Hard fold vs retractable tonneau

[BUGGOUT]

I have the electronic Retrax, love it, no issues, you do lose bed space though. Works great with bedrug. I also programmed the open/close into my homelink. Very convenient!

 

[melvimbe]

Oh yeah, you can slide lots under that. Thanks for the pic!

I have retrax, bed extender, an truck net in there. You can slide a sheet, maybe two underneath the extneder. For 2x4 and such, I find that passing the board threw the middle of the extender with the retrax partially will keep a few boards pretty secure for the trip from big box store to home. The net makes it easy to hold down smaller items.

 

[doverrover]

How bad is the tonneau tri fold in rain? Does it leak a lot? I added that cover to my raptor order.

 

[MPRaptor]

Have the Retrax XR Pro, love it. Lockable security is great for road trips. Only minor leaking under pressure washing so far. Comments about off roading vibrations are spot on, but a minor inconvenience in my view. Very happy with it and the bed rug I installed in combination. Can also use the Retrax with various racks out there…….the foldable, not so much, which is another advantage IMO. Good luck.

 

[RaptorCDH]

Both have advantages ---I went the Retrax PRO XR ---great build quality----easy to operate/use, great security (lockable) and (for me) no leaks.....the biggest advantage for me is the ablity to add a rack system (like the yakima Overhaul HD)----
You do loose some space at the front of the bed....so far in 3 months of use I haven't been in a situation where that has been an issue...if you haul motorcycles( I use a Joe Hauler) then loosing the front @18 inches would be something to consider----Cheers

 

[Sonicsunspot]

How bad is the tonneau tri fold in rain? Does it leak a lot? I added that cover to my raptor order.

I have used the Ford branded Bakflip on my last 2 trucks (about 10 years total) and they do a great job keeping rain and water out. They hold up well too. Never had a break-in. Only time it leaks anything is usually at the car wash. There is a gap around the left side of the tailgate that is hard to seal. Even then the leaks are tiny, a few drops.

 

[amREADY]

Both have advantages ---I went the Retrax PRO XR ---great build quality----easy to operate/use, great security (lockable) and (for me) no leaks.....the biggest advantage for me is the ablity to add a rack system (like the yakima Overhaul HD)----
You do loose some space at the front of the bed....so far in 3 months of use I haven't been in a situation where that has been an issue...if you haul motorcycles( I use a Joe Hauler) then loosing the front @18 inches would be something to consider----Cheers

Same here.
I'd give the retrax an 8/10. Some leaking. It can freeze especially if there has been rain at lower elevations, then freezing at higher. So far I have worked around it.

Mine has been offroaded fairly hard for 2 years - still no problems there.

The locking mechanism is a weak design. Yes you can lock along the track and I do often, but it is still a lame design on how it engages.

The ability to load 500 lbs dispersed on the top isn't something I've pushed. It is an ace in the hole for me if I have to do it, but don't plan on it as part of my typical loadout.

 

[RaptorRnr]

I have a Retrax Pro on my Raptor and a BakFlip on my F-350 (short bed 6.75'). The Retrax was on my 2015 and 2017 F-150s. I upgraded to the Retrax Pro rails like @amREADY but kept the same bed cover mechanism when I picked up the Yakima rack last year. It saved me money using the cover but upgrading the rails so that the Yakima rack just slides in. I also have some alignment issues when off-roading but it always works itself out. I haul plywood from time to time. I really like the fact that I can leave the tailgate up and then close the Retrax to pinch the plywood in the truck. I also like that I can open it without needing to open the tailgate. Downsides, as stated previously, include taking up about 11 inches of bed space, when locked it can still be forced open and occasional alignment issues. I would definitely buy another one. Water leakage is very minimal except with melting snow or heavy rain.

On the F-350 - I'm mostly happy with my BakFlip quad-fold (would be Tri-fold on a Raptor) but I can't pinch plywood because I can't close it to the exact opening I want. When hauling a gas can that needs to stick out or a bike tire, it's not as convenient. I needed the bed space on the F-350 and the benefit of connecting a gooseneck trailer with one panel still closed. I tow dirt bikes often and the Retrax isn't ideal. I had it pop out (fortunately not damaged) one time when I was hauling a bike. Now that I have the F-350, with the BakFlip, I can fold them all the way up against the rear window and out of the way.

 

[RamseyF]

guess it depends on what you use it for. I personally need a tool box up front so the Extang encore is great. Tri fold that can open front third towards the back to access tool box. and can be easily removed if needed.

 

[New recaros]

Have you tried the Roll&Lock retractable? It only takes up 7.25 inches of the bed.