Full access, mount on top, hard tonneau?

[subquark]

I'm sure tonneaus have been beat to death on the forum but I can't find what "I'd like to have".

Is there any hard folding one that sits on the rails (no additional inside-the-bed rails), and folds all the way up for full access?
I see really nice Bakflips that fold completely up and let the brake light show, but those look like they're all flush mount with their own side rails. I understand that makes a better seal.

And maybe I'm getting too nuts on the space that inside rails take (I'm short and will have a hard enough time reaching into the bed, let alone the additional width of added side rails). BUT ... maybe I'm making that into way too big of a deal.

I dunno but I do know that there are many seasoned experts on this forum to kick me in the ass, err, I mean offer gentle guidance!

Thanks! =)

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[Frenchy]

That I am aware of there is no folding tonneau cover that doesnt have you add mounting rails since the rails are needed. Like it or not that is the truth of the matter

 

[Elmosaurus]

There is only one that I know of; Extang Tri Fold 2.0
Extang Tri Fold 2.0 Hard Tonneau

It was the one I was planning on getting, but the reviews have been pretty consistently bad that it leaks, and not just at the sides or bulkhead, but EVERYWHERE, even the hinges along each panel in the center of the bed area.
Leak test

Lund makes their own version, but they have not released a Ranger sized model as of yet.
Lund Hard Fold Tonneau

I'd be really interested in trying theirs as I trust their manufacturing process a bit better. But I don't know that they'll release one before I will need to purchase. (so I'll have to settle for either an add a rail model or go hog wild and get the Diamondback and lose the ability to full open the bed on a whim)

 

[Marpater]

I had a trifold hard cover for my F150 (don't recall what brand but could swear it was a bak flips) that sat on top of the bed rails. Each section was secured to the rail with clamps between the cover and the bed rails, it was fairly water tight but did leak, it would fold up all the way allowing for complete bed use. What did not like about it, it didn't like staying aligned with the bed, to open each section you had to undue a clamp on either side and slide them out of the way and if you undid (2) sections you have to undue all the clamps realign and then lay on your back in the bed to align and secure the cover. Not that big a deal really, but still a bit of a PIA.
The Rough Country cover I have on the Ranger I like but if you want to use the whole 5' of bed above the rails you have to remove the cover, which is easily done and is not difficult at all to put back on and get it aligned.

 

[Canuckian]

That I am aware of there is no folding tonneau cover that doesnt have you add mounting rails since the rails are needed. Like it or not that is the truth of the matter

Does the idea of putting rails on top of the factory "rails" (i.e. the plastic bed rail caps) bother anyone else? I am interested in the Retrax XR cover (with the T-track rails), but the "rails on rails" system looks messy. I would love an aftermarket bed rail cap that included the t-track and possible a sleeker tonneau mounting system. If only such a thing existed...

 

[subquark]

That I am aware of there is no folding tonneau cover that doesnt have you add mounting rails since the rails are needed. Like it or not that is the truth of the matter

It makes sense as far as being able to make a good fit that doesn't slide and doesn't move around. Thanks, you've helped me see that I'm getting too hung up on something that isn't a big deal. Thanks Frenchy!

 

[subquark]

There is only one that I know of; Extang Tri Fold 2.0
Extang Tri Fold 2.0 Hard Tonneau

It was the one I was planning on getting, but the reviews have been pretty consistently bad that it leaks, and not just at the sides or bulkhead, but EVERYWHERE, even the hinges along each panel in the center of the bed area.
Leak test

Lund makes their own version, but they have not released a Ranger sized model as of yet.
Lund Hard Fold Tonneau

I'd be really interested in trying theirs as I trust their manufacturing process a bit better. But I don't know that they'll release one before I will need to purchase. (so I'll have to settle for either an add a rail model or go hog wild and get the Diamondback and lose the ability to full open the bed on a whim)

LOL, maybe that's an autowash feature on the Extang! Thanks for the link and mention of issues.

And I'll keep an eye on that Lund and your advice that it's better quality - thanks Elmosaurus!

 

[subquark]

I had a trifold hard cover for my F150 (don't recall what brand but could swear it was a bak flips) that sat on top of the bed rails. Each section was secured to the rail with clamps between the cover and the bed rails, it was fairly water tight but did leak, it would fold up all the way allowing for complete bed use. What did not like about it, it didn't like staying aligned with the bed, to open each section you had to undue a clamp on either side and slide them out of the way and if you undid (2) sections you have to undue all the clamps realign and then lay on your back in the bed to align and secure the cover. Not that big a deal really, but still a bit of a PIA.
The Rough Country cover I have on the Ranger I like but if you want to use the whole 5' of bed above the rails you have to remove the cover, which is easily done and is not difficult at all to put back on and get it aligned.

That makes sense that it would move around, since it's on top of the rails. I'm being too OCD about the added rails and there's a reason they do it (LOL, after all, tonneau makers sit around all day trying to make better products and I sure don't know anything at all about that!). =D

And that does sound like a big PIA, especially after working all day and needing to get in and out of it.

I'll check out the Rough Country one, if it's that easy to remove and put back on, that would be workable. I only need to remove it if I'm home getting ready to haul brush to the dump, so no biggie in storing it.

Thanks Marpater!

 

[subquark]

Does the idea of putting rails on top of the factory "rails" (i.e. the plastic bed rail caps) bother anyone else? I am interested in the Retrax XR cover (with the T-track rails), but the "rails on rails" system looks messy. I would love an aftermarket bed rail cap that included the t-track and possible a sleeker tonneau mounting system. If only such a thing existed...

Hmm, new things for me to look up! Thanks Canuckian! I'm from Quebec but now live in New Hampshire - nice to meet you! =)

 

[Elmosaurus]

I'll check out the Rough Country one, if it's that easy to remove and put back on, that would be workable. I only need to remove it if I'm home getting ready to haul brush to the dump, so no biggie in storing it.

Thanks Marpater!

The Rough Country is basically like most of the other Hard Fold units; add on rails stay installed (clamped to factory rails) and after folding up the cover it can be detached at the bulkhead.

 

[Peragrin]

That I am aware of there is no folding tonneau cover that doesnt have you add mounting rails since the rails are needed. Like it or not that is the truth of the matter

My Lear soft tri folding cover has 2 clamps at the front and 2 spring clamps at the back and the sides fold up. In a down pour or snow storm i hav eyet to get water in from the cover as long as I put it on in the correct place.

Whiles a heaver hard folding cover may require additional clamps I don't see why it would need rails unless it is low profile.

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