Tonneau Cover for 60-66???

[TR65]

Hey Guys,

I am trying to find a good tonneau for our trucks. I want one for two reasons.
1. Protect my bed wood from sun and rain during daily driving.
2. Improve gas mileage (Tonneau is supposed to give you around 10% improvement due to reduced drag).

I want a soft, no drill, flush mount, tilt up, removable. There are lots of great tonneaus out there that fit the bill but not a one for our trucks that I can find. Does anyone know what the problem is with our trucks? Is it just that there aren't enough of them to make it worth while or some technical problem?

I know I can get a Gaylords hard shell, but they are heavy and expensive.

Does anyone have a good solution for our trucks?

Thanks for any input,

TR

[62 short step]

This is the one im going to get for my truck one day. Its not a flush mount though.

http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/cbe/full.aspx?Page=47

[protrash64]

Sounds like you'll be making one. I searched before buying a used Gaylords. I agree about the expense and weight, but they give you a 1/4'' of lowering for free.

[TR65]

Thanks 62,

That hinged one would be close enough if it comes down to it. Do you know who makes that one? I am a little leery of LMC (and Brothers and the others) because they will slip you some Chinese junk in half a heart beat. I would like to buy from the manufacturer.

TR

[62 short step]

Originally Posted by TR65

Thanks 62,

That hinged one would be close enough if it comes down to it. Do you know who makes that one? I am a little leery of LMC (and Brothers and the others) because they will slip you some Chinese junk in half a heart beat. I would like to buy from the manufacturer.

TR

I dont have a clue who makes it. I guess a phone call could solve that. Might call tomorrow if i remember.

[Clyde65]

There is one here in Texas, I am looking for the name, he has flush mount hard covers.


http://www.checkerpro.com/

[TR65]

protrash64 Re: Tonneau Cover for 60-66???

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Sounds like you'll be making one. I searched before buying a used Gaylords. I agree about the expense and weight, but they give you a 1/4'' of lowering for free.

Pro, How do like the Gaylords? (besides the free lowering)

Clyde65 Re: Tonneau Cover for 60-66???

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There is one here in Texas, I am looking for the name, he has flush mount hard covers.


http://www.checkerpro.com/

Thanks Clyde. That looks like a possible, requires drilling though.

[onebad65c10]

I have a cover on my 65 Short wide. I purchased it from LMC about 4 years ago. The manufacture is Tonneau Masters. I have had no problems out of it. It mounts on top of the bed no drilling, it clamps on. Its a snap and roll cover. I like this cover since I can not open my tailgate from the outside. The only thing that has happened since it has been installed on my truck was we had a lot of snow last Feburary and it slid off my garage onto the cover. It bent the bows. Once cleared off Just took the bows and rebent them back to shape.

Just my $0.02

[protrash64]

Originally Posted by TR65

Pro, How do like the Gaylords? (besides the free lowering)



.

TR.......I've had two of them, the first on my 90SS454. They are heavy duty and serve their purpose well. I like them because they keep my stuff in the back of the truck. I think they are easy to mount, as well. Some people dont like the additional body line created by the over the bed edge, but it doesn't bother me.

I sold my first one and recently ran into the guy that bought it from me. I drilled 2 holes to mount it and he said he would do the rest when he got home.....this was about 3 years ago. Turns out he never put in more screws. A storm blew thru and he told me it ripped off the truck as he did not have it latched at the rear. He found it in his neighbors yard and there was nothing wrong other than scratches on it!! He said he bolted it back on. Lucky it didnt kill someone.

I also carried home a set of double doors from Home Depot on top of the tonneau cover with straps. They are extremely tough, if that matters to you at all.

[protrash64]

Here's a pic I found.....good view of it installed.

[chevyguys]

This company is awesome. I have used them many times over the years. Everything is made to order and Super high quality. You can also order the tonneau in canvas (which I prefer)

http://www.craftecinc.com/

[markeb01]

I had a Gaylord cover on my stepside for about 10 years. For long trips it provided the biggest trunk I’ve owned. For short trips it secured the load and allowed carrying lumber and plywood during the winter without getting the material wet. I waxed it once every couple of years, and after 10 years it still looks nearly new. After retiring I wanted to start hauling stuff and taking loads to the dumps and the cover became inconvenient so I pulled it. I would recommend them for quality and fit if a hard cover is what is desired.

[BR3W CITY]

Originally Posted by Clyde65

There is one here in Texas, I am looking for the name, he has flush mount hard covers.


http://www.checkerpro.com/

I had a tonneau from them back when I had my s10, but I don't think I would do it again.
1. Took a REALLY long time to get it made and sent
2. Upon arrival, it appears you could make one for about $140 in materials, all it is is aluminum window channel, which makes a frame for a layered board of fiberglass. The latches they use are rubber-type toggles, which you can get from a hardware or boat store.
3. Made noisy going down the road, never shut tightly enough. I had to use some foam window sealer around the edge of my box so it wouldn't clatter around.

[TR65]

onebad65c10 Re: Tonneau Cover for 60-66???

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I have a cover on my 65 Short wide. I purchased it from LMC about 4 years ago. The manufacture is Tonneau Masters. I have had no problems out of it. It mounts on top of the bed no drilling, it clamps on. Its a snap and roll cover. I like this cover since I can not open my tailgate from the outside. The only thing that has happened since it has been installed on my truck was we had a lot of snow last Feburary and it slid off my garage onto the cover. It bent the bows. Once cleared off Just took the bows and rebent them back to shape.

Onebad, It seemes Tonneau Masters has gone out of business. They are still on some websites but you can't order them. Other sites say they are no longer available. Thanks anyway.

chevyguys Re: Tonneau Cover for 60-66???

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This company is awesome. I have used them many times over the years. Everything is made to order and Super high quality. You can also order the tonneau in canvas (which I prefer)

http://www.craftecinc.com/

Chevyguys, The Craftec looks good. Thanks.


ProTrash and Markeb01,

Thanks for the pics. The Gaylords seem to be the hot ticket for a hard cover.


I got this e-mail from Xtang today, I could not tell this from their application guide:

Good afternoon,

Extang manufactures two systems for the Chevy C-10 1960-1966 which is as follows:

BlackMax
6 ft bed PN:2320
8 ft bed PN:2325

Full Tilt Snap
6 ft bed PN:8320
8 ft bed PN:8325

Full Tilt Snapless
6 ft bed PN:38320
8 ft bed PN:38325

If you have any further questions please contact us via email or at 800-877-2588.

Dorene Selmi
Customer Service Representative

I like the looks of the BlackMax. I specifically asked for fleets. The numbers above are not in their online application guide.

TR

[TR65]

OK guys,

I am going to try Craftec on the recommendation of Chevyguys. It meets all the criteria for what I wanted.

I will post some install pics when I get it.

Thanks to all for the info.

TR

[TR65]

Well,

Craftec didn't work out. Their cover won't work with our fleet beds because of the corner reinforcement at the tailgate end that is flush with the top of the bedside. To make the cover about flush the frame has to sit down inside the bed, so the corner messes that up.

This seems to be the main issue with Tonneaus and our trucks.

So now I will have to go with an eXtang full tilt. The frame sits on top of the bed side so it can work but is not a flush mount.

[mookandairin]

Originally Posted by markeb01

I had a Gaylord cover on my stepside for about 10 years. For long trips it provided the biggest trunk I’ve owned. For short trips it secured the load and allowed carrying lumber and plywood during the winter without getting the material wet. I waxed it once every couple of years, and after 10 years it still looks nearly new. After retiring I wanted to start hauling stuff and taking loads to the dumps and the cover became inconvenient so I pulled it. I would recommend them for quality and fit if a hard cover is what is desired.
When looking for one on the used market (my money is getting short after building my chassis) what size fits the best or from what kind of truck do I look for when searching? My bed measured 80 1/8 X 58 1/4 (lip edge to lip edge) I see a ton of covers out there but have no clue what other trucks had our bed size for searching. You have an idea what I need to be looking for?
Thanks, Soda

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[The Rocknrod]

mookandairin - 1956 to 66 stepside is the same bed size and maybe up to 72? Maybe even latter.
If you go to the GM Heritage website you can download info on various years as well, dimensions ect are in the info packs. https://www.gmheritagecenter.com/gm-...tion-kits.html