Any experience with generic tonneau covers?

[Milwrdfan]

I did a MaxMate soft roll-up from Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09TSCYY6D and have been quite pleased with it. The only times it's leaked is going through a car wash and even then, it hasn't been a huge amount of moisture getting inside. Otherwise it's stayed dry inside even through rains. Maybe a damp corner, but for the price (sub $200), I'm very pleased. It does flap in the breeze a bit at highway speeds, but I can't hear it flapping inside the vehicle so no worries there. Install was easy, and looks really good too.

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[webman3802]

I also have the MostPlus hard trifold cover. It's great, no complaints. Mine was $280 or so with free shipping from Ebay.

Notes:
-I didn't install the included weatherseal on the sides, and there are almost NO water leaks when I wash the truck, or in rain.
-On a very dusty dry dirt road I did get dust inside (may not be the cover, it might be the tailgate and front breather holes)
-the way it attaches takes away the ability to put on racks without fabricating some sort of side extension; and the rack would have to have enough clearance to allow the cover to fold to open. Assuming you need to open it for some reason.
-yes, you can stand on it without any sign of damage.

For the MostPlus hard covers, do they fold up against the back window to allow the full bed access? My main concern with the folding covers is losing 1/3 of the bed space above the rails.

 

[Surly Old Bill]

For the MostPlus hard covers, do they fold up against the back window to allow the full bed access? My main concern with the folding covers is losing 1/3 of the bed space above the rails.

you lose 1/3 of the bed. Pretty easy to remove a couple nuts if you need to take it entirely off, though.

 

[am_fm_radio]

Speaking from experience----

My brand new 2002 GMC Duramax Diesel 2500HD... bought one from J.C. Whitney.. lowest price I coul dfind. Installed it myself.

Then since then in 239,000 miles and 24 years I replaced it 2 more times.. Last from MAZON at about $150.. but i've also went through 4 sets of tires and 2 sets of brakes.

Now my September 2024 purchase of my Maverick- Cowboy Edition...
Amazon had a "open box" Tonneau cover for $124 delivered.. I put it on in 15 minutes.. Looks great.. Here's link:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BZZ9PLFQ

and Prime days 7/8-7/11 new they are 14% off .. $144 free shipping for prime members..list $169.95..

and that's my story...

Larry ...
The Old Goat Ranch
Mulvane, Kansas..

 

[rk06382]

My experience is every time I go cheap, I regret it. I had a cheap cover on a Tacoma. Got rid of it and got a Bakflip. I have had 3 Bakflips now. Save up for a name brand cover.

After research, I also purchased a Bakflip MX4 TS w/ T-Slot Rails.

 

[Bry]

Cheap roll up cover from EBAY $580 with Ford bed extender used for $40.

 

[FischAutoTechGarten]

I'll chime in as a new thing with mine has developed.
I bought this even before my Maverick was delivered (7 month order wait) in Dec 23:
4.6ft Soft Tonneau Cover Tri-Fold For 2022 2023 2024 Ford Maverick Truck Bed
https://www.ebay.com/itm/374848034968 .
Paid $160, but it can be had for $135 now with Free delivery.

I've enjoyed it. Made very little noise.. until...

Initially, I hadn't installed the rubber gasket on the top rail of the front bulkhead at the cab. Laziness. Drove it like 16 months that way in Mexio. So about 6 weeks ago, upon returning to the US for a good long time, I pulled the cover off, cleaned it thoroughly inside and outside, vinyl, metal, gaskets, everything. I decided I would install that rubber gasket as I do see some very minor water penetration into the bed when washing the truck. Carefully and meticulously reinstalled the tri-fold tonneau cover.

Now, at 80mph I get a noticiable thumping noise that can be heard from the cabin. Made a few adjustments and repositioning of it, but can't get rid of that thump. Now, the good news is, I generally drive between 65-72 mph on interstates, only doing 80mph to pass or if I really need to just keep with traffic for safety... going with the flow. I don't hear that noise between 65-72mph at all.

I've seen some folks use 1" foam pipe insulation on the cross bars to take out the flex and I might just try that. Obviously, the gasket has changed the aerodynamics enough to introduce that harmonic...

 

[zen_]

I can't complain about the Autosavers88 roll cover I bought off eBay for $110 in Sept. It's been watertight so far, and doesn't flap around in the wind too much.

Only two things I don't like about it are the clamps to hold the rails on the bed are just metal that would eat into an unlined bed (I made some boots with butyl tube scraps), and the quick release knobs tend to loosen even with medium strength threadlocker. I am going to replace those with regular nuts now that I know it will be on the truck for at least a few years.

 

[TNFurb]

I too went from a loved Ridgeline to my now also loved Maverick. I definitely miss the in bed trunk on the Ridgeline but that’s the only thing I miss. I definitely prefer soft roll-up covers. I don’t like having to cover up the rear window with a trifold if I ever need the entire bed. I had the NorthMointain brand on my Ridgeline and was very happy with it. I chose to go with a more expensive cover on my Mav because I like the lower profile and the different material of the Truxedo Prox15. But if price is important to you I think this north mountain brand was good and I would buy it again if I were looking for an inexpensive cover.

https://a.co/d/ihK0Mc9

 

[webman3802]

Thanks for all the replies and advice. It sounds like some of the inexpensive brands are pretty decent if installed correctly. However, on the advice of my wife, I think I'm going to save up a bit more and get an inexpensive folding hard cover. Thanks for the brand recommendations and I'll definitely be referring back to this post.

 

[FischAutoTechGarten]

Thanks for all the replies and advice. It sounds like some of the inexpensive brands are pretty decent if installed correctly. However, on the advice of my wife, I think I'm going to save up a bit more and get an inexpensive folding hard cover. Thanks for the brand recommendations and I'll definitely be referring back to this post.

Yeah, I keep waiting to find someone selling one of those nice quad-fold hard covers used...

 

[asylus]

I can't complain about the Autosavers88 roll cover I bought off eBay for $110 in Sept. It's been watertight so far, and doesn't flap around in the wind too much.

Only two things I don't like about it are the clamps to hold the rails on the bed are just metal that would eat into an unlined bed (I made some boots with butyl tube scraps), and the quick release knobs tend to loosen even with medium strength threadlocker. I am going to replace those with regular nuts now that I know it will be on the truck for at least a few years.

with Prime days they have the soft roll up kinda cheap but Im on the fence. When you say it doesnt flap around too much can you actually hear it? Does it help MPGs when its down or would it be better to drive with it rolled up when not in use?

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

with Prime days they have the soft roll up kinda cheap but Im on the fence. When you say it doesnt flap around too much can you actually hear it? Does it help MPGs when its down or would it be better to drive with it rolled up when not in use?

George,
As far as the question of covered or uncovered, which gets better MPG.
Rather than post some anecdotal personal experiences.
Here are some professional sources below.
Good Luck

 

[zen_]

with Prime days they have the soft roll up kinda cheap but Im on the fence. When you say it doesnt flap around too much can you actually hear it? Does it help MPGs when its down or would it be better to drive with it rolled up when not in use?

I can't hear it in the wind, and I feel like I have hyper-sensitive hearing. The only thing I have ever heard is the excess strap for the roll flapping around in very high wind on the interstate.

Don't have enough data on the MPG, but I am usually carrying 1-2 bikes on a tailgate pad with it rolled up, so those don't help with aerodynamics either. There are too many variables with MPG on the highway with wind and road surface (affects rolling resistance), but I would say in general I get around 32-35 MPG on the interstate at 75 MPH, and 38-40 on the highway at 60-70 MPH with the cover on, but it drops 5-10% with it rolled up + bikes.

 

[rk06382]

I think MythBusters also did an episode on pickup tailgate fuel efficiency.

MythBusters Episode 64: More Myths Revisited​

Premier Date: October 25, 2006​

"The Myth: Driving with your pickup truck's tailgate down is more fuel efficient than driving with your tailgate up. Additionally, driving with no tailgate at all, with a hard cover over the pickup bed, or with mesh in place of the tailgate is more fuel efficient than driving with your tailgate up. The Test: Jamie and Adam test all of these pickup myths by measuring the fuel efficiency of each method while driving on a straight road at 55 mph.​

The Result: Driving with the tailgate down increases the drag and thus is less fuel efficient than driving with the tailgate up. The closed tailgate creates a vortex in the bed of the truck that allows for smoother flow of air than when the tailgate is down and the vortex is dispersed. This myth is busted. However, upon their revisit to the myth in a later episode, the mesh proves to be the most fuel-efficient method, while no tailgate, the hard-cover top and the tailgate up prove to be about the same fuel efficient."​

George,
As far as the question of covered or uncovered, which gets better MPG.
Rather than post some anecdotal personal experiences.
Here are some professional sources below.
Good Luck

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