Looking for a reasonably priced tonneau cover for 8' bed...
Like to hear real world reviews...
Thanks

 

I really like my BakFlip MX4 (F-150, 5.5' bed). Plan on buying another one for the ordered F-250 6', 10" bed.

 

I had a Backflip MX4 on my 2018 dually. Very nice. When I got my 2020 I put a Retrax Pro on it. I don't like it. I want the bed clear and not worry about the canister getting dented. The 2022 I have on order will see another Backflip MX4.

 

I have the Lomax on the short bed. It is a rigid 3 panel design. Easy to remove and put nack on if I need the bed.

 

Another vote for the BakFlip MX4. Love mine.

 

I have the Bakflip MX4 on my short bed too. What I have learned is that these are all give and take... I like that the MX4 is a hard top for obvious reasons (can hold weight and is more secure than soft tops), I like that it is about 95% waterproof, I like the way it looks and I like the way it works, especially with the matching Bakbox 2 toolbox. However, it is not perfect either.

It is not totally waterproof. Water will drain out the back end of the rails and into the bed (although I have read that some folks put a dob of silicone in the end of the rail channel to prevent this somewhat) and I have seen water dripping at the seams from inside. BUT, my BedRug does a great job at dispersing the few drops that get in rather than water pooling, and really helps to keep things dry.

Also, my biggest hang up is that the panels seems to slightly move from side to side... A couple of times I have folded the cover closed, only to realize that a panel didn't seat in the rail like it was supposed to. As well, after about 4 months of having it installed, I noticed that the whole cover had shifted back towards the tailgate, making it a little harder to close the tailgate. Honestly, it happened so slowly that I didn't even notice it happening until I noticed that the weather stripping was completely exposed at the front of the bed. So, now, when I fold the cover closed I will push the whole cover towards the front of the bed to make sure it is seated properly. I also keep an eye on the front and make sure it is still covering the weather stripping, and more often check to make sure the 2 bolts holding it down are tight... however, I do get afraid that I will over tighten them.

When folding it up, it is a bit heavy... well, sorta. Being that I typically open it from the sides, the weight feels heavier when opening and closing it than if I were standing in the middle and opening/closing it. I think this is also part of what made the panels start shifting side to side... now I just go slower when opening/closing it and make sure it is folding in a straight line.

And last but not least, the first fold locks, the second one doesn't, and I can lock it at the third, or fold it up completely and lock it fully open for complete use of my bed... But I wish I could also lock it open at the second fold... I guess it locks at the most sought after locking positions though... Of course though, the biggest argument folks tend to have with these folding hard covers is that when opened all the way, all visibility through the back glass is gone. That is true, but it's part of the give and take. Also, FWIW, if you have a long bed, when fully opened, it will also cover the CHMSL camera (it won't cover it on the SWB).

Saying all of that, I really do like the cover... I am still totally shocked that I paid $800 for this thing though! I didn't realize how expensive these things were until I got this truck... but I sure do love the functionality of a tonneau, and I would buy another if I had too... whether or not I got another MX4 I can't say... But I do want to be clear that I am not knocking it and really like it. I have just learned some things about it (and most likely any other that is designed the same) and wanted to share those things. Good luck making your decision!

 

Thanks guys for the replies so far...I'm 55
and have owned trucks for over 30+ years and
never owned/installed a tonneau cover...
Still on the fence as far as hard cover or soft...

 

I am still totally shocked that I paid $800

Yikes!!...that would be a steal, just priced one for
my 8' bed, $1150...​​​​​​​

 

Had a Bak Revolver (hard roll up) - Got rid of it
Had a Truxedo Sentry CT (hard roll up)- Got rid of it
Finally landed on Truxedo Pro X15 (soft) - much happier, it's quiet, doesnt make any noise, lighter, rolls up small, easy to work with and no problems in the winter.

 

Had a soft cover on my Dakota, the MX4 was my first hard cover, I'd NEVER go back.

 

Wow! That was last August (21) when I bought mine online from Tonneau Covers World, which is the same company as Real Truck. The tonneau and Bakbox actually shipped from Bakflip though... I used the chat now and inquired about it and they offered me a discount (although, it was only around $950 before discounts then). However, I had some issues checking out and they had to cancel the order and resubmit, and they gave me even more of a discount for the troubles. I ended up paying a little over $800 by the time it was said and done... I didn't realize they had went up that much since then though... times are crazy! I just looked and it looks like many of them are easily $1000+ now... Good luck...

 

I’m not sure about reasonably priced, but I have the Bak Revolver X4S. I like that it’s a hard roll up, without the hassle of a canister or drain tubes. I also like the super low profile look.

FYI - When you decide on a cover/vendor, open a chat session with them and ask for their best price. They knocked $100 off mine, but it was still right at $1000 (6.9 bed). They’re all pretty pricey.

 

I have a Retrax Pro XR and am very happy with it.

 

I'll second the Truxedo Pro X15,..on my 8' bed it's quiet, dry, durable and reasonably priced.

 

I had the undercover flex on my F-150. great cover, didn't move a lot. Only thing I didn't like was that if you had something large you had to fold 2 (of 3) panels up to secure it, or stand it all the way up with the kickstands.Decided to go with a retractable cover this time around since my cooler is too tall for the bed (actually I haven't checked on the new truck... gotta check that) so I would have to have it mostly open if I bring the cooler. Or leave it empty and pack it on its side which is no fun. I was debating between the retrax pro with the t-slots and the roll n lock with the t-slots. While I was hemming and hawing, the price went up on the retrax pro (to $2100). So in a fit of irritation I went with roll n lock. And decided that since the m-series was still aluminum but with a vinyl top layer I'd save some money and go with them. Found out later in the day that they started a rebate for sales in the month of May: $125 on a prepaid visa if you buy this month. So I cashed in som credit card points and bought a 1500 cover (yikes) for 1100, and am getting the rebate. Tax still got me but the rebate basically cancels it out. The other part of why the roll n lock won was the size of the canister: just over 7 inches. The retrax has spiral tracks so the ousted face never touches the inside face which is probably cool. Time will tell if I made a good choice but the look of the vinyl is pretty slick and if it ever gets nasty, I can have a local shop re-skin it in a tacky speed boat color form the 80's.