Sliding Bed Covers?
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Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Long Beach
Sliding Bed Covers?
Has anyone had any experience with sliding, rollback type bed covers? Good or bad? Which brands or models should I consider or stay away from? I have a new F350 CC Dually longbed. It will be mostly used for recreation use, dirt bikes, quads, towing the boat, etc. Possible near future 5th wheel toy hauler trailer.
Thanks
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 70
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From: Raleigh NC
I use the Retrax cover but I have a short bed. On the short bed the cover lays flat all the way from front to back. The Retrax cover is great because there is no retracting hardware to fail like in older designs. Check out their web site for all the details.
04FordHarleyF250
04FordHarleyF250
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I like my Truxedo cover. It rolls up but takes up no room at the front of the bed when it's open, unlike the hard rolling covers. It uses velcro down the sides not snaps so it's easy to open and close. It is just vinyl so if you're really worried about securing the bed contents in a high crime area it's no good. It's fairly weatherproof though at certain parking angles it can let a little water dribble in the front corners in a hard rain. It only started doing that after I put it back on after getting a spray in bed liner, so I probably just didn't get one of the seal flaps positioned properly up there.
Duncan
Duncan
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Joined: Oct 2002
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From: Houston
I have the jackrabbit on my truck and IMO it's the best thing since sliced bread......lol. BUT you must treat that vinyl cover every month or so with STP "son-of-a-gun" or a protectant that is sold by the manufacturer (pace products, and that can get expensive) if you do not the vinyl WILL fade 
and it will then be light grey vinyl and there is no way to get it black again. You can treat it and it will turn black again but once the "son of a gun" dries it will turn back to grey again. I tell you this from experience!! If you use other protectants (no personal experience but I have been told thats what will happen) on the vinyl it will cause the vinly to get hard and crack. Overall I am very happy with mine just not the vinyl covering.
and it will then be light grey vinyl and there is no way to get it black again. You can treat it and it will turn black again but once the "son of a gun" dries it will turn back to grey again. I tell you this from experience!! If you use other protectants (no personal experience but I have been told thats what will happen) on the vinyl it will cause the vinly to get hard and crack. Overall I am very happy with mine just not the vinyl covering.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,082
Likes: 93
From: VA/NH
I installed a rollback then removed it immediately. They take up way too much room in the front of the truck and down the side rails. I guess it depends on what you'll be putting in the bed. I have a short bed already, I don't need it any shorter... I put in a hinged snap tonneau cover and I love it. I probably wouldn't get a hinged one again though. Just the snaps would be fine for me.
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 70
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From: Raleigh NC
The design of the "jack rabbit" is fine at first but over time will not hold up. The spring retract will fail through use and weather. That vinyl covering will weather, crack, and seperate over time and use. The aluminum panels slide directly on the rails and over time will wear and no longer slide smoothly.
Retrax has looked at each of these issues and solved them. This cover rides on roller bearings for a consistent smooth operation with no retract spring to fail. Retrax also allows the cover to be locked in any position (Jack Rabbit is every 12 inches) and it can handle some weight should something (or someone) sit on it.
Both offer a clamp on design so if you need to remove it from the truck, it can be done easily without leaving damage.
I would suggest getting a "seal kit" for the tail gate. Have you ever noticed that there is a gap around the tail gate on the superduty when it's closed? As you go down the road with a cover on the bed a vacuum is created and will suck dirt through the gap. A seal kit placed around the tail gate keeps this from happening.
A retractable cover is handy. Should you need to haul something tall you can open it up. Both companies offer a lock with their covers and since the tail gate has a lock, you can place something back there without the fear of it running off.
04FordHarleyF250
Retrax has looked at each of these issues and solved them. This cover rides on roller bearings for a consistent smooth operation with no retract spring to fail. Retrax also allows the cover to be locked in any position (Jack Rabbit is every 12 inches) and it can handle some weight should something (or someone) sit on it.
Both offer a clamp on design so if you need to remove it from the truck, it can be done easily without leaving damage.
I would suggest getting a "seal kit" for the tail gate. Have you ever noticed that there is a gap around the tail gate on the superduty when it's closed? As you go down the road with a cover on the bed a vacuum is created and will suck dirt through the gap. A seal kit placed around the tail gate keeps this from happening.
A retractable cover is handy. Should you need to haul something tall you can open it up. Both companies offer a lock with their covers and since the tail gate has a lock, you can place something back there without the fear of it running off.
04FordHarleyF250
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Brett Foote
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 70
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From: Raleigh NC
I have a black Harley Truck and the Retrax looks like the factory installed it. I removed the gaudy Retrax stickers on the rails for the smooth look. Yes, the Retrax sits above the rails as it overlaps the tail gate when it's up so water/debris doesn't run in. Check out the retrax website and play the little demonstration video to see how it operates.
04FordHarleyF250
04FordHarleyF250
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2001
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i have the pace edwards. had it 6 months or so. vinyl is holding up, but it doesn't seem to retract like it used to. after owning this type, i think the roll-n-lock would have been a better choice for me. it seems to have better spring tension.
i really like the explorer series rails on my cover though. makes it nice to add my homemade headache rack, bike rack, tie downs etc...
i really like the explorer series rails on my cover though. makes it nice to add my homemade headache rack, bike rack, tie downs etc...
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 128
Likes: 1
From: Houston
I have the RollnLock bed cover. It does take up space at the cab, the gaskets do come out if you close it while the tailgate is down, but I remember the installer said not to do that. Im happy with it. Generally water tight except right at the gate. Better than a tonneau cover for me since I can retract it at the store and haul whatever I want to. You cant have a toolbox , ie the butterfly type, but its nice to go to the beach with everything battened down.h
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