Lost Tonneau Cover While Driving - Page 3 - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Baba · 08-08-2015, 06:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cashman14

Finally got my Camaro Convertible, love this thing!!!!

Last month I was lucky enough to come across a 2011 Inferno Orange Convertible with only 5400 miles on it. It still SMELLS NEW!! Still have to drive it a day without at least one comment, whistle, or thumbs up!

Well, was on the highway the other day, probably going around 80mph, and the cover flew off. I know for a fact I had it installed correctly, I'm pretty anal about those kinds of things. Clips attached, properly tucked in, etc. Still, POOF!

The <elderly> woman I bought it from told me she only used the cover ONCE, since she rarely drove the car and when she did she rarely even put the top down. I wish I had read these forums before. I was able to retrieve it but a couple of the plastic pieces have broke off so I'm sure it won't stay on now. Considering buying another one but really don't want this to happen again. I really like the way it looks with the cover on.

Sounds like a faulty design for sure. DARN!!!

Welcome to the forum and congrats on your new convertible. It sounds as though you really landed a coup with such low miles. Did you get an LT or an SS? With or without the RS package?

The tonneau cover for the 2011-2013's is a nightmare for many members for the very reason you experienced. It can fly off. It's a well-known and documented issue on this forum.

The tonneau cover underwent a redesign in 2012 / 2013 and the newer version comes with bungee cords instead of the clips. Some members have found it better than the "clips" version. Some haven't.

A number of owners have resorted to different methods for dealing with the "pesky" tonneau. Some have pretty much given up on the tonneau due to the hassle of putting it on and taking it off or feeling uncertain about whether it'll stay on at highway speeds or driving with crosswinds present. Some have gotten the bungee cord version (see above). Some have modified their tonneau covers by placing a thick towel between the top and the tonneau, some have undertaken the modification listed below. However, virtually everyone agrees the convertible looks better (read; more polished) with the tonneau on than off.

One of our forum members and convertible owner developed a modification for the tonneau which a number of members have found extremely helpful. Here is the link: http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=272309

Hopefully this will provide a little more insight into your new convertible. Hope to see you around the forum and remember; driving a Camaro Convertible is not "just driving a Camaro". It's a lifestyle. Enjoy the "'vert life".

moonsinger71 · 08-09-2015, 05:39 AM

Danimal sorry you lost your cover, but I have a question for you about the wind restrictor does it work well.

Cashman14 · 08-26-2015, 10:58 AM

Hey Baba - thanks for the info!! I really did get lucky with my Camaro, right place at the right time! It's a 2LT RS, with just about every option available (at the time). Got it with 5400 miles and have put 2K miles on it in the past two months. Finding lots of "excuses" to have to drive somewhere while the weather is perfect here in CO.

I'm still happy with the purchase, but a tiny bit frustrated with all the "known" issues I have encountered (and the ones I probably will encounter in the future). Mainly around this cover and the vert top issues. Even if I had known about these I probably would have still bought the car. I totally love this thing! I find myself doing a lot of reading and trying to figure out if/how to prevent the inevitable top related issues and costing more time & money. I already need to purchase a new tonneau cover, and modify it so it doesn't come off again. I really like the sleek look when it's on.

Good luck to us all!!!

dvision · 09-18-2015, 09:06 PM

Lost the tonneau when our car had 300 miles. By the time I turned around to retrieve it had been run over. Went to my dealer and was kindly offered to be able to buy a replacement. Declined and forgot about it(kinda). I saw this thread and contacted GM thru here and after several emails reached the same result, I can purchase a new one. I passed and guess I'll keep buying my vehicles from another company.

09-18-2015, 09:06 PM	#32
dvision Drives: 2013 ZL1 Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Iowa Posts: 25	Lost tonneau Lost the tonneau when our car had 300 miles. By the time I turned around to retrieve it had been run over. Went to my dealer and was kindly offered to be able to buy a replacement. Declined and forgot about it(kinda). I saw this thread and contacted GM thru here and after several emails reached the same result, I can purchase a new one. I passed and guess I'll keep buying my vehicles from another company.

08-09-2015, 05:39 AM	#30
moonsinger71 Drives: 2014 Camero 2SS/RS Vert Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: CA Posts: 53	Danimal sorry you lost your cover, but I have a question for you about the wind restrictor does it work well.

08-26-2015, 10:58 AM	#31
Cashman14 Drives: 2011 Camaro Convertible Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Colorado Posts: 11	Hey Baba - thanks for the info!! I really did get lucky with my Camaro, right place at the right time! It's a 2LT RS, with just about every option available (at the time). Got it with 5400 miles and have put 2K miles on it in the past two months. Finding lots of "excuses" to have to drive somewhere while the weather is perfect here in CO. I'm still happy with the purchase, but a tiny bit frustrated with all the "known" issues I have encountered (and the ones I probably will encounter in the future). Mainly around this cover and the vert top issues. Even if I had known about these I probably would have still bought the car. I totally love this thing! I find myself doing a lot of reading and trying to figure out if/how to prevent the inevitable top related issues and costing more time & money. I already need to purchase a new tonneau cover, and modify it so it doesn't come off again. I really like the sleek look when it's on. Good luck to us all!!!