Self made soft tonneau.

[the Mad Modder]

A couple of months ago, I decided that I wanted a bed cover for my truck. I checked everywhere online, but couldn't find one that sounded durable enough and wasn't immensely over priced. That's when I decided to make my own. I designed it (in my head) and when I thought that I had found a good design I bought the materials. I put together the frame and ordered a custom tarp. Currently I am adding snaps to the frame, after which I will be done. I hope to post pics soon.

More about the design. There are two 6 ft long 1 inch wide aluminum angle pieces that bolt directly to the trucks bed rails. Spanning the space between the 1 inch angles are 4, 3/4 inch aluminum angles; one in front, one in back and two in the middle for supports. Snaps are added to the front and rear 3/4 inch pieces and the 1 inch pieces to snap the tarp to.

I know that my description of it probably doesn't help very much, but it's the best idea I can give you until I can get around to taking pics. Thanks for reading and stay tuned for updates.

 

[Mark_88]

Good stuff!

Pics would be nice...but I'd look into a pattent beforehand...unless you really don't care about "intellectual property"...

 

[the Mad Modder]

Thanks.
As far as rights go, it doesn't really matter to me. I just want to give people a good alternative to spending $300+ on a decent tonneau cover. My cover is turning out surprisingly well for something that cost me only about $135.

 

[Ranger Sport Honduras]

wow that sounds nice!!
some pics would be great, hope u can finish it soon so we can get the idea
i want something to cover the empty bed lol! i just drive the ranger cuz i like it, not always for cargo

 

[Mark_88]

I picked up a fiberglass cover for $100 at the junkyard...almost new...it's pretty amazing what you can find in junkyards...but I like the idea of making my own stuff too...

 

[romaniuk]

I have a wicked homemade cover that came with my truck (at least the frame was homemade, it's wooden with a vinyl cover). The side frame pieces are about 4" tall, the top of the front and back frame pieces are curved, to be about 10" in the middle. There's three cross pieces that bend across (thin pieces of wood that bend easy) to keep the cover tight. It's got snaps all around. It's really nice, especially the extra 10" and ease of removal (except in the cold Canadian winters where the vinyl shrinks and won't fit over the wooden frame).

I don't currently have photos, but I'll try to get some if people want to see it (I know my description sucks).

 

[the Mad Modder]

I have a wicked homemade cover that came with my truck (at least the frame was homemade, it's wooden with a vinyl cover). The side frame pieces are about 4" tall, the top of the front and back frame pieces are curved, to be about 10" in the middle. There's three cross pieces that bend across (thin pieces of wood that bend easy) to keep the cover tight. It's got snaps all around. It's really nice, especially the extra 10" and ease of removal (except in the cold Canadian winters where the vinyl shrinks and won't fit over the wooden frame).

I don't currently have photos, but I'll try to get some if people want to see it (I know my description sucks).

Nice. I look forward to seeing yours.

 

[the Mad Modder]

Frame

Closeup of a joint

Finished look

 

[Ranger Sport Honduras]

great job!! looks nice, maybe a bit more tight would be better but nice done!!

 

[the Mad Modder]

Here are some diagrams on how the pieces fit together.
(excuse my poor artistic skills)

 

[Mark_88]

That looks really good!

The only thing I would want to change, perhaps, is to elevate the ribs slightly...as in arch them to allow for more weight bearing and water runoff...you're in the snow belt and I'm willing to bet that you could easily pile a foot of snow on that on any given snowy night...

Did you test the ribs to see how much they can hold before they start to bend downwards? Other than that, it's a super job for a home fab...maybe even commercial potential there...

 

[BT4BARRY]

I have a wicked homemade cover that came with my truck (at least the frame was homemade, it's wooden with a vinyl cover). The side frame pieces are about 4" tall, the top of the front and back frame pieces are curved, to be about 10" in the middle. There's three cross pieces that bend across (thin pieces of wood that bend easy) to keep the cover tight. It's got snaps all around. It's really nice, especially the extra 10" and ease of removal (except in the cold Canadian winters where the vinyl shrinks and won't fit over the wooden frame).

I don't currently have photos, but I'll try to get some if people want to see it (I know my description sucks).

I want to do the same. Get a huge piece of plywood or some nice stronger wood and Vinyl it or plexiglass it. Either that or talk myself into dropping a few $ to get a nice fiberglass one.

 

[Alloutofdonuts]

Just found this. I thought about making my own but figured it would be too much of a 'PITA'.

What wieght is the vinyl you used? THose snaps rivet into the aluminum rails, but how do you put them into the vinyl so they won't just rip out? I'm in NH but it still gets cold (13 degress here now) and it seems like they would just rip out if I tried to un-snap it. Guess it could be folded over on the edges to double it up. But anywho, this is good inspiration for doing it myself if I can't find a cheap one.