I have a long box truck with a Gator tri-fold tonneau cover. The cover is nice because it fits over the hitch and adds some nice dry storage behind the hitch. With the 5er hitched up, I can secure the cover in the open position and the front third of the bed stays covered without interfering with the trailer or hitch.I though this was a pretty good set up until I went to put some cargo up there on the last camping trip...I had plenty of room ahead of the hitch for the big cooler I wanted to bring, but it wouldn't fit between the top of the hitch and the back edge of the cover. I wound up taking the cover off and leaving it home on that trip.I'd like to find a cover that let's me run with it partway open when I'm towing, opens all the way to allow full access to the bed, and closes up when I drop the trailer to keep my gear dry. Are the roll-up ones any good? Any brand you guys would recommend?

I used a Pace Edwards roll type hard cover on my long bed for years. You lose about a foot at the front of the bed for the canister box. But you can put some smaller stuff under that box. I used to lay 2 adult bikes with front wheels removed in front of my hitch with the wheels extended under the box. Mine would lock about every foot so I could pull it back near the hitch while towing. Or fully closed over my hitch while not towing. Actually had two (same brand) on two different trucks (same brand). First one kept most all water out of bed when closed. Second leaked quite a bit more around tailgate and I could never get it stopped.

If you have a slider hitch would it fit with the slider slid back until you could get it in? Or can you lift that last third enough to get it in?

Like BB_TX, I use a retractable cover… Had a Pace Edwards, now I have a Roll N Lock, both are equal in my eyes…. They allow you to open the cover at certain distances and travel like that… I have a LB, if it is raining, I can pull it back 1 knotch and run like that to keep the chairs dry..The Roll N Lock only takes about 8” of spoace, and touts they are they take the least space… not sure if that is true??Joe

I was looking at the more budget-friendly Gator Roll Up. Certainly not as sturdy as the P-E or Roll n Lock, but also doesn't take up any space in the front of the bed. Downside is there is no partial-open option, it would have be all the way open when towing. Also not sure how that velcro holds up, but it has a 10-year warranty.

I used a TonnoPro for 9yrs on my Chevy 3500 SRW with a Superglide hitch. Soft, not hard, but held up well to feet of snow in MN. Just replaced my TV with a 2022 F350 SB (again using a Superglide hitch), and the first accessory I ordered was another TonnoPro. Easily folds over bed when not towing, fold to front third when under tow, and detaches completely in a minute to place things in front or to access what it’s covering. It’s inexpensive as tonno’s go, I definely recommend it.

Tonneau Covers | Good Sam Community

BB_TX
Nomad
Jun 07, 2022
I used a Pace Edwards roll type hard cover on my long bed for years. You lose about a foot at the front of the bed for the canister box. But you can put some smaller stuff under that box. I used to lay 2 adult bikes with front wheels removed in front of my hitch with the wheels extended under the box. Mine would lock about every foot so I could pull it back near the hitch while towing. Or fully closed over my hitch while not towing.

Actually had two (same brand) on two different trucks (same brand). First one kept most all water out of bed when closed. Second leaked quite a bit more around tailgate and I could never get it stopped.
bgum
Explorer
Jun 07, 2022
If you have a slider hitch would it fit with the slider slid back until you could get it in? Or can you lift that last third enough to get it in?
ford_truck_guy
Nomad
Jun 07, 2022
Like BB_TX, I use a retractable cover… Had a Pace Edwards, now I have a Roll N Lock, both are equal in my eyes…. They allow you to open the cover at certain distances and travel like that… I have a LB, if it is raining, I can pull it back 1 knotch and run like that to keep the chairs dry..

The Roll N Lock only takes about 8” of spoace, and touts they are they take the least space… not sure if that is true??
Joe
BurbMan
Explorer II
Jun 07, 2022
I was looking at the more budget-friendly Gator Roll Up. Certainly not as sturdy as the P-E or Roll n Lock, but also doesn't take up any space in the front of the bed. Downside is there is no partial-open option, it would have be all the way open when towing. Also not sure how that velcro holds up, but it has a 10-year warranty.
MNRon
Explorer
Jun 07, 2022
I used a TonnoPro for 9yrs on my Chevy 3500 SRW with a Superglide hitch. Soft, not hard, but held up well to feet of snow in MN. Just replaced my TV with a 2022 F350 SB (again using a Superglide hitch), and the first accessory I ordered was another TonnoPro. Easily folds over bed when not towing, fold to front third when under tow, and detaches completely in a minute to place things in front or to access what it’s covering. It’s inexpensive as tonno’s go, I definely recommend it.
valhalla360
Navigator
Jun 07, 2022
I've done the plain soft covers in the past. Like you said, it's on or it's off. There is no partial. Back when I had velcro, if a corner started coming loose, you had to stop and resecure is or pull it off because the wind would finish the job for you.

Currently have a tri-fold soft cover and it works pretty good. If I need it off completely, it takes 2 minutes and then it can be chucked in the back seat or into the RV as it only weighs around 5lbs. Just 2 thumb screws on each side hold the front down.
Durb
Explorer
Jun 08, 2022
I currently have a tri-fold hard cover and also appreciate the third bed dry storage in front. I don't have any problem getting totes or boxes of firewood under there. However, I come in from the sides as I have a narrow hitch on rails. I can see it being a problem if you have puck mount as Ram designed those to sprawl all over the bed. In hind sight, I would have preferred a Backflip cover which is a hard cover that allows full bed access; probably what you are looking for.

Don't mean to be a wise -A, but it would be cheaper to replace the big chest with two smaller ones.
Lantley
Nomad
Jun 08, 2022
I have a Bak Filip G-4?
It folds into 4 parts not 3. I flip it back for towing and close it when not towing. Works well with my hitch.
BurbMan
Explorer II
Jun 08, 2022
Durb wrote:
Don't mean to be a wise -A, but it would be cheaper to replace the big chest with two smaller ones.

LOL good point! The ice chest was just an example though...the issue is that the cover only folds in thirds, and when it's open the front third is fixed in place. The hitch is a Hensley Trailer Saver mounted on Curt rails. When the cover is open, the back edge of it is only about 6" in front of the hitch, and with the wheel wells on the either side it's difficult to get anything in the front of the bed. The cover comes off completely with 2 thumbscrews, but you have to crawl up in the bed to reach them, which again is difficult with the hitch. If that front section was hinged so you could lift it up without completely detaching it, that would be perfect. The BakFlip looks like what I need.
Durb
Explorer
Jun 08, 2022
It sounds as though we might have the exact same setup. I also have a Trailer Saver TS3 which gives me 14" between the hitch and the wheel wells to slide stuff in from the sides. I'm guessing the BD series hitches are wider. I have a friend with the BakFlip and he loves it.

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