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-   -   Alum Roll-away Covers... (https://www.f150forum.com/f7/alum-roll-away-covers-442094/)

ronemca 03-17-2019 10:15 AM

Alum Roll-away Covers...
 
I searched for "tonneau" and I searched for "box cover". And yes - a few threads came up, but I found zero references to the type of cover I'm looking at. (And I'm not interested in the Peragon. IMO it is a bizarre design. Plus I believe it will be especially troublesome in snowy weather...which characterizes half the friggin' year here)

I like the Roll 'n' Lock [BT102A], the Pace Edwards Full Meatal JackRabbit [FMFA06A29] & the Retrax ProMX [80374]. Matte black and non-electric in each case.

Does anyone have any first-hand experience, please?

SHOOT1SAM 03-17-2019 01:25 PM

I had the Pace-Edwards previously on a Dodge Ram; IIRC, it was the Jackrabbit, but not the Full Metal Jackrabbit. While I was pretty satisfied with it, I am all-but-certain to be putting a Roll-N-Lock on my 18 Screw very soon.

Unless PE have changed their spring setup, it was one continuous tension spring, but on the driver’s side only (this was back in 1997, so...) and sometimes the tension would not be evenly distributed.

I want to say that the Roll-N-Lock’s spring is like a garage door spring, running across the entire front of the bed, inside an aluminum tube which holds consistent tension at all times.

Sam

Stage4 03-18-2019 02:54 PM

RollNLock - If you can install the tailgate hardware piece, it will be the most secure cover of the group because it has four locking points (two into the hardware piece and two into the side rails). If your truck has the internal tailgate step or the auto tailgate down feature, you can't install the tailgate piece. The model number that you're showing is the A-Series which is better than the M-Series. The cover retracts further into the canister than Retrax and Pace Edward covers which gives you more room when the cover is opened up all the way. On a slightly down side, the RNL covers are a bit picky on position. If the cover gets out of position, it will not close properly. You need to keep an eye on it.

RetraxPro MX - This cover is not spring loaded like the others. You can move the cover into any position and lock it into place. It has two locking points. If you are a short person, this cover will be the easiest to operate. The canister is larger than the canisters of the other two covers so less stuff will fit underneath the canister. There are several companies that offer rebadged RetraxPro MX's including LINE-X. You might be able to get the same exact cover at a lower price and a better warranty.

PE Full Metal Jack Rabbit - My least favorite. I've always questioned the long term durability of this cover. I suggest you should find some owners that have had the cover for at least one year and see what they have to say.

ronemca 03-18-2019 04:16 PM

Thank you very much! An excellent response.

SHOOT1SAM 03-18-2019 06:17 PM

I was unaware of the tailgate piece - I have the integrated step AND the auto letdown...guess I’ll be having a discussion with RNL, as security is my main objective.

kruman 04-04-2019 12:23 PM

Another option to look into, I have the Truck Covers USA , American roll series. I have had zero issues with mine. Once I had everything shimmed up properly it has been virtually waterproof. Only a few drops on the tailgate after hours of interstate driving in the rain.

nineball 04-04-2019 04:30 PM

i looked into the rolling covers when i was hunting and i found lots of reviews that said they all had problems, in one fashion or another, when winter/snow came. living in ohio that killed it for me. i ended up with the bak mx4 and i am very happy. install was a breeze, works like a charm, looks great on the truck and can double as a headache rack if need be.

ronemca 04-29-2019 03:53 PM

190429:
* UPDATE *
I still don't have the truck (although for several reasons I have opted not to wait for the MY2020's to become available) but I have had each of the five aluminum retractable covers in my shopping cart for several weeks. They all fluctuate in price on an almost daily basis, and today one of my top picks (LG102M) dropped sixty bucks - which is the biggest reduction I've seen - so I grabbed it.

I immediately called the nice man @ Roll 'n' Lock to clarify the tailgate lock bar question, and he told me:

1) since the tailgate houses the hide-away folding step...the tailgate lock bar cannot be utilized
2) they are phasing out the tailgate lock bar in a couple of months anyway
3) since my truck has power locks from the factory, the entire rear end is as secure as can be without the tailgate lock bar

I also learned that I had misunderstood the primary purpose of the tailgate lock bar all along. I thought it was to provide additional security for the rolling cover...but in fact it was to provide additional security for the tailgate! Evidently the tailgate had no lock of its own(??) so the cover was holding onto the tailgate. Who knew? Anyway - he says the tailgate lock bar and the two additional latches will very likely appear in the installation docs as optional add-ons..but that I should ignore that.

I also asked him about snow/ice. Obviously I would sweep off the regular accumulations of snow prior to opening the cover - that goes without saying. But here in Ontario Canada, when there are accumulations of snow...the temp is typically well below freezing. And it remains well below freezing for days & days & days. It's inevitable that a certain amount of snow/ice will get past the sweeper bar on top of the canister. And if it subsequently melted it would just dribble out the drain tubes as water. But in reality it will sit in there for weeks without melting. Hmmm. And perhaps have more added to it now & then. Hmmm. But he says not to worry - as long as I maintain it (by ensuring that the drain tubes are clear of debris now & then) it should be fine.

I'm not worried. I had my Ranger for four or five winters, and I rarely needed to open the cover (I was able to do 90% of what I needed to do by opening just the tailgate) And for those occasions where there's no choice...I will just sweep/blow it completely clean before I open it. Since it's black, it won't take long to warm up if the sun is shining!

I will follow up in a few months.

Stage4 04-29-2019 04:40 PM

So, you decided on the M-Series instead of the better A-Series?

ronemca 04-30-2019 06:27 AM

Yes. And I hear you. It’s one of the three thousand items that exist for every vehicle that are offered in two or more quality/function levels. And I thought about it alot before deciding, particularly recalling my usage & impressions of the cover I had on my Ranger for four years. And I chose the less expensive option ($390 less) because I feel that it is the optimal choice for me.


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