For those that have experience using both, what have you found you liked or disliked about each type? Also, do you prefer the hard sold models or just the soft vinyl? I won't be hauling stuff on a daily basis or anything, but would just be nice to have some protection from weather if I have to haul anything back there, luggage, gear, etc.. Just to keep it dry and somewhat secure.
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Roll up or tri-fold tonneau?
- Thread starter dm6
- Start date
Soft roll up guy here. I like the bed availability without having to remove it, even as easy as that can be with the trifold or others. I have a Gator on the new truck. It was cheap. Any soft cover offers the same protection for the most part. Some dust, some moisture and some thieves may intrude.
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Do they roll and unroll pretty easy? Do you have roll them carefully, or just give them a push and let them roll by themselves? The part I am confused about is the velcro or whatever along the bed rails. How do the sides stay down to prevent someone from opening them up from the sides?
It rolls and unrolls with ease. The sides are a heavy Velcro and it works well so far. You unroll it, hook the end tabs in the spring loaded locking mechanism and snap it down. You then run your hand down each side rail to push the Velcro into place and you're done.
To roll it up there are two small levers inside the tailgate that you unlatch. Roll it up and secure with the attached straps. Full bed access.
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To roll it up there are two small levers inside the tailgate that you unlatch. Roll it up and secure with the attached straps. Full bed access.
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That part makes sense, but could someone just lift up the velcro from the sides to get inside of it? I know someone could just as easily cut one open, but I am trying to figure if this just makes it easier for someone to break in.
Crusty old shellback
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I currently had a hard fold up Bak Flip cover on my F250. It's heavy. You can walk on it. With the height of the truck, it can be hard to flip at times. It has a rail system that has the typical funky clips to clip it to the underside of the bed rails. I didn't like that so I drilled a few holes and bolted it down. When unfolding it, you have to make sure the edges land in the rail system correctly. Taking the cover off is the hard part as it's heavy. Two man carry unless you eat your Wheaties in the morning. Locks down good. Has a lock on every panel except the second to last one near the tailgate.
For my new Power Wagon, I'm going with the factory tri fold soft cover. Buddy of mine has it on his 1500 Ram and I like it. Nothing to attach to the bed rails. Seems sturdy. Has a nice cam lock style clamp in each corner. He said it holds it down nicely. Will be easy to take off when needed.
For my new Power Wagon, I'm going with the factory tri fold soft cover. Buddy of mine has it on his 1500 Ram and I like it. Nothing to attach to the bed rails. Seems sturdy. Has a nice cam lock style clamp in each corner. He said it holds it down nicely. Will be easy to take off when needed.
If the bad guys want in they will get in. Is your stuff safer than an open bed? Yes. Is it untouchable? No. Same goes for any topper. If they want in they will find a way. Same goes for the elements. Keeps most of it out but not all.
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Of course, if someone wants to get in they will get into anything. Just being out of sight helps and that might be safer than being out in the open in the cab where if they see something they like, the can smash the window and grab it. But what I was wondering about when I asked that was if someone can just peel up the sides to peek inside, that might not deter them as much as something where you would actually have to cut it or pry it to look inside. So, on a soft rollup, can someone just lift up the velcro and see inside? And on a tri fold soft, does the frame prevent you from easily lifting up the sides?
Crusty old shellback
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the factory tri fold has a full perimeter frame on each panel. So I don't think you can just lift the side.
As said, it just keeps the honest people honest. Anyone wants in, they will find a way.
As said, it just keeps the honest people honest. Anyone wants in, they will find a way.
Iowa Wagon
Active Member
I have a hard folding Bakflip MX4 (like Crusty, you can walk on it). It was expensive, but I really like it.
One of the main selling points for me was it’s VERY low profile. My Power Wagon has ramboxes and I think it looks a bit “odd” when the tonneau cover is higher than the rest of the bed (boxes). The look doesn’t bother me as much on normal truck beds. It also doesn’t flap in the wind down the interstate or puddle with water when it rains.
One of the main selling points for me was it’s VERY low profile. My Power Wagon has ramboxes and I think it looks a bit “odd” when the tonneau cover is higher than the rest of the bed (boxes). The look doesn’t bother me as much on normal truck beds. It also doesn’t flap in the wind down the interstate or puddle with water when it rains.
I just installed the Bakflip MX4 on my truck yesterday. They would need to be motivated to get in. It locks up fairly solid. Yes with a pry bar and a minutes work someone could break into it, but it would take someone determined. They would need tools of some sort to pry it up to just look. Its a lock, it keeps honest people honest. The crooks will find a way in no matter, but I really like that I can keep things relatively secure in the bed now. I don't have experience with any others. Good luck!
That looks like a nice one. I like how it can fully open as well. Does it take long to fully remove it if needed?
So just the top comes off and the rails stay on?
My BIL has a roll up with velcro on his truck. I don't like it, it takes longer to close the box, the part of the velcro that is along the bed will scratch you if you try to reach into the box to get something while wearing a t-shirt, and after a while the velcro collects junk in those little hooks and just doesn't hold well anymore.
I ordered my truck with a factory tri-fold and it's quick and easy to use it and also light enough to take it off by myself, I really like it.
As has been said, if someone wants to get in, they will, but here's what I think. Depending on a cover make/type, velcro could be peeled off and they could get in, tri-fold you can't get under it without breaking or cutting it. The petty thieves would rather peel off or try to get under the cover to get the stuff out as it's not immediately obvious whether it's an owner or a thief if it occured on a bnusy parking lot... If someone is cutting through the fabric to get in it obviously is theft. So just based on that I'd say the factory tri-fold offers a slightly batter protection from thieves.
I ordered my truck with a factory tri-fold and it's quick and easy to use it and also light enough to take it off by myself, I really like it.
As has been said, if someone wants to get in, they will, but here's what I think. Depending on a cover make/type, velcro could be peeled off and they could get in, tri-fold you can't get under it without breaking or cutting it. The petty thieves would rather peel off or try to get under the cover to get the stuff out as it's not immediately obvious whether it's an owner or a thief if it occured on a bnusy parking lot... If someone is cutting through the fabric to get in it obviously is theft. So just based on that I'd say the factory tri-fold offers a slightly batter protection from thieves.
Yeah. I have the Ramboxes with the cargo management system (CMS). It uses the CMS rails. I’m not sure about a regular bed. There are mounting brackets that slide into the CMS so when you take off the cover just the brackets remain. It’s a slick system. It took me probably 30-40 minutes to install with zero previous experience. To take the cover off would be a 2 minute job max and require no tools.
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One other thing. If you end up getting one from Real Truck email Alex and let him know you saw his post on the FB Ram group. You will get a good discount. I did at least. I get nothing from recommending Real Truck or Alex, just passing along a good deal. I got $175 off mine. [email protected]
I have DiamondBack HD. I like how secure everything inside is and I can put heavy loads on top if I need (can support up to 1600lbs). The front flips forward so access to the front of bed (toolbox) is easy.
What I don’t like is that if I do need to remove it, it’s heavy (though doable), and time consuming. Also no camping in it unless you leave the lid open or like the coffin-vibe.
I have given some consideration to the Fas-Top since I like you can get a canopy that plays nice with the tonneau (I had a Softtopper on my last truck)... but it offers little security , and you can’t access the front of the bed (toolbox) without rolling up the whole thing.
What I don’t like is that if I do need to remove it, it’s heavy (though doable), and time consuming. Also no camping in it unless you leave the lid open or like the coffin-vibe.
I have given some consideration to the Fas-Top since I like you can get a canopy that plays nice with the tonneau (I had a Softtopper on my last truck)... but it offers little security , and you can’t access the front of the bed (toolbox) without rolling up the whole thing.