Tonneau Cover - Ford Forums

scrapes · 11-16-2004, 15:53

Ok, its getting to be winter time and I have a soft snap tonneau cover on my 2002 Ranger. Thios is my first winter with a cover. Do I roll the tonneau cover up or keep it in place? Also, do I have to waterproof it at all?

Shadow · 11-17-2004, 08:35

I've had mine for two years and it's still in good shape.

Some notes:
I've used ArmorAll on mine, even though the maker says not to use anything on it. It looks like new.

I learned in the school of hard knocks class of '03 that if you don't keep the snow brushed off, the cover will stretch until the weight springs the bows in. Don't let this happen. For the '04 winter I unclamped the whole assembly and stood it against the garage wall for the winter. Didn't take up much space and it allowed me to throw the shovelings from my sidewalks and driveway into the open bed for traction. I loaded in a lot of weight that I didn't have to take out again (it melts when nature decides it isn't needed any more).

I hope I don't have to replace it for at least five more years, and as long as I keep with it, I think it will hold out for a few more.

Truck on

Shadow · 11-17-2004, 08:44

One more note:

A friend rolled his up to the front of the bed for the winter a few years ago, and when he unrolled it, it was as though it had shrunk (we couldn't team up on it and stretch it far enough to re-snap it) and it was so badly mildewed and stinking he pitched it. If you want to leave it on for the winter, just make sure you brush the snow off.

JohnnyO · 11-18-2004, 13:16

I keep mine on and take it off as little as possible. I keep some pliers in the glovebox to get it back on. If it's really, really shrunk (cold does that) I've been known to hook the hose up to the hot water tank, unroll it, run hot water on it a while, then snap it up. Leaving it on in the winter won't hurt, just brush the snow off.