ERA Tonneau Cover

patrickt · #1 (**permalink**) 10-27-2009, 05:02 PM

None of the roadsters I have owned in my life have had a tonneau. I'll reduce my questions down to one, since it's obvious no one gives a shi* to answer me

-- can you drive your Cobra comfortably with a tonneau on it?

Gunner · #2 (**permalink**) 10-27-2009, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patrickt

None of the roadsters I have owned in my life have had a tonneau.

How many were (1) roadsters that you (2) drove in or with the expectation of rainy weather and (3) cared about enough not to soak the interior and (4) didn't have another alternative like a soft top?

I would like to drive 707 in iffy weather and make it home without having to dry the whole interior if I judge wrong. (We don't have a completely "winter" season here during which summer toys hibernate.) I'd also like the ability to seal up the interior against dust, dirt, small animals, children, etc.

Quote:

I'll reduce my questions down to one, since it's obvious no one gives a shi* to answer me

-- can you drive your Cobra comfortably with a tonneau on it?

FWIW, I judged your post as more rhetorical than questioning. You might also give the crowd more than two hours to answer.

ERA Chas · #3 (**permalink**) 10-27-2009, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patrickt

None of the roadsters I have owned in my life have had a tonneau. I'll reduce my questions down to one, since it's obvious no one gives a shi* to answer me

-- can you drive your Cobra comfortably with a tonneau on it?

I immediately developed that sense of humor when I saw those two appendages sprouting from your car.

Pat et al-forget driving with the cover in place. Above 40 mph it wants to beat the scheiss out of your paint and tear itself off the car. Not good for your mounting studs.

It's best purpose is to keep the interior covered when parked. Keeps out falling leaves, debris and glomy hands.
Also keeps the sun's UV off your wool and leather.

patrickt · #4 (**permalink**) 10-27-2009, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ERA Chas

Pat et al-forget driving with the cover in place. Above 40 mph it wants to beat the scheiss out of your paint and tear itself off the car. Not good for your mounting studs ... It's best purpose is to keep the interior covered when parked. Keeps out falling leaves, debris and glomy hands..

That is exactly what I wanted to know. Thanks.

Got the Bug · #5 (**permalink**) 10-27-2009, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patrickt

None of the roadsters I have owned in my life have had a tonneau. I'll reduce my questions down to one, since it's obvious no one gives a shi* to answer me

-- can you drive your Cobra comfortably with a tonneau on it?

The tonneau cover only takes a few minutes to install. You can comfortably drive with it, but SPF recommends a top speed of 75 mph. It's probably better than nothing if you get caught in a storm, but I bet it would leak.

ERA Chas · #6 (**permalink**) 10-27-2009, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Got the Bug

The tonneau cover only takes a few minutes to install. You can comfortably drive with it, but SPF recommends a top speed of 75 mph. It's probably better than nothing if you get caught in a storm, but I bet it would leak.

And have you driven with it and found different results from mine?

And yes it would leak-it's not designed to keep water out

Got the Bug · #7 (**permalink**) 10-27-2009, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ERA Chas

And have you driven with it and found different results from mine?

And yes it would leak-it's not designed to keep water out

I took if for a quick (~40 Mph) spin once and my experience was the same as yours

I got caught in a light rain a couple of times, and at freeway speed you don't get that wet. I've never even pulled the soft top or side curtains out the bag.

The times that really I found it handy, was when it was 100+ degrees out and the car was parked outside.

patrickt · #8 (**permalink**) 10-27-2009, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Got the Bug

The times that really I found it handy, was when it was 100+ degrees out and the car was parked outside.

I keep a white sheet in the trunk for that -- it works great.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Got the Bug

I've never even pulled the soft top or side curtains out the bag.

They actually look pretty cool.

Got the Bug · #9 (**permalink**) 10-27-2009, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patrickt

I keep a white sheet in the trunk for that -- it works great.

They actually look pretty cool.

I may have to give the soft top a try...it's supposed to be 30 degrees here tomorrow morning.

Well, maybe not since it will be 65 by the afternoon.

patrickt · #10 (**permalink**) 10-27-2009, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Got the Bug

I may have to give the soft top a try...it's supposed to be 30 degrees here tomorrow.

Put your top up before cold weather hits. Even a chilly top is a bear to put up. At a minimum, have your top inside the house at a nice 70 degrees before you try -- it's a small PITA, but a PITA nonetheless.

ERA Chas · #11 (**permalink**) 10-27-2009, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Got the Bug

I may have to give the soft top a try...it's supposed to be 30 degrees here tomorrow morning.

-And then we get back to the 'too cold oil thread'.

RodKnock · #12 (**permalink**) 10-28-2009, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patrickt

I keep a white sheet in the trunk for that -- it works great.

Huh? White sheet in the trunk? I wonder, does that have any other nefarious uses?

patrickt · #13 (**permalink**) 10-27-2009, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Got the Bug

The tonneau cover only takes a few minutes to install. You can comfortably drive with it, but SPF recommends a top speed of 75 mph. It's probably better than nothing if you get caught in a storm, but I bet it would leak.

Thanks Doug. I remember another thread from a couple of years ago where someone was complaining that the wind-whipping effect scratched up the car a good bit. My ERA soft top seems to have kind of fuzzy felt backing to prevent that, I think, so I wonder if the tonneau is the same way. I carry the soft top in the trunk, I keep the side curtains down in the basement.

If I bought a tonneau I would keep it in the trunk and put the soft top in the basement as well. The damn thing takes me 15 minutes to put up, my thumbs ache for days after doing it, and I always think I'm going to break the windshield.

tboneheller · #14 (**permalink**) 10-29-2009, 07:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patrickt

None of the roadsters I have owned in my life have had a tonneau. I'll reduce my questions down to one, since it's obvious no one gives a shi* to answer me

-- can you drive your Cobra comfortably with a tonneau on it?

Yes. it can be driven. I have had mine over 100mph with no problems.
It can be installed in about 2 minutes.
It will keep out some rain. The water running off of the fenders gets under it.
I like to install it when washing my car.
My cat thinks it makes a nice hammock.
Get one!