Home made tonneau cover

[Qwillex]

Can't find a cover I really want yet, can't keep waiting so this will have to hold me over until someone makes a cover that is perfect for me. 3/4 MDF with bed liner paint all around 4 coats, still need to paint the piano hinge and screws with a flat black spray paint. Hinges just under the halfway point so I don't hit the back window.

Turned out better than I expected, still a few more tweaks to do, easy to remove as I just pull the EMT out of the eye bolts and fold it in half and carry it away.

The back can be held down with a bungie (that way I can hang long stuff out the back). I used garage door weather stripping, it works ok, I may change it out for something else though.

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[The Weatherman]

Nice job! Very creative.

 

[icegradner]

Interesting solution. I still get the feeling that the MDF won't last long though.

 

[FriarPop]

impressive for a first try! Lets see someone do 2.0

 

[Qwillex]

Interesting solution. I still get the feeling that the MDF won't last long though.

Bedliner paint is surprisingly waterproof, it also stiffened the board considerably. I was planning on adding some runners as the sheet was sagging just carrying it before, but it really helped it with that paint alone. I would bet it'll last 3 years easily.

 

[icegradner]

Bedliner paint is surprisingly waterproof, it also stiffened the board considerably. I was planning on adding some runners as the sheet was sagging just carrying it before, but it really helped it with that paint alone. I would bet it'll last 3 years easily.

Keep us updated on how it does. If it lasts I would want to give that a go!

 

[Rob Cactus Gray]

I’m probably going to buy a cheap gator one but this looks cool.

 

[Maverickman74]

I have had a unpainted sheet of 1/2 plywood sitting on my racks for 2 years for dog shade. I also live on the windward(rainy) side of maui. It sags then i flip it every 6 to 9 months. Bedliner painted wood oughta last a long time.

 

[Shecster]

Yankee ingenuity lives on!
Well done sir...
Best of luck with your new ride

 

[icegradner]

I have had a unpainted sheet of 1/2 plywood sitting on my racks for 2 years for dog shade. I also live on the windward(rainy) side of maui. It sags then i flip it every 6 to 9 months. Bedliner painted wood oughta last a long time.

Plywood would do better, but it is heavier. MDF tends to turn to mush when it gets wet, but if the bedliner keeps it dry it I suppose it would do ok. I started thinking about using some sheet metal rather than wood, but it would heavy.

 

[Edge Haley]

Great ideas! Fiberboard won't last forever but the I found the bedliner spray is really good water protection for plywood. FYI - found the Gator Tri-fold on sale for $230...and takes 20 minutes to install. Gave it a shot...since couldn't see building one for less than $150-$180. Price included shipping.

 

[Qwillex]

Great ideas! Fiberboard won't last forever but the I found the bedliner spray is really good water protection for plywood. FYI - found the Gator Tri-fold on sale for $230...and takes 20 minutes to install.

That's a soft cover right? I considered it but knowing I wanted something different in the future I wanted to keep cost low, paint was $35, a few eye bolts, hinge, tee nuts, weather strip and it's plenty sturdy. I've sat on it a few times already, that's not gonna happen with a soft cover.

 

[Edge Haley]

That's a soft cover right? I considered it but knowing I wanted something different in the future I wanted to keep cost low, paint was $35, a few eye bolts, hinge, tee nuts, weather strip and it's plenty sturdy. I've sat on it a few times already, that's not gonna happen with a soft cover.

Nope - hard by use of frame. I look at it as a 2 or 3 yr tonneau...'til reviews come out for better options come out.
Link - they have quite a few sale prices. Found this on Black Friday. $230 including shipping.

Gator SFX Tri-Fold Tonneau Cover | Gator Covers

 

[Maverickman74]

Plywood would do better, but it is heavier. MDF tends to turn to mush when it gets wet, but if the bedliner keeps it dry it I suppose it would do ok. I started thinking about using some sheet metal rather than wood, but it would heavy.

Didnt realize he used that pressboard stuff. Would be easy to rivet together some thin rectangle aluminum tubing and aluminum diamond plate. Probably cost a few hundred though.

 

[TSAINTS1115]

Plywood would do better, but it is heavier. MDF tends to turn to mush when it gets wet, but if the bedliner keeps it dry it I suppose it would do ok. I started thinking about using some sheet metal rather than wood, but it would heavy.

Metal would be lighter than wood unless one get's crazy with thickness. I have a metal supply place nearby so I plan on hitting them up for some aluminum come spring.

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