Bison Tonneau Cover/S+L Box

Thought I would make a post about the install and the overall experience that I have had using my Bison Tonneau Cover

After purchasing my Taco back in October, the first major upgrade I wanted was to find myself a quality tri-fold hard top tonneau cover. I really liked the features that the BakFlip brand offered for their tri-fold models, but after reading some of the mixed reviews along with the price tag, I couldn’t bring myself to pull the trigger. After some research and talking with a colleague of mine, I purchased one of these guys for around 600-700$ shipped to my address and have been impressed ever since. I will say though, there were a few hiccups upon initial delivery and install, but overall I am quite happy with the product


The initially delivered cover was mistakenly for a Ford Ranger, something I did not notice until after I had opened all the boxes (of course). I called the customer service number on the website and spoke with one of the business rep’s who was super helpful and apologetic for the mistake. I think I caught the guy ‘after hours’ for the business as I could hear kids in the background playing while we talked. What this tell me is that the company has a sales rep available on the phone after normal traditional business hours to help out customers. Huge brownie points IMO. They shipped the correct cover the next day and I had the incorrect one picked up the day following. The whole mistake took five days to be corrected, with me having the correct cover in hand by the end of it all, no extra charge to me


Unboxing everything, I found one of the railings had suffered a small bend that happened during shipping. Not a big issue though as it was easy to bend it back to the correct angle


Following the instructions, I removed the OEM bed railing and installed these mounting cleats/brackets as provided by Bison using the bolts that secured the OEM railing to the truck. This lets you remount the original OEM railing back onto the truck to utilize the tie down points of the railing


I found that while reinstalling the OEM bed railing using the supplied bolts on the supplied brackets, the supplied bolts were too long and would screw into the plastic bed lining. Annoying.


I installed the same threaded bolt only shorter that I had bought from Home Depot to finish this part of the install. Again, annoying


Heres what the OEM rails look like installed back on the supplied brackets


The railings for the cover then slide onto the cleats/brackets down both sides of the box. They fit tight and a second hand would be helpful for this part of the install


While sliding these railings onto the bed, make sure the rubber lining on the rails does not get bent and fold under the metal. These help keep everything dry underneath


The instructions say to install this weather strip at the front end of the bed. Honestly, since install and running this product, skip this step. The seal the cover provides without this piece is great, and this part gives an uneven mount for the cover on the bed. To each there own though


Next is to throw the cover itself on. Should easily click into place and I had no issue with this part of the install


Heres a look at the cover after the front end of the bed cover has been tighten down from the bottom. Again, another set of hands would be helpful here as it was challenging keeping the top piece from turning while the bottom is tightening


After its rolled out, it laid out flat and even with no issues. Folding the cover was no issue either. Feels super durable and sturdy when installed and fully folded up


Here is where I placed the foam pieces to keep the cover from contacting the top area above the rear window. Important to make sure placement is correct or you will scratch the paint of your truck


Heres the cover after install was completed. Overall I am happy with the end product. Some parts of the experience were annoying and considered a minor set back in my opinion, but Ill leave that to you folks to decide


I have had little to no issue with water or moisture getting into the bed area after the cover was installed

To open and fold the cover you need to open your tailgate as there is not key lock on the exterior of the cover. I personally love this because if you have a locking tailgate (which everyone should have to prevent thieves from stealing the expensive tailgate of your truck), the box and its contents are locked closed from the inside in a pretty secure area until the tailgate itself is unlocked. Bonus!

If anyone has questions or comments about the process please chime in down below.

Cheers fellow TW members!

https://bisontonneaucovers.com/

EDIT: Just found out myself from other more diligent online shoppers that these guys only ship throughout Canada. Sorry brothers/sisters to the south. Maybe a PO box near a border crossing is an option for some?

 

Thanks for the great post. I’ve been researching (and too much); and this is helpful. Any issues with water leaks?

How about operating outside in cold weather?

I haven’t seen any negative reviews for Bison, which is great but also unrealistic, hence the hesitation to pull the trigger.

 

Good morning!

Nice write up with photos. Not a bad price either.

I've been going back and forth with tri-folds and the diamondback cover. Obviously, economy is the question here.

But I will note that the longer I wait, the more options of tri-folds are coming out.

We recently had a couple of snow days where my truck bed was completely filled with snow. Maybe the weight of it was good for traction but clearing it out was a nuisance.

I told my wife this is why I needed a tonneau cover but her response was non-agreeable. lol









Ed

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Great writeup and thanks for sharing. Never heard of that company but after seeing your post I would definitely consider one. I agree with leaving off that front rail seal and I also do not have a problem running to the hardware store if I need some bolts.

 

Ed, two words-Tax Refund. A previous boss once told me it is easier to beg for forgiveness than ask for permission. I am pretty good at convincing my wife I NEED something. Let me know if you need some bargaining advice

 

DUDE!

We stopped getting refunds when the daughters were no longer able to be claimed on our taxes. Eldest is 31 and youngest 26; both married.

Nowadays, I've been a rebel and order stuff without approval and get the stare down and some verbal daggers (that's a harsh word but I feel appropriate).

The unapproved items are lower priced...this would be considered over the threshold! lol

My wife's birthday is next weekend and every birthday (as you know) brings about some feelings we husbands have to learn to live around.

Our 32nd anniversary is next month so the celebrations are forthcoming!

Thanks for the dialogue...appreciate the help/advice.

Ed

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The truck bed full of snow here is cringy

 

It was my first time dealing with it. I was surprised at the amount of work required to de-snow my truck bed. I'm hopeful, this will be my only winter experiencing this inconvenience.

Ed

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I pray you are correct Ed. Hopefully you get the green to pull the trigger on the purchase!

 

I actually use to put snow in my bed to add weight for improved traction. In my area it typically melts a day after it stops snowing.

 

I put bricks from our leftover fire-pit install last year for extra weight before snowfall. It was about 150-180lbs



You could see it better here after I dug around it.



Ed

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The Bison looks and functions very much like the OEM Toyota Tri-fold. About the same price too. I'm told it's also 'water resistant' like the OEM not 'water-tight' .

I've considered a Diamondback as well to replace my OEM cover for both looks and functionality as they are super nice, but $2k is a lot $$ for a bed cover.

 

I think I'll start off economical with a tonneau cover and prevent the same outcome next winter. The Diamondback is rugged/fierce looking but you're right, $2K for a tonneau cover is quite an expense.

My next set of tires (when the originals are due for change) will be more aggressive looking.

I'm happy with the way my Sport is coming along.

Ed

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It looks nice! looks like a bakflip but for a cheaper price

 

Does the oem allow for full bed access and folding the cover up to sit vertical at the front end of the bed?

If Toyota makes one that does this its news to me

 

From what I searched for on a Toyota site, there is only the soft tonneau cover:

https://parts.toyota.com/accessories/Toyota_2021_Tacoma/Truck-Bed-Products.html

Ed

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They do have a hard top folding cover, just not sure if it folds completely out of the way like this one or the Bakflip models

 

Here's one I searched/found for $329:

https://parts.toyota.com/p/Toyota_2.../Truck-Bed-Lid-Front/66815545/6490109010.html

I'd have to call my friend Lou at Prestige Toyota in NY to find out particulars; looks like there may be a kit for the entire unit--IPB shows separate components and additional pricing.

Part#6490109010

This link shows related products:

https://parts.toyota.com/p/Toyota_2.../Truck-Bed-Lid-Front/66815545/6490109010.html

Ed

OP - Apologies for researching other options on your thread!

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UPDATE:

I called the dealership I bought my truck from just now and....drum roll please...!

You have to pre-order it WITH your truck. Otherwise, you're looking at a couple grand to piece-meal the OEM Hardcover Tonneau.

The parts guy did suggest a website to buy one though...there's tons out there and I won't add another link on here.

Ed

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Nice. Looks very similar to my BakFlip G2.
Canadian only eh?