Bed cover question

[Denee007]

Hi! I'm going to be parking my Betsy outside a little more than I care to, but would like a nice cover for the bed to keep leaves out and rain. Any ideas for a bed cover?
dne'

[fabguy]

I bought a complete truck cover from ebay and it is a good one thats felt lined and everything.
mine sits under a carport and covered.

[Denee007]

I have full cover on my little Tracker that I recently painted, I guess an entire truck cover would be good too for Betsy. I'd still like a bed cover, something simple, or some people use plywood with vinyl? or even a fiberglass flip up would be cool if they're made.

[OrrieG]

Gaylord comes to mind, but pricey. Ogre made his. I am going to make mine too, but way down the todo list.

[Denee007]

Orrie, can you give me an idea of How you're going to make it? You're so clever, I know it will be unique

Originally Posted by OrrieG

Gaylord comes to mind, but pricey. Ogre made his. I am going to make mine too, but way down the todo list.

[G&R's57GMC]

Hi Denee,

http://www.gaylordslids.com is the spendy way to cover that bed.

Or one could build one out of aluminum or wood and cover it with vinyl top material add a couple of gas struts and a lock system.

Consider a quality car cover like http://www.calcarcover.com OR a metal carport in the side yard.

[Denee007]

I put numbers on them and I choose number 2!
So, I take a piece of plywood and cover it with vinyl~ I get that part, buy some gas struts, I get that part, a)hinging and making the plywood, b)lay level with the bed is what I don't know what I'd use aluminum angle "iron"?

Originally Posted by G&R's57GMC

Hi Denee,

1) http://www.gaylordslids.com is the spendy way to cover that bed. Yikes, expensive!

Or one could build one out of aluminum or 2) wood and cover it with vinyl top material add a couple of gas struts and a lock system.

3) Consider a quality car cover like http://www.calcarcover.com OR a metal carport in the side yard.

[G&R's57GMC]

Here's a few examples of covers .

1. Gaylord's

2. Custom built

3. vinyl snap on

[G&R's57GMC]

Make a 1/4" plywood cover that overlaps the bed rail up to the rolled edge. Sand the edge to ease it over. Seal all sides of the plywood with deck paint or stain.

Make a angle iron frame that lays over the bed edge with a foam seal, then bolt the plywood to the frame with angle iron cross bars to stiffen the plywood . Cover the plywood with a thin layer of closed cell foam then cover with vinyl top material. Use contact cement to secure the foam to the plywood and the vinyl to the foam.

Add a pair of hinges from hardware store to the front and a pair of gas struts .

[_Ogre]

if your going with plywood it will have a seam in it as the bed is 50 wide
i'd make a frame and cut curved cross ribs out of 2x2 wood so it will shed water
place the seam on the plywood an one of the ribs and cover the whole lid with vinyl

or you could do the easy way and check your local truck accessory dealer
gm used that same bed for many many years
be prepared to pay, the topper on my 09 sierra cost me almost $3k

[vht]

Seen 1 made out of Lexan and alum angle for the frame. It was light but sturdy. I'm going to figure out 1 for mine, with hide away latches on the inside of my tail gate, and a lock on the cover, it'd be secure.

[Daze57]

denee

truck looks great
love dem wheels !!!!!

[Denee007]

Thanks Daze!

I have spent a great deal of time on the internet looking at images, searching for a bed cover. I think I'm just going to have to make one, but being Thanksgiving, it will have to wait a couple weeks.

But it's between what Ogre and Glen suggested. I like the idea of the 2" curvature so leaves and rain would slough/run off. The idea of plywood being only 48"'s kind of perplexes me, when Ogre says the bed is 50"(I haven't even measured the bed). I know that whatever is beneath the vinyl, it will show through, like the seam adjoining the plywood. This cover would probably be on the truck forever, but hinges would be nice with the hydraulic dooheekies (that's a word, right?).

I certainly appreciate the input and advice!

Originally Posted by Daze57

denee

truck looks great
love dem wheels !!!!!

[vht]

Denee, just make sure you include details and pics. I'll wait on you to figure this out and that will be 1 less thing I'll have to figure out. I know you'll come through for us!!!! Good luck, and I really like your paint shaker.

[av8tr33337]

Originally Posted by Denee007

Thanks Daze!



The idea of plywood being only 48"'s kind of perplexes me,

I used to work at a lumber yard and I know that we had some products that came in 5 ft widths. I just can't remember which products they were. I'm thinking it may have been cabinet grade 1/4 inch Mahogany which would not be outrageously expensive. I would call all of you local lumber yards and just ask. And If you have any cabinet companies in your area they may order it for themselves all the time and might sell you a piece. It's worth a shot. All they can say is no.

[_Ogre]

50'' is the inside of the bed, if you want waterproof it will have to hang over the outside of the bed on all 4 sides like the orange one g&r posted.
anything thin will telegraph seam and grain through, that's why they invented landau foam, you'd glue that down first.

plywood will be quick and easy, if i were me... i'd make it fiberglass

''hydraulic dooheekies'' ? gas shocks?

[Daze57]

''hydraulic dooheekies'' i think ogre is correct on that being gas shocks.

deenee ! you funny

[Denee007]

I was just trying to be a little funny! I knew what they are called
It's really sad when I loose sleep on figuring out how to make this thing, but I do most my figuring while I'm trying to go to sleep!

Landau foam~ I'll have to look that up! It doesn't have to be necessarily "leak proof" but I'd like to keep dust, leaves, and small rodents out of the bed!

[OrrieG]

I did some research because I will need it for mine. Here is a link to a place near you that has 5' wide marine grade plywood. It is not cheap but no seams and made for marine water rich environments.

http://www.houstonhardwoods.com/hardwood_products.php

I am going to put a slight radius in mine to shed water. Would like to do aluminum to keep it light but radius might be a problem. Alternative is two layers marine 3/4" for main cross pieces, ends and sides, fit to just overlap the exterior of the bed. Hydralic lifts (minivan rear door style). If you look at manufactured ones you can get a sense of where and how they place them, I have used mini versions on the hope chests I have restored for my wife. Haven't figured out the locking yet.

[mr48chev]

Good thread, from my own experience the snap on vinyl ones with no support collect rain water and sag in if you park outside and it rains or snows on them.

I want a Gaylord cover for my truck and then plan to cover that with vinyl top material or convertible top material but due to the cost may make my own similar to what has been described and cover it with the material.

Early 90's Dodge Grand Caravan rams are pretty easy to get and should hold one of these covers up pretty well. Here at O'reilly's they are 19.99 each new.

Denee the aluminum angle can be found at metal supply houses that sell aluminum pieces. There should be a number of them in the Houston area that do. Big issue with that is that most of us don't have the equipment to weld aluminum at home. It can be gas welded but that takes some practice. here is a yellow page listing of possible sources in the Houston area http://www.yellowpages.com/houston-t...num-angle-iron some may not sell to the public though.

[Denee007]

Wow, Orrie and mr48chev~ you guys are my hero's! I hate to sound like a dummy, but what is the aluminum angle for?

I feel like I'd like the sheet of plywood to cover the opening of the bed, not the entire bed. you know, like the sheet would be the same level as the bed rails where it's recessed to the same level as the rails? I know it wouldn't be waterproof to keep water from seeping/making its way down the edges, I just think it would look better. If it were to rain, I could cover the entire truck, but leaves this time of year are horrible!

I have this other thought, that when our grand-daughter rides with us, and we make it to a car show/get together, I like it that she can play in the bed of the truck(of course she wouldn't be back of the truck when we're driving!), perhaps even have some sort of liner on the bed itself to avoid scratches on the wood/rails, etc.. The top would have to be removable too. Unfortunately, we don't get to see our precious 5 y/o, soon to be 6 as often as we'd like since they live a couple hours away, but when she is here~ Spoil city!

I wish someone could post the inside view of the bed of their truck and how it's supported and hinged.

To make the 2" raised radius pieces, how do I do that? It like a big circle, but just part of the circle~ I don't know what I'm trying to say! argh! I can do this, just need to lose more sleep! lol
dne'

[GFY]

Here's a couple pictures of mine - from www.craftecinc.com - About $300 and I really like it!

[GFY]

Here's a couple pictures of mine - from www.craftecinc.com - About $300 and I really like it!
Sits flush, is relatively secure (well, keeps honest people honest) and I think it looks good. The gas shocks are good for when you want to show off also.

[Denee007]

GFY~That is exactly what I'd like~ simple, cost, and good looks~ I'm going to call them as soon as they open~ that will be a great Christmas present for me THANK you!!
dne'

BTW~ I Love your truck

Originally Posted by GFY

Here's a couple pictures of mine - from www.craftecinc.com - About $300 and I really like it!
Sits flush, is relatively secure (well, keeps honest people honest) and I think it looks good. The gas shocks are good for when you want to show off also.

[GFY]

Originally Posted by Denee007

GFY~That is exactly what I'd like~ simple, cost, and good looks~ I'm going to call them as soon as they open~ that will be a great Christmas present for me THANK you!!
dne'

BTW~ I Love your truck

Merry Christmas to YOU! Who is more deserving than you, to get something nice for Christmas from you!
Thanks for the kind words about my truck. I've been working on it for 20 years - nice to finally have it on the road!