Tonneau / bed cover (factory OEM) will be available

[tgpii]

Slate Auto replied to my question and confirmed that a factory tonneau cover will be available.

Anything on a soft vinyl roll up tonneau cover for a Slate?

 

[The Dude]

 

[Mr. Vacuum]

cant tell a huge diffeerence between the 2 non solar options, but i did find a youtube video of the Nexus and i liked the features i saw, and it can withstand 400lbs on top.. so like, i could stand on it for no reason and not break it i guess.

 

[GrizzlysGhost]

cant tell a huge diffeerence between the 2 non solar options, but i did find a youtube video of the Nexus and i liked the features i saw, and it can withstand 400lbs on top.. so like, i could stand on it for no reason and not break it i guess.

I think the left one just lifts as one big piece allowing you access through the back, and the one on the right folds up in thirds. I'm not very familiar with these covers but that would be my guess.

 

[Skippy]

Kinda got a thing for the Nexus tonneau cover. It's an extra 350$ but after watching a few videos I'm pretty sure I'd regret nothing.

 

[tubes]

I think the left one just lifts as one big piece allowing you access through the back, and the one on the right folds up in thirds. I'm not very familiar with these covers but that would be my guess.

I originally thought that too, but I'm not so sure. Upon further speculation, I think the more expensive NEXUS is a sturdier material that can support a load. Don't quote me on this, but it appears that it also tri-folds and then "flips up" to the cab with some way to secure it in that position. The cheaper one is soft, less secure, and may not have the same ways to secure it.

The lack of details that Slate provides for all this stuff is one of the "slightly disappointing" things I am feeling from the reveal. Hopefully as time advances, they will have more info, Slate-U pointers, and so on. It will be helpful to assess before buying these accessories.

With the lack of the cargo kit, I would seriously have to consider one of these tonneaus.

 

[DinoLord]

cant tell a huge diffeerence between the 2 non solar options, but i did find a youtube video of the Nexus and i liked the features i saw, and it can withstand 400lbs on top.. so like, i could stand on it for no reason and not break it i guess.

More expensive version flips up near the rear window so you only lose access to <10% of the bed instead of 33%.

 

[Skippy]

This seems to be the two non solar tonneau covers.

 

[MIDgrid]

This seems to be the two non solar tonneau covers.

Great video; I liked what appeared to be a more sturdy approach with the Nexus tonneau cover for using it in the upright position while driving. I could see it used for stabilizing and protecting small potted trees, etc., while driving.

Since it's been many years since I had a pickup truck (1960 Chevy half ton, no options, govt. surplus step side bed, no tonneau cover of course), what are the pros/cons of adding a tonneau cover to a Slate truck? Is it to keep rain out when parked outside a lot (e.g. commuting), or security for some contents, or something else? My use case is not commuting; garaged until needed as a secondary vehicle for running local errands that could involve building materials or gardening supplies, or just getting from point A to B within its battery range. Would I need (or want) to take it off completely to haul a load of mulch, for example? They look nice for sure, but trying to decide if I need (or want) one.

 

[Skippy]

Great video; I liked what appeared to be a more sturdy approach with the Nexus tonneau cover for using it in the upright position while driving. I could see it used for stabilizing and protecting small potted trees, etc., while driving.

Since it's been many years since I had a pickup truck (1960 Chevy half ton, no options, govt. surplus step side bed, no tonneau cover of course), what are the pros/cons of adding a tonneau cover to a Slate truck? Is it to keep rain out when parked outside a lot (e.g. commuting), or security for some contents, or something else? My use case is not commuting; garaged until needed as a secondary vehicle for running local errands that could involve building materials or gardening supplies, or just getting from point A to B within its battery range. Would I need (or want) to take it off completely to haul a load of mulch, for example? They look nice for sure, but trying to decide if I need (or want) one.

You'd be able to get away without one. Depending on your use case I'd actually say you really don't need one. Ideally you'll never want to remove a tonneau, just open it up when you need to, they're mostly good for a nice clean look, security of things in the bed (if they don't see it its at least harder for someone to steal it, and protection from the elements).

Personally for work I can keep my cooler, cheaper tools, etc, out of the sun and free from prying eyes. If I need to I can flip it up, move some stuff around and load up with some bags of concrete, mulch, whatever. Also pickup beds tend to attract a lot of crap that gets tossed back there. Its a good way from keeping me from just haphazardly throwing empty bottles and crap like that and thinking, "I'll clean it out later" (I won't).

 

[EV Trek]

You'd be able to get away without one. Depending on your use case I'd actually say you really don't need one. Ideally you'll never want to remove a tonneau, just open it up when you need to, they're mostly good for a nice clean look, security of things in the bed (if they don't see it its at least harder for someone to steal it, and protection from the elements.

Personally for work I can keep my cooler, cheaper tools, etc, out of the sun and free from prying eyes. If I need to I can flip it up, move some stuff around and load up with some bags of concrete, mulch, whatever. Also pickup beds tend to attract a lot of crap that gets tossed back there. Its a good way from keeping me from just haphazardly throwing empty bottles and crap like that and thinking, "I'll clean it out later" (I won't).

Will your tools and cooler fit in the Frunk?

 

[Luxrage]

I'm gonna be strong and hold off on the tonneu cover until I see how much use I get out of the Frunk (and how much space is behind the seats).

 

[Skippy]

Will your tools and cooler fit in the Frunk?

My Slate will be my mobile office, passenger seat will hold a computer table strapped in with the seatbelt. I'm an underground utility/bore standby/damage prevention guy. My initial plan is to keep the expensive stuff like my line locating gear, gas ranger, and few other odds and ends in the frunk. The bed can hold a cooler (I like to have extra water/Gatorade on hand for the guys I work with), shovels, my pogo, and a measuring wheel. I can move all that around and haul home a dresser or vanity on the way home (my family is ADDICTED to Nellis Auction and home remodel stores), grab a few bags of dog food, seed for the lawn, plywood/drywall, whatever we need and not have to go home to grab a trailer or my F150 to do it. I can't put a supercharged engine if my F150 if its a work truck, I want that to be my fun/expensive waste of my retirement fund!

Long story short, I get a lot of "Honey do's" 15 minutes before I clock out, and I want to turn my actual truck into a rocketship.

 

[tubes]

I'm gonna be strong and hold off on the tonneu cover until I see how much use I get out of the Frunk (and how much space is behind the seats).

I'm feeling the same way. Probably want to see the frunk and how I my common tools fit.

I'll still probably get it, especially since I've now convinced myself to let the cargo kit go. Plus sometimes I have a bunch of other tools and I don't want to be flying down the highway with them back there.

One final thing. If you want security, you'll also need to get the $100 tailgate lock kit.

EDIT: I'm going to scratch all this below. I don't think the cheaper Tonneau is a Worksport product. Comparisons I mention below are probably BS. I will say the NEXUS looks sweet.

I want to point out a few things about these based on the video and some links user trace26 posted at this link. I'm basing this purely on the video and links assuming we got the correct product. It could be wrong.

1) Both are made of the same material and have the same weight rating
2) Both are tri fold
3) NEXUS adds an easier way to unlock the panels: not as much reach-under. This is more important for tall trucks. May not matter much for Slate.
4) The BIG difference is the NEXUS locks upright automatically. The cheaper one requires you to place a prop rod, then go around to the other side and place the other rod.

 

[EV Trek]

I'm feeling the same way. Probably want to see the frunk and how I my common tools fit.

I'll still probably get it, especially since I've now convinced myself to let the cargo kit go. Plus sometimes I have a bunch of other tools and I don't want to be flying down the highway with them back there.

One final thing. If you want security, you'll also need to get the $100 tailgate lock kit.

EDIT: I'm going to scratch all this below. I don't think the cheaper Tonneau is a Worksport product. Comparisons I mention below are probably BS. I will say the NEXUS looks sweet.

I want to point out a few things about these based on the video and some links user trace26 posted at this link. I'm basing this purely on the video and links assuming we got the correct product. It could be wrong.

1) Both are made of the same material and have the same weight rating
2) Both are tri fold
3) NEXUS adds an easier way to unlock the panels: not as much reach-under. This is more important for tall trucks. May not matter much for Slate.
4) The BIG difference is the NEXUS locks upright automatically. The cheaper one requires you to place a prop rod, then go around to the other side and place the other rod.

I am going to wait and see if Slate or someone else eventually offers a soft roll up tonneau cover.