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DIY temporary tonneau / bed cover?

duessell

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Has anyone jerry-rigged a temporary bed cover?

I'm debating making one for an upcoming trip for which I could use more covered storage and keeping it on for winter but 1) don't want to spend a lot and 2) don't have any ideas better than 2x4s and plywood mounted to the crossbar mounts.
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Has anyone jerry-rigged a temporary bed cover?

I'm debating making one for an upcoming trip for which I could use more covered storage and keeping it on for winter but 1) don't want to spend a lot and 2) don't have any ideas better than 2x4s and plywood mounted to the crossbar mounts.
Does a piece of pressure treated wood still fit your criteria #1?

1) Grab a sheet of 1/2" 4x8 Foam board. Should be roughly $15-20.
2) Measure and cut to size of the bed.
3) Slide the foam board into the slots that are already on your truck.

The foam board is light enough to slide back out, waterproof, and easy to cut and nothing to mount. If your heart desires, spray paint it black.
 

COdogman

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I would just cut a piece of plywood to size, cut it in half again width wise, then paint the pieces.
 
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duessell

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I’m starting the process to make one out of 1/2” ABS sheets, very similar to the rivian manual cover. Roughly 4x 12”x48” pieces that will interlock.
Interesting, what kind of ABS?

Are you counting on the flex of the plastic to bend to get it into the channels? I had been thinking about making something to slide into the tracks for the automatic bed cover but those are blocked at the end.
 
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duessell

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Does a piece of pressure treated wood still fit your criteria #1?

1) Grab a sheet of 1/2" 4x8 Foam board. Should be roughly $15-20.
2) Measure and cut to size of the bed.
3) Slide the foam board into the slots that are already on your truck.

The foam board is light enough to slide back out, waterproof, and easy to cut and nothing to mount. If your heart desires, spray paint it black.
I'm worried foam board wouldn't be strong enough for either wind pressure on freeway or snow load (I live in Syracuse).
 

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Interesting, what kind of ABS?

Are you counting on the flex of the plastic to bend to get it into the channels? I had been thinking about making something to slide into the tracks for the automatic bed cover but those are blocked at the end.
My current R1T is equipped a powered tonneau, and new (replacement) R1T will be equipped with a manual tonneau cover. From what I’ve seen, the manual trim has an open end for the cover panels to slid in.

The plastic sheets I’m spec’ing will either interlock each other by means of a channel, or all add something to the underside of each insert, and use some metal bar to interconnect them, which will help provide some structure.

The ABS sheets I’m using are leftover supply from audio equipment enclosures I used to make. It’s thermoforming plastic that has a melting point close to 400°F.
 

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I'm worried foam board wouldn't be strong enough for either wind pressure on freeway or snow load (I live in Syracuse).
Wind would be fine. Snow not so much. It would be able to hand a little but not enough for me to be comfortable with it. Even a sheet of 1/2” ply wouldn’t do.
 

NooterIA

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Love the creativity! The foam board is interesting, might look at that myself for highway efficiency sake. Sure hope Rivian themselves read this, $80k+ and we’re making our own tonneau covers out of wood and foam….seriously
 

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Love the creativity! The foam board is interesting, might look at that myself for highway efficiency sake. Sure hope Rivian themselves read this, $80k+ and we’re making our own tonneau covers out of wood and foam….seriously
Yeah, you guys could pick a lot nicer materials.
 

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What about PVC siding that is used on homes? I think that has a tongue and groove to help with interlocking the panels...
 

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Maybe a stupid question
Has anyone tried to fit an existing tonneau?
The Ford Maverick looks like it may be good enough for government work as far as bed dimensions go
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