet Side 6' Bed - Price: $239 - free 6 to 8 day shipping (to my location at least) via UPS - shipped by Tyger

$233 Tyger Auto T3 Soft Tri-Fold Truck Bed Tonneau Cover Compatible with 2016-2023 Toyota Tacoma (Does Not Fit Trail Special Edition with Storage Boxes) ; Fleetside 6' Bed (73") ; TG-BC3T1631

https://www.amazon.com/Tyger-Auto-Tri-Fold-Tonneau-TG-BC3T1631/dp/B07QH7VH12

The front safety clamps are shown at 0:34 in the new Tyger video below. Even thought this is for an F-150 without bed rails, the proof that safety straps with clamps are now included with the Tacoma version is the six bed rail (utility track) adapters included in the parts list of the PDF instructions plus the image of attaching the safety strap clamps to the bed rail adapters/inserts in the Toyota supplement PDF:

TYGER T3 Tri-Fold Truck Bed Cover Installation Guide
Note this was uploaded to YouTube on Mar 29, 2019

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYq485cu_dc

So, if you don't care about the new safety straps (I do because of a number of warnings of cover fly-off in various Amazon reviews for the 2016-2018 version - one included below) you can get a discounted 2016-2018 (and, actually, 2019) Tyger T3 with free two-day shipping on Amazon, at least as long as their stock lasts.

2.0 out of 5 stars
Make sure you check the clamps periodically.
December 6, 2018
Size: 5' BedStyle: 2016-2018 - Verified Purchase

I bought this in February. Seemed great for a while. Installation was easy and kept everything dry in the bed. I was just driving down the interstate the other day, though, and the entire cover came off. I realized what flew off as I looked in my rear view and saw another truck running it over. Thank God no one got hurt.

The cover was folded up and upon install the main clamps for the segment closest to the cab were as tight as I could get them. I can only assume the clamps came loose after using it for 6 months. Everything on the truck bed and rails are in good shape. Somehow it randomly flew off.

I'm now purchasing a cover with more permanent attachment. Even though they're a lot more expensive, it's not worth the risk of an easily removable cover flying off and causing an accident.

 

Amazon has now consolidated those two links to the 2016-2018 and 2019 versions of the Tyger T3 given above into one link to one page with all date (Tacoma generation) choices listed:

$233 Tyger Auto T3 Soft Tri-Fold Truck Bed Tonneau Cover Compatible with 2016-2023 Toyota Tacoma (Does Not Fit Trail Special Edition with Storage Boxes) ; Fleetside 6' Bed (73") ; TG-BC3T1631

https://www.amazon.com/Tyger-Auto-Tri-Fold-Tonneau-TG-BC3T1631/dp/B07QH7VH12

 

Cool!

 

I saw something similar with Diamondback covers recently, and even though they are now including new locks, they are blaming previous problems on user error.

 

Thank you! I was going to start a new thread because I was curious about this as well after shopping for the cover on Amazon. Picking up a Taco on Saturday and starting to order accessories. I'm going to go with the new version.