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Bed Cover, is it a necessity?

Discussion in '2.5 Gen Tundras (2014-2021)' started by rustynail11, Dec 5, 2017.

  1. Dec 5, 2017 at 7:33 AM
    #1
    rustynail11

    rustynail11 [OP] New Member

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    I just bought a 2017 CM and I am a first time truck owner. How much of a necessity is a bed cover? It would be rare if ever that I would need to be able lock things in the bed so spending the $800-$1000 on a hard cover such as a Bakflip doesn't seem necessary so I was looking at the Access , Gator, or Tuxedo roll up models but also question the necessity.

    Can others provide some insight in to the usefulness of a bed cover? I am really on the fence about this purchase.
     
    MotoTundra likes this.
  2. Dec 5, 2017 at 7:36 AM
    #2
    KB Voodoo

    KB Voodoo New Member

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    I only keep mine on in the winter. For summer I like the bed open.
     
  3. Dec 5, 2017 at 7:37 AM
    #3
    TXMiamiFan

    TXMiamiFan SSEM #3 and tractor extraordinaire

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    Depends on your needs. Do you carry stuff you want to protect/lock up when out and about? Then you may be get some benefit out of one. I don't have one cause I don't have that need. I have a soft top for when I need to cover stuff up from the elements, provides little security, but flexible enough I can take on/off. See be my build thread for pics. Those with covers will chime in soon.
     
    ColoradoTJ, GNTundra and dcsleeper408 like this.
  4. Dec 5, 2017 at 7:45 AM
    #4
    KB Voodoo

    KB Voodoo New Member

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    I definitely don't like how my bed turns into a dust vacuum with the cover on.
     
    Eclipsed & Floating likes this.
  5. Dec 5, 2017 at 7:57 AM
    #5
    TundraTss

    TundraTss The Mistress

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    Everything. Literally.
    Helps with fuel economy. More aerodynamic.


    Allegedly.
     
    Last edited: Dec 24, 2017
    ColoradoTJ, Sting Ray and Les7311 like this.
  6. Dec 5, 2017 at 8:14 AM
    #6
    ColoradoBoo

    ColoradoBoo New Member

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    Firestone Airbags; remote starter; replaced stock mirrors with larger, pull-out mirrors for towing; hard plastic sectional cover for bed.
    Living in Colorado, I like covers to keep out the snow and, also, we use our truck to pull our camper so need a cover that locks and that is waterproof. On my 2005 Tacoma, I put a one-piece Snugtop and they painted it with my Tacoma gray paint and it looked great but wasn't very practical...took 2-people to remove it/replace it and wouldn't even close if I had a wheel barrel in the bed.

    I did more research for the Tundra and almost got a shell but then went with the hard-plastic 3-piece fold. I love it because it opens at the top or bottom, easy to take off (just a few bolts and not heavy), and locks at the top and bottom. It doesn't claim to be waterproof but I don't get any water in the bed even in heavy rain. But when they installed it they did have to cut a little strip off my bed liner near the rear window of the cab to mount it.
     
  7. Dec 5, 2017 at 8:17 AM
    #7
    kenomouth64

    kenomouth64 New Member

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    Hold the Line! If you are not holding the line, abandon your ship. Destruction is inevitable without more to hold the line!
  8. Dec 5, 2017 at 8:31 AM
    #8
    BHarry

    BHarry New Member

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    I have a hard trifold and I find it very useful. I don't like to have stuff loose in my cab and the CM has very limited storage in the cab. I keep a storage tote in the back with my tow hitch, straps, blankets and other stuff secured with a load bar. I also like that it keeps prying eyes and snow out of the bed. I had a shell on my last truck and find the hard cover to be a good compromise between a shell and nothing. I don't like the soft covers because most end up stretching and then they flap in the wind or sag in the snow.
     
    NewImprovedRon likes this.
  9. Dec 5, 2017 at 8:32 AM
    #9
    RobN22

    RobN22 New Member

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  10. Dec 5, 2017 at 8:36 AM
    #10
    bobeast

    bobeast really old member

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    It seems if you are struggling to justify it, then you probably don't need it. I keep my fishing gear back there in case of an emergency fish urge, so for me it is a necessity.
     
    nixon, TundraTss, 757TUNDRA and 5 others like this.
  11. Dec 5, 2017 at 8:38 AM
    #11
    RobN22

    RobN22 New Member

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    You have a CrewMax, just pop the back seat up and put whatever you need to haul around in there if you don't want to buy a tonneau cover. I can fit a sh*tload of stuff in my cab with the back seats up...
     
    TheBeast and TXMiamiFan like this.
  12. Dec 5, 2017 at 8:43 AM
    #12
    froggy78

    froggy78 Loco Moco Bastrd

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    I agree, its not a necessity. Also, it doesn't improve gas consumption enough even for a 400 dollar cover. If you are on the fence, like it was mentioned before, you probably don't need it. If the day comes that you keep valuable items in the bed or items that need to stay somewhat dry, then your need is there.

    Question is, what do you keep in the bed everyday?
     
  13. Dec 5, 2017 at 9:00 AM
    #13
    rustynail11

    rustynail11 [OP] New Member

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    I have only had the truck a couple of weeks and haven't had a need to keep anything in there. I have an office job so there is no need to keep tools with me. In my Jeep the only thing that was kept in the back on a regular basis was some folding chairs for soccer games but those can easily be removed after games. There is part of me that says I need one and part that says I don't. The only time I can see really needing one is if we took the truck on a long road trip but as the kids get older those are becoming fewer.
     
  14. Dec 5, 2017 at 9:27 AM
    #14
    PermaFrostTRD

    PermaFrostTRD Tumescent Member

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    I never had one until my Tundra (it was a CPO and already had a truxedo installed).

    Now I can’t imagine *not* having one.
     
    TundraTss likes this.
  15. Dec 5, 2017 at 9:38 AM
    #15
    Metro14536

    Metro14536 New Member

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    They are nice to have. I have the Undercover LUX SE Which is color coded. It's nice because it's weather proof unlike the tri-folds. Just having a baby it comes in handy being able to lock all the baby stuff in there.
     
  16. Dec 5, 2017 at 9:48 AM
    #16
    71_340

    71_340 The German

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    Not a necessity but they do come in handy. We stow all our luggage in the bed when we travel because I really don't like having my rear seats folded up and having a bunch of stuff inside the cab. Besides that I like the looks of my Mx4 bed cover.
     
    Metro14536 and G-man like this.
  17. Dec 5, 2017 at 10:03 AM
    #17
    G-man

    G-man New Member

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    Ditto and if the wife want to ride in the back seat to stretch out when traveling she has the option. Luggage is safe and dry in the bed. Love mine!!
     
    71_340[QUOTED] likes this.
  18. Dec 5, 2017 at 10:06 AM
    #18
    15whtrd

    15whtrd Mr. Blonde

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    I bought a soft bed cover from Tyger. I would prefer a hard cover but this one was under 200 bucks shipped. It’s nice when you just need to put some stuff in the back and keep it dry or at least out of sight. I keep a bag of tools, boots and a baseball bat LOL. Also I have beach towels in my backseat at all times for whatever mistakes may happen. When I get people in the truck with me I can put it in the back of the bed without worrying about anything flying out.
     
  19. Dec 5, 2017 at 10:22 AM
    #19
    757TUNDRA

    757TUNDRA Not a New Member

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    Keep a close eye on craigslist. I picked up a Toyota bed cover for $500 a couple of months ago. It was only on the guy's truck for three months and in perfect condition. He hunted a lot and wanted a camper so he could store more gear out of the elements.


     
    geno0506 and ChucklesToy like this.
  20. Dec 5, 2017 at 10:41 AM
    #20
    MistrRoboto

    MistrRoboto '17 MGM SR5 TRD CrewMax

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    I have a Tyger in route. Few friends have them and really like it.

    To the OP, I got tired of the bed filling with stuff like leaves and sand, then cycling into the back of my truck when I rolled the window down. That, plus having some water resistant storage for big things, it just makes sense.
     
    15whtrd[QUOTED] likes this.
  21. Dec 5, 2017 at 10:46 AM
    #21
    gosolo

    gosolo You Don’t Know Who I Am But I Know Where You Live

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    The covers are mainly for truck beds that are used like a giant car trunk.
    Security for golf clubs, suit cases and the occasional un-used tool.
    They really are a handicap for serious truck use like hauling material, firewood, etc.
    Won’t change your mileage as much as a 1mph headwind.
    I’m not using my truck for that stuff either, but haul a lot of gear, so the shell stays on my truck all the time.
    When I’m hauling stuff I hitch up a utility trailer.
     
    Black Wolf likes this.
  22. Dec 5, 2017 at 10:55 AM
    #22
    jeffw6236

    jeffw6236 New Member

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    I went several months without a cover but found that I had a need for covered secured storage. I went with a DiamondBack cover and love it. It’s pricey and more than I need, but it’s secure and easily removable if I need a wide open truck bed. I don’t haul much that can’t fit under it, and sometimes I just strap big heavy stuff on top. Easily the best money I’ve spent.
     
    Tundra9831 likes this.
  23. Dec 5, 2017 at 11:44 AM
    #23
    ChucklesToy

    ChucklesToy New Member

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    I've got the Extang Sold Fold 2.0 which is a hard, folding cover. Easy to take off with four clamps or fold up as needed (I fold it a lot) when using the bed. I haul lots of stuff from building materials to furniture. It's nice to be able to store stuff out of site as needed. My recommendation would be to drive it a while without one and see how comfortable you are. If you come across some occasions where you feel that it would be convenient to have a cover, then buy one. I've had a soft fold type, but didn't keep it long because it ended up flapping. I've had the Undercover solid type, but had to take it off too frequently for tall loads. So, the hard fold works for me. It is largely a matter of choice...good luck.
     
  24. Dec 5, 2017 at 11:52 AM
    #24
    lbcdan

    lbcdan Zip it up and zip it out

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    I have always had a bed cover. It is great to have and I use it all the time. I leave bungees, ratchet straps, jack, golf clubs, stinky golf shoes, wife, etc in the back of mine all the time. I just ordered a BakFlip MX4 for my new 2018 CM
     
  25. Dec 5, 2017 at 12:30 PM
    #25
    joonbug

    joonbug °°°°°°°°°°

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    :p
     
  26. Dec 5, 2017 at 12:33 PM
    #26
    chphilo

    chphilo Tundra addict

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    The advantage of an open bed is that it's open. It's easier if you have to constantly haul stuff in the bed. The disadvantage of an open bed is that it's open. Anyone has access to it. I've seen people using it as trash bin as they walk by.

    Whether to get one really depends on your need. I haul stuff rarely, at least those that require truck bed. But I do like to keep stuff in my bed. Besides, I hated shoveling snow out of truck bed in winter. So it was no brainer for me.

    By the way, for those of us living in the snow country, soft top is really inconvenient.
     
  27. Dec 5, 2017 at 12:39 PM
    #27
    chphilo

    chphilo Tundra addict

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    Got any pictures?
     
  28. Dec 5, 2017 at 1:04 PM
    #28
    ToyotaTrucksRock

    ToyotaTrucksRock New Member

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    It’s definitely a personal choice and falls into what you use your truck for. I use my trucks for everything from running errands, hauling 2-3 dirt bikes, loading up with snowboards and luggage, golf clubs, loading up material and equipment. I’m in and out of my box multiple time a day which is why I’ve been using RollnLock covers since they came out about 20 yrs ago. Do they have there issues, yes but they all do. Here are a few things with this type.
    - Once open you have a fully open box minus the small canister that the cover rolls into.
    -You can lock it in a few different openings.
    - When it’s locked in the closed position it locks to the rails as well as your tailgate.
    - Fastest cover to open and close.
    - The locks and hinges underside can freeze up but common sense will eliminate it. After washing your truck use the air dryer at the car wash and dry out the lock and hinge components. Afterwards spray your lock & hinge components with a silicone spray.
    - Are they water tight? Nope none of them are but they do make a big difference. Having a bed mat also helps as most of the water usually ends up underneath.
     
  29. Dec 5, 2017 at 1:05 PM
    #29
    Tondra

    Tondra New Member

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    Lol, you put your wife in the bed. My wife loves to constantly nag me on long drives and I can't stand it. I really wish sometimes I can just tell her ok that's it your sitting in the bed and make sure you close the tonneau cover.
     
  30. Dec 5, 2017 at 1:09 PM
    #30
    HUTCHJ

    HUTCHJ I can ride my bike with no handlebars

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    I kinda wish I had one because my truck becomes a leaf collectors in the fall. Then when I open my rear window they all come joining in.
     

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