TR4/4A Tonneau or top cover?

[Popeye]

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?

 

[Paul Romans]

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.

 

[poolboy]

Tonneau...

 

[sp53]

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

 

[Popeye]

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?

 

[KVH]

Tonneau for me. Not much more expensive.

 

[GilsTR]

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

Gil. NoCal

 

[KVH]

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.

 

[GilsTR]

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

 

[Popeye]

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

Gil. NoCal

I’m seeing 239 at Moss, 339 at Robbins…? What am I overlooking?

 

[GilsTR]

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

 

[Popeye]

Thanks - I appreciate all insight!

 

[Popeye]

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.

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.