Everyone is correct about knowing your usage and price point in order to make the best decision for yourself, so there are really no right or wrong answers. After a lot of internet research, I opted for the Gator Hybrid folding cover. Reasons why: ease of installation and removal if I ever need full bed access, good reviews on water intrusion resistance, look of vinyl cover with security of of a hard top. Paid $629 through Gator, delivery took 4 days. Box was a mess when it arrived but cover was fine. Only reason I broke a sweat installing it was b/c it was 100 degrees.

2016 F150 Lariat 4X4 short bed.

 

I have the Retrax Pro MX and I love it. I have had a Retrax on all of my trucks since 04 and never once regretted it. Buy once cry once.

 

What price range are you looking to stay within? Send me a Pm we are guaranteed to have the best pricing when it comes to tonneau covers.

 

who/what is the RDP vendor?

 

After years of owning a truck, here's my opinion:

Best retractable: RollNLock (either A or M series) - They are the only covers that have four locking points. (Only if you don't have the internal tailgate step or the auto tailgate release.) They retract further into the canister and they have rather small canisters.
Best Soft Roll-up: Access Lorado - Quality materials. It has a 5-year warranty. Note that the Truck Gear (by LINE-X) roll-up cover is a rebadged Access Lorado and has a lifetime warranty.
Best Soft Folding: Extang Trifecta - It's the only one with spring loaded clamps at the tailgate end which makes it easy to use.
Best Hard Folding Cover: Truck Gear (LINE-X) - It's made by Bak Industries and has a lifetime warranty. As far as I know, it's the only hard folding cover with a lifetime warranty.
Best Solid One-Piece: Undercover, several to choose from. Lightweight and easily removable.

 

[QUOTE=Stage4;5483202]After years of owning a truck, here's my opinion:

Best retractable: RollNLock (either A or M series) - They are the only covers that have four locking points. (Only if you don't have the internal tailgate step or the auto tailgate release.) They retract further into the canister and they have rather small canisters.


The RollnLock and Retrax are similar, but the reason I went with Retrax is because you can lock it open or closed anywhere the length of the bed, instead of just the four preset spots.

 

[QUOTE=WhiskyBadger;5484969]Well, the RollNLock cover stops every 12-inches when you pull it towards the tailgate, sort of like a window shade. What I meant by four locking points is that when the cover is all the way closed and locked, the cover has four locking points: Two into the side rails and two into the tailgate hardware piece.

If you have a RetraxOne, the cover has only one locking point. If you have a RetraxPro, the cover has two locking points.

 

[QUOTE=Stage4;5485008]Ah very interesting did not know it had 4 locking points, good to know. Thanks.

 

To each their own when it comes to tonneau covers. I prefer the Retrax branded tonneaus for a few reasons. Like you mentioned they are the only retractable that can be locked in any position. They are also the only cover that uses steel lubricated ball bearings, unlike the Roll N Lock that uses a spring to tension the cover that usually wears down over time. Lastly the warranty on these covers is quite different with the Retrax brand having a limited lifetime and not normally requiring any drilling into the bed like the Roll N Lock cover does.

Just food for thought as each cover will serve their purpose.

 

Retrax is not a bad cover! I was just pointing out some differences. I've never known anyone with a RollNLock that had a bad spring tension problem.

All covers have their pros and cons.