Surprised there's no 3rd party tonneau cover

[hawk02]

I'm on my second 5th gen convertible -- bought an '11 2SS A6 last May and decided I really wanted a manual so traded it in for '12 2SS in January. I have absolutely enjoyed owning a Camaro convertible. Never had more fun driving a car in my life. That tonneau cover, however, is the biggest piece of you know what. I struggle putting it on and taking it off. It's even a struggle for me to put it back in the carrying case. Doesn't matter which year either -- the '12 version is just as bad as the '11. It makes makes me uncomfortable to watch the top flap around when the cover is off so I put it on 99.99% of the time when the top is down. I'm sure I'm not alone in my struggles with with the cover. What's surprising to me is the absence of any alternative covers on the market. Surely some enterprising company could come up with a better design. I'd buy one in a heartbeat.

[kenredconvert]

I agree. Why can't some specialty shop make a fiberglass unit with spring loaded twist catches for the back edge and a slip under lip for the front edge so wind doesn't get under it?

[pgustavson]

I don't like watching the top flop around either, but I hate putting it on, taking it off... I don't even carry the tonneau cover around. They're all a PITA, IMO...My wife had a Sebring years ago. When we got rid of the car I found it's tonneau cover in my workshop still in the plastic bag it came in. My Camaro cover sits in the same spot in its sporty little case, on top of the engine cover. The one for my Chevelle had METAL clips to snap over the trim. I have no idea where that one is at this point...

[SUX2BU]

I only put mine on if I am at a show or if I know the top will be down all day and I won't be getting on the highway.

I wouldn't buy an aftermarket one.

[hawk02]

Originally Posted by SUX2BU

I only put mine on if I am at a show or if I know the top will be down all day and I won't be getting on the highway.

I wouldn't buy an aftermarket one.

Temps were above average today in central Ohio so I just couldn't resist going for a drive topless. Maybe I'm getting use to putting it on because it was less of a struggle for me today (although I almost lost a finger tucking in the passenger side of the cover). Even though I was only going to be out an hour or less, I still put it on. You'll be hard pressed to convince me that the top flapping around at 40+ mph is not doing some damage to it. Maybe not in the short term, but long term in can't be good for it.

One reason we're probably not seeing any after market covers is because the convertible makes up a relatively small sub-set of the overall Camaro market. I just know if there were some alternatives out there, I would take a close look at them.

[SUX2BU]

Originally Posted by hawk02

Temps were above average today in central Ohio so I just couldn't resist going for a drive topless. Maybe I'm getting use to putting it on because it was less of a struggle for me today (although I almost lost a finger tucking in the passenger side of the cover). Even though I was only going to be out an hour or less, I still put it on. You'll be hard pressed to convince me that the top flapping around at 40+ mph is not doing some damage to it. Maybe not in the short term, but long term in can't be good for it.

One reason we're probably not seeing any after market covers is because the convertible makes up a relatively small sub-set of the overall Camaro market. I just know if there were some alternatives out there, I would take a close look at them.

Honestly what I have observed in my 14,000 miles is that using the cover without a towel or something under it will cause more damage than not using one. In fact I stopped using mine on the highway months ago and have no damage. After fixing numerous rub marks on my top I am very familiar with our tops. A little flapping in the wind isn't hurting anything. Remember GM sells the lower trim verts with out covers.

I can install the cover pretty fast, but you still have to get out and mess with it.

[hawk02]

Originally Posted by SUX2BU

Honestly what I have observed in my 14,000 miles is that using the cover without a towel or something under it will cause more damage than not using one. In fact I stopped using mine on the highway months ago and have no damage. After fixing numerous rub marks on my top I am very familiar with our tops. A little flapping in the wind isn't hurting anything. Remember GM sells the lower trim verts with out covers.

I can install the cover pretty fast, but you still have to get out and mess with it.

You'll get no argument from me about the cover causing rub marks. I'm seeing them on this convertible across a good portion of the first bow and not in the typical location between the first and second bows on the driver and passenger sides. Now tonight I didn't have any rub marks on the first bow after my drive. But like I said, the cover was less hassle to get on tonight and the temperatures were much warmer than they have been.

These two Camaros are the first convertibles I've ever owned so I don't have anything to compare them to. Do the tops of other brands flap around when left uncovered? Trust me, I'd be delighted not to have to put it on and take it off every time I want to drive topless. But to look in the rear view mirror and see the top flapping up and down in the wind just bugs me to death.

[jmillsys]

Hi,
I been onto RK Sport Performance Styling Specialists for some time to see if they are going to make a tonneau cover for the 2011-12 vert as they already make one for the early models. If they got enough inquirers they might do something.
This is there link to the early models

http://rksport.adhostclient.com/main...mdid=1&catid=4




:5thgenvert:

[SUX2BU]

Originally Posted by hawk02

These two Camaros are the first convertibles I've ever owned so I don't have anything to compare them to. Do the tops of other brands flap around when left uncovered? Trust me, I'd be delighted not to have to put it on and take it off every time I want to drive topless. But to look in the rear view mirror and see the top flapping up and down in the wind just bugs me to death.

I have had a couple of verts (and driven/riden in a lot of others), the canvas flapping around when the top down is completely normal.

Boot covers have always only been for cosmetic purposes.

[hawk02]

Originally Posted by SUX2BU

I have had a couple of verts (and driven/riden in a lot of others), the canvas flapping around when the top down is completely normal.

Boot covers have always only been for cosmetic purposes.

This is good to know. Without any convertible experience before last May's purchase, I didn't know if the flapping was specific to the 5th generation vert. I won't be quite as bugged by it now that I know it's inherent to most verts.

I wonder if any of the after market windscreens reduce or eliminate the flapping -- especially the ones that attach to the tonneau clip/strap posts.

[SUX2BU]

Originally Posted by hawk02

I wonder if any of the after market windscreens reduce or eliminate the flapping -- especially the ones that attach to the tonneau clip/strap posts.

No, windscreens are made to keep the air out of the passenger compartment, not behind it.

[99firehawk]

Originally Posted by jmillsys

Hi,
I been onto RK Sport Performance Styling Specialists for some time to see if they are going to make a tonneau cover for the 2011-12 vert as they already make one for the early models. If they got enough inquirers they might do something.
This is there link to the early models

http://rksport.adhostclient.com/main...mdid=1&catid=4




:5thgenvert:

I have one of these for my 99 Firehawk vert and don't use it. Too heavy (thick fiberglass), awkward and you can easily scratch different interior and exterior parts if you are not extremely careful putting it on. It does look amazing when it is on though

[vanlieremead]

Does anyone have experience with the wind restrictor installation reducing the top flapping? Also, my second top flaps a lot less than my first one did.