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TR4/4A Tonneau or top cover?

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Popeye

Popeye

Obi Wan
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Hi all, happy Friday!

For a TR4a - or similar British car - is a tonneau better than a top cover?

On my TR4A, I am getting near to installing my top. I bought a top cover - but am wondering how often I will use it? Will I be better served by a tonneau?

As I understand, both the cover and tonneau need to be removed if the top goes up - is this correct? So if I need to leave the car for a while (eg going to work, shopping mall, night at a hotel, etc.), the top cover has to be removed and stowed. Versus simply zipping a tonneau.

What is the collective wisdom? Cover? Tonneau? Both? Neither?
 
Definitely cover the top when it's folded down. Much neater, and it protects the valuable top itself. Top cover does a nice job of this, looks good. I only used the tonneau when I was driving alone. It was way cool to drive that way, and I could zip up the driver's half when parked and cover the whole interior, but most of the time I just used the top cover. Never liked the way it looked when the tonneau was folded back on both sides.
 
I have gotten to a point where I leave the top up because of the sun on my delicate nose skin. I had an operation on my nose because of the sun.

steve
 
Score:
Tonneau: 1
Cover: 1
Neither (drive with the roof up): 1

Sounds like I’ll keep the cover, and maybe get a tonneau, depending on how I use the car.

Moss has a sale right now; their tonneaus are quite a bit cheaper than buying from Robbins… are Moss’ of good quality?
 
Mike. You might check prices again.
Looking online....Robbins has very attractive prices....with a current discount offered...and free shipping.
FYI

Gil. NoCal
 
Guys, is it true that when you buy these covers, we need to punch our own holes in the vinyl or canvas and fix the fittings on at our end? A representative of one of the retailers/wholesalers told me it’s a job for an upholsterer, but I can’t quite believe that.
 
I just picked our car up after having a new tonneau installed....at a very good Upholstry shop.
cover fits perfectly. Nice and tight. He always wants the top or tonneau to sit in really warm
sunshine for a good half hour Before installing the lift-a-dot fasteners.
Others may do this themselves.... I prefer the pro for this job.

Gil. NoCal
 
GilsTR said:
Mike. You might check prices again.
Looking online....Robbins has very attractive prices....with a current discount offered...and free shipping.
FYI

Gil. NoCal
Click to expand...
I’m seeing 239 at Moss, 339 at Robbins…? What am I overlooking?
 
Mike.... I have a TR3
Moss lists at $379
Robbins at $348 with free shipping.
I am not sure re TR4 pricing.
Just offering a thought....thats all.
Gil. NoCal
 
KVH said:
Guys, is it true that when you buy these covers, we need to punch our own holes in the vinyl or canvas and fix the fittings on at our end? A representative of one of the retailers/wholesalers told me it’s a job for an upholsterer, but I can’t quite believe that.
Click to expand...
True: you need to install the fasteners. I think this accounts for variability in the cars. You can do it yourself… I have not, there are nuances to pay attention to. A big one, as Gil mentions is tension at time of install. I assume the tonneau should function when cold, warm, etc.
 
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