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  1. #1
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    bindog's Avatar
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    Soft tonneau cover

    Pickup trucks sold in Oz (built in Thailand) apparently come standard with little attachment points for fitting a soft tonneau cover - see the pictures for what I mean.

    These Thailand-built vehicles are not sold in Thailand with these same attach points, is that correct?

    I don't recall ever seeing a truck in Oz that doesn't have these, and don't recall ever seeing one in Thailand with them. Are they an option when buying new in Thailand?



    This is my son's work truck. He doesn't use the cross bar that would keep the tonneau cover taut.





    I like the idea of a soft tonneau cover - helps reduce drag, and is easily removable when required. Hard shells only cover the first point. Theft of what's under the cover is not a concern for me - won't be leaving anything unattended in the back. Theft of the cover itself might be why these are not common in Thailand though eh?

  2. #2
    Thailand Expat VocalNeal's Avatar
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    Get a mate in Aus. to send/bring a set over?

    Drag reduction? I believe at speed the slightly compressed air in the bed acts itself as a buffer and as such running with the tailgate open or missing is actually worse!

    Closing the tailgate actually improves fuel efficiency because it creates a type of airflow called a separated bubble within the bed of the truck. As wind rushes over the moving truck, that bubble of slow-moving air deflects it over the raised tailgate. By guiding surrounding air over and across the bed of the truck, that vortex effect prevents added drag.
    http://www.discovery.com/tv-shows/my...l-consumption/
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  3. #3
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    ^ Huh, I never would have believed that about the buffer. But if Jamie and Adam say it's true, it must be true. Myth: Busted.

    And why do all my 'recommended for you' videos have naked people / D cups? Must delete my cookies more often. At least it's not all lady boys this time.

    I could bring a cover over, it's just the attachment points - it could get ugly getting those fitted after market.

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    Thailand Expat Pragmatic's Avatar
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    I believe the soft top tonneau covers come with the pick-up rear plastic insert which you buy as an extra. The plastic extra and cover have press stud poppers for securing the top cover.
    Do not worry Bindog. All becomes obvious when living here.



    Last edited by Pragmatic; 13-07-2017 at 10:20 AM.

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    Thailand Expat VocalNeal's Avatar
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    Mate of mine used to make them here, not sure if he has any left?

  6. #6
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    Does anyone know, when you buy a new truck in Thailand can you get the attachment points for my style of cover as a factory-fitted option / accessory?



    The Thai-built trucks sold in Oz must have these factory fitted, surely - looks too difficult to attach them after market, they're riveted on.

    I'll wander in to a (Oz) dealer on the weekend and ask can I get a truck without the attachment points, that might tell me something.

  7. #7
    Custom Title Changer
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    You did watch this....


  8. #8
    Thailand Expat Pragmatic's Avatar
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    Why have you got to have it the same as the pick-ups in Oz? Isn't the Thai way just as good, if not, better?

  9. #9
    Thailand Expat David48atTD's Avatar
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    Here or Here and Here

    The ties/ropes are called bunji loops

    Will need a pop rivet gun though.


  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by Pragmatic View Post
    Why have you got to have it the same as the pick-ups in Oz? Isn't the Thai way just as good, if not, better?
    The (Thailand) one with the plastic tracks you mean? I don't think (brittle / easily damaged) plastic tracks and the back of utes are a good mix, not where you're actually loading / unloading stuff in the back. Might be OK for show-pony Ford Ranger Wildtrak / Isuzu VCross Max etc, where bling is king.

    But it might come to that. David has given instructions for DIY Aussie-type, if I could be arsed making the effort. Something to mull over.
    Last edited by bindog; 14-07-2017 at 10:19 AM.

  11. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by David48atTD View Post
    Here or Here and Here

    The ties/ropes are called bunji loops

    Will need a pop rivet gun though.
    Thanks David, good info.

    Might buy the pop rivet gun and start a tonneau cover business catering to expat Aussies. Would have to teach the wife to use the gun of course, I won't have a work permit.

  12. #12
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    Seems I was wrong about the bunji-loop style tonneau cover being "standard" on pickups sold in Oz. I walked into a couple of dealers today, at Chevrolet (Holden) they called that style "old school" and at Mazda it was "old fashioned". I guess my son's work truck has the bunji style coz it's cheap and simple.

    For anyone interested, Chevrolet offer a magnetically-attached soft tonneau cover which looks pretty cool, and Mazda offer one on aluminium tracks which they assure me are not prone to damage. 555.

    Happened to catch a "V8 ute" race on TV this afternoon too. A ute is a "utility vehicle", front half of a car with a tub back. Google "commodore ute" if curious, not sure you see this style elsewhere. But anyway these racing utes all had hard shell tub covers, which suggests there is an aerodynamic advantage to covering the tub with something, hard or soft. That Mythbusters segment was just comparing open tailgate and closed tailgate, no mention of covers at all.

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