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

21 Replies

CabinetmakerII
Explorer
Jun 12, 2022
on my 2nd Back Flip. Wouldn't have anything else.
Lantley
Nomad
Jun 10, 2022
ford truck guy wrote:
padredw wrote:
What I do not like about the back flip is the fact that it blocks the rear window when opened all the way

Yes it does, but have never had need to drive with it in that position. The hitch works just fine with the cover in the next to last position. The cover snugs down and tows fine in that position; also allows covered storage under that front panel.

Thank You for the explanation....

Correct for towing a fiver next to last position works.
However if you truly need to drive with cover in last position its doable. Having it in window blocking position may still be a better option than removing the cover.
Removing the cover totally is easy enough, but leaving it in last position is still easier than totally removing cover.
Blocking the rear window is not the end of the world.
No worse than towing a fiver where you can't see out the rear window past the trailer.
Once you grasp how the Bak Flip operates/folds you realize it gives you options that the other covers don't.
ford_truck_guy
Nomad
Jun 09, 2022
padredw wrote:
What I do not like about the back flip is the fact that it blocks the rear window when opened all the way

Yes it does, but have never had need to drive with it in that position. The hitch works just fine with the cover in the next to last position. The cover snugs down and tows fine in that position; also allows covered storage under that front panel.

Thank You for the explanation....
padredw
Nomad
Jun 09, 2022
What I do not like about the back flip is the fact that it blocks the rear window when opened all the way

Yes it does, but have never had need to drive with it in that position. The hitch works just fine with the cover in the next to last position. The cover snugs down and tows fine in that position; also allows covered storage under that front panel.
ford_truck_guy
Nomad
Jun 09, 2022
What I do not like about the back flip is the fact that it blocks the rear window when opened all the way ? Or am I mistaken about that? I have not had one, just seen them online a few times
BarneyS
Explorer III
Jun 09, 2022
I had a Bak Flip on my Ram and loved it. It was solid, didn't leak, easy to fold, and looked great.
Barney
Durb
Explorer
Jun 09, 2022
BurbMan wrote:
Durb wrote:
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.

I went out and looked over during lunch and it's about 12" from the back of the cover to the hitch. There is room between the hitch and the wheelwells, but the Curt rails go almost the whole way across. So you can fit stuff in alongside the hitch, but you really can't slide anything on the bed because of the 2 rails.

The Bak Flip looks like the way to go, now I just need to convince management that it's worth a grand....

Hey Lantley, since you also turned me on to the Trailer Saver, you could save me some time and just make me a list of other stuff I need now that I'm a fiver driver....LOL>..

I'll step up and help you spend some more of your money. Get yourself a BedRug Bed Mat and cut openings in it for the rails. The mat is about as thick as the rails so stuff slides right over the top of them. And, so soft on the knees. Since you are already writing checks, might as well get the tailgate mat too!
ZeeLet50
Explorer
Jun 09, 2022
I have the soft TonnaPro style cover that stays down with Velcro. I usually put wood up against the can and leave the cover over it. I use bungie cords that go from the loops at the cab side down to hooks in the bed side. It keeps the cover in place without flapping. I may have to occasionally pull things tight but if the bungie are close to where the Velcro is it holds well and does not interfere. I put my gen and cooler between the hitch and tailgate if needed. I have the Anderson hitch so there is plenty of room.
Lantley
Nomad
Jun 08, 2022
BurbMan wrote:
Durb wrote:
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.

I went out and looked over during lunch and it's about 12" from the back of the cover to the hitch. There is room between the hitch and the wheelwells, but the Curt rails go almost the whole way across. So you can fit stuff in alongside the hitch, but you really can't slide anything on the bed because of the 2 rails.

The Bak Flip looks like the way to go, now I just need to convince management that it's worth a grand....

Hey Lantley, since you also turned me on to the Trailer Saver, you could save me some time and just make me a list of other stuff I need now that I'm a fiver driver....LOL>..

Don't follow my lead. I'll have you buying a bunch a **** that you don't need!
By the way I figured out the Bak flip was the correct cover for my needs after totally destroying a Retrax cover.... due to user abuse/error.....So I guess you can learn from my mistakes!
BurbMan
Explorer II
Jun 08, 2022
Durb wrote:
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.

I went out and looked over during lunch and it's about 12" from the back of the cover to the hitch. There is room between the hitch and the wheelwells, but the Curt rails go almost the whole way across. So you can fit stuff in alongside the hitch, but you really can't slide anything on the bed because of the 2 rails.

The Bak Flip looks like the way to go, now I just need to convince management that it's worth a grand....

Hey Lantley, since you also turned me on to the Trailer Saver, you could save me some time and just make me a list of other stuff I need now that I'm a fiver driver....LOL>..

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Tonneau Covers

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