Which Tonneau Cover?

[1Wolf]

2017 SCREW.

What would you recommend and why? What are the positives/negatives? Also, if it doesn't break any forum rules I'd sure appreciate any recommendations on the best online place with excellent service and fast shipping to order one.

Something that is a simple, fairly idiot proof, do-it-yourself install is preferred. I'd prefer not to have to drill any holes or mount anything in a way that might scratch up the truck or wear through the finish or rust. No invasive modifications or drilling. I also don't want any sort of "bodywork" style solution like those big heavy fiberglass ones that are painted to match and such. Thats really way too much for my needs.

The vast majority of the time I don't haul anything in the bed of the truck. Its rare that I put anything back there. I'd like the thing to be very low profile and virtually invisible when viewing the truck from the profile or back. Those tonneau covers that are "thick" look strange to me as they seem to increase the height of the bed.

I don't care for the flimsy velcro types that need to be rolled up or tied down.

My main use of the tonneau cover is to cover my gear when I go to the range. I do alot of shooting on the range and bring alot of rifles (Though I always put the rifles in the cab), steel targets, spotting scopes, ammo, gear, etc. etc.

How does it hold up to snow? I live in the Chicago area and so we do get quite a bit of snow from time to time. Will it sink and bend? How does it hold up to alot of sun and heat in the summer? Will it crack and fade badly?

At this point, based on my research here I'm leaning towards either the Retrax Pro or perhaps the Lomax Tri-Fold.

Any thoughts, opinions, or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[The Car Stereo Company]

i have an old one. its the bak revolver x2. i think they are at x4 now. @Rick@FreedomMotorsports i believe sells these

 

[Rick@FreedomMotorsports]

Well sell the Retrax and Lomax. Completely different tonneau covers. The Retrax is by far superior but does have drain tubes that you would drill into the two plastic end caps in the front of the bed. Its more a permanent cover that can be removed but tools needed and does take up room in the front of the bed but sits above. The rails are sealed but you might have to break away the ice depending on how thick.

The Lomax being a tri-fold holds up to snow and ice better and is super easy to remove if you need all of your bed. When folded up the front section of it doesn't fully fold like it does on the BAK MX4 but then again, it doesn't block your view like the BAK MX4 does.

Both will support the weight of snow. Being black, they do get somewhat hot in the summer but hold up very well the weather conditions over the years. Retrax has a limited lifetime warranty and Lomax is 3 years.

Both are DIY installs, the Lomax is very easy to install. The Retrax is more involved but definitely a driveway install in an hour depending on your pace.
Like, I said we sell both and have sold plenty of them on FRF to members.
If you are interested in getting a FRF exclusive pricing, just message me.

Thanks,
Rick

 

[Braaaaptor]

I just installed a Bak Revolver X4. Seems to fit a lot of your criteria. It's about as low profile as you can get, installation was easy and quick (took less than an hour and I wasn't working fast), no permanent drilling into the truck, and the aluminum construction is strudy and should hold up to snow. The only downside for you is if you don't clear the snow beforehand it could foul up the revolving ability.

 

[fftfk]

I just bought and installed a Lomax purchased from Rick at Freedom Motorsports. Prior to that I had the backflip MX4 (the trifold one) on a different truck. Here are my thoughts.

• Freedom Motorsports gave me a great price and service with the transaction conducted via this website.
• The Backflip is better quality. It looks nicer, seals better, and is lower profile. Some small parts did break on it with normal usage. The clips for the support bars that hold the cover up when it is folded up broke on both sides. The clip the locks the cover open broke. It was very nice to be able to open the bed 95% of the way. It held up fine over 2 1/2 Chicago winters and summers.
• The Lomax was an easier install. It sits more on the truck bed versus sitting flush in it. It is very nice that it can be taken fully off with no tools so that you have access to the whole bed. It seems somewhat flimsy compared to the backflip but I have no doubt it can support the weight of chicago snow. It’s more flimsy in that I think it would be easier to break into. That being said a determined thief could break into the backflip as well. If you really want security you need to go to the more expensive Diamondback covers.
• If I were to do it again I would have to check the price I could get on the backflip. For a similar price I will go with a backflip. For the price savings I got from Rick I would go with the Lomax.

I don’t want to say the price as that is Rick’s business.

 

[Bowser]

I can second (third or fourth) recommend Rick at freedom motorsports. Not only the best price around on all covers, but did an excellent job reviewing all options with me. Ultimately, I decided on the revolver x4 for ease of installation, bed space, and seemless design.

 

[TheCzar]

go with diamondback. I had a trifold that started leaking after a few Ohio snows and having lived in Chicago before, snow is roughly the same in both places

 

[PWtoRaptor]

I purchased the MX4 from Rick@freedommotorsports. Price was excellent, transaction was smooth, and shipping was quick. I live in Texas so can't speak much about snow. It is my 3rd BAK tonneau and they have all worked great.

 

[Peterb]

I’ve had two trifold baks and they’re ok but they let dust and water in, easy to break into and you can’t step on them so I might just get a roll up vinyl one because they roll right up small and I’ll just let dust an water go free off road, security is bad with either type (roll or trifold) and you can’t stand on either so why not go cheap, light and easy to remove or roll right up out of the way. If Rick has a suggestion please chime in or PM

 

[gstahl]

I have an MX4... Like it and they warranty the first one that had a dent in it (underside) so it did not sit flat (sent me a new one). I would give that high marks. So for me for the money the MX4 is spot on. A few downsides... Limited options for opening... so if you have use that requires one in-between often you might not like it so much.

Money no object I would like to have done a retrax so I could more easily use a tailgate bike blanket for my son and I. Little things in life but retrax is slicker and (I think) infinitely adjustable... Also big deal if you want to rack over top (there maybe a way to make ti work with MX4 but the retrax definitely has a solution.