Tonneau or Tonno Cover Bows or Rails

[Hard Luck]

I am looking to have a snap style tonneau cover made to fit my truck but I need to find my own bows. They should be pretty available but the local boat shop told me to just give up, (I seem to hear that a lot) the the local upholstry shop told me that his customers come in with them.

Where can I find these, something in fiberglass/composite or aluminum?

[SS Tim]

The last one I can remember making us in '77. Standard vinylized cloth boat top material. For the bows we use one on swb and two on lwb trucks. They were a bulk flatstock ash with a matching size chrome marine surface mount box fitting. Might have to make the sockets but the wood any quality hardwood supply should have. Modern composite replacements would be ok but likely expensive. Might try a ski shop.

[special-K]

It's tonneau. I'm surprised these shops didn't just offer to get the materials for you. Any real upholstery shop would at least have some idea of where to tell you to get the bow material,sockets,and front track. My upholstery guy orders that stuff for me. They are supposed to be the resource for anything related. I've had several done and the most recent one was on a utility bed. That was the first one that used aluminum tub with plastic fittings on the ends to fit the mount pieces on the side. The tube has a slight arch to it. This was the first one where I did everything but the tarp material itself. It was on a utility bed and I didn't want it to just snap over the edges because I needed to step on top of the boxes. I bought 1" aluminum channel and made side pieces,then installed the bow mounts to that. Took it in to them and the fitted the heavy duty truck tarp material.

[TobyArnot]

See if this will do:
.
http://www.classicparts.com/1954-87-...ctinfo/15-911/
.

Scroll down, price is for pair.

[special-K]

$65 for that??!!! Man,I'm going to have to talk to Joe's Upholstery and see what's up. I googled tonneau cover parts,components,replacement parts,etc and all I got were newfangled frame mount complete units I can find anywhere w/o Google shoved in my face. Now Classic has single bows for $65 each and they don't even say which type of bed (just send your money and find out),but I assume it's Stepside.

[JWall]

Sounds like a $300 to the door Craftec cover might be an option to look at.

[chopnchaneled]

Subcribed,

While craftech makes good stuff, looking for bows for a snap on cover.

The velcro one i had got all gooey "if thats a word" and would not stay sealed,
kept coming loose going down the road.

[special-K]

The new style tonneaus are cool and all,but I like my trucks old school...the way it always was,and I haven't changed. I still drill tiny holes in nice bedsides for a truly custom detail. I've heard people squawk for many years over it. I'm just not into bolt-on off the shelf when it comes to custom and/or period enhancements. Custom upholstery is a true custom handmade touch that goes back to when custom meant custom and there was no alternative. You can get any color or material made on earth,too. Like match your interior.

EDIT: Velcro is for old folk's shoes. Snaps is where it's at!

[Billett]

Originally Posted by special-K

The new style tonneaus are cool and all,but I like my trucks old school...the way it always was,and I haven't changed. I still drill tiny holes in nice bedsides for a truly custom detail. I've heard people squawk for many years over it. I'm just not into bolt-on off the shelf when it comes to custom and/or period enhancements. Custom upholstery is a true custom handmade touch that goes back to when custom meant custom and there was no alternative. You can get any color or material made on earth,too. Like match your interior.

EDIT: Velcro is for old folk's shoes. Snaps is where it's at!

That's the plan for my current truck. How much does say a lwb tonneau run you at your fabric place? The fabric alone at mine is pretty pricey, but I'm not much of a connoisseur in that area haha

[haysonj]

(Velcro is for old folk's shoes.) Watch the old crap, did you know there is a whole generation of young people that can't tie a shoelace because of Velcro

[special-K]

I haven't had a cover done for a while,so not up on current costs. That '95 used a truck tarp material that is the most tear and shrink resistant and also most expensive. I ended up totaling that truck in an accident. It was upside down with all my carpentry tools,such as table saw,mitre box,air compressor,boxes of screws & nails,etc. and suspended by the tonneau without a tear. Pretty amazing.
I'm saving that Taylor Made site just in case my guy ends up not being able to find this stuff...which I highly doubt. He does boats as well.

Originally Posted by haysonj

(Velcro is for old folk's shoes.) Watch the old crap, did you know there is a whole generation of young people that can't tie a shoelace because of Velcro

The comment is all in fun,of course,but I still say velcro is for old folks (who are unable or it has become difficult to tie their own shoes). I hope to tie my shoes till my last day. The point is,velcro has no place on tonneau covers. As far as kids shoes with velcro? That's for enabling parents who lack the foresight that teaching your child how to tie their own shoes is an important part of their development as well as allowing a better feeling of self worth. My kids never had velcro shoes

[Billett]

Truxedo and Extang make roll up covers for our years as well. As for bows, the cover on my s10 just had flat aluminum pipe maybe 1" diam. that sat on a rail clamped to the bedside. The pipe was held to the main vinyl by some pieces of velcro that were stitched into it. I can take pictures later if you like

[70cst]

I have an Extang Tonneau and I love it. I didn't want to drill holes in my truck. It's not what you was asking for but when you add up the costs of your project compare the prices of already made tonneaus. Good Luck

[Billett]

Is that a roll up or flip up? I'd like to still be able to use my bed to haul furniture if the need arises. And if it's a flip up, how long does it take to come off completely?

[skoolbusyeller72]

I have the extang roll up on my 72 the frame is guaranteed for life and the fabric for 10 years... no holes to drill and it looks and fits great .

[Hard Luck]

Originally Posted by special-K

EDIT: Velcro is for old folk's shoes. Snaps is where it's at!

That's it! Thanks to the guys who are trying to sell me a new kit but as I stated, I already have snaps on the truck, there would be no cost savings by buying a kit and welding up every single hole and repainting the bed and tailgate.

Still looking for bows, thanks TobyArnot, will give Classic Parts a call but that seems a lot more than I expected. Will also try the ski shop that SS Tim sugested.

[70cst]

Originally Posted by Hard Luck

That's it! Thanks to the guys who are trying to sell me a new kit but as I stated, I already have snaps on the truck, there would be no cost savings by buying a kit and welding up every single hole and repainting the bed and tailgate.

Still looking for bows, thanks TobyArnot, will give Classic Parts a call but that seems a lot more than I expected. Will also try the ski shop that SS Tim sugested.

I missed the part where you said you already had the holes drilled. I don't think anyone was trying to sell you on a Tonneau but just offering an option. Best of luck with your search

[SS Tim]

Here is what I found over at Taylor Made, ah the memories, they have be doing this forever it seems. http://www.taylormadeproducts.com/catalog/

http://www.taylormadeproducts.com/catalog/

[haysonj]

Originally Posted by Hard Luck

That's it! Thanks to the guys who are trying to sell me a new kit but as I stated, I already have snaps on the truck, there would be no cost savings by buying a kit and welding up every single hole and repainting the bed and tailgate.

Still looking for bows, thanks TobyArnot, will give Classic Parts a call but that seems a lot more than I expected. Will also try the ski shop that SS Tim sugested.

Overtons has wood bows for boat covers for about $10 ea, you may be able to make them work

[70cst]

Originally Posted by Billett

Is that a roll up or flip up? I'd like to still be able to use my bed to haul furniture if the need arises. And if it's a flip up, how long does it take to come off completely?

That is a roll up with no use of Velcro...

http://www.extangfactoryoutlet.com/R...lts=51&index=1