My DIY Tonneau Bed Cover
10-11-2011, 09:59 AM
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Phoenix
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My DIY Tonneau Bed Cover
So I decided to begin the DIY project of building my own tonneau cover for my 05 lariat 6.5' box. I wanted a hard folding cover and didn't want to spend tons of money. I know the amount of money I'm spending on making mine would easily pay for one of those crappy fabric snap on ones, but that's not what I wanted.
I've actually already started and am pretty close to being done. I'm in the final stages of putting it together. I've attached a few pictures of the items I'm using, along with one of the rails installed. I'll post more pictures as I get it done, hopefully better quality ones.
The basic idea is 4 panels (21", 21", 21", 15") hinged together. The one at the cab is bolted down and the other 3 fold together and end up resting on top of it. They rest on slotted angle iron that is bolted to the bed rails. The panels are 5/8" OSB that I had Home Depot cut. Now I know they don't exactly cut perfectly, but they have a better setup than I do.
I painted the panels black with "Premium Plus" Behr semi-gloss black. I haven't decided whether I'm going to paint hinges and bolt heads yet.
There will be 2 drawer style locks on the end by the tailgate. They will lock into some 2x4's mounted vertically at the end of the bed (see picture where they will go). I also plan on securing the 2 middle pieces down with something that's easily removed, such as a **** of some sort. I might use ones similar to the ones that hold the handles of a lawnmower together. Still working on that concept.
Comments - Questions - Concerns
I've actually already started and am pretty close to being done. I'm in the final stages of putting it together. I've attached a few pictures of the items I'm using, along with one of the rails installed. I'll post more pictures as I get it done, hopefully better quality ones.
The basic idea is 4 panels (21", 21", 21", 15") hinged together. The one at the cab is bolted down and the other 3 fold together and end up resting on top of it. They rest on slotted angle iron that is bolted to the bed rails. The panels are 5/8" OSB that I had Home Depot cut. Now I know they don't exactly cut perfectly, but they have a better setup than I do.
I painted the panels black with "Premium Plus" Behr semi-gloss black. I haven't decided whether I'm going to paint hinges and bolt heads yet.
There will be 2 drawer style locks on the end by the tailgate. They will lock into some 2x4's mounted vertically at the end of the bed (see picture where they will go). I also plan on securing the 2 middle pieces down with something that's easily removed, such as a **** of some sort. I might use ones similar to the ones that hold the handles of a lawnmower together. Still working on that concept.
Comments - Questions - Concerns
10-11-2011, 03:43 PM
#6
Senior Member
I would have gone with a different material for the cover portion. osb just isnt smooth and dont think even with the paint it will look that great for long. they make black plexiglass thats not so expensive and it comes pretty thick or heck you could fiber glass the osb and make it forever fairly easy.
Trending Topics
10-11-2011, 06:52 PM
#8
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Phoenix
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yes OSB isn't ideal. It's basically scraps glued together. If it gets wet too much, it'll come apart. I used it cause it's cheap. 5/8" plywood is about $30. This OSB was $11.50. If the concept works well, I'll probably upgrade to a better material. I'll cut it myself very carefully so it's more precise. And yes socal399, I'll use some liner. Thing is, DIY liners from a place like Harbor Freight is like $100 for the kit. The black paint I got was $37/gallon. I was really trying to cut costs on version 1. The hinges were $3.67 ea. The ones I wanted to use were $8 ea. I used that slotted angle iron which was about $10 ea, instead of aluminum angle iron at $20 ea.
10-11-2011, 07:44 PM
#9
Under Construction
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Santa Clarita, California (SOCAL)
Posts: 257
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yes OSB isn't ideal. It's basically scraps glued together. If it gets wet too much, it'll come apart. I used it cause it's cheap. 5/8" plywood is about $30. This OSB was $11.50. If the concept works well, I'll probably upgrade to a better material. I'll cut it myself very carefully so it's more precise. And yes socal399, I'll use some liner. Thing is, DIY liners from a place like Harbor Freight is like $100 for the kit. The black paint I got was $37/gallon. I was really trying to cut costs on version 1. The hinges were $3.67 ea. The ones I wanted to use were $8 ea. I used that slotted angle iron which was about $10 ea, instead of aluminum angle iron at $20 ea.
