Has anyone made a Tonneau Cover???

[Dep. Ranger]

I have been searching online now for a few days. I have seen a lot of homemade Tonneau Covers out of plywood and fiberglass. I don't like the idea of using plywood because it will warp over time, and I don't know anything about fiberglass. I would like to make one out of plastic or sheet metal. Does anyone have any experience or even ideas about this method? I would also like it to fold, so that I could access my bed. I just don't know how I would keep the rain out if I were to have sections in it.

I just can't bring myself to spend $769 on a solid fold or even more on a fiberglass one. With money being as tight as it is, I am the type of person that would take pride in building something even if it isn't as nice as a manufacturer's one.

Thanks for any pointers or opinions in advance.

 

[TheTopher]

You could make a soft tonneau fairly easily out of some buttons and a tarp.

 

[odie1969]

have you looked at Craigslist I see the ford oem tonos. for 100-200 often. but I have made one out of plywood had it on for about 6months before I got sick of it and pulled it.

 

[backroad101]

have you looked at Craigslist I see the ford oem tonos. for 100-200 often. but I have made one out of plywood had it on for about 6months before I got sick of it and pulled it.

Agreed on this. There are generally used hard tonneaus on Craigslist all of the time for cheap. All you would need to do is pay to have it painted. You can even save money there by doing the prep work yourself or even painting it yourself if you are so inclined.

 

[ForOffRoadDriving]

i made this one before going on a snowboarding trip with my buddy a few years back. i used 1/2" treated plywood, industrial door hinges with the plastic bushings, 6 c- clamps that i cut in half and welded short pieces of pipe to so that i could bolt them to the cover and then have them be able to swivel out of the way so i could fold it up. i bought 1"x1"x1/8" angle iron for support so that it wouldnt i painted it with the spray on bedliner you can buy at the parts store. its held up well for the 3 years ive used it and i store it indoors when its not in use so the moisture doesnt deteriorate.

i can get you more pictures of the under side and mounting system if you would like. it cost me roughly $150 in materials and about 2 days to construct and paint.

 

[mp3deviant721]

You could get a soft one for new for about half the price of a fiberglass one. I'm planning to do something like that soon.

 

[r1ch999999]

I swear I paid $100 for my soft tonneau new from jc whitney, am I confused?

 

[adsm08]

I would rather have a soft cover too. Unless you carry lots of little stuff and need to lock the bed they are better because you get the same aero benefits, less weight, and you don't screw yourself over for putting bigger stuff in the bed.

 

[master hec0]

i personally like the roll shutter tonneau covers

 

[Dep. Ranger]

i know that i could get a soft tonneau cover for cheap. i was looking at the Extang Trifecta for about $376. i have been checking craigslist alot for a used hard cover. i would like a hard cover because of the fact that it will be secured. Has anyone on here made one out of sheet metal?

 

[Original_Ranger84]

I thought about making one... then i figured i used my bed to much to justify it... I havea camper shell that I use on occasion.

I was thinking a frame around the bed edges then a couple cross peices and a solid sheet over top.

 

[07rangerfx4lv2]

im actually in the process of making one, i have a toolbox at the front so to buy a toneau cover would be expensive seeing as im only using half of it...anyways basically plywood some 1x2 boards and spray on bedliner...who knows how it will turn out...i also have round tube bedrails on the top of the box so im making it fit inside of the top of the bed, gunna hold it in with c-clamps...if it looks like shit oh well, only out about 40$ in total

 

[odie1969]

i personally like the roll shutter tonneau covers

these are a really cool idea. but the suck due to the fact of how much wasted spaces in the front of the bed. and when they get stuck. the few we have at work are always causing problems.

 

[Dep. Ranger]

thats good to know about those type of tonneau covers. i guess i will have to do some more brainstorming and maybe come up with a design. then i will see what you guys think about it.