I put a roll up bed cover,2001 F250 forgot the brand, replaced after 18+- years with a folder don't remember the brand but it had full length metal piano hinges. Was still doing fine when I sold the truck and bought a 21 F250. Ordered the new truck with a cover installed. Two years, 3 months later the rubber hinge and the side seals have failed on the back panel. I believe the ford branded is a BAK/ REV Limited/ Real Truck cover. Have called them up and sent in form and pictures but I'm not expecting much. Ford dealer is out of the question. Anyway I'm looking for a better made cover. I do like the Folders but haven't ruled out the rollers. Like the Diamondback switchback, $2000 two months out. Really like the Renegade but $3000 plus 6 months is a deal killer. The duct tape won't last that long. Weathertech is in the running but I'm not sure of the build quality, Vinyl covered hinges? Thought a peragon might work until reading reviews here. Soft covers, one piece covers, rubber hinged are no go. Looking for long term owners advice on the better made covers. Thanks

 

I initially had a roll-up for my 2003 but quickly switched to a Diamondback. That cover was on the truck for over 15 years when I sold it with the truck a few years ago. My current one (black one) has been on for four years now. Never had any major issues with them and the only thing I did to the silver one was to replace the rubber seal as desert sun and heat tends to shorten their life a bit. All boils down to how you use your truck for the best option.

 

Diamondback is the most likely candidate. Mid fold version is a no go, hence the switchback. Like the HD version of the mid folder but to my knowledge HD is not available in the switchback. Are yours the HD version?

 

I bought the BAK MX4 to go with my new truck when I pick it up in a couple of weeks. I've had a Gator rolling one on my current vehicle for the past 6 years and it's holding up well. I'm switching to a folding this time due to the lost bed space with the rolling "garage" on the Gator cover but otherwise I've had zero complaints with it.

 

I had a Retrax Powertrax Pro MX on my 2017 and installed a new one on my 2023. The one with Aluminum slats.

Best cover out there imo, plus the powertrax model will lock into any position. Opens/ closes with a remote.


https://retrax.com/images/InstallGui...019_E-Book.pdf

 

I put a BAK Revolver on my 2017 F250 about a year after purchase (around 2018).. It really functioned well and I liked it and it was a very dry cover but…….. I have no covered parking anywhere and the sun has destroyed the black outer coating/cover. The edges are curling up and now a lot of water is getting through the cover slates, etc.

I just ordered a Diamondback HD on the Black Friday discount. They seem to be about as dry as any, as secure as any and about the most durable of all.

My main drawback on Diamondback was hauling something taller than bed or removing for gooseneck etc.. Until, I saw about a 45 sec video that showed how easy it was to flip rear section forward and strap (opening up about 35% or more of the bed………. Or just as quickly u can simply remove the rear panel. And in about 5 min u can pull the whole 3 section cover off.

video:
I know the new Switchback is available but decided on HD.

There are pros and cons with all covers but I think Diamondback is about as durable as it gets.

Merry Christmas!!

 

Yes, they are the HD model

 

I have the Diamond Back on my GMC. I plan on buying the same cover for my F350 once it arrives. It is the most secure and water tight cover on the market. Worth every dollar.

 

I have had Access soft roll-up covers on 3 trucks. If I wanted the soft roll-up style I would absolutely buy another Access. Still not out of the question.

Looking at hard folders and am leaning towards the UnderCover Armor Flex, but as far as I know that is a rubber hinge and it seems like there have been some fit issues on the Super Duty beds.

 

Gator rollup on mine for over 1 year. No complaints and doesn't set you back a G.

 

I had a Solid Fold trifold cover on my last truck for many years and it was rock solid and trouble free. The only downside was that you can only access the last 2/3 of the bed as the tonneau folds on itself which is why I opted to go with the factory 4 panel made by Backflip.

In my case dealer has warrantied a replacement for my tonneau cover at 23 months. The replacement cover is on order and hasn’t come in yet. When I bought the truck in ‘21 the cost was $999; the ordered replacement was just shy of $1,600.

The last panel delaminated on both the top and underside.

FWIW:

 

Thanks, I am aware that this should be covered under warranty, but the selling dealer service dept. and I parted ways just after purchase. Have contacted the manufacturer directly and we will see. I too like the ability to fold the last panel up but I have only done so once since I got the truck. Even if they come through, (doubtful I expect them to tell me I HAVE to go through the Ford dealer) fixing the cover is only a stopgap measure in my eyes. The rubber hinges are a no go and I would not have bought this cover if I had known that they would fail so soon. Hope you have better luck.
I have decided on a Diamondback Switchback. The final panel does not lift up but I do have a trailer if needed. When I do carry tall items I've found that 1 or 2 panels opened is usually enough. The Switchback to my knowledge does not have a securing mechanism for 1 panel opening, I plan on adding their tie down anchors on the beveled side and rear edges of each panel for securing 1 opened panel and giving me side to side tiedowns in addition to fore and aft. Without seeing the cover in person my only possible concerns are the fact that the middle panel is secured with L shaped brackets that latch onto the adjacent panel and not clamped to the rail or the truck. Clamping probably desirable and maybe needed for 1 panel open running. We will see. Already engineering a solution in my head. I do wish they offered the switchback in the HD version like the regular Diamondback, (middle bulkhead is a no go for me). The .100 over the .080 panel thickness would be nice, extra panel weight wouldn't be an issue. Maybe there were other build considerations that required the thinner sheets. Anyway we will see. They are currently 8 weeks out and I missed any black friday specials so I'm looking at January-February, Hope my duct tape holds out til then.

 

This is my BAK Revolver after 6 years.
— the edges on both sides are cracked and peeling curling away from sides.
— any water is freely flowing in
— a felt strip lines the underside on both sides. This protects your fingers from gettin pinched when rolling/unrolling revolver. After about 2 years one side came off and was replaced. The remnant draped over the back is all that os left on both sides.




This worked while it worked but………

I wish I would have gotten DiamondBack to start.

 

I wasn’t sure if you, or other board members, were aware of extended warranty so I figured that I would post it in hopes that it might help you or others out.

In my case they are replacing the cover. I don’t expect the replacement to hold up much better for the same reasons you gave. Time will tell.

It is irritating to spend good money for something that in’s made so cheaply. There is no reason for a tonneau cover in that price range to fail in less than two years.

When it needs replacing I will likely go with the diamondback as well.

Bob

 

Very happy with the Truxedo Sentry Ct on the Super Duty and one on the Maverick. I like the clean soft look with the added protection of aluminum slat backing. Easy install.