Tonneau cover and power retract step suggestions.

Trotorx2 · September 2, 2023

I've been a member here for years but stepped away after my 2006 was totaled and I decided to just stay with a stock truck. I recently bought a 2023 Silverado 1500 LTZ short bed and I'm looking for a roll up bed cover and power retractable steps. I've never had either of those so that's why I'm here asking for opinions.

I've been looking at either the Truck Covers USA or the Roll N Lock for covers. With the tiny bed I don't want a big box taking up space. If there is a fold up that is a better option let me know as I'm still open to suggestions. This truck will sit out in the weather so one that doesn't leak bad is also good.

As far as the steps go I guess there is only one brand AMP Research. I see there are a few different part number steps that are supposed to fit this truck. Is there a difference between them and has anyone that has them had any issues? How well do they hold up in wet weather over the long haul?

Poopster · September 3, 2023

6 hours ago, Trotorx2 said:

I've been a member here for years but stepped away after my 2006 was totaled and I decided to just stay with a stock truck. I recently bought a 2023 Silverado 1500 LTZ short bed and I'm looking for a roll up bed cover and power retractable steps. I've never had either of those so that's why I'm here asking for opinions.

I've been looking at either the Truck Covers USA or the Roll N Lock for covers. With the tiny bed I don't want a big box taking up space. If there is a fold up that is a better option let me know as I'm still open to suggestions. This truck will sit out in the weather so one that doesn't leak bad is also good.

As far as the steps go I guess there is only one brand AMP Research. I see there are a few different part number steps that are supposed to fit this truck. Is there a difference between them and has anyone that has them had any issues? How well do they hold up in wet weather over the long haul?

I have these on my truck and love them. I just installed them so I cannot say how well they will hold up in the NY winters.

Here: Aries® - 3.3" ActionTrac™ Retractable Black Running Boards (carid.com)

repairman54 · September 3, 2023

Power boards in the south should be no problem. I had OEM power boards on my '11 Tahoe. As a snowmobiler in the NYS Adirondacks they would freeze up with frozen slush on them in 20F and lower weather. And had to use TriFlow lubricant to keep them moving free as salt and sand would creep into the pivot points during the winter.

No power boards for me in snow country.

PureZ71 · September 3, 2023

Here are the two that I have. Here in Seattle, these both hold up to the rain (and snow) really well. I'd suggesting getting them from RealTruck as you can enter in your exact vehicle information and it will pull up the exact part number that you'll need.

AMP Research PowerStep Xtreme Running Boards | RealTruck.com

RetraxPRO XR Tonneau Cover | RealTruck.com

Trotorx2 · September 3, 2023

17 hours ago, Poopster said:

I have these on my truck and love them. I just installed them so I cannot say how well they will hold up in the NY winters.

Here: Aries® - 3.3" ActionTrac™ Retractable Black Running Boards (carid.com)

Thanks for the reply, those look strong but I think I like the flush fit steps better.

Trotorx2 · September 3, 2023

3 hours ago, PureZ71 said:

Here are the two that I have. Here in Seattle, these both hold up to the rain (and snow) really well. I'd suggesting getting them from RealTruck as you can enter in your exact vehicle information and it will pull up the exact part number that you'll need.

AMP Research PowerStep Xtreme Running Boards | RealTruck.com

RetraxPRO XR Tonneau Cover | RealTruck.com

How big is the canister on this cover? With this small bed I'm starting to worry about the lost space. After reading more about the Truck Cover USA one I'm not liking the drilling big holes in the bed.

Poopster · September 3, 2023

11 minutes ago, Trotorx2 said:

Thanks for the reply, those look strong but I think I like the flush fit steps better.

I like that the AMP steps are 6" wide, but I chose the 2-step application.

PureZ71 · September 4, 2023

20 hours ago, Trotorx2 said:

How big is the canister on this cover? With this small bed I'm starting to worry about the lost space. After reading more about the Truck Cover USA one I'm not liking the drilling big holes in the bed.

Its not too big. I'll try to remember to measure it next time I'm out there.

Poopster · September 4, 2023

1 hour ago, PureZ71 said:

Its not too big. I'll try to remember to measure it next time I'm out there.

Do you mind if I ask how much that cover was?

Steve-2019 · September 4, 2023

32 minutes ago, Poopster said:

Do you mind if I ask how much that cover was?

In the link he posted above, it shows to be $2,299.99

Jethro71 · September 8, 2023

On 9/2/2023 at 1:26 PM, Trotorx2 said:

I've been a member here for years but stepped away after my 2006 was totaled and I decided to just stay with a stock truck. I recently bought a 2023 Silverado 1500 LTZ short bed and I'm looking for a roll up bed cover and power retractable steps. I've never had either of those so that's why I'm here asking for opinions.

I've been looking at either the Truck Covers USA or the Roll N Lock for covers. With the tiny bed I don't want a big box taking up space. If there is a fold up that is a better option let me know as I'm still open to suggestions. This truck will sit out in the weather so one that doesn't leak bad is also good.

As far as the steps go I guess there is only one brand AMP Research. I see there are a few different part number steps that are supposed to fit this truck. Is there a difference between them and has anyone that has them had any issues? How well do they hold up in wet weather over the long haul?

I struggled with the exact same issue last year. I was trying to decide between Roll-N-Lock Truck Covers USA, and Retrax Pro. Like you, I did not want to give up a lot of space in my truck bed to a canister. I finally decided on the Roll-N-Lock. Here's why. Roll-N-Lock has one of the smallest canisters on the market. It's only 7 1/4" high x 9" deep. It looks good and is reliable. I wasn't too thrilled about the strap at first, but it has grown on me and I don't mind it so much now. My biggest complaint is that it leaks (especially in the corners) more than I would like.

I looked seriously at Truck Covers USA's American Roll Cover as well. Their canister is one of the smallest as well at 8" x 8" and they're American made. I decided against the American Roll Cover for 2 reasons. 1. You must remove the grab handle in the back of the truck in order to install the cover. 2. You are supposed to drill 2 more holes in your truck for drains and I didn't want to do that either.

I also looked at the Retrax Pro. The Retrax Pro is really popular with many truck owners around where I live. I really liked its looks and the way the cover works and locks, however, they have one of the largest canisters on the market. It's 12" x 12". I just couldn't bring myself to put a canister that big in the back of my truck. I have spoken with several owners of Retrax Pros and have mixed reviews on how well it keeps water out. Some say they hardly get a drop of water in the bed of their truck, while others said theirs leaks like a sieve.

There is a fourth cover you might want to look into- the BAK Revolver X4s. There is no canister, so it doesn't take up any space in the bed of your truck. I have read that it does a good job of keeping the water out as well. I didn't choose the Revolver X4s because I was looking for an all-aluminum cover. The X4s is vinyl covered aluminum. Also, the X4s is either completely open, or completely closed. You can't open part way like the other covers.

AMP Research retractable steps were one of the first things I installed on my '21 Sierra 1500 AT4. They work well and have been very reliable so far. AMP has several different models available. The PowerStep is the basic model and the one I have. I have been very happy with it and it works exactly the way I need it too. The PowerStep Smart Series allows you to operate the steps and lights independently via their app if you want to. The PowerStepXL drops down 3" lower than the basic Power Step. The XL is marketed towards trucks that are lifted. Finally, the PowerStep Xtreme is for those whose truck operate in extreme and challenging conditions. It comes with 2 motors on each side to operate the steps. I don't think it is wet weather you need to worry about. It's more snowy and icy conditions that should concern you. My biggest complaint about AMP Research is that they don't offer a wheel-to-wheel model.

This got a little longer than I originally intended, but I hope it helps. Good luck and let me know if you have any other questions.

MrMagloo · September 8, 2023

Just wanted to chime in and say that was a great run down Jethro. When I was buying my new RST, I was originally looking at a one of the canister covers. My buddy had one, and liked it alot, so I was initially leaning that way. But when I saw the bed loss on a short bed, and of course the price tag, I opted for the Revolver X4. Yes, the fact that you cannot open part way is a fact, but hasn't really been an issue. I am a little concerned about how that vinyl layer is going to look in a few years of sitting in the sun, but so far it looks great. Overall, for the price, if bed space is important, it's a real good option, fwiw.

Transient · September 9, 2023

I have a Retrax with the plastic cover. No water issues, but hate the noise. It rattles a lot while driving down the road. With that said, my experience may be unique due to my setup. I have the GM Accessories sport bar and Valhalla Offroad MOLLE panels installed on my truck. Both interfere with the Retrax cover. I had to modify the side rails for the sport bar and fight for mounting locations with the MOLLE panels. I did look at the Roll N Lock cover, but had to cross it off my list because it mounts using 2 points inside the bed wall where rubber plugs are mounted by the factory. That same location is also utilized by the sport bar for installation. If I were to do it again I'd get the aluminum Retrax cover.

If you want to save some money I recommend the trifold hard cover from Rough Country. It worked just fine for me until I upgraded to the Retrax. No water issues. Simple install, and easy to remove of you end up needing more be space. The downside is only 2 of the 3 panels open. It's only 2 quick knobs to remove the cover once it's open. It does take a few more minutes to reinstall correctly, but still very easy. It did an excellent job keeping water out.

Jethro71 · September 9, 2023

11 hours ago, Transient said:

I have a Retrax with the plastic cover. No water issues, but hate the noise. It rattles a lot while driving down the road. With that said, my experience may be unique due to my setup. I have the GM Accessories sport bar and Valhalla Offroad MOLLE panels installed on my truck. Both interfere with the Retrax cover. I had to modify the side rails for the sport bar and fight for mounting locations with the MOLLE panels. I did look at the Roll N Lock cover, but had to cross it off my list because it mounts using 2 points inside the bed wall where rubber plugs are mounted by the factory. That same location is also utilized by the sport bar for installation. If I were to do it again I'd get the aluminum Retrax cover.

If you want to save some money I recommend the trifold hard cover from Rough Country. It worked just fine for me until I upgraded to the Retrax. No water issues. Simple install, and easy to remove of you end up needing more be space. The downside is only 2 of the 3 panels open. It's only 2 quick knobs to remove the cover once it's open. It does take a few more minutes to reinstall correctly, but still very easy. It did an excellent job keeping water out.

Good point Transient. I forgot to mention the Tri-Fold covers. I personally didn't consider them because when they are opened, they completely block your rear window and I wasn't too keen on that. But, if that doesn't bother you, then tri-folds are a great option as they have a clean look, many of them are extremely strong and durable, they don't take up any space in your bed when they are open, they are very secure, and they do a good job of keeping the water out. Since I didn't research any of them though, I can't speak to the specific features and quality of the specific brands and models.

Transient · September 10, 2023

22 hours ago, Jethro71 said:

Good point Transient. I forgot to mention the Tri-Fold covers. I personally didn't consider them because when they are opened, they completely block your rear window and I wasn't too keen on that. But, if that doesn't bother you, then tri-folds are a great option as they have a clean look, many of them are extremely strong and durable, they don't take up any space in your bed when they are open, they are very secure, and they do a good job of keeping the water out. Since I didn't research any of them though, I can't speak to the specific features and quality of the specific brands and models.

The Rough Country trifold doesn't block your view out the back window. Only 2 portions fold open. To open the 3rd you need to untwist 2 knobs and remove the entire tonneau.

Edited September 10, 2023 by Transient