Stopped by the roll n lock manufacture here in south Florida ,for you guys on the fence about buying one they have a new model coming out next week it's their I beleive called M series. It's a black matted finish with one inch slates. Not like the units on other trucks that have a metal bar that attaches to the tail gate ,the ford locks only on the sides so automatic tail gate drop will still work .You can still get the vinyl model if you want it. Looks nice

 

I think this new model is called the A-series (A for aluminum). From what I understand, the primary way to install this cover (like their M-series) is to drill the tailgate extrusion (metal bar) into the tailgate, so that the cover can lock to it.

However, I was told they have a conversion kit where you can simply have it lock to the siderails and avoid having to drill the bar into your tailgate. So you lose the security of locking to the tailage...but if your tailgate locks, I dont see where this is a problem.

My only concern with not using the tailgate extrusion would be potential for extra leakage of water at the tailgate. I don't know if the lip of the cover will lip as tightly over the tailgate, as it would the extrusion.

I know this conversion kit has been offered for the older models also. If anyone has any experience with using this conversion kit, where they did not use the tailgate extrusion piece, I would love to know your thoughts...expecially if increased leakage was noted.

Thanks.

 

He showed it to me on a truck he had there,there is an extension on the cover that goes over the tail gate about on inch. No bar is installed on the tail gate.they are working on some kind of weather strip to attack to the extension to keep water out .still very secure with only the side lock...EErebel your right A series. Sorry about that..its on their web site...

 

I had the all-aluminum version on a GMC HD pickup some years ago, without the tailgate lock, and it had no moisture leakage. Some dust got sucked up through the opening at the bottom of the tailgate, though, and the pull-strap would get hung up in cargo from time to time. A minor annoyance.

I'll be getting another one when my 2015 comes in. The Roll n Lock website claims their canister is smaller that the Retrax's. Something to consider with a 5.5 box.