Trying to decide on a Retractable Tonneau Cover - Need input/feedback!

Krazny13 · July 21, 2021

Looking to get one of these soon, and I cant seem to make up my mind on which one to get. Any input would be helpful!

RollnLock M-Series: Initial choice, seems like a winner, but I've seen multiple complaints that it doesnt stay shut while driving, or locked in position. Plus there's been reports of plastic rail components (Stops, end pieces) breaking. I can get one of these for $1150 installed, and it does have the aluminum slats.

RetraxPRO: Seems like the best option. Also has aluminum slats, and doesnt seem to have the locking issues the RollnLock does. Downside is that its $500+ more than the other options.

RetraxONE: Like the RetraxPRO, but I'm worried about the durability of the plastic slats, especially because one report said the slats warped under a hot summer sun. (While I don't live in Furnace Creek, It does get sunny and upper 90's here.) Price would be $1100ish, so it is attractive for that reason. The real question is how sturdy/secure is it?

So if anyone has any advice, feedback, or reviews to share, I'd appreciate it!

Edited July 22, 2021 by Krazny13

fatkid24 · July 22, 2021

I have had all three of these. I wanted to have the Retrax pro be my favorite. However, it leaked water at the tailgate and down both rails. Other than that, it was great! It was secure, stayed where ever I locked it down and look as good the day I sold the truck as it did when I installed it.
the Retrax that is polycarbonate was my least favorite. Only locked on one side, and didn’t stay put and overall felt cheap.
I now have the Roll-N-Lock on my 21 and I’ve been extremely pleased. It locks in 4 positions on the rails, stays closed when installed correctly, and has barely any water intrusion even after a car wash.
One final thought, Retrax customer service is great! I had issues with my top and they replaced it. When I brought up the water, l they sent a few different instructions sets to try and reduce the issue. I don’t think you can go wrong with Retrax Pro or the Roll-N-Lock. I went RNL this time because of a 20% coupon at the dealership along with my Chevy rewards making it the least expensive rolling option.

reno360 · July 22, 2021

I just purchased and installed the Retrax Pro XR and am extremely pleased with it. I do like the fact that it locks in place anywhere along the rail. The XR also has the tracks for a rail system so I can store items above the bed and open the cover when needed. I previously had a BakFlip MX that I took off and put on my old Silverado because I didn't want it to go to waste.

Transient · July 23, 2021

I have the Retrax One. It's my first retractable bed cover ever, and I'm satisfied with it. I did consider all the options you're considering, and more, but couldn't justify spending $700 more for a powered Retrax. I have the sportbar on my truck from GM. The way the Roll and Lock installs made it an instant NOPE. It needs the round hole in the side of the bed for install, and the sport bar uses that, too. The only plastic on the Retrax is the black grommets/clips for the water drainage tubes. Everything else is nylon or polycarbonate. I also like that the Retrax can lock in the open position at any place, and not just some randomly designated places by the manufacturer. If you go to Retrax's website you'll see they sell replacement parts should something fail after the warranty expires. The unit looks to be completely serviceable. I haven't experienced any water intrusion, except when I took my truck to one of those DIY carwashes and always it with high pressure water. However, Retrax also sells a weatherstripping for the tailgate that helped minimize this. Iirc, 10 get was $28. As for concerns about warping, rest easy. I'm in Southern California and travel through the eastern half of the state to Arizona and Nevada regularly. Also had a few 2-day baseball tournaments this summer where my truck has sat under the sun in 95°+ sun. My truck is dark blue. No issues from the bed cover at all. I'm completely satisfied with the Retrax.

FYI, GM Accessories lists a retractable bed cover under the name Advantage. They are made by Retrax and altar to be exactly the same. If you have some points or find a good discount with GM Accessories, that's a good way to get the Retrax.

DenaliSS · July 24, 2021

On 7/22/2021 at 10:34 AM, reno360 said:

I just purchased and installed the Retrax Pro XR and am extremely pleased with it. I do like the fact that it locks in place anywhere along the rail. The XR also has the tracks for a rail system so I can store items above the bed and open the cover when needed.

I have the Retrax XR and the ability to lock in place all along the rail I liked. this present day polycarbonate offering from Retrax is well built and nothing with the cover feels cheap. Think Lexan for the cover and from website FAQs, "has excellent impact resistance and is unharmed by sun, moisture or temperatures from -50 to +200 degrees F." I can say the cover remains closed at stop-and-go traffic and the highway. It doesn't rattle while driving either and smooth while operating and glad I decided on the T-track system for added flexibility. I've experienced no leaks and that's having gone through some strong high wind storms.

As far as security, you'll have to define your needs and the risk you want to accept. I really wanted the aluminum slats and the better security feature, but for the dollar difference, it came down to that I wasn't keeping anything of value in the bed and what tools/equipment I was transporting would be offloaded at day's end. I guess if someone really wanted to get in, they will.

This leads to the one negative I have and that is the plastic latch cover. You'd think with this tonneau, Retrax would've come up with a better solution. Maybe they had their reasons and time will tell.

Qwerty143 · July 25, 2021

I have the Embark LS Power Retractable Tonneau Cover 19419848 GMC part #. Used my points to help make the price much better. Works great and very well made. It electric and opens to whatever point you want. Has a built in LED light. I have a video on YouTube that shows it, if interested.

https://youtu.be/teBJljEqXuw

Transient · July 25, 2021

To as to what I said earlier, just completed an 800 mile one-day trip. Temps range from mid 70s to over 100, and experienced a heavy rainstorm with flash flood warnings lighting up the cell phone. Not a single problem with the Retrax.

Krazny13 · July 26, 2021

Thanks for all the information. Ended up ordering one of the RetraxONE's through the GM Accessories page. Was able to stack coupons and discounts and got it for $930.

Will post pics when it's installed.

In the end, I just couldn't justify the $500 more for the Aluminum, and if I need to add rails to it, I can get a set of replacement rails from Retrax for a modest fee.

Also, I have a baby on the way, so the fancy electric one was WAYYY out of my price range.

DenaliSS · July 27, 2021

Congrats on the family addition!

fwiw, I installed mine by myself, but helps to have a friend when lifting canister onto bed.

Pretty simple install when you follow the instruction steps.

Krazny13 · July 28, 2021

The baby is actually a large part of why the wife signed off on getting the tonneau cover, needed something to secure the jogger stroller from theft you see. Plus all the crap i normally have racked in the back seat that will be displaced by the car seat.

And she demanded I get running boards because at 7 months pregnant, she could barely climb up into the cab.

Transient · July 28, 2021

4 hours ago, Krazny13 said:

The baby is actually a large part of why the wife signed off on getting the tonneau cover, needed something to secure the jogger stroller from theft you see. Plus all the crap i normally have racked in the back seat that will be displaced by the car seat.

And she demanded I get running boards because at 7 months pregnant, she could barely climb up into the cab.

Congrats on the kid. I have 3 myself. My wife is short, so running boards are a must. I recommend you get and install the protective rear seat cover now. You'll thank me later. Kids make messes that are guaranteed to ruin your seat. I have the one on GM Accessories installed in my truck. It works well with the child seats. I have 1 that doesn't need a seat, one that's in a booster, and one in a forward facing harness seat utilizing LATCH. I also recommend getting an under seat storage bin that has a lid. No kids means all their toys and food spills will under with your tools, etc. Du Ha makes a great one, imo. The utility of the Silverado has greatly exceeded my previous vehicles, including a sedan and a 3 row SUV. My wife has a Traverse, but the family vehicle is the truck because of how much better it carries our gear, especially for sports tournaments. My wife and I debate getting a Suburban, but we're very happy with the truck.