In a message dated 2/24/99 7:58:21 PM Eastern Standard Time,
dhowe@netarrant.net writes:
<< Anyone have direct experience with these tonneaus?
"SnugTop"
"Stockland"
"The Colonel"
All are comparably priced and styled about the same. I don't care for the
Mopar style or cost. Don't like the trim strip around the edge, especially
the black ones. I saw a new Leer tonneau that looked like crap! Looked like
they did the final sanding with 80 grit.
I'm interested in quality of fit & finish, ease of removal, how much stuff
you have to clamp or screw to the truck and if the cover rubs the paint.
I'm leaning towards The Colonel 'cause I can get it locally for a good
price and it doesn't use a frame. Any other suggestions?
Thanks!
Dave Howe
'99 IB CC R/T >>
I have a Colonel. But I think the ones you mentioned are all the same. I DID
have problems with mine...don't get me wrong its a great tonneau...I
absolutely love it but, the installation could be better. The rear (near
tailgate) of the top has rubbed into my paint just above the passenger side
tail light...IT WAS NOT THE TOPS FAULT but rather an ill-advised installation
error. If you get one of these tops MAKE SURE YOU HAVE AT LEAST 3/16" TO 1/4"
HANGING OVER THE TAILGATE...WATCH IT EVEN AFTER A WEEK OR SO AFTER THE
INSTALLATION TO MAKE SURE IT HASNT MOVED...BECAUSE MINE DID SHIFT AFTER
INSTALATION!(it was most likly the fault of a weak hinge support area on the
bed) I seen one on a buddy of mine's truck...and decided to get one...his was
brand new and had no problems at the time. I ordered one...they said it would
be ready in 10 days. During that time my buddy's truck had the same problem of
the top rubbing into the paint. I looked it over and found that the rear
hinges needed to be held back towards the tail gate at least another
3/16"(which turned out to be not enough...I would suggest the vertical part of
the hinge to be held back from the front edge of the bed about 1/2"). I told
the installer this and after some haggling I got him to agree with me (my
buddy didn't go back and bitch until the day after mine was installed). So
anyway...to make a long story short...mine STILL rubbed the paint off on my
truck...I was so f@#king mad! My new R/T has only 1400 miles on it! So it is
imperative that you have a good understanding with your place of installation
or of you do it your self to have a good 1/4" or more hanging over the
tailgate. BEWARE...it will still move towards the front of the truck a little
bit (in my case about 1/8") after installation This is because on the bed of
the Dakotas where they mount the hinges it is a weak point and will flex and
possibly move forward a little causing the top's edge to come in contact with
the paint on the bed. I have yet to get mine fixed...I have removed my tonneau
for now so no more damage will occur. The installation facility is ordering
special angle brackets from the manufacture to fix the weak mounting location.
If you go for the Colonel make sure they order these brackets from the
manufacturer...I don't know why the didn't come with the kit in the first
place. Also it may be a good idea to go to an installer that has put one on a
Dakota already. As far as the quality...its a really really nice top. One
down fall to it is it uses screws to fasten the hinges down to the bed and
screws to fasten the shock style lifts to the bed. ASK ABOUT A WARRANTY AND/OR
A PAINT GUARANTEE! I have pictures of where the hinges should be and also of
the damage if any one is interested I could e-mail them out.
Charles smith
1999 Dakota R/T
15.1@95 mph (g-tech)
Ican2u7176@aol.com (or) Dak99rt@aol.com
http://members.aol.com/ican2u7176/index.htm
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