I’ve switched to tri folds years ago. And now I’m back to a roll up since I need full access to my bed almost every day. I personally like the roll ups. I don’t ever reach over the side of my bed (being that the beds dent so easy) and never have to worry about ever removing it since it rolls all the way up and the tri folds have to be lifted and removed and a pain to stick back on without scratching the bed by yourself. And walking back and forth side to side to line it up just right before clamping it down is a down side to the tri fold too. Worse thing is when you unfold the whole thing and realize how crooked you put it on.
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Roll up or tri-fold tonneau?
- Thread starter dm6
- Start date
Thank you for all of the great suggestions here. I really like the hard ones, bot the tri-fold and the roll up, but not really sure which way to go. Since I am not going to use this truck everyday but would still like some type of protection on occasion, I think it might be a good idea to go with an inexpensive tri-fold like the Tyger one mentioned for now. For $200 or so, I won't be out that much money if I don't like it. I may also want to have a dog back there in a crate someday, so I don't know if it is feasible or not, but maybe the crate will fit under the last fold if it is left open in the 2/3 position.
twodoghill
Member
I just finished installing a BakFlip MX4 on my 2021 PW. Gotta say I am disappointed in the build quality for the price. Overall it fits pretty good and looks nice but the mounting rails are pretty flimsy. It uses a lot of rubber and foam bumpers that are attached with double sided tape which for my desert southwest climate is no-go. Really, tape? Some already fell off and I expect that any that I think are really necessary will have to be attached with screws and maybe some proper adhesive. I had to fix the latch mechanism at the tailgate end because it wouldn't close. Involved taking it apart and drilling new screw holes. Came missing a couple machine screws. I called BakFlip and asked them to send the screws but instead of saying "oh ok we'll get those out today" they wrote up a "ticket" and put me in a queue to another "department." Got some at the hardware store.
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gimmie11s
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Good info, thanks for sharing. I was considering the mx4, but also live in a dry, hot climate.
twodoghill
Member
I was a bit harsh in the review. Overall I think it will hold up it its parked inside. Just expect to have to do some custom work to mount some of the bumpers.
garyh
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i love my bak MX4. Had a BAK revolver on my previous truck and liked it, but not loved it. Didn't like the all open or all closed positions. The MX4 allows for various open positions which has come in handy. The revolver had some issues in the winter with freezing up in the locking channels that I did not have with the MX4. The revolver chattered a little while in cross winds. The additional security of either of these two covers are well worth the peace of mind. IMO
I was leaning towards a soft one but emailed Alex and he did offer a Bakflip MX4 for $750 so I am very tempted to go for that since it is normally close to $1k. It does look like a pretty solid unit and probably an overkill for me, but it's hard for me to pass up a deal .
I've had it installed for 5-6 weeks now and it is working fantastic for me. It is very strong and durable, and I anticipate it to last many years. I would recommend it without hesitation. It was more than I initially wanted to spend but it is hard to turn down a good deal. Now that I've been able to use it for a while I am very happy with the cover and I feel it was a good deal overall. Good luck!
Is it easy to open? I saw someone mentioned that the hard ones are heavy and hard to open in a tall truck like these, and I am pretty short besides. How do the drain tubes work? I saw on the website that drilling is required in some models. Has yours had any leaks? It also looks like this mounts inside of the bed rails instead of on top, so does that mean you could install a ladder rack with it? I'm just thinking far ahead where I may want some sort of rack to put a boat or kayaks on. I guess even though it is pricey, at least I could probably sell it and get something out of it if I decide I want a cap someday. Thank you for the input.
I don't find it difficult to open. I usually step on the tailgate and open it from there. Occasionally I open it from the side. It is a bit more difficult to open from one side but I don't find it particularly difficult. I did not install the drain tubes. I wanted to see how much water comes in first. I do not expect it to be water tight. I have had some substantial rains in the last couple weeks. A bit of water does get in but not enough to bother me. Like I said I didn't expect it to be completely water proof. I will likely not end up installing the drains. I have the Ram boxes and the cargo management system. Mine installed in the cargo management rails and sits flush with the top of the bed/boxes. I don't know if you would be able to add a ladder rack. Im not sure how you would.
str8shuutr45
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I’ve had some experience with both types. My first RAM, 2004 1500 quad cab, had an Extang, soft roll up tonneau with center braces and snap clips. It was a decent cover except in the winter months, it would shrink about 3/4”. If I unsnapped it, it was very difficult to re-snap. My 2nd RAM was a 2014 quad cab. On this one I had a Mopar tri fold. This was okay too but if I wanted to use the full bed,I would have to take it off and either leave it home or strap it to the bed..PITA.
I just bought a 2021 RAM 2500 HD, Cummings diesel, Limited. I have a TruXedo Sentry roll up on order. This has the best of both worlds. I’ll post my impressions when installed.
I just bought a 2021 RAM 2500 HD, Cummings diesel, Limited. I have a TruXedo Sentry roll up on order. This has the best of both worlds. I’ll post my impressions when installed.
Iowa Wagon
Active Member
I’ve had zero problems with my Bakflip MX4. Install was very simple. The cover can flip all the way up so all panels are against the back glass (on padding) giving you full use of the bed, support up to 400 lbs on the cover, super low profile, two large “nuts” are removed to remove the whole cover if needed.
I live where it’s humid in the 90s in the summer to snow/ice and -30 in the winter. The cover has held up great.
I live where it’s humid in the 90s in the summer to snow/ice and -30 in the winter. The cover has held up great.
Are you still liking that roll up? I got a Bakflip and don't really think I like it as much as I should. It's big and heavy and bulky and while it may be great for someone that uses the truck a lot or wants it to stand up to the elements more, I'm thinking maybe I am better off with a soft one. Last camping trip I took, I used the whole bed so if I had the bakflip on, it would have had to have been all the way open anyways so maybe a roll up would be better. Plus it will still keep things dry and shut for a trip to the store or something. Maybe I will send it back and look into other options.
I am very pleased with the roll up by Gator. I have to say for the money it is a very nice cover that is easy to use. It keeps the weather out very well. I may get a tiny bit of moisture in through the corners in the car wash but that's it and I can deal with that.
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Is it the SRX? I see that one mounts inside the bed rails rather than laying on top and looks very low profile. Seems pretty nice.
So what is your guys' experience with roll ups that have the tracks that sit up on top of the bed rails (like the Gator SR1 or Truxedo Truxport) versus the ones that lay inside of them (like the Gator SRX)? Pros or cons to either of them?
TankerTrash
Member
I picked up a Truxedo Sentry CT when I bought the truck... Never had a cover of any sort on my previous truck, but couldnt say no to this deal - 300 bucks lightly used.
It rolls up super easy, takes up minimal bed space, and I am still surprised at how dry it keeps everything! Maybe a few drops in the tailgate area with the heavy florida rains.
10/10 would recommend, and will definitely get one on my next truck!
It rolls up super easy, takes up minimal bed space, and I am still surprised at how dry it keeps everything! Maybe a few drops in the tailgate area with the heavy florida rains.
10/10 would recommend, and will definitely get one on my next truck!
MrHankbot
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Another happy Truxedo Sentry CT user here. I'll be getting another for my 3500. Won't keep out a determined thief, but not many will.
Late to the party but figure I would give my 2 cents…I have had a roll up and am now on my second Diamondback Cover. Stopped using soft roll ups as I did not feel comfortable with a cover that can easily opened by a razor blade.
I purchased my first HD Diamondback cover as I was doing road trips in Mexico. I needed a HD cover that would stand up to what the mother land could throw at it. I figured that if you need a sledge hammer to open it, it would work in Mexico, and it did. Carried numerous loads on top without a problem. The trifolds are nice but I needed the strongest covers out there. That was on a 2004 DC Tundra.
On my Ram 2500 I decided to go with a DB 270. It is pricy for being a lightweight cover, whish it was a little thicker but I did not want a HD DB cover as I don’t plan to carry heavy loads on it and removing those covers can be a pain.
I appreciate the DB lifetime warranty that was very helpful with my first cover. Anything comparable to the DB covers cost as much if not more. I like the cover, just needed to add tie downs for the light loads I carry on top. Added the E Track single tracks. If you don’t plan to carry anything in top a trifold will work….
I purchased my first HD Diamondback cover as I was doing road trips in Mexico. I needed a HD cover that would stand up to what the mother land could throw at it. I figured that if you need a sledge hammer to open it, it would work in Mexico, and it did. Carried numerous loads on top without a problem. The trifolds are nice but I needed the strongest covers out there. That was on a 2004 DC Tundra.
On my Ram 2500 I decided to go with a DB 270. It is pricy for being a lightweight cover, whish it was a little thicker but I did not want a HD DB cover as I don’t plan to carry heavy loads on it and removing those covers can be a pain.
I appreciate the DB lifetime warranty that was very helpful with my first cover. Anything comparable to the DB covers cost as much if not more. I like the cover, just needed to add tie downs for the light loads I carry on top. Added the E Track single tracks. If you don’t plan to carry anything in top a trifold will work….
