Truck cover bed prop

[thedudeabides86]

Hey everybody,

Car show season is finally here in MN!

Would anyone have any suggestions on propping up the bed area of a truck cover to prevent water and snow from collecting in the bed where the cover can sag down? I tried some old tent poles and they just seem to rigid. I placed them in the square holes in the box sides. I've tried PVC pipe with the same result. It pulled the cover up exposing the paint on the panels a little bit. I did store some patio lounge chairs in the bed over the winter and was able to prop them a little bit to keep most of the water and snow off, but I know I could do a little better than that. What does everybody use to prop up that part of the cover? Thanks!

[Smitty]

I think that I would make a PVC rectangle. With legs that will put the frame a little higher than the bed sides. Use the caps they have to plug the tubing, and then find the covers you can use on folding chairs to prevent damage to high end flooring and assemble it inside the bed. Not using the pockets. Make a small denim bag to put parts in when it isn't needed.

[LS short box]

Maybe some tent poles like they use in ground blinds?

[thedudeabides86]

Originally Posted by Smitty

I think that I would make a PVC rectangle. With legs that will put the frame a little higher than the bed sides. Use the caps they have to plug the tubing, and then find the covers you can use on folding chairs to prevent damage to high end flooring and assemble it inside the bed. Not using the pockets. Make a small denim bag to put parts in when it isn't needed.

Oh, I gotcha. Basically something made out of PVC that will stand by itself on the floor of the bed, just high enough to arc the fabric cover. That's brilliant. See, this is why I love this place. Thanks for the idea! I'll post pictures as I go along.

[Smitty]

Actually use this method to cover my lemon tree when we rarely get a frost warning. Keeps the material off the tree. I don’t glue the segments together. Thus am able to use them for other purposes as well. When we got new flooring in our house the wife found these little bootie things that slip on the legs so the don’t Mar the floor. Personally I never take mine out in inclement weather. The entry fee just goes to charity around here anyway.

[thedudeabides86]

Originally Posted by Smitty

Actually use this method to cover my lemon tree when we rarely get a frost warning. Keeps the material off the tree. I don’t glue the segments together. Thus am able to use them for other purposes as well. When we got new flooring in our house the wife found these little bootie things that slip on the legs so the don’t Mar the floor. Personally I never take mine out in inclement weather. The entry fee just goes to charity around here anyway.

Do you recall what diameter of PVC you used? I'm gonna look into making this. That would be perfect as my truck will be stored outside under this truck cover from LMC for the foreseeable future. In the bed I have some patio furniture that sorta props it up, but when it's warmer here that will come out and sit in the backyard.

[Smitty]

I usually use schedule 40 in 3/4" or 1" dia. I pick it up at Home Depot or Lowe's. I would let the availability of the required fittings regulate the size. Like the corner pieces that bring everything together. And caps for the bottom or the legs. If you have a long bed I would suggest getting a couple of "t" fittings so as to put a support in the middle of the frame. Since pvc is inexpensive and I would guess that at times the snow may be pretty substantial you would want good support. Might even go for a little over kill and instead of just a cross piece in the middle. Incorporate a cross front to back, side to side in the middle of the outer frame to aid it in supporting any weight that may accumulate. Get the pvc with the thickest wall to have the most support.