DIY Hillbilly Truck Bed Cover (Tonneau) for 2019/20 Ford Ranger.

[MyLittleRanger19]

they mention the 6 inch strip next to the tailgate here. this is with an f150 in fords tunnel and a ford engineer.
maybe things have changed since the 80s?

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[DIYAndy]

At 1:37, in the above video, "Tonneau cover are more efficient" When something is more efficient then you "might" get more MPG
BTW - This summer vacation I will definitely check for any noticeable MPG differences with my DIY truck bed cover on/off

 

[svache]

Oh who should we believe.. The retired engineer with nothing to gain by sharing his knowledge, or companies who want to make a buck or two....

 

[DIYAndy]

Oh who should we believe.. The retired engineer with nothing to gain by sharing his knowledge, or companies who want to make a buck or two....

Correct me if I am wrong, but it seems we have two Ford engineers (one working and the other retired) saying two different/opposite things about the efficiency of a Tonneau cover.

 

[svache]

Correct me if I am wrong, but it seems we have two Ford engineers (one working and the other retired) saying two different/opposite things about the efficiency of a Tonneau cover.

There's Phil, who I know tested this. Who is the other one?

For what it's worth, I don't recall noticing a decrease or increase of my mileage after installing the cover. A cover looks better IMHO, it keeps my stuff dry, but when it comes to mileage, who gives a hoot lol. If people wanted a fuel efficient car, they shouldn't be driving a truck

 

[DIYAndy]

who I know tested this. Who is the other one?

From the video above Ref. #48 - Brad Richards - Design Manager, Ford Motor Company

 

[jsphlynch]

Hillbillies don't file or get patents they just do it to get the job done

@DIYAndy do you think this will get the job done? I changed your design quite a bit and have almost got my version finished. Pic is of a test fit before adding anchors for final mounting.

 

[DIYAndy]

do you think this will get the job done? I changed your design quite a bit and have almost got my version finished. Pic is of a test fit before adding anchors for final mounting.

Yep, and you must had spent some time on the sleek edge contours of your truck bed cover (Tonneau)
Just curious, approximate cost?

 

[I_smell_like_diesel]

@DIYAndy do you think this will get the job done? I changed your design quite a bit and have almost got my version finished. Pic is of a test fit before adding anchors for final mounting.

Looks sharp for a home brew bed cover. Like that quite a bit!

 

[jsphlynch]

Yep, and you must had spent some time on the sleek edge contours of your truck bed cover (Tonneau)
Just curious, approximate cost?

Yeah, I spent more time than I should have trying to make inconsequential things look sleeker. I guess that makes mine more of the "city slicker" version than the "hillbilly" version.

I'll do a full write-up in the next few days including actual cost, but I think it's in the range of $130-140 before taxes.

 

[DIYAndy]

it's in the range of $130-140 before taxes.

I take it, from the cost, that you designed a "soft cover"

 

[jsphlynch]

I take it, from the cost, that you designed a "soft cover"

Nope, it's solid. I think I may have used a lower grade of plywood than you, plus I skipped out on all the steel braces you used (which I'm sure added up). Hopefully I don't regret either of those changes...

 

[Blue Streak]

Mine is not as pretty, but it is load adjustable and they even had it in my color.

 

[LostMy65]

Going camping this weekend and my canopy isn't in yet. So I made this funky plywood cover to somewhat protect my stuff.

 

[LostMy65]

Going camping this weekend and my canopy isn't in yet. So I made this funky plywood cover to somewhat protect my stuff.

Absolutely ironic timing.
They told me 4 weeks and it got here in a little over 2 weeks.

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