Lockable Soft Tonneau

[Drawnnite]

just wondering anyone has done this modification to a ute before?
putting it here because it is a modication and could be a potential development for the future.

pretty much i like the versatility of a soft tonneau (can open up a corner for bike handlebars etc for short trips)
but at the same time i can be potentially carrying thousands of dollars worth of tools. and the soft cover doesnt have a lock.

i was thinking that it could be like a normal door lock (but make it flat with maybe a key lock part and thats it)
in the back 2 corners of the tonneau.
but if it only stuck into the sides it would do nothing (cannot have a lock bar across, wont work unless its flexible?)
so would it be possible to have it go into the side and back tailgate of the tub?

just wondering if anyone can add to this idea.
would love to get it done, if its possible.

also ive never heard of one like this out on the market.
whereby it would be the OEM style soft tonneau with locks.

[Rusty]

Not trying to be a smart ass but locks on a soft tonneou may attract the crims rather than deter them.

People may think "Must be something of value in the tray to warrent having locks" and then slice it open in 2 seconds flat.

That's just something to consider anyway. Would hate to return to the ute and have a dirty big hole in the tonneou because some dick was wondering what was underneath.

My 2c anyway, good luck with everything. Have had heaps of stuff stolen from the tray before!

[one_and_only2004]

If I did it i'd have hard (but flexible) plastic strips running down each side with 4 door latching mechanisms - two half way and two at the rear. You could have the plastic strips detach from the cover itself so you can roll it up when you don't want it.

Short of running an electrified underlay inside of the cover there's not much you can do to stop them chopping a hole for a look-see as young rusty has already pointed out.

[Drawnnite]

fair enough.
can definately see where you guys are coming from. *didnt think of that*
was thinking it could be an interesting concept.

wonder if the locks could be hidden somewhere (not on top)
so they would be less noticeable.
for eg in the VS Ute where the side rails are (tonneau hooks)
could a lock somehow go into there.
i guess it would be a whole lot of mucking about to get it to work though.

[one_and_only2004]

You could use central locking controllers to latch into the inner sides of the tub? Run a few wires and have it controlled from your key.

[Dr HaxZaw]

maybe get a tonneau cover made out of flexible kevlar?? then you could lock it and not worry about people slicing it

[tim005]

What's the point really...
Hard top's look better, are way more functionable and protective and if you need to carry things inside the ute, you can always leave it open ajar or take the whole thing off.
VS' also look a whole lot cleaner without the soft tonneau and the hooks grinded off...

[one_and_only2004]

maybe get a tonneau cover made out of flexible kevlar?? then you could lock it and not worry about people slicing it

Or shooting it.

[Drawnnite]

What's the point really...
Hard top's look better, are way more functionable and protective and if you need to carry things inside the ute, you can always leave it open ajar or take the whole thing off.
VS' also look a whole lot cleaner without the soft tonneau and the hooks grinded off...

well its better then asking.. what exhaust makes my v6 sound like a v8 =P

but seriously....
i find my soft tonneau waaaay mroe practical. just for my own purposes.
if i have some odd shaped item that i have to pick up i can normally find a way to fit it in. and keep it all closed. (soft can move/flex a bit and still close)
lately ive had to buy some or move some items which were just on 2700mm long. which is just over the diagonal length in the tub.
it ment i could have the corner open (1 hook) and have that item just hanging out.
same as when i take my bike out. if its a short drive leave 1 corner open with the handle sticking out.
ive also used the hooks to tie down things (when they just hang out) as it really is built for a work ute. not a show ute =P

ive also spoken to my neighbour who does alot of that stuff. he misses having it like that. being able to open/unhook a small area.
thats his only unhappy bit about his current ute (VE) because of the rail like tonneau.

i have also had to carry some pretty expensive tools in there. which im not a fan of leaving the car there with them in it.
so was wondering if it was possible to have the best of both worlds for the purposes i need.

sure hardlids look good, but i know it would look wrong on my car =P
unless its lowered, on a nice set of rims, and looks sporty, it doesnt really suit it. (my opinion)

i also do use the hooks a fair bit (tieing things down if they stick out)
but also at christmas time, i love putting a bit of tinsel around those hooks and down the sides.
might seem a bit wierd but it looks awesome, and if it makes someone else smile or be cheerful then its done the job

so overall i was wondering if it was possible.
looking at it now it would need a hell of alot of engineering. but could create a great market for someone if they wanted to.
maybe i should have done this for a folio in Yr12. would have been something right out there =P

but thanks again for all your advice guys.

[Jonno]

Maybe itd be better to get a lockable box up the front of the tray

[Drawnnite]

Maybe itd be better to get a lockable box up the front of the tray

yeah i was thinking of that but it would take up too much space =P

probably have to be careful with what i leave in there until a lockable softcover is ever made.

like i said it was more the thought of a prodict but now i see its very impractical =P
aah well it was the thought that counted.
good to see everyones ideas though

[Dr HaxZaw]

Yeah i thinks its a case where anything that needs to be locked up can be stored under a solid tonneau so theres no real marker for a flexible one

[Rusty]

maybe get a tonneau cover made out of flexible kevlar?? then you could lock it and not worry about people slicing it

I realise you are probably joking but kevlar degrades fairly quick when exposed to UV and sun. It would also push the cost into the thousands. Light kevlar is fairly useless to stab or slash attacks and needs replacing every 5ish to eight years from memory (that is when kept out of the sun).

A lot of people use kevlar for bullet proof vests and then something different for a knife vest. A knife would penetrate most bullet proof vests, least they used to anyway.

Have you thought about hooking up the loudest alarm possible. Might scare them enough to drop all the stolen gear

[Dr HaxZaw]

I realise you are probably joking but kevlar degrades fairly quick when exposed to UV and sun. It would also push the cost into the thousands. Light kevlar is fairly useless to stab or slash attacks and needs replacing every 5ish to eight years from memory (that is when kept out of the sun).

lol nah i wasnt joking... i knew it would be expensive and wasnt too sure how well it would work but if you dont put ideas out there no one will ever find out

Also didnt realise kevlar was that bad in the sun... learn something new everyday

Is there any flexible material out there that would work?? cause i cant really think of any off the top of my head

[Pickle']

What's the point really...
Hard top's look better, are way more functionable and protective and if you need to carry things inside the ute, you can always leave it open ajar or take the whole thing off.

I have to disagree, They look stupid if you ask me, if you want a hard cover why not just buy a wagon? you get so little space to move if using a hardcover. If you need to pick something up and your already dfriving somewhere you need to go home take off the cover and come back where a soft cover just rolls up and off you go.. i really dont see the point in hard covers nothing but a waste of space in my eyes.

[wraith]

A lock on a soft cover? I very highly doubt it. Think about it logically. Oh look a lock. Slice. Problem solved.

[Dr HaxZaw]

A lock on a soft cover? I very highly doubt it. Think about it logically. Oh look a lock. Slice. Problem solved.

I was thinking a wire mesh and a car battery as well... highly illegal and stupid so i didnt bother putting that up as a solution

[one_and_only2004]

I was thinking a wire mesh and a car battery as well... highly illegal and stupid so i didnt bother putting that up as a solution

Wouldn't do shit - you need a 240v inverter or an electric fence energiser.

[wraith]

Needs a warning. Dangerous wild animal located under this cover. Want to try call my bluff?

[Drawnnite]

only 240v?
id rather hook 12v with like 10amps up.

its not the voltage that kills afterall =P
(only takees 100milli amps to kill. trust me im a sparky)
run it off a solar panel on the roof and its all good =P
and have it connected to capacitors. for the extra bit of fun.
maybe even have a "reverse camera" as CCTV to catch mongrels that try to steal....

but as i said it was all an idea.
would be awesome if it was possible.
but as you guys have said it would be a little obvious.
unless of course, some relays wired to a lock/unlock button thats inside the car (and i dont trust my electrics... =P)
with the locks all around. (1 on each side in the centres. 1 in the back corners) all wired into the tonneau.

actually that last part i have written could work.
would be stealthy (seriously, would you notice some stitching as locks?)
even if the locks are like a t shape. so they cannot just be pulled out. (think of your glovebox lock in a VS. or on some special switchboard doors etc)

but as you guys have said it would waaaaay to crazy to work properly =P
and i guess soft and hard both have their advantages.
just depends which advantages are needed more =P

[Dr HaxZaw]

well the dc current would probably throw them rather than making them grab like ac

Im not a sparky but pretty sure a 10amp battery smacking your arse would make you think twice before going back

[one_and_only2004]

only 240v?
id rather hook 12v with like 10amps up.

its not the voltage that kills afterall =P
(only takees 100milli amps to kill. trust me im a sparky)
run it off a solar panel on the roof and its all good =P
and have it connected to capacitors. for the extra bit of fun.
maybe even have a "reverse camera" as CCTV to catch mongrels that try to steal....

12v doesn't have enough bite to hurt - hence why I can grab on to the + and - terminals of my battery and not die.
Camera is a good idea though

[Drawnnite]

12v doesn't have enough bite to hurt - hence why I can grab on to the + and - terminals of my battery and not die.
Camera is a good idea though

i was talking about AC.
probably mislead you guys there =P

otherwise 10,000 v DC would be a good option =P

[MuckUte]

What's the point really...
Hard top's look better, are way more functionable and protective and if you need to carry things inside the ute, you can always leave it open ajar or take the whole thing off.
VS' also look a whole lot cleaner without the soft tonneau and the hooks grinded off...

I also have to disagree, hardlids can look ok but in my experience they are totally impractical if you are carrying anything more than a box of woodstocks and a couple of stockies.

For security i've got a length of steel cable with a loop on each end, just thread it through what you have in the back and padlock it to one of the eye bolts mounted in the tray.

Nothing is ever going to be 100% secure all yu can do is slow the buggers down or make the less determined ones think twice

[Dr HaxZaw]

As muckute said even if its in a hard top if they really want it they can always break through the hard top... its just to stop the average passerby nicking stuff