Local trim expert

[Richardtr3a]

Hi,

My TR3A has had a Tonneau for at least ten years. This year it has shrunk in size and will not fit. I have exposed it to the sun and tried to stretch it. It is about 2" too small in width and length. I do not know how to make it more flexible. Is there any advice on the Forum ?

If there are no straightforward answers please can anyone recommend a specialist company local to me in East Sussex who can make me a new tonneau which will last ten years without shrinking.

Any advice will be helpful.

Thanks Richard & B

[Lebro]

TR shop supply good ones.

Bob

[Ralph Whitaker]

13 hours ago, Richardtr3a said:

Hi,

My TR3A has had a Tonneau for at least ten years. This year it has shrunk in size and will not fit. I have exposed it to the sun and tried to stretch it. It is about 2" too small in width and length. I do not know how to make it more flexible. Is there any advice on the Forum ?

If there are no straightforward answers please can anyone recommend a specialist company local to me in East Sussex who can make me a new tonneau which will last ten years without shrinking.

Any advice will be helpful.

Thanks Richard & B

I think it is the canvass backing that gets damp and shrinks, and it probably happens with all of them if not stored completely dry. Having said that I bought a project car that came with a brand new un-fitted hood still in the bag. It took me so long to do the car that when I eventually got around to fitting the hood it had shrunk in storage and could not be persuaded to fit at all. Be aware that if you buy one ready made they usually do not come with the lift the dot fasteners fitted due to differences between cars and you will have to buy a tool to punch the holes after carefully marking their position on the hood/ tonneau or whatever, so you might be better off getting a trimmer to do the whole job for you.

Ralph

[Richardtr3a]

Thanks for the replies. I am working on the project today and there is a local trimmer. Has anyone used David Powell near Hailsham.

Richard & B

[greasemonkey]

I've been researching hood vinyl recently for another car. The view from all the trimmers I've spoken to is that modern stuff, even Everflex, will shrink if not fitted to the car every night.

You cannot fit both tonneau cover and hood so you're stuffed. That's why they all use mohair these days - fed up with complaints!!

Even Don Trimming, who list 3 grades of vinyl, advise against it!

Phil.

Edited September 2, 2025 by greasemonkey
Added more detail.

[Chris Hale]

Phil

Have you spoken to these people https://www.boyriven.co.uk/contact-us.html 

I have not used them but have heard good reports about the material they supply

[Lebro]

I purchased my vinyl hood & Tonneau from The TR shop 13 years ago. I had to fit the LTD & Tennax fasteners myself, not difficult if you take it slowly.

Neither have shrunk, & still fit perfectly.

Bob

[Ian Vincent]

I have an Everflex tonneau. It’s about 10 years old and hasn’t shrunk even though it is subject to considerable abuse (from me!).

I had to have it specifically made by a local trimming company because I have a roll-over bar on my TR3a. 

Rgds Ian

[Rod1883]

Similar to Ian, I have a custom made tonneau because of the roll-over bar - made by Softbits for Sevens. This company was based in West Chiltington when they made mine about 14 years ago, but seems to have moved to Earnley - South of Chichester between Pagham and West Wittering.