Tonneau for Short Stepper - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

TobyArnot · 05-23-2012, 07:15 AM

I'm looking for a simple soft tonneau for my '70 stepper. I've seen one advertised by LMC and one from Brothers. Both are attached with Velcro strips and don't have any crossbows. Does anyone here have experience with either one? I'm just not sure about the whole Velcro thing and lack of center support. While the price of both is reasonable (>$200), I don't want to regret the buy. A local shop can fabricate one from scratch including two crossbows, but it's twice as much $$$. Any thoughts or recommendations are appreciated.

**screaminchevypickup** · 05-23-2012, 09:14 AM

Check out craftecinc.com
Posted via Mobile Device

TobyArnot · 05-23-2012, 09:42 AM

Will do. Gonna' call them later today..
.
And thanks for the tip

chopnchaneled · 05-23-2012, 11:20 AM

Please let us know what they say?
Thanks

TobyArnot · 05-23-2012, 01:37 PM

O.K. - I spoke with one of tech guys at Craftec. My concerns were with the parts of the cover that extend down into the bed area itself. He was very helpful and said that only the latches and the lift cylinders extend below the top of the rails. Both are on the sides and only extend about 1" below the side rails. I'm in the middle of making some major mods to the bed in anticipation of my cross-country trip, thus my concerns about depth. .
This looks like a go. Thanks for the tip. Well made piece with full perimeter aluminum frame plus two (2) crossbows. Also reasonably priced = $279.00 plus shipping. Here's a pic from their website:

JWall · 05-23-2012, 02:17 PM

My truck is a wide bed but I recently put a Craftec cover on mine & I like it. Especially the flush fit.

I get asked about it everytime I show or go to cruise night.
And at $300 to the door its a pretty cheap deal.

Sammy · 05-23-2012, 08:48 PM

I have one (Crafttec) on my GMC stepside. Happy with it but it isn't 100 % waterproof. The front two corners have a maybe ? 2 inches X 1/8 inch gap and does not seal there. So if your expecting 100% waterproof it may not be for you. For the money they are decent.

TobyArnot · 05-24-2012, 07:15 AM

Hey Sammy,
.
Yea, the tech guy I spoke with said that they absolutely were NOT 100% watertite and I'm O.K. with that. I really want a cover to "hide" the stuff in the bed. I'm planning to load everything in the bed in watertite containers. That's one reason I wanted to know how much space the "cover components" take up. I would also hope to see a slight increase in m.p.g.
.
He said that the assembly and installation was straight forward and should only take a few hours. Is that about right?
.
I'm going to look at some other options, but this looks like the best I've seen for the money.

Sammy · 05-24-2012, 08:08 AM

Yes, allow about two hours. Best advice is to set everything out and look at the instructions. Usually I never do that but in this case it would be helpful as it has plenty of pieces to it. The part about increasing MPG with a bed cover. I never noticed any increase but the looks, adding the out of sight factor while parked were the factors that encouraged my purchase. Good luck.

67Slider · 05-24-2012, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sammy

I have one (Crafttec) on my GMC stepside. Happy with it but it isn't 100 % waterproof. The front two corners have a maybe ? 2 inches X 1/8 inch gap and does not seal there. So if your expecting 100% waterproof it may not be for you. For the money they are decent.

Any chance you can post a pic of the gap? I am curious.

Thanks,
Matt

rpatowers · 05-24-2012, 05:12 PM

I'm still interested in the covers sold by LMC and Brothers. Has anyone any experience with them?

Sammy · 05-24-2012, 10:22 PM

Here are some pics of the gap. Sorry it's dark this time of the night.

67Slider · 05-24-2012, 11:34 PM

Thanks Sammy. I appreciate the pics.

Sammy · 05-25-2012, 07:52 AM

Np

TobyArnot · 05-25-2012, 08:19 AM

Sammy, I hate to bother you, but is that along the front beside the hinge? Both sides?? I downloaded the installation instructions and took your advice and actually read them. Looks like the gaps are there so the whole thing can "stand up". I really appreciate the tips. That still looks like a nice cover.
.

Soon as I get my "guvment check", I gonna' order me one.

(sarcasm intended)
.
.
.
.
On the velcro thing, the local guy I talked to about making one from scratch doesn't use it. He said it will "wear out" and get full of dust and trash. Kinda' makes since and was the main reason I was looking for options. He quoted me on an "old school" cover using stainless snaps around the whole thing. He also said the snaps will eventually pull thru due to weathering, even though he re-enforces them. The fact that the actual cover of the Craftec is replaceable is another plus for me.

Sammy · 05-25-2012, 12:06 PM

Yes, those gaps are in each front corner L/H n R/H. The cab sheds most of the water since they are in the front going down the road.

05-23-2012, 07:15 AM	#1
TobyArnot Quit if it's not FUN!!! Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Indian Trail, N.C, Posts: 864	Tonneau for Short Stepper I'm looking for a simple soft tonneau for my '70 stepper. I've seen one advertised by LMC and one from Brothers. Both are attached with Velcro strips and don't have any crossbows. Does anyone here have experience with either one? I'm just not sure about the whole Velcro thing and lack of center support. While the price of both is reasonable (>$200), I don't want to regret the buy. A local shop can fabricate one from scratch including two crossbows, but it's twice as much $$$. Any thoughts or recommendations are appreciated.

05-23-2012, 09:14 AM	#2
screaminchevypickup Laid Back Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: mcloud ok Posts: 2,658	Re: Tonneau for Short Stepper Check out craftecinc.com Posted via Mobile Device __________________ 72 chevy swb Direct dealers for.. Vintage Air, Porterbuilt, Billet Specialties,Budnik wheels ,eddie motorsports, raceline wheels, intro wheels, Dakota Digital, precision, unisteer, Trimparts, and many many more... Laid Back Recreations.. Full restoration shop and full paint and body.. Kyle http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=574629

05-23-2012, 09:42 AM	#3
TobyArnot Quit if it's not FUN!!! Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Indian Trail, N.C, Posts: 864	Re: Tonneau for Short Stepper Will do. Gonna' call them later today.. . And thanks for the tip

05-23-2012, 11:20 AM	#4
chopnchaneled Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Atlanta, Ga. Posts: 1,050	Re: Tonneau for Short Stepper Please let us know what they say? Thanks __________________ I don't think we get smarter as we get older. We just run out of Stupid things to do.

05-23-2012, 01:37 PM	#5
TobyArnot Quit if it's not FUN!!! Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Indian Trail, N.C, Posts: 864	Re: Tonneau for Short Stepper O.K. - I spoke with one of tech guys at Craftec. My concerns were with the parts of the cover that extend down into the bed area itself. He was very helpful and said that only the latches and the lift cylinders extend below the top of the rails. Both are on the sides and only extend about 1" below the side rails. I'm in the middle of making some major mods to the bed in anticipation of my cross-country trip, thus my concerns about depth. . This looks like a go. Thanks for the tip. Well made piece with full perimeter aluminum frame plus two (2) crossbows. Also reasonably priced = $279.00 plus shipping. Here's a pic from their website: Attached Images

05-23-2012, 02:17 PM	#6
JWall Frequent Flyer Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Tulsa, OK Posts: 2,258	Re: Tonneau for Short Stepper My truck is a wide bed but I recently put a Craftec cover on mine & I like it. Especially the flush fit. I get asked about it everytime I show or go to cruise night. And at $300 to the door its a pretty cheap deal. __________________ - Justin 76 SWB C-10 - 98 SWB C1500 (x2) 1 Owner 1976 SWB

05-23-2012, 08:48 PM	#7
Sammy Registered User Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Bonne Terre, Mo Posts: 3,005	Re: Tonneau for Short Stepper I have one (Crafttec) on my GMC stepside. Happy with it but it isn't 100 % waterproof. The front two corners have a maybe ? 2 inches X 1/8 inch gap and does not seal there. So if your expecting 100% waterproof it may not be for you. For the money they are decent. __________________ '69 Chevy Long Fleet & '71 GMC Short Step & Project "ODD BALL" "You can wash a pig, soak it in most expensive perfume. In the end it is still just a pig." ODD BALL build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=478629"

05-24-2012, 07:15 AM	#8
TobyArnot Quit if it's not FUN!!! Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Indian Trail, N.C, Posts: 864	Re: Tonneau for Short Stepper Hey Sammy, . Yea, the tech guy I spoke with said that they absolutely were NOT 100% watertite and I'm O.K. with that. I really want a cover to "hide" the stuff in the bed. I'm planning to load everything in the bed in watertite containers. That's one reason I wanted to know how much space the "cover components" take up. I would also hope to see a slight increase in m.p.g. . He said that the assembly and installation was straight forward and should only take a few hours. Is that about right? . I'm going to look at some other options, but this looks like the best I've seen for the money.

05-24-2012, 08:08 AM	#9
Sammy Registered User Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Bonne Terre, Mo Posts: 3,005	Re: Tonneau for Short Stepper Yes, allow about two hours. Best advice is to set everything out and look at the instructions. Usually I never do that but in this case it would be helpful as it has plenty of pieces to it. The part about increasing MPG with a bed cover. I never noticed any increase but the looks, adding the out of sight factor while parked were the factors that encouraged my purchase. Good luck. __________________ '69 Chevy Long Fleet & '71 GMC Short Step & Project "ODD BALL" "You can wash a pig, soak it in most expensive perfume. In the end it is still just a pig." ODD BALL build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=478629"

05-24-2012, 05:12 PM	#11
rpatowers Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Hayward, CA Posts: 124	Re: Tonneau for Short Stepper I'm still interested in the covers sold by LMC and Brothers. Has anyone any experience with them?

05-24-2012, 10:22 PM	#12
Sammy Registered User Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Bonne Terre, Mo Posts: 3,005	Re: Tonneau for Short Stepper Here are some pics of the gap. Sorry it's dark this time of the night. Attached Images __________________ '69 Chevy Long Fleet & '71 GMC Short Step & Project "ODD BALL" "You can wash a pig, soak it in most expensive perfume. In the end it is still just a pig." ODD BALL build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=478629"

05-24-2012, 11:34 PM	#13
67Slider Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Pueblo West, CO Posts: 944	Re: Tonneau for Short Stepper Thanks Sammy. I appreciate the pics. __________________ 67 C10 Stepside 66 Mustang Coupe 99 Burb 2500

05-25-2012, 07:52 AM	#14
Sammy Registered User Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Bonne Terre, Mo Posts: 3,005	Re: Tonneau for Short Stepper Np __________________ '69 Chevy Long Fleet & '71 GMC Short Step & Project "ODD BALL" "You can wash a pig, soak it in most expensive perfume. In the end it is still just a pig." ODD BALL build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=478629"

05-25-2012, 08:19 AM	#15
TobyArnot Quit if it's not FUN!!! Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Indian Trail, N.C, Posts: 864	Re: Tonneau for Short Stepper Sammy, I hate to bother you, but is that along the front beside the hinge? Both sides?? I downloaded the installation instructions and took your advice and actually read them. Looks like the gaps are there so the whole thing can "stand up". I really appreciate the tips. That still looks like a nice cover. . Soon as I get my "guvment check", I gonna' order me one. (sarcasm intended) . . . . On the velcro thing, the local guy I talked to about making one from scratch doesn't use it. He said it will "wear out" and get full of dust and trash. Kinda' makes since and was the main reason I was looking for options. He quoted me on an "old school" cover using stainless snaps around the whole thing. He also said the snaps will eventually pull thru due to weathering, even though he re-enforces them. The fact that the actual cover of the Craftec is replaceable is another plus for me. __________________ MY MOTTO: Eat it all up, Wear it out, Use the last few drops, Spend all you've got, Late in life, you'll think of the things you didn't do, not the things you did. - Get out and experience life ! . Robbie Robinson a.k.a. TobyArnot (Toe Bee or not toe bee) Last edited by TobyArnot; 05-25-2012 at 08:30 AM.

05-25-2012, 12:06 PM	#16
Sammy Registered User Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Bonne Terre, Mo Posts: 3,005	Re: Tonneau for Short Stepper Yes, those gaps are in each front corner L/H n R/H. The cab sheds most of the water since they are in the front going down the road. __________________ '69 Chevy Long Fleet & '71 GMC Short Step & Project "ODD BALL" "You can wash a pig, soak it in most expensive perfume. In the end it is still just a pig." ODD BALL build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=478629"



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