Will it work or fail

Some questions for experts with Tonneau covers. I need a Tonneau cover but actually i don't. I need a cover that i can use for days or hours and then just take it off when the work is done. I cant have a permenant Tonneau so here is what i was thinking.

1. Get these anchors (see pic below) from Diamond back and permenantly install on the wall of the bed, may be 6-8??

2. Have a custom cut tractor trailer grade tarp with holes on the edges and secure it w diamond back tie downs.

So my question

1. Would it hold and not flap on highway.
2. Are these tarps made of strong material to not leak or last forever like Toyotas.
3. I have seen semis covering their freight. Seems to work fine for them.
4. It has to look good too and not ghetto. No, rope with harbor frieght tarp wont let me sleep at night.

 

Retractable cover won’t work?

 

Only if it gives me full CM bed length up to the rear window. Couldnt find one like that.

 

Yeah, I think the smallest canisters might be about 8”. What do you load back there?

 

Verity of stuff you can think of. I use it for distribution business and pleasure. I also have a sport bar which I think will b in a way of permanent tonneau cover. I have my winch and Rigids installed on it so can't take it off either.

 

Do you have a place to store a tonneau? I just put a Extang Solid Fold 2.0 on mine. It is fully removable in a matter of a minute or so. It only has 4 brackets to tie it down and sits on top of your existing bed rails. They also make soft fold tonneau, as well. Got mine from AutoAnything.com

 

I have an Extang Encore. Similar to the Solid Fold, but actually has rails you install onto the bed rails. It too will come off the truck (or back on) in less than a minute.

Semis you see with loads covered in canvas are using their load straps over the cover to help hold it down. I would strongly advise against your idea of canvas held in at the corners by cleats. It will definitely flap in the wind and most likely rip off and cause an accident for some poor soul behind you.

 

What about a soft topper. Those would be above the bed but easy access and would provide some protection

 

Just got roll up on work truck that seems to work well.
https://bakflip.com/bak-revolver-x4...MI0u_tp5Ku3AIVDL7ACh3hhQiPEAQYASABEgJnm_D_BwE

 

I think your tarp idea is awesome... but the tarp will flap and eventually break down the tarp where it connects... and then flap more. Even with tonneau covers eventually the wind works its way in (through the space between the cab and the bed, I think, based on my experience of borrowing one for a week).
I think the only way to know is to try.

I saw you already have a sports bar. Hmmn. I think there's one vendor on here that makes racks that accomodate some tonneau's of the type that sit on top of the bed. But, that's not keeping what you have.

 

The weakest link in your idea is how you'll tie down the tarp around the cleats which I'm assuming won't stretch because it's thick grade with heavy duty grommets, so it'll likely flap. Plus it'll probably take more time than rolling up an Extang or Bakflip to put it on.

Those cleats are overpriced btw, I bought extras to match the ones on my DB. You'll need to drill holes through the plastic rail cover and metal. Tonneau covers aren't permanent alterations.

 

1. I can definitely store it somewhere but look at my current setup. Extend wont work w the sport bar.

2. Bak revolver MIGHT work in my case as i can see from the link it doesnt sit on the edges. Can it be put on and taken off easily like Extend?

3. I know about the tarp holding up. I wanted the canvas like setup and i agree that semi has loading straps on the top which wont look good in my case.