Have you considered the tilt up cover? I too had a soft roll up before this one and I've had this one since 2010 and yet to need to 'roll' it up.. This is when it was on my old F150. (it actually fits my new 2013 F150! :) )
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It also comes completely off as one whole piece with no tools required. I can take it off in less than a minute by myself.
The tracks are inside the bed, but are flat and ride along the edge of the bed, so it would actually protect the bed to some extent..
Anyway, I love mine as I too was thinking folding or retracting covers... I can't remember what it cost me, but it was NOT the $527 that's on their web page, I know that! I want to say it was around $400 from Summit??
Mitch