Retractable vs Folding Hard Covers

[Roadtech]

I have a new 3/4 ton truck and I am looking for a hard bed cover. I like the retractables best, with the 2 main negatives being the space the canister takes up in the front of the bed and the price. The back flip style folding covers would be my next favorite except for blocking the back window when bed is fully opened or the hassle of removing them. Also, on the ones that sit down between the bed rails, do you have any issues losing the space in the bed that the side rails take up? I would be interested in anyone's comments about these two types of bed covers as to which system you like best and why. At this stage, I am not so interested in which manufacturer to buy, just whether to go retractable or folding.

[ramgunner]

In our situation, at various times we have an empty bed, a B&W RVK3600 5th Wheel Hitch, a Polaris RZR 800, or other items in the bed.

We had a TonnoPro HardFold on there and it's a great cover - except for two things. One - You REALLY have to torque the 4 latches down to hold it on, and even then it can slide around if you are going over really bumpy inclines, and two - it's very inconvenient to remove it when loading the RZR in the bed. It also means that when you get to the trailhead or wherever, you can't cover up the ramps and other items you leave in the bed.

The rolling systems with a storage canister are another issue. The canisters are usually pretty fragile, and it's easy to have the RZR shift or have someone pull a little too far forward and hit it.

We just installed a BakFlip Fibermax. In the fully flipped-up position there is enough room to load up the RZR - no need to remove it. It then flips back down and can hide the ramps and other items when away from the truck. Haven't had the chance to test it in the rain (we only installed it last Saturday).

They talk about it protecting the rear window in the flipped-up position. For us, that hasn't been an issue - however it did take a hit when we had the RZR in there. It moved a little forward on the drive. It dented the back of the BakFlip but it still sits level on the truck and appears to seal fine. We will know more in a month or so, but I'm impressed so far.

[Godfather2u]

Campfire Time wrote:
I have an Extang Solid Fold cover. I spent a lot of time researching covers and decided this was best for my needs. It takes about 3 minutes to remove or put back on. It has spring loaded clamps near the bed and thumb screw style clamps in the front. The only time I find it a hassle is when we haul our bikes on a trip, then I take it off and put it inside the trailer and put it back on after I unload the bikes. A bit cumbersome to do. Just taking it off and leaving it at home is no big deal though.

Otherwise I love this cover. When it's closed no one can see what's in the bed, and it locks with the tailgate lock. There is no hardware to install so when it's removed I have full access to the bed. I can stand on it which comes in handy now and again. And it never blocks the window.

+1 on the Extang Trifold. Also it does not lean on the cab.

[jus2shy]

Undercover flex here. I actually like that it does cover the rear window. I see it as a temporary headache rack when I need it. If you pull a trailer, then you should be used to not seeing much out the rear window. When upright, the flex does not touch the rear glass. I also went with the inset style of folding cover as I installed cargo hooks into my stake pockets. I can still use them with my bed covered partially or fully.

[Housted]

We have the Pace Edwards BedLocker. Had one for 7 years on the old truck, worked well, so, when we got the new 2015 Ram we got another BedLocker right away. Always hated the space wasted under the canister so had a custom made toolbox that extends under the canister. I provides plenty of storage. One great advantage is that I can open the BedLocker about half way to tow thus protecting what is up front. When opened part way it is locked due to the worm gear mechanism. A bit pricy but lasts a long time.

Housted

[Lantley]

I have a Retrax and currently Have a bak flip G2
The retrax was nice but the track and canister require more room.
The Retrax was eventually crushed by the rear of my pin box after to many tight turns.
THe Bakflip G2 has held up much better. It is a bit more durable than the Retrax.
The G2 allows access to the entire bed while the rollups will always have the cannister in the way. I have come to prefer the foldable G2 vs. the Retrax cannister style

[JN_B]

Careful if you go with the tri-fold style, Some of them lean again the cab, and will take the paint off.

I went with a Roll-x, as I have a box-top bike rack that I want to keep using, and I'd have to remove the bike rack completely to access the front of the box or get a bed slide.

[Campfire_Time]

I have an Extang Solid Fold cover. I spent a lot of time researching covers and decided this was best for my needs. It takes about 3 minutes to remove or put back on. It has spring loaded clamps near the bed and thumb screw style clamps in the front. The only time I find it a hassle is when we haul our bikes on a trip, then I take it off and put it inside the trailer and put it back on after I unload the bikes. A bit cumbersome to do. Just taking it off and leaving it at home is no big deal though.

Otherwise I love this cover. When it's closed no one can see what's in the bed, and it locks with the tailgate lock. There is no hardware to install so when it's removed I have full access to the bed. I can stand on it which comes in handy now and again. And it never blocks the window.

[BB_TX]

Roadtech wrote:

BB_TX wrote:
Can't comment on a folding cover. But have had roll type hard covers for last 6 years and very happy with them.

So, has losing the bed space that the canister takes up been an issue for you? Also, is there any concern about tall things you carry in the bed sliding back and damaging the top or canister?

I have a long bed truck so the loss of that few inches is not a problem for me. I have a 5th wheel hitch in the bed and have carried two 26" bikes in front of the hitch even with the canister taking up that space.
I frequently carry various tools, lumber, plywood, and such, but never anything so tall and heavy such that it might damage the canister.

[Nutinelse2do]

Here are some pics. It is a gravity feed tank. The silver is the RDS tank, and past the RolBak canister, it only comes out ~ 8". No, it will not come out easily. It is tied into the filler neck with a T. We wouldn't remove it anyway, since our hitch weighs hundreds of pounds, and we have the tool box attached to the bed behind the tank, and in front of the hitch.

[Roadtech]

Nutinelse2do wrote:
Our 45 gal RDS auxiliary fuel tank fits under the canister.

I would like to know more about this. Is the RDS tank lying flat under the canister? How much bed floor space do you lose with the RDS tank? Can the tank be easily removed if you need the bed space? Are you gravity flowing fuel from the RDS to your stck tank?

[Nutinelse2do]

We have the Rol Bak G2 hard cover. It is made very well, so no worries about anything hitting it and damaging it. Our 45 gal RDS auxiliary fuel tank fits under the canister.

We are in Az/ Nv, and there is ALOT of dust. We just use a Calofornia duster to clean it off. It keeps our air hitch and generator out of sight, and out of the sun. No problems with it leaking in the rain either.

The G2 stops about every 12" or so and locks into position if we want to be partially open or closed. Very happy with it and think it was worth every penny.

[Bumpyroad]

a neat/different one that I saw was 3 sections, a small 1 ft or so center section that clamped to the bed with two hinged sections slanting down to bed top level.
bumpy

[Sandia_Man]

We have the retractable metal cover version and we do plenty of driving on dirt roads (we prefer boondocking) without much issues as tracks can be easily wiped out if such an accumulation of dirt does occur.

The holding tube does take up some space, thus far it's been an insignificant issue for us, still plenty of room for firewood and everything else we want to carry on one of our RVing adventures. Keeps items stored under the cover from being exposed to environmental elements.

At least in our case, the rails do not take up valuable space, but that might be different for other folks. There are pros and cons to whatever cover one chooses to use over their truck bed, but we enjoy our retractable, locking metal cover and the security it provides to the bed's contents.

[Roadtech]

BB_TX wrote:
Can't comment on a folding cover. But have had roll type hard covers for last 6 years and very happy with them.

So, has losing the bed space that the canister takes up been an issue for you? Also, is there any concern about tall things you carry in the bed sliding back and damaging the top or canister?