Updated opinions on tonneau (truck bed)covers

[upflying]

Anyone have a retractable one ?

I had one on a first gen Colorado. Worked pretty well but the "can" where the cover rolls into at the front of the bed takes up room in the bed.

 

[ARhappycamper]

I had one on a first gen Colorado. Worked pretty well but the "can" where the cover rolls into at the front of the bed takes up room in the bed.

I don’t carry much in the bed but I assume it will make a 4.5’ bed outta my 5.5’ bed ?

 

[rollscanardly]

I also have a remote controlled retractable aluminum cover, along with a locking tailgate. Someone would have to do considerable damage to see what is in there.

The only downside is that when it snows or freezes, the retraction motor may not open until it thaws.

 

[MLJLC4473]

By now you've probably gotten a cover, but for information sake I wanted to respond to this post. We have a 2019 Ford F-450 and when I bought it wanted a quad-fold cover, but the salesman talked me into a tri-fold instead. That was a mistake as now I can't easily access the front third of the truck ben when the fifth wheel RV is attached and I wanted to put a decent storage bin in the front area to 1) keep it somewhat secured during transit and 2) to have reasonable access to extra supplies and told while en route to any destination. None of the vinyl-covered fold-up units are technically secure, but they do keep honest people honest and they hide whats underneath for most casual viewers. A determined thief will always find a way to get what they want so one can only do what their budget allows with regards to a decent bed cover arrangement.

 

[chriscowles]

I have a BAK Revolver aluminum roll up cover....I like it

I can't see how it's attached to the rails. Is it secure against theft?

 

[Desert Boat]

Retrax Pro. Also solved the problem of carrying bikes with the TT while towing.

Although, neither the Retrax Pro nor my prior Encore Extang were completely watertight. And gets worse when you park off level.

Also, $$$.

A very flexible cover, since it can lock in any position.

 

[timfromma]

Most thieves are opportunists. While a vinyl cover can be cut, it does keep items in the bed out of sight as well as protected from the elements. I can take my truck through the car wash and everything in the back stays dry. For extra security, I snake a cable through my generator, propane tanks, gas cans and any other high value items I carry back there and padlock them together. It's very difficult to stop a determined thief but I can make it difficult.

 

[retdocj]

Tonno Pro hard tri fold cover

I have done a lot of reading & "you tubes" over the past few days & have decided that A) I want a hard cover & The Tonno Pro hard tri fold is the best value that I can find. Does anyone have or had one or have an opinion about them? Thanks in advance, Jerry

 

[Kcoulter]

Retrax Pro. Also solved the problem of carrying bikes with the TT while towing.

Although, neither the Retrax Pro nor my prior Encore Extang were completely watertight. And gets worse when you park off level.

Also, $$$.

A very flexible cover, since it can lock in any position.

What crossbar system & bike racks are you using on yours? Happy with them?

I've been looking at the Rhino Rack Vortex with Thule ProRide or UpRide

 

[hobienick-FRF]

If you want a generic system that will allow you to use gutter mount feet for roof racks and work with your tonneau, here is what I am using with my vinyl trifold.

https://www.summitracks.com/product/cs-fs-hd-open-bed-rail-bracket-system/

I can leave the adaptors in place and if the rack is removed I can use the cover as intended.

 

[emugel]

I don’t carry much in the bed but I assume it will make a 4.5’ bed outta my 5.5’ bed ?

No. The canister - mine anyway - is only about 8 inches by about 7 inches, so it uses about 7 inches of space into the bed (measured from the top of the bedrail). I still have 12-13 inches of space under it so the full length of the bed is still usable there. I can fit a few dozen sheets of sheetrock or plywood under the canister or a whole bunch of lumber.

The canister takes about 8-9 or so inches of space measured from the bed front wall. That is a lot less than some rollups or trifolds that I have seen that need to be secured at the front of the bed when fully opened.

 

[Desert Boat]

What crossbar system & bike racks are you using on yours? Happy with them?

I've been looking at the Rhino Rack Vortex with Thule ProRide or UpRide

I have Rhino cross bars and 1Up bike racks. The 1Up racks are a very quick to mount or remove the bike, hold securely only by the bike wheel. Due to the height, helps to have a folding stool. Also no plastic to degrade in the sun.

The Rhino crossbars can be unlatched, and the entire rig quickly removed to use the complete bed. The crossbars and racks store vertically on a hanger in the garage.

 

[cpttimerstraint]

Retrax Pro. Also solved the problem of carrying bikes with the TT while towing.



Although, neither the Retrax Pro nor my prior Encore Extang were completely watertight. And gets worse when you park off level.



Also, $$$.



A very flexible cover, since it can lock in any position.

Did the same setup and love it

 

[Go West-FRF]

Originally Posted by Ejs4029: I have a BAK Revolver aluminum roll up cover....I like it.

I can't see how it's attached to the rails. Is it secure against theft?

A determined thief would have to forcibly pry up the rear of the aluminum cover from the locked tailgate to gain access. The BAK Revolver isn't completely secure against theft but it's pretty good.

 

[Ejs4029]

I can't see how it's attached to the rails. Is it secure against theft?

The rails are clamped in the bed

 

[chriscowles]

The rails are clamped in the bed

So the advantage of the Revolver over a BakFlip is that it doesn't block the rear window when the bed is open?

 

[Go West-FRF]

So the advantage of the Revolver over a BakFlip is that it doesn't block the rear window when the bed is open?

Yes, that is the only advantage as far as I can tell. I went back & forth between a Bakflip & the Revolver and chose the roll-up for that reason.

 

[Ejs4029]

Yes, that is the only advantage as far as I can tell. I went back & forth between a Bakflip & the Revolver and chose the roll-up for that reason.

X2.....Not sure if you have a Bakflip if you can keep one or two of the panels open with out having to open all the panels while driving down the road ....On the Revolver you have to open it all the way to secure it it.

 

[Dakota 1120]

I have a BAK Revolver aluminum roll up cover....I like it

I have to same one. Great cover and IIRC, it can hold 300# on top of the cover w/o damage. They are TOUGHT!

 

[chriscowles]

X2.....Not sure if you have a Bakflip if you can keep one or two of the panels open with out having to open all the panels while driving down the road ....On the Revolver you have to open it all the way to secure it it.

I own a Bakflip, and you can. With only one panel open, the panel lays flush on the one behind it. I've never felt a need to secure it. I just did that today, carrying a ladder.

With two panels open, a strap connects to the panel above it to secure it in place. With all 3 open, a strut holds them up. The back window is obscured, of course.

Edit: In hindsight, I might prefer the other brand mentioned by someone that allows you to open the panel closest to the cab. That would let you get to the storage bin without having to flip all 3 panels up. That's a PIA. I'd have to compare them first but I didn't know that was an option when I bought my Bakflip. Otherwise, I'm completely satisfied.

The optional bin that folds out of the way is not as convenient as it might seem. It's a bin. You store stuff in it. If you want to fold it away, you gotta do something with all your stuff. At least it's an option.