First Post Here, tonneau question

[daChurchPcGuy]

I pick up my new to me 2005 Sport Trac XLT next week and it doesn't have a tonneau cover. I found a couple OEM covers on CL, one with hardware.

My question is: how waterproof are these covers? I plan on keeping tools in the bed so I'd like to keep the dry.

thanks for any input

 

[bdmaash]

not too waterproof

 

[Vitamin_D]

not too waterproof

x2. Better than not having a cover, but it isn't like having a camper shell.

 

[OffTrac]

In a toolbox? They'd be fine.

 

[KajunBndit]

I have a 2004 XLT that came with a cover, I keep my offshore bag in the bed with the tools for my job. It never gets wet in the bed. If you do put a cover on it put a thin rubber gasket down before the cover. I think that helps keeping gear in the back dry.

 

[daChurchPcGuy]

Can anyone tell me the dimensions of the cover off the vehicle? I need to figure out if it will fit in my wife's trunk. (Car trunk)

If I can't get one I'll make one out of aluminum diamond plat, it's been done before but I like the way the OEM looks on the truck.

 

[OffTrac]

I can't get measurements myself right now but when I bought mine, the guy I bought it from brought it in the back of his new Fusion with the rear seats folded down.

 

[daChurchPcGuy]

Argh! Neither cover has the bed hardware. Both sellers assumed the hardware was on all Sport Tracs when they removed them. Well, I made them both an offer so we'll see. They're both on the other side of the state, near Boston.

I'm headed that way for something else anyway.

 

[JohnnyO]

I've had aftermarket vinyl tonneaus on both my Tracs and they are virtually waterproof.
In my case I actually use it like a pickup truck frequently and need the whole bed open, so a hard cover wouldn't work for me.

 

[01STrunner]

I'm in the same boat as JohnnyO and I needed easy access to the bed often but wanted to keep all my tools dry and out of sight like you do. I had a soft snap on cover on but it was a pain in the winter and easy to break into. So I got an Advantage Hard Hat try fold cover and the bed has been waterproof/theftproof since. Its a hard aluminum skin wrapped in vinyl like snap on covers so it keeps the look I want.

 

[daChurchPcGuy]

Wow, the Advantage Hard Hat looks great, it's just about $400 over my budget.

The first seller wouldn't budge from his $200 price without hardware and the second left it at work so I came back empty handed.

Once I get the truck I'll measure it and see if I want to tackle fabricating a cover from aluminum plate. My favorite scrapyard keeps a good stock of various sizes that he sells for 2X the scrap price. It's been done a few times, I've seen picks on the net.

I may also troll the local boneyards just in case they have an ST.

 

[01STrunner]

I can't remember where I got mine but it ran me about 400. It was quite a while ago I picked it up.

 

[OffTrac]

I got my factory one with hardware and in great shape for $150.

 

[daChurchPcGuy]

I got my factory one with hardware and in great shape for $150.

So did I! I had to drive 2.5 hours to New Hampshire but it was worth it. The PO had already removed it from his wrecked 2002 and helped me install it. Now I need to re-key it to match my truck.

I think I gained between .2 and .4 MPG with the tonneau, not much but it's something. I was running my torque app with a bluetooth adapter on the OBDII port and monitored MPG going and coming back.

It's nice to be able to secure my tools. Now I gotta find out how to remove the locks, I'm sure it's been addressed here or at mysporttrac.com. Both sites have been very helpful.