Tonneau covers
09-27-2017, 09:56 AM
#21
I agree that every cover certainly has their pros and cons. After working customer service for 3 years on just tonneau Covers and running boards I can tell you springs on these types of covers are the most common problem. While it's a simple fix it can be annoying to the customer, especially if they are outside their warranty. That being said I've taken my fair share of calls and issues with Retrax as well, the customer service is just much easier to work with.
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You can contact us at 877-216-5446 or PM any of us.
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https://www.realtruck.com/
09-27-2017, 12:47 PM
#22
Senior Member
I went with a trifold, you need only open the first 3rd most of the time. It's only been on just over a week but so far I like it. Very easy installation.
https://www.tonnopro.com/cms/tonnofold
https://www.tonnopro.com/cms/tonnofold
09-27-2017, 01:31 PM
#23
I agree that every cover certainly has their pros and cons. After working customer service for 3 years on just tonneau Covers and running boards I can tell you springs on these types of covers are the most common problem. While it's a simple fix it can be annoying to the customer, especially if they are outside their warranty. That being said I've taken my fair share of calls and issues with Retrax as well, the customer service is just much easier to work with.
Last edited by Stage4; 09-27-2017 at 01:36 PM.
10-11-2017, 08:20 AM
#25
Choosing the right tonneau cover really depends on many factors relating to your needs. Stage4 has done a great job of pointing out the best tonneau covers for each various type. For anybody unsure about which cover to go for, I have wrote a blog post that explains each type of cover and the benefits of each. If you want, you can check it out HERE. Hope this helps.
10-11-2017, 09:41 AM
#26
Good blog, however, some statements are incorrect.
1. Installation of this type of tonneau cover is also pretty simple, and should only take 10 or 15 minutes. Most of these come with a snap on install system, that eliminates the need for any drilling.
This statement is in regards to retractable covers. None of them have 10 to 15 minute installs, they are one to two hour installs. The most simple to install is Retrax and the most difficult is Truck Covers USA. None of them have a "snap on" install.
2. You say that the best hard tri-fold is the Bakflip G2 and that the G2 is made of ABS panels, and it has a lifetime warranty. That would be incorrect. The G2 is the lowest-end Bakflip, is made of aluminum panels, and only has a 1-year warranty.
3. You mention that hard lift back covers offer the best security. I'll just disagree with that. It's not difficult to rip the bracket screws out of the fiberglass or ABS plastic. They don't have the best security, but they do have the best water-proofing.
1. Installation of this type of tonneau cover is also pretty simple, and should only take 10 or 15 minutes. Most of these come with a snap on install system, that eliminates the need for any drilling.
This statement is in regards to retractable covers. None of them have 10 to 15 minute installs, they are one to two hour installs. The most simple to install is Retrax and the most difficult is Truck Covers USA. None of them have a "snap on" install.
2. You say that the best hard tri-fold is the Bakflip G2 and that the G2 is made of ABS panels, and it has a lifetime warranty. That would be incorrect. The G2 is the lowest-end Bakflip, is made of aluminum panels, and only has a 1-year warranty.
3. You mention that hard lift back covers offer the best security. I'll just disagree with that. It's not difficult to rip the bracket screws out of the fiberglass or ABS plastic. They don't have the best security, but they do have the best water-proofing.
The following users liked this post:
paulpaul112 (10-11-2017)
10-11-2017, 09:55 AM
#27
Good blog, however, some statements are incorrect.
1. Installation of this type of tonneau cover is also pretty simple, and should only take 10 or 15 minutes. Most of these come with a snap on install system, that eliminates the need for any drilling.
This statement is in regards to retractable covers. None of them have 10 to 15 minute installs, they are one to two hour installs. The most simple to install is Retrax and the most difficult is Truck Covers USA. None of them have a "snap on" install.
2. You say that the best hard tri-fold is the Bakflip G2 and that the G2 is made of ABS panels, and it has a lifetime warranty. That would be incorrect. The G2 is the lowest-end Bakflip, is made of aluminum panels, and only has a 1-year warranty.
3. You mention that hard lift back covers offer the best security. I'll just disagree with that. It's not difficult to rip the bracket screws out of the fiberglass or ABS plastic. They don't have the best security, but they do have the best water-proofing.
1. Installation of this type of tonneau cover is also pretty simple, and should only take 10 or 15 minutes. Most of these come with a snap on install system, that eliminates the need for any drilling.
This statement is in regards to retractable covers. None of them have 10 to 15 minute installs, they are one to two hour installs. The most simple to install is Retrax and the most difficult is Truck Covers USA. None of them have a "snap on" install.
2. You say that the best hard tri-fold is the Bakflip G2 and that the G2 is made of ABS panels, and it has a lifetime warranty. That would be incorrect. The G2 is the lowest-end Bakflip, is made of aluminum panels, and only has a 1-year warranty.
3. You mention that hard lift back covers offer the best security. I'll just disagree with that. It's not difficult to rip the bracket screws out of the fiberglass or ABS plastic. They don't have the best security, but they do have the best water-proofing.
Edit: fixed blog post, thanks Stage4
Last edited by paulpaul112; 10-11-2017 at 10:02 AM. Reason: update
10-11-2017, 10:20 AM
#28
It's just my opinion:
It's really not a matter of which "type" of cover has the best security. For example, Truck Covers USA and Retrax are both retractable covers, but their locking mechanisms are completely different and one of them is much better than the other. But, the worst retractable cover locking mechanism may be better than the best hard folding cover locking mechanism. I think you see my point.
My opinion is that the RollNLock A-Series cover offers the best security as long as the tailgate hardware is installed. (Some Ford trucks cannot utilize the tailgate hardware.) I don't want to leave the impression that all covers other than RollNLock have bad security because that's not what I'm saying.
It's really not a matter of which "type" of cover has the best security. For example, Truck Covers USA and Retrax are both retractable covers, but their locking mechanisms are completely different and one of them is much better than the other. But, the worst retractable cover locking mechanism may be better than the best hard folding cover locking mechanism. I think you see my point.
My opinion is that the RollNLock A-Series cover offers the best security as long as the tailgate hardware is installed. (Some Ford trucks cannot utilize the tailgate hardware.) I don't want to leave the impression that all covers other than RollNLock have bad security because that's not what I'm saying.
10-11-2017, 11:17 AM
#29
Ah Ok, thanks for taking the time to explain that to me, much appreciated. I understand now what you mean now, sorry it took me a while to get my head around it. I changed that part of the blog now.
10-12-2017, 11:35 AM
#30
Junior Member
Lots of good info here. I'm currently searching for a new tonneau cover and wanted to see if anybody had any input or maybe suggestions for a cover I've not considered yet. I've had the soft roll-up covers in the past and I've had a soft tri-fold. I liked both of them but I think I want a hard cover this time.
What I'm looking:
I have a 2017 FX4 with the 5.5' bed so space is at a premium. The truck is my daily driver and the vehicle we take on family trips. So being able to seal stuff in the back is important.
Because it's a small bed I often have to fully remove the cover when getting things like mulch or top soil dumped in the bed. Easy removal is key. I've ruled out a lot of covers because I have to undo screws etc to remove the cover.
I do like the looks of the flush mount covers. However, most of the ones I've seen fold up against the back window rather than being easily removable. Which I don't really like.
Right now I'm debating between the Paragon aluminium cover and the Extang Encore.
Paragon:
I like the look of the cover and that it collapses into a small area in the front of the bed. It is also supposed to be easily removable w/o any tools.
Cons for me are that it's either fully open or fully closed and you have to open it from the front of the cover and can't just flip up the back.
Encore:
Overall I like the look of the cover. Although it sits a little high for my taste but I can live with that. I like that it opens from both the front and the back. I also like that the cover can quickly be removed if you need full access to the bed.
The only Cons I can think of is that it sits a little higher than I would like and that the pull cord release for the back seems a less secure than some others.
I like the Fold-a-Cover G4 for the locking mechanism but I'm really not a big fan of the style and that it sits completely on top of the bed rails. So it's off the list for those reasons.
Any thoughts? Is there something else out there that I'm missing?
Thanks!
What I'm looking:
I have a 2017 FX4 with the 5.5' bed so space is at a premium. The truck is my daily driver and the vehicle we take on family trips. So being able to seal stuff in the back is important.
Because it's a small bed I often have to fully remove the cover when getting things like mulch or top soil dumped in the bed. Easy removal is key. I've ruled out a lot of covers because I have to undo screws etc to remove the cover.
I do like the looks of the flush mount covers. However, most of the ones I've seen fold up against the back window rather than being easily removable. Which I don't really like.
Right now I'm debating between the Paragon aluminium cover and the Extang Encore.
Paragon:
I like the look of the cover and that it collapses into a small area in the front of the bed. It is also supposed to be easily removable w/o any tools.
Cons for me are that it's either fully open or fully closed and you have to open it from the front of the cover and can't just flip up the back.
Encore:
Overall I like the look of the cover. Although it sits a little high for my taste but I can live with that. I like that it opens from both the front and the back. I also like that the cover can quickly be removed if you need full access to the bed.
The only Cons I can think of is that it sits a little higher than I would like and that the pull cord release for the back seems a less secure than some others.
I like the Fold-a-Cover G4 for the locking mechanism but I'm really not a big fan of the style and that it sits completely on top of the bed rails. So it's off the list for those reasons.
Any thoughts? Is there something else out there that I'm missing?
Thanks!