Hi all, We've just taken possession of our new F350 Powerstroke. Thanks to everyone for all the great advise in selecting it.Got a question. We will be using it to tow a Travel Trailer. A slight possibility exists that maybe, possibly sometime in the future we will get a 5th but it is a big maybe!So to secure our stuff and keep it dry and dust free we are considering either a Tonneau or a Cap.What are the pro's and cons of each? what is recommended? Sometimes we will put our bikes in so IF we decided on a Tonneau then it would be a retractable that can be left open such as the Pace Edwards Switchblade SwitchbladeObviously a cap has major advantages, but what worries me is that it destroys the finsih on your truck? We have plastic side rails on the truck so I was also wondering if it would fit on top of those so that it doesn't beat up the truck incase we ever want to remove it. And then there is the question of where do you store it IF you did remove it!Any advise is welcome!ThanksSteve

Here's the truck, in the picture you can just see the plastic bed rails.

I have a Pace Edwards Full Metal Jackrabbit because I do have a 5er and can pull the cover back over the hitch when not towing (which is most of the time) to hide whatever I may have in the bed. The last time I had a cap (many years ago) it was gasketed all around so it protected the truck rails from any rubbing.From my experience/observation, a cap will keep things dryer than a retractable tonneau cover as there is more of an overlap of the bed all around. My Pace Edwards does a pretty good job, but it does allow some water to enter where it pulls back against the tailgate. Just have not found a way to completely seal that area at the corners of the tailgate.

I have a TT and have a cap. I like all the secure storage that it gives us. I have the rails on it so I can add a roof rack system for a canoe or kayaks. I don't know if it does anything for mileage with better airflow between the truck and TT.

You have to ask yourself what you're going to be using the truck bed for when not towing. for me, I need to haul material quite often (like gravel, beauty bark etc), so a cap was out. i seriously considered a roll up tonneau, but ended up buying a diamond plate tool box so I could keep my smaller tool box, and a few other RV related items secured and ready at all times. I bought the low profile model, so when we buy a 5th wheel, I'll be able to see to hitch up. Good luck with your decision and BTW, beautiful truck!!

I wouldn't want a tonneau unless it was solid/lockable/and was partitioned so that tall things could be carried. I have to laugh when I see somebody drive out of home depot with the one piece tonneau sticking up at a 45 degree angle. I wouldn't worry about scuffing the top of your bed rails. I put down double sticky sided foam stuff when I installed mine.bumpy

Cap or Tonneau or Neither? | Good Sam Community

54 Replies

nohurry
Explorer
May 15, 2015
You have to ask yourself what you're going to be using the truck bed for when not towing. for me, I need to haul material quite often (like gravel, beauty bark etc), so a cap was out. i seriously considered a roll up tonneau, but ended up buying a diamond plate tool box so I could keep my smaller tool box, and a few other RV related items secured and ready at all times. I bought the low profile model, so when we buy a 5th wheel, I'll be able to see to hitch up. Good luck with your decision and BTW, beautiful truck!!
bluie5
Explorer
May 15, 2015
I have a TT and have a cap. I like all the secure storage that it gives us. I have the rails on it so I can add a roof rack system for a canoe or kayaks. I don't know if it does anything for mileage with better airflow between the truck and TT.
BB_TX
Nomad
May 15, 2015
I have a Pace Edwards Full Metal Jackrabbit because I do have a 5er and can pull the cover back over the hitch when not towing (which is most of the time) to hide whatever I may have in the bed. The last time I had a cap (many years ago) it was gasketed all around so it protected the truck rails from any rubbing.

From my experience/observation, a cap will keep things dryer than a retractable tonneau cover as there is more of an overlap of the bed all around. My Pace Edwards does a pretty good job, but it does allow some water to enter where it pulls back against the tailgate. Just have not found a way to completely seal that area at the corners of the tailgate.
smcrea
Explorer II
May 15, 2015

Here's the truck, in the picture you can just see the plastic bed rails.

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Cap or Tonneau or Neither?

54 Replies

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