Roll-up / Fold-up "Hard" Bed Cover

[10-9jc]

"Searching" on this one brings up some pretty old threads.

So - maybe time for an update.



Looking for a "hard" roll-back or fold-back cover

(NOT the one-piece lift-up type).



What do you have? Would you buy it again - or different brand?



For the roll-up style (like Retrax) - how much room does the "container"

use in your bed?

[I have a short-bed, and like to keep as much of it available as I can!]



Fold up users (like Paragon) good or bad?



Thanks for the help/advice!

JC

 

[BigPapa]

I have had 2 of the Aerocovers by Rugged Liner. It is a sectional type cover. I liked everything about it except for one thing. It was very secure, very weather proof, would come off in seconds by myself, and was quite lightweight and durable. The downside was, where the panels fit together is where they hinge, kind of a male/female, half-pipe type hinge, where one panel actually fit into the other, and where they rubbed together it would develope a fine, almost graphite type dust that when you mix in a little water would get on anything it touched and was very hard to get off. I eventually solved the problem by lubricating the "hinge" area with petroleum jelly which kept it from creating the dust. Except for that problem, I really like the design. I eventually went back to a fiberglass topper, though.



Scott

 

[EricBu12]

This is the Cover I have..... They have integrated bars that roll up with the cover. I live in Salt Lake City so it has had snow on it with no problems



http://truckaddons.com/Catalog/subpages/access_literider.asp

 

[JOdell]

I have the TRUXEDO rollup soft cover similer to Erics. When I bought mine I looked at the hard fold and roolup as well. I liked the soft one because it didn't take up as much space when rolled up. I use my bed quite a bit so I needed something that would rollup out of the way fast. Jason

 

[Boondocker]

I too went for the Truxedo rollup after looking at the folders and retractables.



One big concern for me is that I tow a 5th wheel with my short bed. So I was concerned about clearance with a foldup cover. I also don't like the way foldups stack so high when folded and still cover nearly a 3rd of the bed.



The retractables are slick, but expensive. Also, I was afraid that if it got jammed, it might be a real PITA to take off and fix.



I've had the Truxedo for almost 3 years and it's been flawless. If I had to do it over, I might consider the lower profile mount. With my tall 4x4 and 5th wheel trailer, I'll take every inch of trailer-to-bed clearance I can get. On the flip side, I've put stuff in the bed, covered, that wouldn't have fit with the low profile mount. An inch here and inch there.



Neil

 

[10-9jc]

Tuxedo Q

Scott, Eric, Jason, Neil - thanks for the replies!

What are the negatives to the Tuxedo covers?



Seems a guy with a good-sized pocket knife can access your

stuff pretty quickly - and create a need for a new cover!



Anybody (else) out there with hard covers?

Agree the ones that fold into thirds (and stack upwards)

wouldn't work for me either [5th wheel & short-bed also].

JC

 

[10-9jc]

One more - again!

See that it's a - "Truxedo" !!

JC

 

[WCPoe]

Comparing truck bed covers

10-9jc, - Try this site.



http://truckgadgets.com/compare_covers.htm



I had a Roll-n-Lok and liked it alot on my old Chevy truck. I sold the Chevy about 2 years ago to get the CTD. However, I believe I like the Fold-a-cover type that my neighbor has even better. I hinges at the front as well as the back, folds up and even comes off. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Boondocker]

No soft cover will withstand a blade, you don't even need to cut the top to get past it, just lift the velcro and reach in. You can get a tailgate lock to discourage the most casual attempt at entry. If security is important, look at something harder.

 

[NVR FNSH]

Dad has a Fold-a-cover on his '96 - I keep eyein' one for my '00. It's secure, weatherproof/resistant and it mounts to the top of the bed rails so it doesn't take up any room in the bed. Only downside is that it takes ~10 minutes to remove - AFAIK they don't have a quick release version so you have to use a wrench to back off hte clamps. I installed a couple of Socket head/allen head screws in the inside flange of the bed rail to use as bump stops for positioning the clamps.



Brian

 

[donnier]

Iv got one on my 05 short bed from Bac Industries. It looks nice on the truck but if I was going to get another one, Id do more research and get one that unlocks from the top of the cover.

The one Iv got needs the tailgate down to unlatch it which sometimes can be a PIA.

The canister only takes up about six inches at the front of the bed.

 

[PWitteveen]

Have you looked at this one? It folds into the bed of the pick-up.

http://www.peragon.com/.

 

[JOdell]

10-9jc- sorry it took so long. The only downside I have with mine is the security. I have had mine on for 3 years now and haven't had anything stolen. I keep a lot of tools in it when I am working on my rentals. But I don't make it a habit of going somewhere for a long period with it loaded. I look at it this way. If they can't see it How do they know it is there. I won't tell you one is better than the other. they are completely different animals. I had a one piece hard cover on my '97 1/2 ton and loved it on that truck. It was my fun toy. I never hauled anything bigger than a wash bucket to clean it. This truck is a work truck so that is why I got the TRUXEDO. -Jason

 

[wcjp]

Two Guy Garage just installed one this last weekend on a Dodge. Seemed to work good. Might check out their website on Speed Channel.

 

[vssman]

I've had a Tek-style on my truck for 10 years now and I can honestly say... . It's the worst thing ever invented! Don't take it off if the temp is under 40F as it won't ever go back on. And this thing was designed with "adjustable snaps allowing for all weather installation". NOT! Actually it's funny this thread came up as I'm currently going to replace that soft cover with a hard roll up style. I'm pretty much set on a Pace Edwards. The other benefit of a hard roll up is that you can lock the tailgate and the top = instant secure trunk that can be opened when something tall has to be moved. My brother-in-law has a fiberglass cover and when he has something tall to move it's a royal pain in the ... . to take the cover off - I guess that's why I get called to move those things for them

 

[DJWyckoff]

rollup on my uncles dually caught a pice of fire wood and was useless. my folder (had on my old chevy) was tuff you could stack weather proof bags on top tie them down and not worry heavy on sides lite in center, locked from the top folded 4 times to a tool box size stack at the front of bed i would get another if I needed one.

 

[emarsh]

Had the aerocover on our Dakota and agree exactly with what was said. Now have a roll&lock and like it very much except we got the carbon fibre look type finish, we live in the desert and it always looks dirty. Also if you install yourself you will find you have to modify the clamps to fit the dodge rails. I would buy one again, it is 4 years old and I like the design.

 

[10-9jc]

Thanks!

Thanks to all! Great information - and good to

hear all of the benefits of each.



Yes - the Peragon looks/sounds good, but haven't been

able to find out if stuff at the front of the bed has to

be given a shove towards the back to be able to "accordian"

the Peragon into the front of the bed when you begin the

"fold-up" process.



Fold-A-Cover (and KCover - Advance) may win out for the

hard covers.

The roll-up canisters are a problem for short-bed trucks -

'cause all that space is valuable! [Especially with a 5th

wheel hitch in the bed]. But they sure are pretty slick & "trick"!



Good points on the Truxedo (again) too!

I'll look for the TV show.



In case anyone else is in the same boat "truck gadgets" (dot com)

has a nice comparison chart.



Again - thanks to all for posting!

JC

 

[TowPro]

I just went with the lund Tryfecta or what ever they call there folding cover. Bought it in early November but still don't have the truck to see if it fits.

 

[GregSmith]

I've used the Fold-a-Cover on two trucks. They're great!