We're gearing up to take delivery of a 2011 F150 SuperCrew 5.5' bed in a couple of weeks. This truck will be my wife's "car," so it needs to have plenty of covered space. That means we're looking for a nice, waterproof, folding tonneau cover.

Our salesman showed us the Ford Accessory catalog in his office and their offering was the Folding Tonneau Cover by ARE. It was about $1000 installed.

Is this cover the same as one of the BAK-flip models, or is it a different company and/or product all together? There's several product reviews about the BAK-flip but not a whole lot on the OEM or REV covers. I'd be great to hear some stories before slappin' down $1G, you know?

We've never had a bed cover before so this is all new. The main thing is that it be low profile and as waterproof as possible.
I don't want my groceries getting wet
And the baby stroller needs to stay dry too

What do you guys think is our best option here - get the dealer bed cover or order something else online?

Thanks

 

WE got the backflip and love it. Also a bedrug. Wifes car too. She came from four expeditions incl an EL with four boys 11 to 1 and she loves the f150. Ours is a '10.

 

IIRC the catalog offering is the BakFlip, at least it was at one time. Not sure about '11 models.

 

I have the OEM cover (made by BAK) I can assure you it leaks! If you want a truly water tight cover, you would be better off with a one piece type. If you search on my user name you will find a comparison of the OEM, HD & G2 covers made by BAK.

 

I got a soft cover with the free option promo on my 09.
It is pretty good...much like the Acces cove I bought for my Dodge a few years ago and it was a great cover.
These covers are a far cry from the snap close covers you can buy.
Not too bad at all.

 

I have the oem hard folding cover. At first, there was a small leak when driving highway speeds under heavy rain. Problem was actually just a bad instalation wich i fixed myself . Since then, absolutely waterproof.
But the oem cover does not have the foam '' bumpers'' on the last panel, the one that touches your truck if fou fold it completely..... I have to put a ''pool noodle'' there when i fold it up so that my truck doesn't get banged up.
The bak flip cover has these foam bumpers included.

I do have a major problem with the oem cover. Mine has been deformed this winter, probably due to water creeping inside the last panel and then freezing... it now has a ''bubble'' about 6 inches wide.

Also, last summer, we had a short hail storm...lasted under a minute......nothing on the truck was damaged...except the hord folding cover, it now looks pretty beat up...maybe 50 small ''dings'' now show.
I have an apointment at my dealership next monday regarding this problem, i'll keep you posted how they handle it.

 

the OEM cover is from Bakflip's REV division and is based off their HD aluminum cover but is supposed to have upgraded seals. Last I heard they were undergoing testing through Ford to upgrade the cover to the F1 panels that are fiberglass reinforced polymer (FRP). FRP panels are much more dent resistant and supposedly cooler to the touch on a hot sunny day.

any aluminum cover will be subject to dents, especially in hail. I don't think they will do much for you speed4134.

as far as those foam cab pads, if you contact Bakflip, they should be willing to send you some for free.

 

Well,just received a call from my dealership,they sent a picture of the damaged folding cover to ford canada,and they decided to replace it with a brand new one because of the deformation....should be getting it tomorow......

 

My previous 3 F150's had ARE bed covers. I didn't know they offered a folding cover. On my '10 XLT Screw I opted this time for a Backflip F1 which is the same manufacturer of the one of the bed covers that Ford sells as dealer optional. I've had it for 6 months and like it a lot.

 

I love that cover! But does it pop off when you want to use the bed? Or does it fold up and block your view out the glass? Can you share a pic of it up? Thanks!

 

I have only taken it completely off one time and it took about 5 minutes. After folding it open there are only 2 thumb screws to take off to completely remove it. I don't like the ideal of folding it completely open and blocking the rear veiw.

 

I don't like that idea either... I was looking at the Bakflip one on the web and they were showing it folded up blocking the view out the back. I stopped looking at it from that point. But these sure look nice. As long as it's that easy to take off, I'll probably go with this one.

 

I have the Bak Flip HD and it is waterproof. My tailgate, however, is not!