What's new
By:
Ram Heavy Duty Forum

Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

Tonneau Cover

J

jak

Member
Messages
97
Reaction score
33
Points
18
Location
Western Mass
Debating whether to get a folding tonneau cover or a retractable. Leaning toward the retractable but want to be sure it will be strong enough to hold up to ice & snow build up. I would like opinions pro and con. Also what brand would you recommend? Not cheap, up around $1800-2000. Thanks
 
My last truck I had retractable, this truck I went MX4. I didn't like giving up the bed space, albeit was in a F-150 with 5.5' bed. I had a warranty issue where some of the slats came out of the rail and chewed them up. Bed cover wouldn't retract all the way or would get stuck and not close.
 
I like the Revolver X4s from Bacflip. I don’t understand why it’s not more popular. I had an earlier version on my last F150. I did screw up and not roll it tight and secure it. It flopped around and bent itself. They made me a great deal on a folding cover. I never liked it as much. Rolling and strapping it down is easier than folding.
 
I've had a Truxedo Lo Pro folding tonneau cover for years, including my 2022 3500 that I have now. I think they are an excellent value for the money: sleek, waterproof, great fit every time and integrated into the tailgate so they are lockable. Gives you full access to the bed very quickly when you need it. They also make one that will work with a tool box if you have one in your bed, etc.
 
There are great options for both covers, it comes down to how you use your truck. Do you need access to your full bed or are you ok with losing some storage space? They make foldable covers that install/remove in two minutes if you will be using your bed a lot. I also tend to stick to simple designs due to less things that can go wrong. From an engineering point of view the roll up ones are awesome but from the maintenance, reliability, and longevity I am not sure these are the best options. I recently purchased a Undercover Ultra Flex foldable cover and it seals great and seems very well made. This style uses a track system that clamps to your bed rails, if needed I can have it off in about 10 minutes and it will prolly take 20 minutes to put it back on. I would not recommend this style if you need to remove it often to haul things, removing and reinstalling would become tedious if you are constantly removing/reinstalling. The Ultra Flex can be folded in the up position and is supported by prop rods. The downside to this is your rear view mirror will be blocked and you will have limited visibility. If you post how you generally use your truck we can offer more suggestions.
 
FYI if you buy BakFlip from a local retailer and have them install it. You can end up with a 10 year warranty.
 
I have a Diamondback and I love it. However...recently I've realized that it makes it difficult to carry big things without removing the panels. I'm thinking I'd like the BAKFLIP pasted below. It has a 400 lb load capacity on top and I could fold it up against the back of the truck and use the entire bed. My son has the BAKFLIP and it's more versatile than my Diamondback.

BAKFLIP MX4 TONNEAU COVER​

 
I had a Bakflip MX4 and didn't like it much. I have a Truxedo Pro X15 on the way that I'm going to try out.
 
Retractable can hold the ice and snow but they are a PITA to deal with in the winter i had one on my 05 and it would get jammed up with ice and render the bed almost useless
 
jak said:
What was it you didn't like about it?
Click to expand...
lol yes I guess I should have expanded on why.

I have a RamBox truck and the sealing methods employed IMO were subpar. The cover really didn't attempt to keep rain out of the rail area of the truck well and used drains at each corner to ferry water out of the truck. There were "seals" on the edges of the cover itself but they would get bunched up behind the Ramboxes when opened and always looked horrible. Their drain solution also sucked as it was just some cups with hose that was sticky taped to the front and rear corners of the rails in the bed. They kept coming off. I understand that I'm never going to get the Rambox bed sealed up but IMO it was a train wreck. I also didn't like the tri-fold as I believed it took up too much room in the front of the bed even when fully rolled up.

Soooo I opted to try out the one by Truxedo. Looking at videos on it I like that the rail seal on this one is static and not actually tied to the roll up cover portion. In my eyes the less it moves the better. Its not going to be perfect but that's fine. Reviews on it seem good and it is a roll up cover without the aluminum slats like so many others. This makes it less secure on one side of things but it will roll up much tighter resulting in less lost bed space, it is much lighter (apparently 25 lbs as opposed to the 75 pounds of the aluminum backed cover), and is not made of vinyl which should result in it looking better for longer. Also half the price.

So I guess we will see if it lives up to what I hope it will do for me. Should arrive by Friday and get it installed this weekend. Fingers crossed!
 
  • Like
Reactions: jak
I got the BAK Revolver X4s. I like the concept of it, but the execution leaves something to be desired. It's obvious they modify parts of these by hand, and their QC must not be that great. There are several places on my rails where they started cutting, got 1/8" to 1/4" in and then stopped. The seals on the rails that go against the bed were installed incorrectly. However the worst part is where the rails overhang the tailgate. They didn't remove enough material from the rails and I can't close the tailgate.

I know anyone can make mistakes. I try not to judge a company on making the mistake, but instead on how they correct them. Here BAK has done a really poor job. I contacted them by email over three weeks ago and so far my problems have not been resolved. The pattern is I'll send an email, then three business days later I get a response asking for additional information or pictures. I'll provide that immediately, then 3 business days later I'll get another response asking for additional information or pictures. Most of which I have provided previously. This repeats over and over again... They seem to have no interest in helping, they just want to pass everyone off to the next customer service agent.
 
I'm using the Fastop, bed cover that you roll up and have the canopy option of needed. Best of both worlds. It's a soft top but I love it

Sent from my SM-S916U using Tapatalk
 
CortexM0 said:
I got the BAK Revolver X4s. I like the concept of it, but the execution leaves something to be desired. It's obvious they modify parts of these by hand, and their QC must not be that great. There are several places on my rails where they started cutting, got 1/8" to 1/4" in and then stopped. The seals on the rails that go against the bed were installed incorrectly. However the worst part is where the rails overhang the tailgate. They didn't remove enough material from the rails and I can't close the tailgate.

I know anyone can make mistakes. I try not to judge a company on making the mistake, but instead on how they correct them. Here BAK has done a really poor job. I contacted them by email over three weeks ago and so far my problems have not been resolved. The pattern is I'll send an email, then three business days later I get a response asking for additional information or pictures. I'll provide that immediately, then 3 business days later I'll get another response asking for additional information or pictures. Most of which I have provided previously. This repeats over and over again... They seem to have no interest in helping, they just want to pass everyone off to the next customer service agent.
Click to expand...
Did you do the installation yourself? From what I understand having a dealer install makes it easier to deal with any negative issues. Kinda like the BAK product just need to decide foldup or roll up. I have a BAK dealer fairly close by.
 
Last edited:
jetrinka said:
I have a RamBox truck and the sealing methods employed IMO were subpar. The cover really didn't attempt to keep rain out of the rail area of the truck well and used drains at each corner to ferry water out of the truck. There were "seals" on the edges of the cover itself but they would get bunched up behind the Ramboxes when opened and always looked horrible. Their drain solution also sucked as it was just some cups with hose that was sticky taped to the front and rear corners of the rails in the bed. They kept coming off. I understand that I'm never going to get the Rambox bed sealed up but IMO it was a train wreck.
Click to expand...
Interesting. I also have the Ramboxes with the MX4, and I agree that execution is not stellar. Like there was absolutely no room to install the forward drains. I left them off and used a screw to secure the rear ones (you're right, that sticky tape won't work at all).

But all in all I'm happy with it. It doesn't bunch up when I open the boxes and even with the front drain missing it keeps the bed dry, even in a downpour.
 
jak said:
Did you do the installation yourself? From what I understand having a dealer install makes it easier to deal with any negative issues. Kinda like the BAK product just need to decide foldup or roll up. I have a BAK dealer fairly close by.
Click to expand...
Yes. Back in my college days I spent several years working at a car stereo shop. Installing aftermarket accessories is nothing new to me. I trust myself with my brand new truck far more than I would the majority of installers out there.

The installation process (in a truck with Ramboxes) is one of the easiest I've ever done. The X4s rails slide into the existing rails in the bed. Drop on the roll up cover, align everything, and then tighten down four nuts.

If you're having a BAK dealer install this, they likely have a special hotline with priority support. If yours were to come in like mine did, I expect they would replace it immediately (if they have one in stock) or schedule you to come back in a week. By which time they'd either have an entirely new unit, or the proper replacement parts. One thing to keep in mind, is who will you deal with for future warranty support. If it's the dealer, make sure to choose one that you would expect to be around for the length of your warranty.
 
  • Like
Reactions: jak
CortexM0 said:
Yes. Back in my college days I spent several years working at a car stereo shop. Installing aftermarket accessories is nothing new to me. I trust myself with my brand new truck far more than I would the majority of installers out there.

The installation process (in a truck with Ramboxes) is one of the easiest I've ever done. The X4s rails slide into the existing rails in the bed. Drop on the roll up cover, align everything, and then tighten down four nuts.

If you're having a BAK dealer install this, they likely have a special hotline with priority support. If yours were to come in like mine did, I expect they would replace it immediately (if they have one in stock) or schedule you to come back in a week. By which time they'd either have an entirely new unit, or the proper replacement parts. One thing to keep in mind, is who will you deal with for future warranty support. If it's the dealer, make sure to choose one that you would expect to be around for the length of your warranty.
Click to expand...
This is all this company does strictly truck accessories and they've been around a long time, another reason I'm considering having them do the installation. BTW wasn't doubting your abilities, I just know from personal experience if there is a problem first thing out of their mouth "you didn't install it right".
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top