heavy duty tonneau covers?

RoadBoss

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I see lots of posts about tonneau/rack combos, but does anyone have a heavy duty tonneau that doubles as a rack? something you can set things on a strap stuff to?

I've been looking at diamondback covers and they seem great, but that's the only thing I can find like that.

anyone know of any other options?
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Retrax makes the One and Pro XR series. They are retractable locking covers. The One is what I have; it's a composite and will hold 250lbs directly strapped to it. The Pro is aluminum and will hold 500lbs. Both have a rail system that will allow Thule, Yakima, Rhino, Billie Bar, and Elevate racks to be attached. Additionally you can add cleats for straps.
 

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I looked at trying to pair a retrax with a softopper or Bestop. I had deemed it would be possible with drilling through the rails before I found my Fastop.
 

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I see lots of posts about tonneau/rack combos, but does anyone have a heavy duty tonneau that doubles as a rack? something you can set things on a strap stuff to?

I've been looking at diamondback covers and they seem great, but that's the only thing I can find like that.

anyone know of any other options?
I bought the retractable aluminum Retrax Pro and I love it, easy to install and lifetime warranty!!
 


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I see lots of posts about tonneau/rack combos, but does anyone have a heavy duty tonneau that doubles as a rack? something you can set things on a strap stuff to?

I've been looking at diamondback covers and they seem great, but that's the only thing I can find like that.

anyone know of any other options?
Truxedo Sentry CT (aluminum slat type roll-up) is rated for 400 lb, but it doesn't have tie-down cleats. It isn't really intended for that job. It has a fabric surface, so it could end up looking beat-up if you put hard, dirty objects on it regularly, unless you put a blanket under the load or something similar to protect the surface from abrasion. I wouldn't really recommend it for regular use, but it would probably survive carrying light stuff. I have stepped on it once, and it complained a bit, but it didn't collapse. I wouldn't put anything close to 400 lb on it, because that's a static load rating, and just hitting a decent bump could cause a collapse. You could put a dry bag or an inflatable raft on there, but you'd have to improvise a tie-down.
 
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RoadBoss

RoadBoss

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@RoadBoss this is what the RetraxOne XR with the rail and cleats looks like. @Stevedbvik1 has the Elevate rack on his truck and I'll be adding it to mine in addition to the cleats.

PXL_20220515_184820662.MP.jpg


PXL_20220515_184836410.jpg


PXL_20220515_184829907.jpg
That looks really nice, thanks. I was kinda picturing mounting things to it, which wouldn't work with a retractable, but I'm not sure if I'd want to drill into a new expensive cover anyway, so that might actually work.
 

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That looks really nice, thanks. I was kinda picturing mounting things to it, which wouldn't work with a retractable, but I'm not sure if I'd want to drill into a new expensive cover anyway, so that might actually work.
I'm not sure what you're wanting to mount but the rails would make it possible to build a frame above the cover; I'm going to use slotted angle pieces to build a rack that I can attach my bike mounts to. Should cost $20 from the hardware store to buy the slotted angle and t-slot bolts. The rails were the big attraction to this cover for me because I can fasten all sorts of contraptions without having to drill. I'm going to use extruded aluminum to make a basket mount for a spare tire and gas as well.
 

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RoadBoss

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I'm not sure what you're wanting to mount but the rails would make it possible to build a frame above the cover; I'm going to use slotted angle pieces to build a rack that I can attach my bike mounts to. Should cost $20 from the hardware store to buy the slotted angle and t-slot bolts. The rails were the big attraction to this cover for me because I can fasten all sorts of contraptions without having to drill. I'm going to use extruded aluminum to make a basket mount for a spare tire and gas as well.
I've got all sorts of weird ideas going on in my head that would be too hard to explain, but I definitely agree with you about having the rails on the side. I'm even thinking now about doing a short rack over just part of the bed, and leaving the rear open... I dunno. Too many ideas
 
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RoadBoss

RoadBoss

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If you do decide to go with a Retrax cover, don't hesitate to reach out. We usually get good prices for forum members and love helping out! The RetraxPro is amazing if you end up going with a cover that you don't need to be stationary like the diamondback.
 

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