Tonneau Covers And Trailer Hitches
 

Let's see what you are using for tonneau covers and trailer hitches. Please include pictures, brands and models. Pros and cons, what works, what doesn't and why.

Re: Tonneau Covers And Trailer Hitches
 

http://www.gaylordslids.com/

hard bed covers, happy with mine on 2wd Blazer

Re: Tonneau Covers And Trailer Hitches
 

Gaylord cover and hide-a-hitch behind the license plate.

Re: Tonneau Covers And Trailer Hitches
 

Bought my hidden hitch from CPP. I like that it mounts to the side of the frame instead of the bottom, but this meant I had to modify the bumper brackets a little. Not hard, just wasn't prepared for it.

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p...pswjcnpufj.jpg

Re: Tonneau Covers And Trailer Hitches
 

The hidden hitch sounds great!
Do you have the hinged license plate bracket?
What were the modifications to the bumper brackets?
How did you tie into the wiring harness?
Keep the pictures coming please.

Re: Tonneau Covers And Trailer Hitches
 

WOW!!! Thanks for showing a fine example of what the short bed only guys are cutting themselves short on with a fine example of a mildly customized era correct beauty!

I still have the custom made tonneau cover I had put on the Custom Camper Cheyenne I had, to protect the wood with camper removed and to lend to the "era vibe" I was after. I would have put it on my K2500, but it has cool cargo hooks in the way

Re: Tonneau Covers And Trailer Hitches
 

Xtang

Re: Tonneau Covers And Trailer Hitches
 

Early Classic Enterprise has everything you need in a kit.

Re: Tonneau Covers And Trailer Hitches
 

Here is link to the ECE kit. As far as wiring goes they include a wiring harness that just plugs into your existing ( stock ) wiring harness. I put a hitch on my last truck and there is one going on my latest truck.

http://www.earlyclassic.com/catalog....iver%20Hitches

Re: Tonneau Covers And Trailer Hitches
 

I had an Xtang on my '13 until I put the cap on. I liked it a lot. Is yours the trifold type? Looks like it doesn't quite cover the stake pockets?

Re: Tonneau Covers And Trailer Hitches
 

It covers the pockets - it rolls up. This cover is about 6 yrs old.

Re: Tonneau Covers And Trailer Hitches
 

It sure looks nice!

Re: Tonneau Covers And Trailer Hitches
 

This Answered my question is it possible to have a hidden hitch with the gas tank relocated.

Re: Tonneau Covers And Trailer Hitches
 

Its a little tougher with the hitches that mount to the bottom of the frame. You would end up bolting through the hitch, frame, tank, and then backing plate.

Re: Tonneau Covers And Trailer Hitches
 

I've got an Early Classic Hidden hitch for my Jimmy.

Very good hitch and complete kit. Was a little difficult to install with the tank in since the one for the Blazer/Jimmy bolts to the bottom of the frame and there is barely any room to get a wrench between the frame and tank.

I was really surprised that I could reuse my gas tank skid plate, and only needed to slightly open up the holes.

My only complaint is that it is just barely visible under the bumper on the side plates. I feel like these could have been rounded off so that they weren't as noticeable, but that is being really nit-picky, and mine isn't a show truck anyway.

Re: Tonneau Covers And Trailer Hitches
 

Can I assume that the hidden hitches work well with a stock spare tire and carrier? I really like the idea of having one on the Highlander.

Re: Tonneau Covers And Trailer Hitches
 

Yes they do, everything clears on my truck with the stock spare tire.

Re: Tonneau Covers And Trailer Hitches
 

Wonder if I welded it in instead of bolting it. I will have to play around when I get back. I m looking at the HD poly tank.

Re: Tonneau Covers And Trailer Hitches
 

Let's bump this back to the top and include bed mats and Bed Rugs.

Re: Tonneau Covers And Trailer Hitches
 

I didn't really want to drop 150 or 200 bucks for a hitch, so I made my own. Just had to drill the holes in the trucks frame to mount it. I made it out of 3/8 plate and square tubing. Triple passed with 7018 rods. Added gussets on the back side that you can't see for added strength and support

Re: Tonneau Covers And Trailer Hitches
 

Pretty sure the rest of the truck will give up before that hitch bracket does!! :lol:

Re: Tonneau Covers And Trailer Hitches
 

Cover from LMC
http://i1049.photobucket.com/albums/...psztfsb81b.jpg

Re: Tonneau Covers And Trailer Hitches
 

Bump

Re: Tonneau Covers And Trailer Hitches
 

Ttt

Re: Tonneau Covers And Trailer Hitches
 

I have a truxedo cover and it does well, a little dusty in this picture though.

http://imageshack.com/a/img921/3930/Tk6ACy.jpg

Re: Tonneau Covers And Trailer Hitches
 

Here is a cover that is a little different, its made by Pace Edwards and is electrically operated. Its strong enough to walk on. The Drawtite hitch fits on the frame and only had to drill one added hole on each side.

Re: Tonneau Covers And Trailer Hitches
 

Early Classics Hidden Hitch.

:gmc2:

Re: Tonneau Covers And Trailer Hitches
 

Nice cover. How pricey is that?

Re: Tonneau Covers And Trailer Hitches
 

I bought it 10 years ago and at that time it was around $1200

Re: Tonneau Covers And Trailer Hitches
 

I have the manual version of the Pace Edwards retractable cover. Works great.

I have a hidden hitch behind the license plate. Don't have any photos though. Works great. It did require a little alteration to how the spare attaches, but I still carry the spare in the stock location. I also had to remove a portion of the half-leaf overload spring brackets where they wrap around the frame rail to make room for the hitch frame, but I simply added additional bolts to the spring brackets to secure them for firmly with what was left.

Re: Tonneau Covers And Trailer Hitches
 

How are those aluminum Jack Rabbits vs their regular JR with soft top? Not sure which to go with, the price is substantial.

Re: Tonneau Covers And Trailer Hitches
 

I have the soft top Jack Rabbit. They say it can support up to 150lbs closed but I don't think I'd ever try that. A neighbor has had one on his long bed modern Ford F-350 for over ten years without any problems. The soft cover looks a little weathered but then that truck always sits outside and he never treats it with anything.

On the hard cover Jack Rabbits my concern would be dirt and grit getting in the hinges between each panel and causing it to not roll up smoothly over time. But the joints look tight so maybe that's an irrational concern. Anyway, I very much like and prefer the soft cover I bought (and it is less expensive). If overall security is a concern, the hard cover would be the best choice. As moderately substantial as the soft cover looks, you could poke through it if you tried and didn't care about making noise. The soft cover does flap a bit at highway speeds some days, nothing obnoxious and less than a completely soft cover would do but still.