Tonneau Cover Options

[WVJeep304]

I've had my TJ for 5 or 6 years now and never had the hard top off. At some point, I'll get a frameless soft top, but that's not in the finances for now.

I've been thinking I'd be fine with a tonneau to cover the stuff I carry with me in case I get caught in the rain, and also keep it from public view as well as from getting beaten by the sun. I'd probably also try to get at minimum a sunshade, maybe a bimini or something. But the tonneau would be the first step.

Which tonneau would be the best bet? Is there really any substantial difference between them? A used one popped up locally with the wind jammer (which I don't care about) for $50, but I haven't had time to go check it out. Figured I probably should ask some opinions before investing any money, even on a used one.

 

[Apparition]

I have a couple of the Smittybilt ones that were like $75 but I don’t think they make them anymore.

@JMT bought a different model that looks good but I can’t recall what brand it is.

 

[WVJeep304]

I have a couple of the Smittybilt ones that were like $75 but I don’t think they make them anymore.

View attachment 702896

@JMT bought a different model that looks good but I can’t recall what brand it is.

This one? Might be worth a call to see if they have any left at that price. Wonder how bad they get you on shipping though. I wouldn't be surprised if with shipping it would come out equal to buying any brand elsewhere. Which isn't a problem necessarily, just not so much of a "deal".

 

[chili_pepper]

I don’t think they make them anymore.

They do not....for the LJs, anyway.

@JMT bought a different model that looks good but I can’t recall what brand it is.

I think it's this one from Master Top. This includes a windjammer at the back, think they sell the tonneau alone as well.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B099FH6HQF?tag=wranglerorg-20

 

[chili_pepper]

This one? Might be worth a call to see if they have any left at that price. Wonder how bad they get you on shipping though. I wouldn't be surprised if with shipping it would come out equal to buying any brand elsewhere. Which isn't a problem necessarily, just not so much of a "deal".

Regular TJ, just the tonneau.

https://www.amazon.com/MasterTop-Tonneau-Cover-Black-Diamond/dp/B07DVSH7GH/?tag=wranglerorg-20

Regular TJ, windjammer and tonneau.

https://www.amazon.com/MasterTop-Stopper-Tonneau-Cover-Combo/dp/B099FHC121?tag=wranglerorg-20

 

[WVJeep304]

They do not....for the LJs, anyway.



I think it's this one from Master Top. This includes a windjammer at the back, think they sell the tonneau alone as well.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B099FH6HQF?tag=wranglerorg-20

Mine is a TJ, but i found the one I need through your link. $92 for the tonneau alone isn't bad. I'm just curious how much if any difference exist amongst all of these different covers I'm finding. Whether in quality or function, I just don't see much info in that regard.

Edit: realized the one i pulled up for $92 is for 03-06. I didn't realize there's a difference and now curious why 97-02 would cost $30 more...

 

[chili_pepper]

Mine is a TJ, but i found the one I need through your link. $92 for the tonneau alone isn't bad. I'm just curious how much if any difference exist amongst all of these different covers I'm finding. Whether in quality or function, I just don't see much info in that regard.

I don't think they claim these to be fully waterproof. I'm considering the one for the LJ, but if I go for it I think I might pick up one of those raingear trail covers, in case I feel like keeping the tonneau on for a bit. Someone here is running the LJ version with their Trektop NX "bikini" only, with success.

 

[WVJeep304]

I don't think they claim these to be fully waterproof. I'm considering the one for the LJ, but if I go for it I think I might pick up one of those raingear trail covers, in case I feel like keeping the tonneau on for a bit.

I'm thinking the same thing. For my part time job, I park on top of a parking garage for 8hrs a day and drive a work provided turd. But, my jeep is surrounded by deputy sheriff cruisers and other county employees which I have no concerns with in regards to anything being stolen or otherwise tampered with. I don't have my doors on for 6 months out of the year as it is. But, I drive the GMC when rain is in the forecast.

I want the tonneau for the reasons mentioned in my original post. But an emergency cover is on the list as well. On days it could rain, I'd toss that on before leaving the parking garage. I'm not worried about driving in the rain if I have a bimini top or something, as I won't get wet enough on my 7 mile commute to be a concern.

 

[JMT]

I've had my TJ for 5 or 6 years now and never had the hard top off. At some point, I'll get a frameless soft top, but that's not in the finances for now.

I've been thinking I'd be fine with a tonneau to cover the stuff I carry with me in case I get caught in the rain, and also keep it from public view as well as from getting beaten by the sun. I'd probably also try to get at minimum a sunshade, maybe a bimini or something. But the tonneau would be the first step.

Which tonneau would be the best bet? Is there really any substantial difference between them? A used one popped up locally with the wind jammer (which I don't care about) for $50, but I haven't had time to go check it out. Figured I probably should ask some opinions before investing any money, even on a used one.

I have the Mastercraft tonneau and like it a lot.

 

[Apparition]

They do not....for the LJs, anyway.

Oh that's it, LJ life.

But I'd continue buying Smittybilt for the price if they had them.

I have the Mastercraft tonneau and like it a lot.

The Mastertop is much higher quality than the Smittybilt.

 

[Apparition]

I'm thinking the same thing. For my part time job, I park on top of a parking garage for 8hrs a day and drive a work provided turd. But, my jeep is surrounded by deputy sheriff cruisers and other county employees which I have no concerns with in regards to anything being stolen or otherwise tampered with. I don't have my doors on for 6 months out of the year as it is. But, I drive the GMC when rain is in the forecast.

I want the tonneau for the reasons mentioned in my original post. But an emergency cover is on the list as well. On days it could rain, I'd toss that on before leaving the parking garage. I'm not worried about driving in the rain if I have a bimini top or something, as I won't get wet enough on my 7 mile commute to be a concern.

My jeep sits all summer the same way as the picture above except I pull the refrigerator out and close the rear up. I usually park it with a trail cover on at the house but I have had water pool on the tonneau that gets in under the trail cover as the trail cover can't use the channels when running the tonneau, never had any significant water issues inside.

 

[Apparition]

This one? Might be worth a call to see if they have any left at that price. Wonder how bad they get you on shipping though. I wouldn't be surprised if with shipping it would come out equal to buying any brand elsewhere. Which isn't a problem necessarily, just not so much of a "deal".

Yep, I'd buy a few if they still had the LJ for that price.

 

[chili_pepper]

Oh that's it, LJ life.

But I'd continue buying Smittybilt for the price if they had them.

It was a few years ago now, but I think you turned me onto the Smitty. I found the listing and believe I tried to order, but was told they went the way of the Dodo. They were apparently selling for a stupid cheap price when the stocks were liquidated (not unlike the TJ listing posted above). And I apparently had just missed the sell-off...standard.

 

[Apparition]

It was a few years ago now, but I think you turned me onto the Smitty. I found the listing and believe I tried to order, but was told they went the way of the Dodo. They were apparently selling for a stupid cheap price when the stocks were liquidated (not unlike the TJ listing posted above). And I apparently had just missed the sell-off...standard.

I'm starting to remember that. I didn't realize they kept selling TJ ones though. I assumed they exited the product completely.