Does the new lightweight tonneau cover work well?

the one post i read from a user said she liked it better, because it lifts up and down with the hatch, so you don't even have to think about it. open, it's out of the way. closed, it has you covered.

 

Yes - it "works". Personally, I liked the roll-out night shade version from my 2010 better. This one does "work" - it covers what is in the cargo area. It attaches from the hatch easily enough, but the forward attachments (simple enough though they are) are a bit less easy to manipulate.

And then, there s the whole "folding" aspect: it's supposed to fold up into a small carrying bag when not in use (i.e. if putting the seats down).

I, however, lack the dexterity and coordination to pull off the folding. (It has a "frame" that is of some sort of elastic wire). I guess I'll have to find an 8 year old to show me how to do it. ;-)

 

i bought a drivers window shade like that. it came in a 6" circle and unwound into a big rectangle. i can't get the rabbit back in the hat, so i just slide it down between the drivers seat and console.

 

If that is the same wire loop that frames some sun shades then I'll never be able to get it folded small enough to get back in the bag. As it is, the sun shade either lays on top of the cargo or on the back seat. I guess the big improvement was cost reduction.

 

Yes - that's exactly the type "transformation" that I just cant do...

 

why is there ever a ned to remove it?

 

for the same reasons you might want to remove the other - to have a large, open cargo area - to carry very large items that wouldn't fit underneath it.

 

right, thanks!

 

I took it out of its sack and unfolded it after my test drive of the two a couple weeks ago. I honestly thought it was a sunshade but then saw the writing on the sack saying That it was indeed the tonneau cover...lol.

Honestly I don't see how it can do its job of preventing cargo in the hatch area of not flying up and hurting people in the event of an emergency breaking manuver or an accident near as well as the old style. Sure it will prevent people from seeing what your cargo is but it seemed so thin and flimsy I don't see how it would not rip off or how cargo wouldn't rip right through it if it came to that.

The old "rolling / lock in" style a la Gen 3's seemed more more robust and practical. And storing the old style was never an issue to me, simple pop off the bar and place behind the front seats...

But I guess they were scrounging to save a pound or two where ever they could.. Who knows.

 

Not sure if you know, but the 3rd gen cover can also stow under the hatch floor: there's notches in the under-floor tray that fit it.

 

Wow! No I did not know this.

Thx.

 

i had no idea the cover was designed to keep projectiles from injuring passengers. i sure wouldn't trust anything under my gen 3 cover.

 

The Gen 3 nylon rolling cover is a LOT more sturdy than the paper thin looking new one.

Well of course your cover won't stop a load of bricks from killing you if you wreck but smaller / lighter more reasonable stuff sure it will.

 

styrofoam?

 

I don't think that the retention system of the Gen 3 cover would restrain any weight - it's only meant to restrain itself against the spring force of the retraction mechanism.

 

I've pilled stuff in my hatch over the headrests and stretched the tonneau cover up and over and secured it and it has held everything without issue in the past. Granted I never wrecked with it loaded like this but never had anything fly out and hit my passengers or me. It held just fine.



Edit: I'll further add that even when my old Gen3 liftbacks (we still own a v with the rolling cover) were not over loaded to the gills, we used to put our daughters pillows (pillow pet normally and a small blanket) on top of the cover behind the headrests for easy access and it held those no problem. Never caved in... Can't do that with the Gen4's..

 

How about a set of four mounted snow tires, with the back seat down? Yeah I know: hamburger.

 

Vancouver = snow tires are not needed...

 

it's funny though. everyone always talks about the importance of strapping down a spare above decks. but i've never heard cargo mentioned before.