Looking for new bed cover - RollNLock or Lomax

Mossyoakglock · December 15, 2022

I am in the marketing for a new bed cover for my new 2022 Refresh Silverado 1500.

On my previous truck I had a Retrax. While I liked the function of the cover, the canister was huge. So on my new truck I am looking at the Roll N Lock, since the canister is much smaller, or the Lomax. I know they are two completely different styles but that is what I've narrowed it down to.

Is there anybody here that has either a Roll N Lock or the Lomax, preferably on the 2019 or new trucks? How do you like it and how water-tight is it?

Would you buy it again as well?

Daniel Formichelli · December 15, 2022

I have this on my 22 not refresh RTS and I love it. I do see a little water in one of the corners but is not too bad. Although I did not install the drain plugs either,

https://www.roughcountry.com/retractable-bed-cover-46120581.html?find=2021-chevy-silverado-1500-4wd-750287

blkbeastygmc20 · December 16, 2022

13 hours ago, Mossyoakglock said:

I am in the marketing for a new bed cover for my new 2022 Refresh Silverado 1500.

On my previous truck I had a Retrax. While I liked the function of the cover, the canister was huge. So on my new truck I am looking at the Roll N Lock, since the canister is much smaller, or the Lomax. I know they are two completely different styles but that is what I've narrowed it down to.

Is there anybody here that has either a Roll N Lock or the Lomax, preferably on the 2019 or new trucks? How do you like it and how water-tight is it?

Would you buy it again as well?

not sure if you're looking for more space by not having a large canister, but are you looking for a stronger bed cover. There are more stronger and watertight covers on the market. Below have been my picks for strong locking and watertight. If that is what you're looking for, along with not having to deal with a canister.

1st pick would be https://www.peragon.com/

2nd would be https://diamondbackcovers.com/

Mossyoakglock · December 16, 2022

I am looking for as lowprofile as I can get.

I'm not a fan of the Peragon with how it opens. If I have anything at the front of the bed and try to open the cover, it wont open. I need a cover that I can open when the bed is completely full, especially during hunting season with gear.

Since I am looking for low profile, the Diamondback is out. I don't need anything that strong and it's just too bulky for my tastes.

Mossyoakglock · December 16, 2022

23 hours ago, Daniel Formichelli said:

I have this on my 22 not refresh RTS and I love it. I do see a little water in one of the corners but is not too bad. Although I did not install the drain plugs either,

https://www.roughcountry.com/retractable-bed-cover-46120581.html?find=2021-chevy-silverado-1500-4wd-750287

This looks identical to the Pace Edwards Switchback. Ideally I would like a cover that I can open with the tailgate closed which you can with the Roll N Lock. If I'm going to have to open the tailgate to open the cover, I'll go with a Lomax and not have deal with a canister.

reverse · December 17, 2022

Gaining a few additional inches with a smaller canister isn’t much of a difference compared to no canister. Since the lost space was an issue, you’re better off with no canister to gain all that space back.

Many people like the Lomax, but having to remove the cover when you need the full bed space is the only major annoyance even though it’s simple to do. If that may annoy you, you should look into an Undercover Armor Flex which is low profile and meets all your criteria.

Mossyoakglock · December 19, 2022

The Undercover is out as well. I don't want or like a cover that props up against the window like that.

I previously had a Bakflip which I hated. It leaked something awful and the seals started separating within a week. But, I really didn't like how it blocked the rear window, plus it was pretty flimsy.

I've done countless research and narrowed it down to either the Lomax or the Roll N Lock. I've previously had a Pace Edwards Jack Rabbit and Retrax Pro so I've dealt with canisters for a while, just looking for something a little different. The Retrax and PE canisters where huge compared to the RNL.

Ideally I need something that locks and I can also open with the tailgate closed.

Jethro71 · December 19, 2022

On 12/15/2022 at 9:33 AM, Mossyoakglock said:

I am in the marketing for a new bed cover for my new 2022 Refresh Silverado 1500.

On my previous truck I had a Retrax. While I liked the function of the cover, the canister was huge. So on my new truck I am looking at the Roll N Lock, since the canister is much smaller, or the Lomax. I know they are two completely different styles but that is what I've narrowed it down to.

Is there anybody here that has either a Roll N Lock or the Lomax, preferably on the 2019 or new trucks? How do you like it and how water-tight is it?

Would you buy it again as well?

After a year of exhaustive research, I installed a Roll N Lock XT this past summer on my GMC 1500 AT4. I almost immediately regretted it. I had narrowed it down to the Roll N Lock, the Truck Covers USA American Roll Cover, the Retrax, and the BAK X4S. While I liked that the BAK X4S didn't use a canister, and that it had a low profile, I wasn't too fond of the vinyl cover. I wanted an all aluminum cover. I really liked the Retrax, but I couldn't get past the size of the canister. So that narrowed it down to the Roll N Lock and the American Roll Cover. I really liked the American Roll Cover as well. The canister is actually smaller than the Roll N Lock, and it is stronger than the Roll N Lock. But, in order to install it, I would have to remove my fold out grab handle and I didn't want to give that up so I went with the Roll N Lock... bad move. While I know that these covers aren't 100% waterproof, the Roll N Lock leaks like a sieve. It leaks in all 4 corners of the bed and when it rains really hard, it actually seeps between the slats and drips down into the middle of the bed. One evening after a hard rain I looked in the back of my truck and everything in the back got soaked. Then, the strap drives me crazy. It is constantly in the way. It's in the way when it's open. It's in the way when it's closed. It's in the way when I'm loading and unloading stuff. It's just in the way. I truly wish I had purchased the Retrax instead. In hindsight, I would give up the extra room the Retrax takes up for a cover that doesn't leak so bad. Everyone I have talked to who has a Retrax say they love it and it keeps the bed of their truck dry.

My advice would be to stick with the Retrax, even though it is bigger, or take a look at Truck USA's American Roll cover. Stay away from Roll N Lock.

Good luck

Mossyoakglock · December 19, 2022

1 hour ago, Jethro71 said:

After a year of exhaustive research, I installed a Roll N Lock XT this past summer on my GMC 1500 AT4. I almost immediately regretted it. I had narrowed it down to the Roll N Lock, the Truck Covers USA American Roll Cover, the Retrax, and the BAK X4S. While I liked that the BAK X4S didn't use a canister, and that it had a low profile, I wasn't too fond of the vinyl cover. I wanted an all aluminum cover. I really liked the Retrax, but I couldn't get past the size of the canister. So that narrowed it down to the Roll N Lock and the American Roll Cover. I really liked the American Roll Cover as well. The canister is actually smaller than the Roll N Lock, and it is stronger than the Roll N Lock. But, in order to install it, I would have to remove my fold out grab handle and I didn't want to give that up so I went with the Roll N Lock... bad move. While I know that these covers aren't 100% waterproof, the Roll N Lock leaks like a sieve. It leaks in all 4 corners of the bed and when it rains really hard, it actually seeps between the slats and drips down into the middle of the bed. One evening after a hard rain I looked in the back of my truck and everything in the back got soaked. Then, the strap drives me crazy. It is constantly in the way. It's in the way when it's open. It's in the way when it's closed. It's in the way when I'm loading and unloading stuff. It's just in the way. I truly wish I had purchased the Retrax instead. In hindsight, I would give up the extra room the Retrax takes up for a cover that doesn't leak so bad. Everyone I have talked to who has a Retrax say they love it and it keeps the bed of their truck dry.

My advice would be to stick with the Retrax, even though it is bigger, or take a look at Truck USA's American Roll cover. Stay away from Roll N Lock.

Good luck

Do you have the M-Series or A-Series? You mentioned it leaked through the slates so it sounds like you have the A-Series.

I had the RetraxPro on my 2008 and it also leaked through the individual slates. Plus, the canister is rather large. It's hangs down 12" where the Roll N Lock is around 7.5". Retrax had to warranty 3 covers for leaking the same way. I didn't mind having a pull-strap on my old Pace Edwards so it wasn't bad. Sometimes having to manually walk the Retrax open was a pain in tight parking lots so having a cover that retracts automatically will be nice.

I looked at the American Roll Cover but I don't want to drill four holes in the bed for the drain tubes, especially by the tailgate.

Jethro71 · December 19, 2022

1 hour ago, Mossyoakglock said:

Do you have the M-Series or A-Series? You mentioned it leaked through the slates so it sounds like you have the A-Series.

I had the RetraxPro on my 2008 and it also leaked through the individual slates. Plus, the canister is rather large. It's hangs down 12" where the Roll N Lock is around 7.5". Retrax had to warranty 3 covers for leaking the same way. I didn't mind having a pull-strap on my old Pace Edwards so it wasn't bad. Sometimes having to manually walk the Retrax open was a pain in tight parking lots so having a cover that retracts automatically will be nice.

I looked at the American Roll Cover but I don't want to drill four holes in the bed for the drain tubes, especially by the tailgate.

I have the A-Series XT.

The Retrax canister *is* quite a bit bigger than the Roll N Lock, that's why I chose the Roll N Lock. I like the size of the Roll N Lock. I like the security it gives. I can live with the annoying strap if it just didn't leak so bad. I figured if the Retrax Pro was more water tight, it would be worth giving up the extra space, especially since the Retrax Pro now comes with a limited lifetime warranty. But if you're saying that the Retrax leaks just as bad as the Roll N Lock, then I don't know what else to do.

Yeah, I wasn't too keen on drilling more holes in my bed either for the American Roll Cover.

While I really prefer the all aluminum look as opposed to the vinyl covered aluminum, the vinyl covered aluminum is probably more water tight. The BAK X4S is a roll up with out a canister, but it has a vinyl cover on it and you have to open your tailgate to release the cover.

Options are limited. There just isn't a product on the market right now that checks all the boxes for me. I guess I'm stuck with my Roll N Lock until something better comes out.

Good luck. Let us know what you decide.

blkbeastygmc20 · December 20, 2022

9 hours ago, Mossyoakglock said:

Do you have the M-Series or A-Series? You mentioned it leaked through the slates so it sounds like you have the A-Series.

I had the RetraxPro on my 2008 and it also leaked through the individual slates. Plus, the canister is rather large. It's hangs down 12" where the Roll N Lock is around 7.5". Retrax had to warranty 3 covers for leaking the same way. I didn't mind having a pull-strap on my old Pace Edwards so it wasn't bad. Sometimes having to manually walk the Retrax open was a pain in tight parking lots so having a cover that retracts automatically will be nice.

I looked at the American Roll Cover but I don't want to drill four holes in the bed for the drain tubes, especially by the tailgate.

In all with bed space I went without the canister and the sentry roll up , it works for me and allows me to add the Putco Venture Tec Rack https://www.putco.com/product-category/racks-carriers/series/venture-tec/, it allows me to have full use of my short bed and have a strong cover. And at the end it is easy to completely remove without any issues when I need to place a large package in the bed. But it is truly to your taste, what make you look at your ride and enjoy the look your trying.

Mossyoakglock · December 20, 2022

17 hours ago, Jethro71 said:

I have the A-Series XT.

The Retrax canister *is* quite a bit bigger than the Roll N Lock, that's why I chose the Roll N Lock. I like the size of the Roll N Lock. I like the security it gives. I can live with the annoying strap if it just didn't leak so bad. I figured if the Retrax Pro was more water tight, it would be worth giving up the extra space, especially since the Retrax Pro now comes with a limited lifetime warranty. But if you're saying that the Retrax leaks just as bad as the Roll N Lock, then I don't know what else to do.

Yeah, I wasn't too keen on drilling more holes in my bed either for the American Roll Cover.

While I really prefer the all aluminum look as opposed to the vinyl covered aluminum, the vinyl covered aluminum is probably more water tight. The BAK X4S is a roll up with out a canister, but it has a vinyl cover on it and you have to open your tailgate to release the cover.

Options are limited. There just isn't a product on the market right now that checks all the boxes for me. I guess I'm stuck with my Roll N Lock until something better comes out.

Good luck. Let us know what you decide.

I was the same way and like how the aluminum covers look. With the Retrax, there was a rubber seal between each slat but that is where it leaked from. Once I got the one-piece polycarbonate cover, it was pretty much water-tight since it did not have any point to leak from on the cover itself. It was a solid piece of polycarbonate, not vinyl over aluminum.

On the Roll N Lock A-Series, I thought it was a solid piece between the hinge and the aluminum slat but based on your explanation, that's not the case.

Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be a cover that 100% checks all the boxes without giving up something. I considered a colormatched topper for a bit since I never carry anything tall in the truck (I have access to a trailer for the bigger things). It's mostly things for home projects, hunting gear or vacation stuff for when we head down to the beach.

Jethro71 · December 22, 2022

On 12/19/2022 at 11:07 PM, blkbeastygmc20 said:

In all with bed space I went without the canister and the sentry roll up , it works for me and allows me to add the Putco Venture Tec Rack https://www.putco.com/product-category/racks-carriers/series/venture-tec/, it allows me to have full use of my short bed and have a strong cover. And at the end it is easy to completely remove without any issues when I need to place a large package in the bed. But it is truly to your taste, what make you look at your ride and enjoy the look your trying.

That looks very similar to the BAK Revolver X4S. I considered that, but again, I wasn't really a fan of the vinyl over the aluminum. But I can see how some would find that appealing. I do like the flat profile and the fact you can remove it fairly easily.

Mossyoakglock · December 22, 2022

I ended up ordering a Roll N Lock M-Series for Real Truck. Got an additional discount and free shipping. It checks more of the boxes that the other covers. I would have liked to get the A-Series but it was previously mentioned it's possible to leak between the individual panels. I wash the truck weekly and it isn't much additional work to throw some cleaner/conditioner on the vinyl after a wash. Plus the truck is garage kept so it won't be exposed to the elements as if it was parked outside.

Now I just need to find a good vinyl cleaner/conditioner for it.

Dirk13 · December 24, 2022

On 12/19/2022 at 10:31 AM, Mossyoakglock said:

The Undercover is out as well. I don't want or like a cover that props up against the window like that.

I previously had a Bakflip which I hated. It leaked something awful and the seals started separating within a week. But, I really didn't like how it blocked the rear window, plus it was pretty flimsy.

I know you already bought a cover. But just to set the record straight. The Undercover Flex, ultraflex, and armorflex don’t sit against the cab/window when open. There are two prop rods that hold It vertical.