Homemade Tonneau... Just for the Winter.

[xridgelinex]

Now that winter is over, I would like to have a tonneau cover next season.

The purpose of this project is to decrease snow removal from the bed to get to the trunk.

The cover does not have to be water tight, lockable, or pretty.

I am looking into getting some tonneau rails (I need help on what to get) and will start with plywood for the cover.

I would use some sort of cotter pin setup for removal (since I am tall, it will not be a problem reaching to remove the pins) and most likely will have the boards in multiple uneven pieces with rubber strips in between.

Help appreciated...

[srqwhitepearl]

i made my own using boat vinyl from a fabric store . the vinyl was 9.99 a yard. i bought two yards with a $8 discount. the vinyl was 54 inches wide the back of the bed is 54.5 the front is wider. as for the frame i used 1*1 boards. six for the frame and cross members. the vinyl will strech over the edges of the wood. . i stapled the vinyl to the wood then framed the edges with l shaped metal . i went with white vinyl and edges to match my truck. i used two bolts to secure the front tonneau to the upper tie downs. the back i tied to the lower tie downs. there's 1/8 inche gap between the tailgate and tonneau. underneath i used a board of insualtion ducktaped to the frame. i did thos to protect the vinyl from anything in the bed. it also helps keep the wind from blowing up the vinyl.

[shovelhd]

pics please!!!

[xridgelinex]

srqwhitepearl. Thanks for the idea. Very good use of inexpensive materials and I bet it's very light on weight.

If you get a chance please post a pic.

[srqwhitepearl]

i finally put picstures inn my first post

[ChrisM]

Very Ingenious!!!

[xridgelinex]

I see them in your original post. Very nice... My rails will be here by Monday. I have looked into atv ramps for possible frame construction along with plywood with maybe some herculiner. It would be nice for the cover to have a dual purpose.

[shovelhd]

Very nice!! You got me thinking for next winter.

[xridgelinex]

Update:

1) Installed my tonneau rails
2) Have my tonneau clamps.
3) Aluminum diamond plate.

I originally was going to use 1/2 inch plywood with aluminum c channel with color match line-x . After finding a local metals dealer, it was just as cost effective to go with aluminum diamond plate.

I finalized the "tonneau" design this past week. I am hoping by the end of this week to have all the bends in place and the hinge and bed clamps attachments welded in place.

The ramp functionality sub frame has been put onto paper. Still debating on the cost effectiveness. It will be close and still may end up just welding some simple brackets to hold a pre-made ramp under the tonneau.

[xridgelinex]

Current update.... 6/14...

1) Rails installed
2) Sub frame designed, cut and put together
3) Diamond plate cut and bent... still have to rivet and acrylic
4) Using link lock clasps on the back half and torza clamps on the tail section.
5) Hinge and/or gas springs still debatable

Cost:
1) Rails: Torza HH Premier $68 with shipping
2) 2 New Clamps from Torza $19.50
3) Aluminum Diamond Plate
4) Aluminum tube 1.5" x 3/4", & 3/4" x 3/4" (1/8" walls) $134
5) Rivets, 1.5" "L's", Self tap screws $18.35