Retractable bed cover
Tuned
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 323
Likes: 120
From: Indiana
For those of you with retractable covers, what is your experience in cold weather? Mainly with snow and ice on top of them. My concern is the little bit of remaining snow/ice on the cover after clearing the rest off. Any issues with rolling up or ice getting into the cracks of the cover while rolling? I'm between a Retrax and a Revolver. I like the look of the Retrax better when open instead of the big roll sitting by the back window on the Revolver but don't want issues in the winter.
Former Vendor
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 341
Likes: 4
From: Houston, TX
Our most popular retractable covers (in order) are Retrax, Roll N Lock, and Pace Edwards. All of them are quality covers and we very rarely have issues with them, mostly shipping damage than anything else. We'd be happy to go over options and pricing with you to find the cover that fits your needs and your budget. Please let us know if we can help.
The Retrax unit uses a sealed ball-bearing design to help prevent ice build-up and the cover freezing shut. Every now and then, it may happen. But you can bust the ice loose by slightly hitting the bottom of your fist against the cover and rails to get it to loosen back up. If you'd like to explore the Retrax in more detail, please let us know and we'll be happy to help get you setup!
For those of you with retractable covers, what is your experience in cold weather? Mainly with snow and ice on top of them. My concern is the little bit of remaining snow/ice on the cover after clearing the rest off. Any issues with rolling up or ice getting into the cracks of the cover while rolling? I'm between a Retrax and a Revolver. I like the look of the Retrax better when open instead of the big roll sitting by the back window on the Revolver but don't want issues in the winter.
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
Our most popular retractable covers (in order) are Retrax, Roll N Lock, and Pace Edwards. All of them are quality covers and we very rarely have issues with them, mostly shipping damage than anything else. We'd be happy to go over options and pricing with you to find the cover that fits your needs and your budget. Please let us know if we can help.
The Retrax unit uses a sealed ball-bearing design to help prevent ice build-up and the cover freezing shut. Every now and then, it may happen. But you can bust the ice loose by slightly hitting the bottom of your fist against the cover and rails to get it to loosen back up. If you'd like to explore the Retrax in more detail, please let us know and we'll be happy to help get you setup!
The Retrax unit uses a sealed ball-bearing design to help prevent ice build-up and the cover freezing shut. Every now and then, it may happen. But you can bust the ice loose by slightly hitting the bottom of your fist against the cover and rails to get it to loosen back up. If you'd like to explore the Retrax in more detail, please let us know and we'll be happy to help get you setup!
Former Vendor
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 341
Likes: 4
From: Houston, TX
The canister will take up that amount of space whether it’s open or closed as the cover retracts itself into the canister.
The picture below is from a Ram, but this is about what you can expect.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,800
Likes: 52
From: Southern Colorado
I have an ancient Retrax on my '01. I bought the cover 10 years ago, used, and it has been totally satisfactory. Very happy with the design, and they redesigned the only iffy element of the cover (the way the latch worked when partly open). I put a ratcheting cargo bar in front of the 'can' inside the bed since it is flimsy and dent prone (ok, that's a poor design approach).
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
It’s roughly 11” square from the top of the bed down and from the back of the bed towards the tailgate.
The canister will take up that amount of space whether it’s open or closed as the cover retracts itself into the canister.
The picture below is from a Ram, but this is about what you can expect.
The canister will take up that amount of space whether it’s open or closed as the cover retracts itself into the canister.
The picture below is from a Ram, but this is about what you can expect.
Once the rails and everything are installed, is the canister relatively easy to remove/re-install if you really needed the full space? Or is it a pain to do that?
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,429
Likes: 701
From: Minnesota
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Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 2,400
Likes: 15
Thank you, that’s helpful. Looks like the truck bed is 21.1” tall, so if the canister is 11” that should leave about 10” of space underneath it all the way to the back of the truck bed? That’s still a decent amount of space for some smaller storage bins, shoving 2x4s in the bed, etc.
Once the rails and everything are installed, is the canister relatively easy to remove/re-install if you really needed the full space? Or is it a pain to do that?
Once the rails and everything are installed, is the canister relatively easy to remove/re-install if you really needed the full space? Or is it a pain to do that?
I really like how I can latch the cover over my firewood in the front of my bed, yet have room for my fifth wheel hookup. I also like how I can open and close it so fast.
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
It would be a pain. I'm very happy with my Retrax pro. I have an 8' bed, so the 11" can isn't really an issue. If I had the shorter bed, I suspect I'd miss the room more.
I really like how I can latch the cover over my firewood in the front of my bed, yet have room for my fifth wheel hookup. I also like how I can open and close it so fast.
I really like how I can latch the cover over my firewood in the front of my bed, yet have room for my fifth wheel hookup. I also like how I can open and close it so fast.
Former Vendor
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 341
Likes: 4
From: Houston, TX
Thanks. Mine is the shorter bed, but I won’t be doing any construction work so I’m thinking that if there’s 10” of space below the canister, it would probably still meet my needs...hopefully. I don’t really see any of these for sale used, but considering all of the positive reviews I’m guessing I could sell it for a reasonable price if it’s really not working for me.
New User
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
I'm surprised almost no one mentioned remote control tonneau covers. Pace Edwards, Bakflip, Roll N Lock manufactures them https://tonneaucovershub.com/best-re...onneau-covers/
For you a button is easier to use than the remote?
For you a button is easier to use than the remote?
Trailering
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 18
Likes: 1
Our most popular retractable covers (in order) are Retrax, Roll N Lock, and Pace Edwards. All of them are quality covers and we very rarely have issues with them, mostly shipping damage than anything else. We'd be happy to go over options and pricing with you to find the cover that fits your needs and your budget. Please let us know if we can help.
The Retrax unit uses a sealed ball-bearing design to help prevent ice build-up and the cover freezing shut. Every now and then, it may happen. But you can bust the ice loose by slightly hitting the bottom of your fist against the cover and rails to get it to loosen back up. If you'd like to explore the Retrax in more detail, please let us know and we'll be happy to help get you setup!
The Retrax unit uses a sealed ball-bearing design to help prevent ice build-up and the cover freezing shut. Every now and then, it may happen. But you can bust the ice loose by slightly hitting the bottom of your fist against the cover and rails to get it to loosen back up. If you'd like to explore the Retrax in more detail, please let us know and we'll be happy to help get you setup!