Folding Tonneau Cover Opinions?

GPSilverado · December 17, 2009

I have a 2009 EC Silverado, and I have decided that I want to get a Hard Folding Cover for the bed. I have read through a lot of sites looking for information, but the problem with those sites is the fact that all the reviews are generally done within a few weeks of installing the cover. I would like to know how satisfied people are with the covers after a year or more.

I had a ARE hard fiberglass cover on my 2000 F350 (My only Ford since high school, so don't rip me a new one there ), and it was a pain to remove it every time you wanted to haul something that wouldn't fit under the bed cover. Thus the interest in the folding cover now.

I have looked at the Bak Flip F1, Extang, Fold-a-Cover, and others.

I would like to hear from you guys on how they hold up to normal use, as far as appearance, minimal water leakage, etc. I know some water will leak in with these, but was wondering how much really.

Thanks for any help you guys might be able to provide.

C. Charles Hahn · December 17, 2009

I have the Fold-a-Cover G4 Elite on my truck and it's held up just fine; I like it about 90% of the time. If I had it to do over again I would have gone with a BakFlip since you can stand the entire cover up against the back window of the cab and access the entire bed, whereas with the G4 I can only access 3/4 of the bed length with the cover open.

Also I have noticed that since I first got the truck and cover the water leakage has increased a bit. It still isn't bad but it can get slightly damp in the bed if I go through a carwash or we have a heavy rain/snow storm. Not usually a big deal, though.

Matt_ · December 17, 2009

I have the BakFlip HD (i guess this is considered the G2 now... it's the all metal one).

It's a great cover overall. My only gripe is that i decided to put my bike racks above the bed... so i cant open my cover with the rack up there

2005LT · December 17, 2009

I also have the BakFlip (not sure of the exact model name...HD or what not but it has all metal paneling). I've only had it since June so it's too early to tell how it will last in the long run. So far so good though and it feels pretty solid. Haven't checked really closely as to how much water it leaks.

56kz2slow · December 17, 2009

I have the Extang Solid Fold

Pros:

-Unlike the Bakflip, there is no rails to attach to the truck. So you have the full bed width

-Only two wing nuts at the back to remove it

-Easy to install remove

-No drain tubes, water flows on the outside of the box

Cons:

-Unlike the Bakflip, it rests on the bed rail instead of inside the bed, so you can't put a rail system with a rack like Matt did

-Unlike the Bakflip, you can't lift it against the cab

-Small water drip from the hinges, nothing major, but enough to put the suitcases in a garbage bag if travelling in the rain.

Either a pro or a con, but a difference to the Bakflip. It sits on top instead of flush, so that depends on your preferences on what looks better.

Overall, I am happy with it, but have nothing else to compare with except the factory one my friend has on his Avalanche. According to the guy who sold me the Extang, nothing beats the Avalanche one as far as weather tightness.

sockon · December 17, 2009

I have the BakFlip HD (i guess this is considered the G2 now... it's the all metal one).

It's a great cover overall. My only gripe is that i decided to put my bike racks above the bed... so i cant open my cover with the rack up there

Hey Sk1er18, I too have the backflip G2. What did you do to route the drain tubes up front?

I got the backflip about a month after I got my 2007 extended cab Silverado 1500 GMT (bought new 5/1/07). The first backflip I got wasn't the "new and improved" G2 so I had some issues and sent it back. Backflip sent me the new G2 version and I put that on, and it hasn't leaked up here in the Northeast under rain and snow for over 2+ years. It has some wear as to be expected, and I've had to adjust the shims it comes with so it closes properly, but my only real complaint is the drainage issue.

This cover is designed with a rain gutter system that runs along each bed side and channels water to a plastic tube in the front corner of each bed side that you run through a factory hole in the bed. Only problem is my truck didn't come with factory drain holes that would work for this application so my plastic tubes are running out at an angle that won't let them drain and water runs backward along the rain gutter and drips in the corners by the tailgate. So the center of the bed is always dry, but when it's wet out, the corners of my bed get wet.

I suppose I could drill some adequately sized and properly located drainage holes, but I really haven't wanted to drill it up back there. Especially since Backflip swore up and down to me when they sent me the new G2 that it wouldn't require drilling. I have a linex bedliner and don't want to have to go back and touch it up after I drill, or worry about the bed starting to rust from the drill holes.

Matt_ · December 17, 2009

Hey Sk1er18, I too have the backflip G2. What did you do to route the drain tubes up front?

I just drilled the 3/4" hole in the corner/floor on each side of the bed. Used a ball peen hammer to round it out. Hit it with some enamel paint and routed the tubes there.

Major_Kong · December 18, 2009

I have the BakFlip HD (i guess this is considered the G2 now... it's the all metal one).

It's a great cover overall. My only gripe is that i decided to put my bike racks above the bed... so i cant open my cover with the rack up there

Hey Sk1er18, I too have the backflip G2. What did you do to route the drain tubes up front?

I got the backflip about a month after I got my 2007 extended cab Silverado 1500 GMT (bought new 5/1/07). The first backflip I got wasn't the "new and improved" G2 so I had some issues and sent it back. Backflip sent me the new G2 version and I put that on, and it hasn't leaked up here in the Northeast under rain and snow for over 2+ years. It has some wear as to be expected, and I've had to adjust the shims it comes with so it closes properly, but my only real complaint is the drainage issue.

This cover is designed with a rain gutter system that runs along each bed side and channels water to a plastic tube in the front corner of each bed side that you run through a factory hole in the bed. Only problem is my truck didn't come with factory drain holes that would work for this application so my plastic tubes are running out at an angle that won't let them drain and water runs backward along the rain gutter and drips in the corners by the tailgate. So the center of the bed is always dry, but when it's wet out, the corners of my bed get wet.

I suppose I could drill some adequately sized and properly located drainage holes, but I really haven't wanted to drill it up back there. Especially since Backflip swore up and down to me when they sent me the new G2 that it wouldn't require drilling. I have a linex bedliner and don't want to have to go back and touch it up after I drill, or worry about the bed starting to rust from the drill holes.

I too have the Bakflip G2 and have had the same drainage problems as you. I have thought about drilling holes like sk1er18 did, but I haven't gotten around to it yet. Right now I can live with the minor water leaks. I've only had my cover for a few months, but so far it has been solid and has withstood our recent below zero temps.

GPSilverado · December 18, 2009

I think maybe I have it narrowed down to either the Fold-a-cover or the BakFlip F1 (HD). I did find a thread on a Tundra forum where a few guys were very down on the bakflip, but that was in 2007. Apparently back then they had a real problem with the panels separating from the hinges.

I can buy the fold-a-cover G4 Elite for 675.00 with free shipping if I order before 12/31 from a place called truckalterations.com

Has anyone ran across this site before? They are located about 1.5 hours from my home, so I guess I could drive up and check them out.

(I didn't post a link to their site because I wasn't sure of the board rules on that. I wouldn't want to take anything away from the companies that support this site.)

Matt_ · December 18, 2009

I think maybe I have it narrowed down to either the Fold-a-cover or the BakFlip F1 (HD). I did find a thread on a Tundra forum where a few guys were very down on the bakflip, but that was in 2007. Apparently back then they had a real problem with the panels separating from the hinges.

Yeah when the bakflip first came out they had tons of issues. The original bakflip was a piece of junk from what i've seen. Then they came out with the G2 which was a major improvement... but it still had plastic panels that were known to come loose from the brackets and leak/warp. then they came out with the HD which was all metal and had a new hinge design... i haven't seen any bad reviews on the HD version.

It looks like the original bakflip and the "old style" G2 are no longer available. i would presume that bakflip resolved their problems and refreshed their models and now the "new" G2 is the all metal "HD", and the F1 is a new composite style is their newest technology... which has an impressive load capacity as well.

jdubya · December 18, 2009

I have the Fold-A-Cover G4 and I love it. I will agree that the downside is that you can only access 3/4 of the bed with it open however it does lay flat and does not block the window when it is open. I also like that I can open the first panel near the cab for quick access items in the front of my bed.

If you do not carry a lot of large items the fact that it does not open all the way is not a big deal. I needed to move some furniture a couple of weeks ago and it was pretty easy to remove the cover from the frame and set it aside....

jdubya · December 18, 2009

Also, I was going to order mine from truck alterations.com but I called truck add ons and asked them to give me a better price. They beat the other company by almost $50 and gave free shipping. (Though I Paid more than the $675 you mentioned above).

I had no issues with Truck Add Ons

99silveradoz71 · December 18, 2009

I have the Extang Solid-Fold on my 08 and have had good luck with it. It gives you security with convenience. I've had no water issues with mine.

700 sportsman · December 18, 2009

I got my Bakflip cover for $500 on ebay, I'd check there too

But I really like it, it does leak some water, but I love it's versatility and durability

As for the drain hoses, I put a spring inside of the drain hose, and routed it out the upper side holes in the front of the bed, but with the springs, they can't kink shut

Stex · December 18, 2009

I started out looking at a flip or roller top. Not to hijack a thread, but I went with undercover. http://www.undercoverinfo.com/ It is lite (about 50-60 lbs) and comes off easy and hangs on the wall. It is water tight, you can access the entire bed and you can stand on it to do over head work or dance or whatever. Just a suggestion as you mentioned your last cover was heavy and hard to remove. OK back to pros and cons of flips.