I'm looking for a bed cover and am wondering about the pros and cons of the snap style or the velcro?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I have had both on my car. the snap is more secure but you have to drill into the body for installation. the velcro gives you a much cleaner look but you need to be careful removing cover. If car is a everyday driver I would suggest snap. If its show go with the velcro

Its a daily driver, did you have a problem with the snaps rusting?

I'd go with Velco. I just think, even for a daily driver, that it looks cleaner. If after the Velcro, you don't like it, you can always go snaps. Can't go back from snaps if you don't like that or they rust.

Just my 2 cents worth.

Chris. You might want to get in touch with the Region 1 Director for ECC/NECOA. He is local to you. His ID is "elcaminonyc" and his name is Pete Lebovich. Good guy, knows a ton about Elky's. Has been in the sport for years.

I met him last October at a car show here in MA. I'm pretty sure a few of the members here in region 2 will be "crossing the border" to come down to some car show's this spring down by you. Always good to see as many members El Camino's at show's or cruises.

I would be interested in the velcro because of the no drilling,
but I read from some of the members from earlier posts they were junk.
Has anyone used this type or seen one close up?If you have,where do you place the velcro on the body and how is it placed under the window on 5th Gen. ELs ?

Well i have a cover on mine and its with the snaps. I beleive they are stainless steel because I live in south Louisiana an with the heat, humidity there hasn't been a problem. I purchased the car from a gentleman in PA an it has been on the car since 1995. I have also had a cover with the velcro and it sucked. with the water, heat, humidity it just didn't work. besides it was hard to keep tight. 8)

Velcro will never cause your El Camino to rust.

A previous owner put a tonneau cover with metal snaps on my 87. Now, about 50% of the screw holes show some signs of rust. I'm having the snaps removed and all of the screw holes welded up during the restoration. If I do decide to put another cover on the bed it'll be a fiberglass Gaylord lid.

http://elcaminocentral.com/users/87ss/iagree.gif I have to say I really like my Gaylord lid. Alot more than a cover, but well worth it! :cool:

The Gaylord lid is the way to go,but since I have those cargo bars on mine,I won't be able to use one .
Since my body/paint has been completed, I don't wish to remove the bars and rework that area again.I would like to have a cover on my EL so I guess it will be Snaps. "Wish I had left those bars off"

Do u guys think the truck bed on this website would be fine as the gaylord truck bed lids? http://up22.com/malibu78.htm#ML-703H I was thinking of getting a new fiberglass hood, Fiberglass Truck Bed Lid, and maybe the front wheel wells.

Im trying to get the exterior parts im gonna replace lined out so i can make my purchase so the car can get painted.

Do u guys think the truck bed on this website would be fine as the gaylord truck bed lids? I was curious until I saw the dreaded "Unlimited Products" name. I've heard nothing but complaints about their stuff....fit and finish is usually questionable at best. Just a FYI

Do u guys think the truck bed on this website would be fine as the gaylord truck bed lids? ...ML-703H...
Nope.

In fact it would look awful funny because that's a fiberglass Malibu trunk lid.

:) rofl whoops hrmm i had a link to a truck bed cover thought it was that one when i posted fast :x

I was going to buy a velcro style lid, but when I called OPG about ordering one. The guy said that if I live in an area where it snows and rains not to get it because the sides get warped. And if my elky is outside because it is my daily driver I shouldn't get either because the sun bleaches it out. So after the guy told me that I decided to use the 100 dollars that the was going to cost me towards a fiberglass lid.

Thats good to know Justin, " Beware of the velcro" !!
Good decision on the Gaylord.

Thanks everyone for the input. I'm gonna go with the snaps because i need to be able to put my bike in the back and fiber glass tops dont allow for that and velcro just doesnt seem reliable

This message is not a flame on anyone or anything, but is truly my opinion anytime someone asks me about tonneau covers.

When considering a tonneau cover- unless you are looking at the hard fiberglass covers (nice) you REALLY - REALLY- REAAAAAALLLY need to do youself a favor, hang up on OPG or any other supply house who will sell you an off the shelf item and go talk to an Upholstery Shop about a custom made one. Seriously.

How many of the operators at OPG or any other place do you think REALLY own an elcamino and have used their parts?

Most upholstery shops specialize in automotive and BOAT upholstery. What you really want is a place that works on a lot of boats.
Those guy will be EXPERTS in what kinds of retainers to use, materials available(not just vinyl guys, think CANVAS!), stitching, etc etc for waterproof & weatherproof covers.

If you talk to one of those shops, you will not be limited by what someone else has sitting on their shelf... You will get something made to order for your car.

You will probably pay double for a custom made cover, but it will be worth it- and most shops stand behind their work, if a snap comes loose, they will fix it- if the cover rips, they will fix it.

Anyway- That is my take on the matter.
:)

Sounds like great advice to me !

It would nice if somebody would stock a Factory replacement tonneau cover. Both my El Caminos had them, but they had shrunk and wouldn't fit any more. Keep them installed so they stay stretched out.

Ok!!!, I've Finally decided what I'm going to do !!
Instead of snaps or velcro,I have installed a Bed Liner
From H/C, I didn't care for it at first but it seemed to grow on me.
I don't really need a cover in the first place,and I don't like the idea of drilling holes in my ELKY. If you would like to take a look,I posted some pictures in my Album of it. Take a look and tell me what you think.Good or Bad,Pros&cons,ect.
You will find me at the 5TH Gen,page 9. See YA !!
I would post them here,But I haven't figured out how to yet !!

Do things slide around in it?

Hi Tommy,
The liner should be fine because every other rib has non skid on it which
seems to have a good grip.But I will use a cargo bar to secure the load just to be safe.I don't want anything to slide forward and hit the rear window,you know how hard they are to find and replace.

Terry