Difference between cheap and expensive Tonneu cover?
 

Yes there are tons of threads on covers, but I'm having a hard time with one thing in particular. There are 180.00 roll covers, and there are 500, 750, 1000+ roll covers. They are look the same to me! They all seem to use the same installation where you bolt down the hardware along the rails, and velcro the sides down. Can someone shed some light on the actual differences between lower tier and higher tier?

My biggest fear on any cover has always been it flying off while driving down the highway. I really like the roll type covers where I roll it up and latch it at back window for easy bed access. Any recommendations for something in the 200-400 range?

Roll up bed covers.
 

Have a 2013 XLT Super Cab w/6.5 bed. Purchased in 2014 as a CPO. Dealer installed a Ford OEM roll-up cover gratis at the time of purchase.

This cover works well, easy to use, low maintenance. Has retained a tight fit over the years.

The only caveat is a poorly-designed securing system when the cover is rolled up behind the cab. It's a velcro strap that attaches to matching tabs on the bed between the bed top and cab. Tabs are forever falling down between the bed and cab and are difficult to reach.

I'd suspect this is a potential issue with a lot of roll-up style covers. Just make sure the securing system is an easy-to-use.

Have never had the cover come loose during use but it's certainly something that could be improved upon.

Similar type covers are available for $150.00-$250.00 range.

Generally the more you pay the better quality you receive. I have a roll up cover that looks soft but is actually hard and secures bed contents fairly well. Also keeps things dry. I seem to recall paying around $700 for it back in 2013. BAK Roll-X. Their new models are called the Revolver. https://bakindustries.com/revolver-x4

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Thats a hard pill for me to swallow but I also understand the buy once cry once mentality. As to the other poster above, my old roll up had a buckle near the rear window I would just clamp the two pieces and sinch it down, kept it secure no problem.

:) Hi, I have the Retrax Pro cover for security, ease of use, durability, and most of all because it can be locked in any position. I bought it for the purpose of being able open it up about 18"s so I can run my generator in the bed of my truck while covering everything else. This cover will cost about $1,000.00 more than you want to spend. But for my purpose, it was worth it.

I also have this cover. Main advantage is thieves cant just cut through it with a basic knife. Seems well built, haven't had any problems with it other than the tangs that look it in at the end got a little bent hauling stuff one time but I got them mostly straightened out.
If I was going new I would probably go with a three panel hard cover but that's just me

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.f15...fcc1f73551.jpg
Truxedo Pro X15.. They've now made this with a waterproof fabric that wicks water away instead of it just sitting there. They run 500 and another 40 or 50 if you have it installed but it really is one of the best looking and functioning roll up covers in my opinion. I had the older non fabric model on my 11 and this one on my 18 is really quite nice. It's more pricey but the build quality is hurdles above others I have seen. Its low profile too so there is little angular lift on the side rails.

I had an Extang roll up on my last truck, cost me $200 in 2006 dollars. It lasted me 11 years and still worked fine when I sold the truck, but I really only put the cover on when I needed the bed to be dry, so it might have only seen 2 years total of actual on-truck use. But it was a freaking pain to use, the cover shrank in the winter so it was nearly impossible to snap in place if I took it off. It took about 20 minutes to bolt on the rails too whenever I used the cover. Swore I'd never own another like that.

So when I got my F150 I picked up a generic $150 soft tri-fold cover. It was infinitely easier to use and could be installed and removed in about a minute. I couldn't tell a difference in quality, although I only used it for a couple months before I scored a free Solid Fold cover. It basically installs the same way the cheap cover did, but it's hard plastic and makes the bed pretty secure. I think they run for around $1000, and I'm not sure I'd ever pay that much. Maybe $500 tops.

I wouldn't be worried about them flying off at high speeds any more than an expensive one. The issue tends to be more in the quality of the vinyl, mainly fading and loosing its stretch.

Gator SR2. I wanted a roll up as well since I have a 5.5 ft bed and wanted full access to all 5.5 feet. I will say I'm more than pleased with this cover. It has manual tension controls so you can tighten or loosen as needed. It don't get a drop of water in my bed even when cleaning the truck with a pressure washer. I can roll down the highway at 60 mph and have the small back window open and not hear any flapping. I'm sure I could run at full hwy speeds and not ear flapping, but the wind noise usually gets to me so I close the window. Install was around 25 minutes. I think I paid $379 for mine, but I'm sure you could find another brand that is cheaper. The Gator has a 5 year warranty. I really like this one due to the tailgate seal goes over the top of the tailgate that keeps all water out. Good luck hunting.

The soft top tonneaus are good for flapping in the wind.
I replaced my soft tonneau with a bakflip which is a pretty good tonneau...but...

If I had to buy another one I would buy the solid fold 2.0 by extang.
No rails to install and it goes on and off in seconds.

I have a set of trac racks I use to carry some big ladders and when I put them on I have to remove the tonneau and the affixed railing system...PITA.

That sounds like a mis aligned garage door and I wonder how many times letting it fling open like that will result in something broken. I like the idea of a solid roll up and this one looks pretty but that continued abuse in my opinion isn't going to end well.

I don't trust any dude who's finger nails are as long as this guys in the video!

:) Hi, this looks like a copy of my Retrax Pro. Except mine will stop and lock in any position and no straps.

why is that so wrinkled? no offense meant but that does not look quality to me ...

I bought a 120$ roll up off ebay has solid metal latches and bungees at the end of the cover to secure to then and a metal locking system works great and is smooth and solid and looks as new as the day I bought it

I have a BAK Industries X4 Revolver on my F-150. When it was first installed it looked and functioned great. However, after 4 years in the desert heat of Tucson, it is on its last leg. the glue that binds the vinyl to the slats is subpar at best. I've called every truck accessory shop in Tucson to see if they have a fix and every one of them said the same thing, That they do not service, sell or push the Revolver out here for the exact same reason I'm having. I have no doubt it will probably be a great product in more temperate climates or if you can keep it out of direct sunlight, but the desert heat killed mine. Naturally it occurs when the product is out of warranty.

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.f15...ad9e2fe840.jpg
Here is a better shot
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.f15...056e01e152.jpg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.f15...3056c454b0.jpg
A wrinkle would be a crease, those are the furthest away from the definition of a wrinkle. This new Truxedo cover is made from a backpack like nylon material that is somewhat pliable. I just had it opened before this pic and when you initially roll it back it has some play to it. I pull the cover taught along the Velcro sides usually and didn't before I snapped this picture.

I'd like to see some pics of your $120 purchase so we can identify with your findings. How does it seal up against the bed, does it leak, how are the latches built. Not saying it isn't a good product or that paying $400 more gets you a better product but without pictures it's hard to compare anything.

I can tell you the difference, the cheaper ones last longer than the expensive ones. I have used standard old vinyl covers for years, the last truck I had I bought a $800 Backflip cover, that thing totally warped to crap in 2 years and the truck isn't out side much (I park in the garage at home and park in the garage at work), I currently have a Cheap old Tyger brand from Amazon (I think it was less than $200), It's a year and a half old still looks like new, it's been through the car wash at least 60 times and it also keeps out almost all the rain unlike that leaking piece of junk Bakflip. So expensive isn't always better went it comes to a bed cover.