GM hard tonneau question

[Mike in NJ]

Does anyone have any experience with the GM Hard foldable tonneau cover? I have never seen one and would be interested in comments regarding overall quality, durability, and fit, as well as any comments relative to aftermarket hard tonneau covers. (The only one I am aware of thus far is the K-Cover).

Thanks!

-Mike

[Alta Lad]

Originally posted by Mike in NJ:
Does anyone have any experience with the GM Hard foldable tonneau cover? I have never seen one and would be interested in comments regarding overall quality, durability, and fit, as well as any comments relative to aftermarket hard tonneau covers. (The only one I am aware of thus far is the K-Cover).

Thanks!

-Mike I've had the factory hard tonneau cover on my 2001 2500HD for 3 years. So far the cover has lasted a few tough winters and hot summers with only a few minor problems.

Overall I like the covers enough to order one with my new, yet to built, 2005 2500HD LLY. :D :D :D I can hardly wait till Sept.

If you have any questions, let me know

[Mike in NJ]

Two more questions: Is it easily removed, or is it somewhat permanently attached? Also, if it can be easily removed, how much hardware is left behind? Lastly, how much drilling is required to install it? (I have never actually seen one at a dealer or on the road).

Thanks,

Mike

[jbplock]

Mike,

If you haven't already also checkout the Retrax (http://www.rolltopcover.com/). I have one my 03 and am very happy with it. I also had a Pace Edwards on my last truck. The PE is nice too but the Retrax is even better (IMHO). smile.gif

[Mike in NJ]

I've looked (on the Web) at Retrax, but not wild about having the tracks on top of the rails, and am also nervous about stuff getting clogged up in the tracks. I have oak trees that dump pollen and these stringy things all the time.
Thanks for the suggestion though! smile.gif

[Alta Lad]

Originally posted by Mike in NJ:
Two more questions: Is it easily removed, or is it somewhat permanently attached? Also, if it can be easily removed, how much hardware is left behind? Lastly, how much drilling is required to install it? (I have never actually seen one at a dealer or on the road).

Thanks,

Mike Well I'll see if I can answer your questions. I've only had the cover off once to install a transferflow in-bed tank. The cover is attached to the box via a clamp that holds the cover pivot point to the box and is very easily removed and accessable. However the rails which are suppose to seal and keep the cover aligned is not so great. The rails are attached by sticky tape and two screws on the top of the box. It covers the stake pockets and is not easy to remove without damaging the rails. IMHO, once the cover is installed, it is not meant to be removed. But it does fold up to at least expose most of the box.

But I like the cover for a few reasons. First it was the only one I could find that allowed me clearance for the in bed tank and I just wanted something that was functional with the fifth wheel hitch. It has accomplished both for me. The cover folds up to be out of the way when towing the fifth wheel and the bed is covered when not towing. Access to the in-bed tank is very easy and the only difficuly is filling the in-bed tank when towing. But it is only a minor inconvience.

I hope that answer some of your questions.

[Nut4Trucks]

Mike,
When looking for a somewhat versatile and not to expensive cover I did a million man hours of research and settled on this cover. It is actually manufactured by Fold-a-cover. Go to Fold a cover website. (http://www.foldacover.com) for more info. I got an excellent reply from someone at this site on the benefits of this cover. I called foldacover asking how to order one and they directed me to the GMC accessory catalog. I got the part number and ordered it from gmpartdirect and it was cheaper than I could get it anywhere else, $570 shipped to my house. The rails install to the truck using special clamps that drop into the stake pockets and are tightened with an allen head bolt from the top. The rails don't actually stick to the truck they just have a serious foam rubber that seals to the bedrail and prevents movement. You don't remove them when you want to remove the cover. You stack it up behind the cab and turn 2 allen head set screws and it removes as a stack weighing in at about 38lbs. If you take your time and do a meticulous install it is almost totally waterproof. The only time I got any water in it was going through the car wash. Sorry such a long post but I wanted to help, like someone helped me when I was on a Coverquest.
Tony

[Alta Lad]

Wow ...all I can say is that they really have improved the design, compared to what I have.

I think I just may rethink reusing this present cover for the new 2005 and just order a new one.

[atvpilot]

Mike NJ
I have the K-Cover and I love it. I installed it last fall and have had no problems at all with it. I will never go back to a soft cover, they are just a waste of money. :D

[HDMXDiesel0817]

Mike NJ

I've had the GM hard tonneau since the second week of owning my '03. It is a great cover for the bed. Folds up nicely and can be easily removed (all but the side rails that are drilled into the toprails of the bed). I had the rhino sprayed on and then they drilled into it and installed the hard tonneau.

All in all I've been satisfied with it; keeps the water out quite well in the rain and melting snow. Had very little water enter it, sometimes when I'm at the no-touch laser wash or a heavy (slightly side like ) rain and I'm parked at an angle. My only beef is that I'm having a little difficulty unlocking the tailgate lock. The one up on the drivers side at the front of the bed is easy to lock and unlock.

I should have it checked out again, there was one instance when I had accidentally bent it (hitting it with the tailgate) and they had fixed it. But it is quite hard now to unlock after locking it.

Jon

[Mike in NJ]

Oh - so you do have to drill to install it? I had figured it just clamped on. Good to know, thanks!

[HDMXDiesel0817]

Mike NJ,

Yep there's maybe 2-3 screws in the top bed rail on each side to hold the L that the tonneau rests in. But the tonneau itself is clamped in at the first hinge at the top of the bed. All you need to do is loosen the bolt or what have you and you can remove it. What remains when the tonneau is removed are the L side rails on the bed rails, which unfortunately cover a good portion of the stake holes in the bed.

[Nut4Trucks]

Mike,
Here is what I posted before. I installed my cover on my 2002. The rails install to the truck using special clamps that drop into the stake pockets and are tightened with an allen head bolt from the top. The rails don't actually stick to the truck they just have a serious foam rubber that seals to the bedrail and prevents movement. You don't remove them when you want to remove the cover. The clamps drop into the stake pocket and hook on the inner lip of the stake pocket. One of the main criteria for me was, I did not wish to drill into my truck for any cover. So I chose this one. The GM cover made by fold-a-cover. Good luck

[Alta Lad]

Originally posted by Nut4Trucks:
Mike,
Here is what I posted before. I installed my cover on my 2002. The rails install to the truck using special clamps that drop into the stake pockets and are tightened with an allen head bolt from the top. The rails don't actually stick to the truck they just have a serious foam rubber that seals to the bedrail and prevents movement. You don't remove them when you want to remove the cover. The clamps drop into the stake pocket and hook on the inner lip of the stake pocket. One of the main criteria for me was, I did not wish to drill into my truck for any cover. So I chose this one. The GM cover made by fold-a-cover. Good luck I just finished installing the GM tonneau cover on my new 2004. Your right the new cover does not require drilling or sticking on the bed rails. It is much better than the old 2001 style. It took me about 2 hours to install and the instructions were clear and concise. Overall, well worth the money and time.

[NJDMAX]

Mike,
Take another look at the Retax cover. I have had mine for two years and havn't had a problem with it. It clamps to the bed rails and can come off in ten minutes if you need the whole bed.
Tom