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The locking tonneau covers will deter the opportunity thief, but not the determined thief. I looked hard at the BAK 4-fold models (we sell them as well as a few others) and also the Fold-A-Cover G4 Elite. Two very different designs and both have pluses depending on what your needs are. Won't go into the BAK, as several have done a good job describing already. The Fold-A-Cover sits on top of the rails which does a great job keeping rain out. The back panels fold up an lay on top of the front panel, but you do loose a "full bed". The front panel opens separately from the back and both can be opened, locked and unlocked with the tailgate shut. They make a large "Personal Caddy" that fits under the front section. I specifically went with this design to be able to fifth wheel tow without a problem. My tools, etc go in the personal caddy and can access easily when the 5er is on hitch. I am on my second unit (had the first on my GMC for close to 4yrs), but some folks claim to have had issues with this brand - I have not experienced any issues. Very sturdy panels (I think they will hold up 200# or something like that), no fading, no leaks and the company was responsive when I called them. The only disappointment thus far is how long it took them to come out with the Personal Caddy for the new F350's - it finally shipped a little over a month ago... but did receive all discounts promised and free freight.
For reference, I have the MX4 on my Superduty, and I had an older Bakflip G2 (or something like that) on my Ram.
The MX4 I can close the tailgate with the last panel down. The G2 I couldn’t, had to have that panel open to close the tailgate. However, I get water with the MX4 (maybe a couple of inches from the tailgate is wet). With the G2, I never had a drop. I think they sacrificed their better seal in order to make it so the tailgate could be closed with the panel closed.
Another con to the G2 though, it would freeze to the tailgate, preventing the tailgate from opening. Learned that one the hard way when I got pulled into secondary inspection at the boarder because they couldn’t open the bed. The redesign of the seal on the MX4 is supposed to prevent that, but I only got it this year so haven’t had a winter to test it in yet.
Really though, the whole “open to close the tailgate” wasn’t much of an issue. Reach in, pull latch, raise an inch, close tailgate, drop panel. It’s so ingrained in me, I find myself doing it half the time with my MX4. Where the issues came was from other people who close your tailgate for you without knowing, and mangling the seal. Or, the previously mentioned freezing issue. Easy enough to deal with once you knew, but just really picked a bad time for me to learn about it.
While it doesnt meet your requirement of folding up against the back window the Lomax does allow you to open and close the tailgate with the cover completely closed.
While it doesnt meet your requirement of folding up against the back window the Lomax does allow you to open and close the tailgate with the cover completely closed.
That's good to know, thanks!
Originally Posted by Redrockerstl55
I have this one...it's nearly waterproof, tailgate in unaffected. It's secure. Durable and good looking. Plus it's aluminum so it's light weight.
Yeah, but is a rolling and not folding unit, so I think that's not an option.
I think if I were to put my requirements in order, it would probably be this:
Folding tonneau - don't like roll up, can't use hard shell
Reasonably secure
Reasonably water resistant
Opens to allow access to the entire bed without removal
Allows tailgate open/close with rear section down
Cost
Able to work with some kind of support beams/rack (ex: kayak mount)
I have the X4 and love it. There is a little water penetration by the tailgate but not a real issue if you ask me. I think it looks awesome and is very durable. It does get extremely hot in direct sunlight so be careful when opening. I love that this cover rolls up like a traditional soft cover, yet it is super solid when closed.
Originally Posted by Redrockerstl55
I have this one...it's nearly waterproof, tailgate in unaffected. It's secure. Durable and good looking. Plus it's aluminum so it's light weight.
I just purchased and installed the mx4 from bakflip and the cover I received is **** poor in regards to quality of how the panel was put together. All four corners slightly leak as well as the tailgate width area. That was okay with me since the bed stayed dry. However I noticed a seam in the middle of the cover is slightly leaking now which tell me that this brand new cover has a seal not doing its job...this is unacceptable. I also have seals on the sides of the cover that are not installed properly (tape exposed, seal not sticking to the cover, not cut correctly length wise). The holes for the hardware up front that attach the cover to the rails has one hole drilled at an angle....I had excessive aluminum shavings inside the cover when I opened up the box and those shavings had damaged the seal along a section of the side on top of the cover). It looks nice and you do not notice the imperfections from a few feet away. However if your spending close to 1k for this...you should not receive such a pos in my opinion.
They are sending me a replacement cover but im not holding my breath regarding its quality. Ive read plenty of reviews where these guys manufacture their product like garbage and even after sending multiple replacement covers the customer returns the cover due to the quality control issues with it.
I plan on keeping mine pending that replacement covers quality. I like how the mx4 looks (matte color, installed looks clean and flush with the bed), I like that it folds, can be locked folded back, and you can lock it upright against the window. However im flabbergasted at the lack of how these are manufactured (and its built here in the good ol USA!...jeeeez, I can see this being the case being built in any other third world country)
I had a Backflip MX4. It’s a pretty good design, but the fit and finish are not top quality IMO. Plus, it’s a PITA to access the top of the bed.
The DIamondBack HD flips the script by supporting up to 1600 pounds on TOP of the cover. It has mounting points for things like bike racks. Hell, it can even haul 2X ATVs on top. The dual hydrolic opening makes it convenient to access both the top and bottom of the bed. It’s by far the most secure tonneau cover I’ve ever seen, and also the most weatherproof you’re going to get.
Downside, it costs ... but not more than many of the more expensive rolling covers.
Looks are a taste thing ... I love the way it looks in all black. Also, tons of tie down cleats on the cover.
Adam
Originally Posted by gravedgr
Hi everyone, thanks for the great feedback so far. A few questions and clarifications:
By waterproof, I mean to the best standards available in folding tonneaus. A solid cover would not work for me at all (almost any time I need to pack gear, it usually includes bicycles and our TT doesn't have a rear hitch for our bike carrier, nor do I like loading 4 bikes on the carrier anyhow).
I will have the factory spray in bedliner, so blowing or washing out dirt and dust is no problem at all. I want to be able to store things like camping gear with an assumption everything will be dry on arrival, permitting a few drops to leak hear and there. Once I learn the most likely ingress points, I'll keep anything water sensitive away.
I don't think I mentioned it as a requirement, but I want something that opens the entire bed up without having to remove the tonneau. So folding covers that don't fold up against the back of the cab are going to be a no-go.
The Bakflip specifically listed which do and which do not allow tailgate open/close with the rear section down. I didn't see that on the Lomax, for example, but I may have missed where they specified it does/doesn't work that way.
Thanks for the 3-panel vs. 4-panel understanding. They didn't have a demo video for the F1 and the stock photo showed a 3 panel even after I specified my 8' bed.
I don't currently need to see 5r or GN hookups, although I did get the fifth wheel prep. I assume it would work just fine with the way the MX4 folds up to the cab.
I just ordered a Retrax Pro RX from Tonneau Factory Outlet. It was on sale for $1736.10 (everywhere else it's $1929.00) plus free shipping/no tax. To sweeten the deal there is a promotion for a free set of Yakima Jetstream load bars with purchase. I don't think it gets any better than that.
No way I'm affiliated with Diamondback covers, however when I really like or dislike a product I let people know. My last 3 trucks have had Diamondback covers and its not even close to compare with anything else. show me some covers that can do this and I'll shut up!
They need to make a good looking cover that doesn't look so industrial. Their durability is great, but it looks like an industrial mousetrap on Lariats, Kings, or Platinums.
