Tonneau cover braces?? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

drink2mny · 10-18-2003, 07:11 PM

I have the older style tonneau that buttons to the bed and tailgate..It was on there when I bought the '72..
Well up over here in East Washington we had some rain last week, and with no braces in the bed for the cover, it started to puddle up and stretch the cover..

Nobody in town seems to deal with the old style..

So nobody has braces.

What have any of you guys used for braces or who could I get in contact with to get some..
I tried JCwhitney and ordered some, but never came for 2 weeks.
so i called and they said they were discontinued .Glad they let me know WHEN I called

Thanks

BLACK AND BLUE 67-72 · 10-19-2003, 12:21 AM

Try www.sportmasters.com They make covers for classic trucks, and they might have something that would work.

Also here is their number 1-800-962-7804. I hope this helps ya!!

Hutch · 10-19-2003, 01:29 AM

drink2mny
Try a boat shop they make bow supports in wood or fiberglass.
Overtons or Ski Limited or Barts all offer them.
Might even check West Marine
or If you are cheap like me you can use some of the fiberglass rods from an old dome tent.

BtnkBndt · 10-19-2003, 01:30 AM

I made them for a 72 Ford P/U and a Suzuki Sidekick I used to have just using galvinized conduit. Made a bracket for the ends that screwed to the sides of the bed. Worked like those little round curtain rods, the conduit just sat in the brackets and you lifted the it in and out. It helped but you really need to curve them so the water drains off. If you curve them you have to flatten the ends a bit and make your brackets square so the don't rotate.

You could make a couple of quickies out of a 2X4 by cutting notches on the ends and a slight arch from side to side, heck whos gonna see em anyway?

Blue Beard · 10-19-2003, 09:33 AM

I had one with the bow supports in it. The bows kind of domed at the center helped alot. But in heavy rains or snows they go down two.

I live in the SW Washington area and get a lot of rain too.

drink2mny · 10-19-2003, 11:12 AM

Thanks for the info guys..
A buddy of mine also said to try an auto upolstry place..

I figured worse case I'll do a little shopping at home depot.. We do have a couple boat places in town that i'm going to call on monday too

Thanks again

10-18-2003, 07:11 PM	#1
drink2mny Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: spokane wa Posts: 2,189	Tonneau cover braces?? I have the older style tonneau that buttons to the bed and tailgate..It was on there when I bought the '72.. Well up over here in East Washington we had some rain last week, and with no braces in the bed for the cover, it started to puddle up and stretch the cover.. Nobody in town seems to deal with the old style.. So nobody has braces. What have any of you guys used for braces or who could I get in contact with to get some.. I tried JCwhitney and ordered some, but never came for 2 weeks. so i called and they said they were discontinued .Glad they let me know WHEN I called Thanks __________________ Support The Board

10-19-2003, 12:21 AM	#2
BLACK AND BLUE 67-72 Firefighter Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Yellville, Ar, USA Posts: 1,943	Try www.sportmasters.com They make covers for classic trucks, and they might have something that would work. Also here is their number 1-800-962-7804. I hope this helps ya!! __________________ '72 Chevy SWB 350 Auto '67 GMC LWB 350 4 speed '70 Chevy 4x4 Stepside 350 Auto Yellville, Ar. USA

10-19-2003, 01:29 AM	#3
Hutch Registered User Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Grapevine, Tx. Posts: 2,142	drink2mny Try a boat shop they make bow supports in wood or fiberglass. Overtons or Ski Limited or Barts all offer them. Might even check West Marine or If you are cheap like me you can use some of the fiberglass rods from an old dome tent. __________________ John Hutchison Grapevine,Texas 68 1/2 t swb 68 Mustang 69 Jaguar 71 1/2 t swb 88 Supra CompTs6m 93 Escort GT 2005 Corolla XRS

10-19-2003, 09:33 AM	#5
Blue Beard Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Washington State Posts: 8,834	I had one with the bow supports in it. The bows kind of domed at the center helped alot. But in heavy rains or snows they go down two. I live in the SW Washington area and get a lot of rain too. __________________ 1970 Chev CST 2003 Harley Fatboy 1975 Chevrolet Step Van 1956 Chev Bel Air 1977 Blazer 2WD For Sale $3000.00 1978 Blazer 2WD For Sale $7000.00 1978 Silverado 2005 Monte Carlo

10-19-2003, 11:12 AM	#6
drink2mny Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: spokane wa Posts: 2,189	Thanks for the info guys.. A buddy of mine also said to try an auto upolstry place.. I figured worse case I'll do a little shopping at home depot.. We do have a couple boat places in town that i'm going to call on monday too Thanks again __________________ Support The Board

10-19-2003, 01:30 AM	#4
BtnkBndt Pennyless Fool Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Forney,Tx Posts: 439	I made them for a 72 Ford P/U and a Suzuki Sidekick I used to have just using galvinized conduit. Made a bracket for the ends that screwed to the sides of the bed. Worked like those little round curtain rods, the conduit just sat in the brackets and you lifted the it in and out. It helped but you really need to curve them so the water drains off. If you curve them you have to flatten the ends a bit and make your brackets square so the don't rotate. You could make a couple of quickies out of a 2X4 by cutting notches on the ends and a slight arch from side to side, heck whos gonna see em anyway?

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