A steal or a ripoff?

[DirtyWipers]

I have a vacation planned in the very near future, so I came up with the big idea to buy one of the cheapest EBay bed covers that I could find...I really only need it for a couple of weeks but it would be great if it turned out to be a cheap option for the long term...Has anybody had any experience with cheap, made in who knows where, tonneau bed covers???

 

[PoMansRam]

I've got an eBay $125 special on my 2017 Ram 1500. Had it about 1.5yrs. Roll-up style. It installed easily, works well and has held up so far. It does form pockets of rain water between the x-bars when it rains hard, but nothing has self destructed on it yet.

It's even made it through one Buffalo winter completely unscathed at this point too.

 

[Tim Garceau]

I'd imagine it's a heavy duty tarp with velco/3M adhesive for that price.

Their photo is actually of a Truxport Truxedo.

 

[DirtyWipers]

I've got an eBay $125 special on my 2017 Ram 1500. Had it about 1.5yrs. Roll-up style. It installed easily, works well and has held up so far. It does form pockets of rain water between the x-bars when it rains hard, but nothing has self destructed on it yet.

Wow! 1.5yrs and still working for $125 seems like a great deal...I hope mine is as good as the one you bought.

 

[94sundevil]

When I was looking recently the cheaper ones I found had comments that said the vinyl was thin and stretched very quickly after purchase. I bought a Tyger version off of Amazon a month ago and so far I like it.

 

[DirtyWipers]

I'd imagine it's a heavy duty tarp with velco/3M adhesive for that price.

Their photo is actually of a Truxport Truxedo.

You definitely could be right about its quality...I ordered it with very low expectations but hopefully I am pleasantly surprised when it gets here.

 

[Tim Garceau]

Definitely keep us posted, might have plastic/pvc framing but the last thing you want is for it to come unlatched on a windy day at highway speeds slapping around the body/windows.

I had it happen leaving the dealership because they forgot to latch the back, luckily didn't run into anything.

 

[PoMansRam]

They vinyl is definitely thinner on the ~$120 ones. Many of my co-workers and friends have Rams with Truxedo brand, etc.. As you would expect, the $250 ones are constructed better.

I've had snow piled over 2ft high on mine, had it covered in ice, have had to use it (roll it up) in the cold of winter, etc. It's still holding strong. The aluminum frame, mounting hardware and velcro are good. Like said, the vinyl is thin. I wouldn't buy one expecting to get more than a 2-3yrs out of it.

 

[DirtyWipers]

When I was looking recently the cheaper ones I found had comments that said the vinyl was thin and stretched very quickly after purchase. I bought a Tyger version off of Amazon a month ago and so far I like it.

The vinyl in the picture does look pretty thin on the one I bought...Fingers crossed that its more durable then it looks.

 

[DirtyWipers]

Definitely keep us posted, might have plastic/pvc framing but the last thing you want is for it to come unlatched on a windy day at highway speeds slapping around the body/windows.

I had it happen leaving the dealership because they forgot to latch the back, luckily didn't run into anything.

I sure don't want it to fly onto somebody's windshield while I'm driving down the interstate

 

[DirtyWipers]

They vinyl is definitely thinner on the ~$120 ones. Many of my co-workers and friends have Rams with Truxedo brand, etc.. As you would expect, the $250 ones are constructed better.

I've had snow piled over 2ft high on mine, had it covered in ice, have had to use it (roll it up) in the cold of winter, etc. It's still holding strong. The aluminum frame, mounting hardware and velcro are good. Like said, the vinyl is thin. I wouldn't buy one expecting to get more than a 2-3yrs out of it.

I will be as happy as a pig in the mud if what they send me is as good as what you describe.

 

[PoMansRam]

I will be as happy as a pig in the mud if what they send me is as good as what you describe.

I think you'll be fine with it. Right after I ordered and installed mine, my father-in-law had me order him one for his 2017 Nissan Frontier. His is holding up as good as mine.

 

[DirtyWipers]

I think you'll be fine with it. Right after I ordered and installed mine, my father-in-law had me order him one for his 2017 Nissan Frontier. His is holding up as good as mine.

That's awesome! Does yours fit well and keep everything good and dry?

 

[PoMansRam]

That's awesome! Does yours fit well and keep everything good and dry?

Perfect fit and I never noticed water leakage below, but I rarely have anything under there. Installed easily. Aluminum mounting clamps have nice rubber boots on them where they contact metal surfaces under the rail. Install instructions kind of sucked as most imported stuff does, but it's easy to figure out.

 

[88ROOK]

FIL has one on his that ive known of for like 17-18 years.........so its lasted that long

 

[DirtyWipers]

FIL has one on his that ive known of for like 17-18 years.........so its lasted that long

Wow! I'd don't expect to keep my truck 18 years lol That's amazing!

 

[Pull Ya]

If you set your expectations low enough your bound to be pleasantly surprised.
Jay

 

[DirtyWipers]

If you set your expectations low enough your bound to be pleasantly surprised.
Jay

That quote is very fitting for life in general!

 

[kurek]

I bought one of these Tyger ones from Amazon right before a long road trip, just to keep weather and eyes off my gear. Bought in June this year, it's been out in the Arizona sun for the summer anyway so far and no indication of a durability concern. For the price I think it's suitable & I would make the same choice again. The frame assembly and how it all goes together feels adequately durable, not sloppy or loose and as long as I treat it with some respect while opening and closing and operating it I don't expect failure at any point in the forseeable future.

 

[DirtyWipers]

I bought one of these Tyger ones from Amazon right before a long road trip, just to keep weather and eyes off my gear. Bought in June this year, it's been out in the Arizona sun for the summer anyway so far and no indication of a durability concern. For the price I think it's suitable & I would make the same choice again. The frame assembly and how it all goes together feels adequately durable, not sloppy or loose and as long as I treat it with some respect while opening and closing and operating it I don't expect failure at any point in the forseeable future.

That is great! Do you remember how much you paid for it?