Forum Discussion

GoPackGo's avatar
GoPackGo
Explorer
Jun 22, 2013

Need a Tonneau Cover

Folks - I could REALLY use some help - I have a 2013 F350 Long Bed with a Hensley BD3 5th wheel hitch and a recently installed aux fuel tank in the bed. The hitch is lower then the top of the bed rails and the aux tank is about 1/2 inch lower then the top of the bed rails.

I would REALLY like to find a hard tonneau cover that will work but so far - no luck. The retractables all seem to require room at the front of the bed but there is none because of the tank. Looks like none of the covers will work that sit level with or below the bed rails. I have investigated Fold-A-Cover (sits above the rails) and even talked with their customer service. It will not work either because there is a bunch of hardware under the front panel that requires several inches of clearance.

Are there any others that could work ?

Or am I locked into getting a soft cover ?

Please understand that I have nothing against soft covers. I just want a hard cover from the security point of view. If a soft cover is my best option, then I just won't keep anything valuable in the bed.

Thanks very much.

Tim
Tow Vehicles
  • Perrysburg_Dodg's avatar
    Perrysburg_Dodg
    Explorer
    Jun 24, 2013
    Well since you said you are looking for a hard tonneau cover Leer LINK make one that should work for you. as you can see the front rail only drops down one inch.



    Don
  • GoPackGo's avatar
    GoPackGo
    Explorer
    Jun 23, 2013
    I intend to full-time. So for the winter months the 5th wheel would be pretty much stationary. Ideally, during that time, I would want to be able to keep the bed covered and the hitch and aux tank protected from the elements. If I had a hard cover, something like a BAKflip or a Fold-A-Cover, then I could keep the tank and hitch out of the elements for that entire winter time period. And I could open it and fold it back to refuel the aux tank as needed. I had also hoped to be able to fold back the cover and 'stack' the panels over the aux tank so that the tank would have some protection even while towing during the other 3 seasons. Then I would just un-stack and fold it back over bed while I'm at a campground.
  • Hank85713's avatar
    Hank85713
    Explorer
    Jun 23, 2013
    Is this something to take off when towing? Or is this something to put in place when not towing? I like cross bed truck boxes, but I also wanted a hard cover and as you know they are really not available. What I did was get a short bed cover off craigs list and then cut to fit for the truck box. Ended up cutting about 8 inches off and I made some hinges to fit a piece of angle iron that I welded to fit across the bed and bolt to the truck box. Now I know you wont want to bolt to the tank but if you think you can make something fit that you will like. for the tank fueler you could get a long cover, as to cover the tank and hinge to raise for the rest of the bed. Make a cut out for the fuel port. Basically would be a 2 piece setup with the long one to be removed when towing?

    Just a thought.
  • nohurry's avatar
    nohurry
    Explorer
    Jun 22, 2013
    dspencer wrote:
    donn0128 wrote:
    Retrax for a short bed.


    X2 on the Retrax, had mine for a year and a half and love it.


    How much of the bed does the Retrax take up for the rotary storage part in front?
  • DerekV's avatar
    DerekV
    Explorer
    Jun 22, 2013
    I am on my second undercover. They are great one on the F150 and now on my Ram. They do sit a little below bed rails though.
  • The_Texan's avatar
    The_Texan
    Explorer
    Jun 22, 2013
    caseyhoward wrote:
    Backflip
    Best I have ever had... Five years old look like new

    X-2
    We have the Backflip and love it, sets on top of the rails and is easy to operate. Call them and talk to them about your particular issues and I am sure they will have or can modify one to work.
  • Farmer_David's avatar
    Farmer_David
    Explorer
    Jun 22, 2013
    I have a fuel tank also and I looked and looked at bed covers, the fuel tank leaves you very limited on covers that will work. I finally got a Truxsport it works fine with fuel tank and hitch. There is better covers on the market but they would not work with my fuel tank. The Truxport is doing a fine job for me
  • Randu's avatar
    Randu
    Explorer
    Jun 22, 2013
    dspencer wrote:
    donn0128 wrote:
    Retrax for a short bed.


    X2 on the Retrax, had mine for a year and a half and love it.


    I don't think that will work with the fuel tank the OP has in the front part of the bed. I'm thinking that soft may be the only way with the tank and hitch and the minimum amount of hardware. Truxedo-Duce might give you easy flip access without having to roll up? Randu
  • dspencer's avatar
    dspencer
    Explorer
    Jun 22, 2013
    donn0128 wrote:
    Retrax for a short bed.


    X2 on the Retrax, had mine for a year and a half and love it.

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