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.

[BB_TX]

Can't comment on a folding cover. But have had roll type hard covers for last 6 years and very happy with them. In my case Pace Edwards Fullmetal Jackrabbit covers. I don't live on a dirt road, but have driven on them and don't understand the comment about them. With the gaskets around the cover and gaskets around the tailgate there are not many places for dust to get in. Mine stays closed 95% of the time and bed remains clean. Only real dirt/dust is what gets there by me putting dirty things back there.

[Roger10378]

I had the same concerns when I bought my truck. When looking at the roll up the saleswoman ask if I lived on a dirt road. When I said yes she said I would not like the roll up as all the dust will get in the track and cause problems. I never did put a cover on.

[MTPockets1]

I have the BakFlip folding cover and like it a lot. Yes, it does take away space when all the way up against the back window, mine is about 10" when folded up. They make a roll up cover too, but it uses space when rolled up. You may have luck visiting the web sites of the various manufacturers and get the specs you want from them. Mine is www.bakflip.com