Tonneau covers?

[99ls1tj]

New truck is arriving this weekend from MD and I need to find a tonneau cover. The truck is a 3500 CC srw short bed. I eventually plan to get a fifth wheel camper. I'm wonder which tonneau covers might work well with this setup and still have enough clearance for a fifth wheel without having to totally remove the cover. Thanks

 

[Surgdoc4]

Had a BAKFlip MX4 on a short bed 2500 with a Pullrite 24k Superglide. Could leave this on, a little close but cleared. It is going to depend on the hitch. Sidewinder vs slider. With the new 3500 and 8’ box just went with Retrax MX which would also work for you, a bit expensive though. The other option is a soft cover.

 

[CharlieL]

You have lots of options! There are other threads on this forum you might find helpful as well. I also have the Pullrite 24K Superglide on my 2500 short bed, and a Retrax cover. For me, there's plenty of clearance with the cover closed. Good luck on your search!

 

[99ls1tj]

You have lots of options! There are other threads on this forum you might find helpful as well. I also have the Pullrite 24K Superglide on my 2500 short bed, and a Retrax cover. For me, there's plenty of clearance with the cover closed. Good luck on your search!

I was leaning toward a retrax, Glad to hear the combo is working well for you.

 

[Surgdoc4]

You have lots of options! There are other threads on this forum you might find helpful as well. I also have the Pullrite 24K Superglide on my 2500 short bed, and a Retrax cover. For me, there's plenty of clearance with the cover closed. Good luck on your search!

The clearance I was referring to was for the BAKFlip 4 MX panels folded forward and clearance between trailer pin box and cover. I just assumed enough clearance between hitch and closed cover. My fault, the wife keeps telling me she can’t read my mind or fill in the blanks. Telepathy would be so much easier. Love the Retrax MX

 

[Ironsides77]

I was leaning toward a retrax, Glad to hear the combo is working well for you.

Just be warned, the Retrax is costly and takes up part of your bed space.

 

[Surgdoc4]

Just be warned, the Retrax is costly and takes up part of your bed space.

Both very true: it shortens the bed 12” except for the 8” underneath the canister. Price $2164 +\-.

 

[BSN81]

I had the Demco Autoslider with a BAKFlip Revolver X4S. The head of the trailer hitch sat a little too high for it to roll close. So I would remove the head (super easy) when I wasn't going to tow. Plus that helped cut down noise from the head moving around as I drove down the road. I liked how the cover would roll up and not take up any part of the bed and really wouldn't block the back window view. However, I live in the the desert and the heat caused the first one to fail. BAK was awesome and sent me a new one. If this one fails, I might switch over to the Retrax cover. The down fall to that one is you lose bed space in front of the hitch. So really depends on your wants and it needs.

 

[Surgdoc4]

That does sit very high. I had to put a ratchet strap on the slider to keep it in forward position a stop the clunking. Haven’t seen the Demco but assume it is not adjustable. How much clearance do you have with that setup?

 

[Surgdoc4]

That does sit very high. I had to put a ratchet strap on the slider to keep it in forward position a stop the clunking. Haven’t seen the Demco but assume it is not adjustable. How much clearance do you have with that setup?

Sorry again for lack of clarity. Bed clearance sidewall to 5th wheel. Did those lateral guides come with hitch?

 

[BSN81]

That does sit very high. I had to put a ratchet strap on the slider to keep it in forward position a stop the clunking. Haven’t seen the Demco but assume it is not adjustable. How much clearance do you have with that setup?

Good question. I think it was 8 to 9 inches....maybe. I honestly don't remember. And I can't go and measure it cause we sold our 2500 and trailer and ordered a 3500. But I attached a photo to help give a visual. My Demco didn't have to be tied down to not move. It only moved under the pressure of the trailer pin. Which I liked, just the headed moving around would cause noise.

 

[Surgdoc4]

Those sliders are really heavy and take up a lot of space. I needed an engine hoist to remove it. If I had to do it again I would consider a sidewinder or switch to a gooseneck. Lots of options. All have advantages and disadvantages.

 

[Surgdoc4]

Good question. I think it was 8 to 9 inches....maybe. I honestly don't remember. And I can't go and measure it cause we sold our 2500 and trailer and ordered a 3500. But I attached a photo to help give a visual. My Demco didn't have to be tied down to not move. It only moved under the pressure of the trailer pin. Which I liked, just the headed moving around would cause noise. View attachment 46193

Like you I solved the problem with a 3500 long box.

 

[BSN81]

That does sit very high. I had to put a ratchet strap on the slider to keep it in forward position a stop the clunking. Haven’t seen the Demco but assume it is not adjustable. How much clearance do you have with that setup?

The Demco Autoslider is basically 3 pieces. The "rail" or puck adapter. Then the hitch which could be adjusted by bolts, in 3 possible positions on the sides. And then the head piece. The head is easily removed and takes about a minute to remove. The hitch can be removed by removing 4 pins, but is heavy and you would need another helper or hoist to lift it out. And then you can leave the adapter in there. Lots of options. Hope that helps.

 

[BSN81]

Like you I solved the problem with a 3500 long box.

Yeah but I ordered a 3500 short box. I don't have the space for a long box. I'll just deal with the auto slider. We upgraded to the 3500 for the tow capacity difference so we could get a larger trailer.

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

Those sliders are really heavy and take up a lot of space. I needed an engine hoist to remove it. If I had to do it again I would consider a sidewinder or switch to a gooseneck. Lots of options. All have advantages and disadvantages.

My hitch setup is 365lbs i just hang it off the trailer pin when i need to take it out no need to fight with heavy things at my age

 

[762fmj]

I was leaning toward a retrax, Glad to hear the combo is working well for you.

I have the Rollnlock. It has a few pros and cons vs the retrax.
Pros: cheaper, base model is metal and not composite, MUCH smaller canister than retrax, sping loaded for faster/easier opening.
Cons: base model is vinyl bonded to aluminum which could possibly delaminate in the future, can only be partially opened in a couple of preset positions, spring could potentially fail, harder install.

Overall very happy with it.