A Hardcover?

[compactcamping]

Curious on peoples thoughts, how important is having a Solid Lid on your "open tub" style trailers?
Would you call it a mandatory? Or is good sealing tarp / soft tonneau cover fine?

 

[oscar the grouch]

i ran mine for awhile open top before enclosing it fully.
baby steps and budget but now that i have the lid properly fitted with the right struts and everything I do consider it necessary. love it

 

[compactcamping]

Thanks for the input

 

[ikk]

Well, a lid can add security as well as make it a more permanent location to keep you gear. I have a 4x6 trailer and room can get a bit tight with all the stuff. With the top I placed a rack on top so I can carry other items. If money is tight you could always make a simple bowed frame and use a canvas top.

 

[green73brc]

For us, Bears = Mandatory. We use the trailer like a huge bear locker with our fridge/food in it. Then we sleep on top of it.... So it had to be something made of metal with no lip to grab then pad lockable.

 

[brian90744]

What type of trailer do you have? maybe post a pic would be helpful.

 

[Egan70]

I like having the secure top, but as with anything there are compromises - especially as I design a roof top tent rack. Depending on your lid style, you may be limited to only hauling things that fit under it. I can remove my hinged panels, but for camping I just put the one cooler that was too tall in the back of my truck.

My DiamnodBack cover:

 

[dstock]

I would like a hard cover as well but haven't yet figured out a way to have a cover and easy access to the bed when the RTT rack is down.

One possibility is the Roll-X from BAKflip http://www.bakflip.com/p-349-roll-x-tonneau-cover.aspx

Not cheap but could work.

My other idea is some sort of removable panel system, or more complicated would be 2 raised panels in the center, with end panels that slide under them like a closet door works.

 

[tlbeach]

I like having the secure top, but as with anything there are compromises - especially as I design a roof top tent rack. Depending on your lid style, you may be limited to only hauling things that fit under it. I can remove my hinged panels, but for camping I just put the one cooler that was too tall in the back of my truck.

My DiamnodBack cover:

I have a Diamondback HD for my F250. Was this a standard size that fit your M101? If not, which size did you ask for? I have a M1101 and want to see if they can fit one to it.

 

[Egan70]

I have a Diamondback HD for my F250. Was this a standard size that fit your M101? If not, which size did you ask for? I have a M1101 and want to see if they can fit one to it.

They have a specific M101A3 cover. I believe it started out life as a 70's era Dodge Ram cover. The actual part number is "M101A3-SELX".

 

[compactcamping]

What type of trailer do you have? maybe post a pic would be helpful.

Sorry for the delay replying, someway my reply update notifications got turned off. Question was asked from a market research perspective, trying to get a read on if hardcovers are make it or break it for tub style off-road / camping trailers.

 

[compactcamping]

Thanks for the input. Like the double open approach that the Diamondback covers have.

 

[brentbba]

Took a couple of trips with nothing but a blue tarp secured with bungee cords before I had a lid made to mirror my M101CDN tub. Longer term plans had a RTT going on the trailer so the lid was a must. Even before the tent, having all my gear secure in a locking lid was mandatory in my mind.

 

[cwadej]

My hard cover IS my RTT. Maggiolina just a bit longer than the trailer body. Hinged in front to access everything better. So far it's rain tight due to sealing the build up.

 

[compactcamping]

Thanks Brentbba & Cwadej. Like the hardshell RTT as a cover, that has been one of my ideas