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Bakflip refuses to sell the weakest, easily replaceable rubber hinge of their tonneau cover? What are my options?

cautious optimist
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cautious optimist Enthusiast

cautious optimist

Posted
Posted

TL;DL - Does anyone have a solution or a generic part to fix the Bakflip rubber hinge between the panels? Mine failed and Bakflip refuses to sell the part. 

 

The long story:

My recent truck purchase included a REV industries tonneau cover. Shortly after purchase I noticed the back panel rubber hinge was split in two. I tried to find parts and I found many parts for this cover, but not the rubber hinge. I couldn't find any contact info. for REV industries. I contacted the dealer, and they informed me that REV industries is now Bakflip. All I could find for Bakflip was an e-mail address, so I wrote them. Went about my work and realized a few weeks later that they never responded. I sent another message. Crickets. At this point the side seals are ripping because they carry all the force involved in flipping these covers.

I noticed today that Realtruck.com sells this cover so I called them to see if they could order parts. I soon learned that they own Bakflip. They offered to replace the side seals, but they said they don't sell the panel hinge rubber. When I pushed back he claimed they require special glues and lubricants to install and they are not field serviceable. He said the only thing they can do is give me a discount on a whole new cover? 🤔🤨🙄

After the call I went out and in literally 10 seconds I removed the hinge seal. It slid right out as I imagined it would. There is no evidence of lubricants and glues in those seals. Now I'm furious about this whole endeavor. I feel lied to. I feel scammed. I've spent roughly 5-6 hours searching the internet and e-mailing a company that won't publish a phone number and won't return e-mails. I have to be gingerly careful opening my cover, which I need to do multiple times a day, yet the problem is just getting worse. The longer this goes the more frustrated I get. 

 

So my question is: Does anyone have a generic solution that isn't rubber tape (I found that video on YouTube) to replace these hinges? 
 

Passenger side 1.jpg

Passenger's side 2.jpg

N715DP Enthusiast

N715DP

Posted
Posted

I have the same cover, it's a POS that doesn't even fit the bed box correctly, I get leaks at all four corners... if it hadn't come on the truck, when I bought it CPO, I'd have fought tooth an nail for my money back.  

  • 2 weeks later...
cautious optimist Enthusiast

cautious optimist

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On 5/17/2025 at 6:48 AM, silveradosid said:

try taking a picture of the profile and let google search the image, you might find the company that makes it

Great suggestion. I did this, but sadly it did not turn up anything. I've searched for hours trying to find a solution. There doesn't appear to be one. I will never buy a Bakflip. I don't recommend them. This is a rather rational part to sell. It's obvious they won't sell it hoping to sell more covers, but they will only end up selling their competitors covers. 

cautious optimist Enthusiast

cautious optimist

Posted
  • Author
Posted (edited)

I've given up on Bakflip. They refuse to sell this part. They refuse to reply to a single e-mail and I've sent many. As such I refuse to ever buy their products again. My growing business needs trucks with bed covers. I won't put a single bakflip on any truck I have. I probably won't ever source parts from realtruck.com seeing as they own Bakflip. The time and energy I have spent on trying to solve such a simple issue won't be easily forgotten. 

Edited by cautious optimist
  • 3 weeks later...
parthery Enthusiast

parthery

Posted
Posted

I think I responded to a similar post of yours on another forum...in any event the rubber hinges are not field servicable as you found out.  When they go, the only fix is to replace the cover.  If it's under warranty they will send you a brand new one.  If it's out of warranty, as you found out, you are screwed.  As you also have found out, BAK, Undercover, Extang, Gator, Rev/Realtruck Advantage, etc... are all part of Realtruck.

 

I picked up a Leer HFM650 and as soon as it cools off and I have 30 minutes I'm going to install it.  Their design used four panels instead of 3 and they are lighter weight and easier to fold.  They also don't use drain tubes, but instead use double seals to keep the water out.  It's smartly put together.  I had one on a previous vehicle and the only downside to it was the second of 4 panels doesn't come with a latch.  In my case, it vibrated up and down at interstate speeds.  Not sure if it's a design flaw or was just an installation or cover issue on that vehicle but I'm curious to see what happens.  For what it's worth, Leer's CS is fine once you get to the right person.

JP642 Enthusiast

JP642

Posted
Posted

Brian - I found a post on a f-150 forum. The guy had the same issue and found a hail damaged one on FB marketplace and raided the hinges. He asked BAK/Real Truck which other models used the same hinge to know what to models to search - better than going in the dumpster

  • Like 1
parthery Enthusiast

parthery

Posted
Posted (edited)

I asked Bak CS about the hinges at some point and the answer I got from them is it's a liability issue.  If the hinge is installed incorrectly the cover can pull loose at highway speeds and strike the vehicle behind.  Their position is any time a rubber hinge fails under warranty the entire cover gets replaced.  That's their call.

 

I installed the Leer last night and so far so good.  It wasn't any lighter though, when I went to set it on the rails.  Do need to do a little adjusting as I got some water in from the corner when I went through the car wash.

 

 

IMG_1232.jpg

IMG_1233.jpg

Edited by parthery
  • 1 month later...
cautious optimist Enthusiast

cautious optimist

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On 6/26/2025 at 5:54 AM, parthery said:

I think I responded to a similar post of yours on another forum...in any event the rubber hinges are not field servicable as you found out.  When they go, the only fix is to replace the cover.  If it's under warranty they will send you a brand new one.  If it's out of warranty, as you found out, you are screwed.  As you also have found out, BAK, Undercover, Extang, Gator, Rev/Realtruck Advantage, etc... are all part of Realtruck.

 

I picked up a Leer HFM650 and as soon as it cools off and I have 30 minutes I'm going to install it.  Their design used four panels instead of 3 and they are lighter weight and easier to fold.  They also don't use drain tubes, but instead use double seals to keep the water out.  It's smartly put together.  I had one on a previous vehicle and the only downside to it was the second of 4 panels doesn't come with a latch.  In my case, it vibrated up and down at interstate speeds.  Not sure if it's a design flaw or was just an installation or cover issue on that vehicle but I'm curious to see what happens.  For what it's worth, Leer's CS is fine once you get to the right person.

Thank you. I'll look into that brand. Lighter weight would be great. My wife and kids can't unfold my cover when it's all folded up. 

cautious optimist Enthusiast

cautious optimist

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On 6/26/2025 at 6:40 PM, JP642 said:

Brian - I found a post on a f-150 forum. The guy had the same issue and found a hail damaged one on FB marketplace and raided the hinges. He asked BAK/Real Truck which other models used the same hinge to know what to models to search - better than going in the dumpster

Great suggestion. I looked a bit on Facebook and other local classifieds. People still want $500+ for used ones where I'm at. I guess that would get me 5 hinges, but still that's a steep price.

cautious optimist Enthusiast

cautious optimist

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On 6/27/2025 at 6:33 AM, parthery said:

I asked Bak CS about the hinges at some point and the answer I got from them is it's a liability issue.  If the hinge is installed incorrectly the cover can pull loose at highway speeds and strike the vehicle behind.  Their position is any time a rubber hinge fails under warranty the entire cover gets replaced.  That's their call.

 

I installed the Leer last night and so far so good.  It wasn't any lighter though, when I went to set it on the rails.  Do need to do a little adjusting as I got some water in from the corner when I went through the car wash.

 

 

IMG_1232.jpg

IMG_1233.jpg

NICE! That looks good. I agree with Bakflip about it being a liability issue. I was freaked out going down the freeway hoping the air wouldn't catch under it and send that back panel flying. I finally "fixed" it for now with some black gorilla tape just because I was fearful it would go flying. I need something to protect my tools so taking it off wasn't a good option either. The Gorilla tape has held up longer than I expected. It's not my first choice, but until I solve whether to get a Smartcap or another Tonneau, it will get me by. 

parthery Enthusiast

parthery

Posted
Posted (edited)

I like the Leer but I can't get it adjusted without the second panel from the tailgate vibrating at interstate speeds.  

 

Realtruck has redesigned the BAK MX4 with new rails, clamps and supposedly a better locking system.  I'm curious enough to see how well it works that I have one on order.  Unfortunately, Realtruck has a supplier issue and all of their hard trifolds are backordered (Extang, Undercover, BAK etc...) so I'm not sure when I will get it.

Edited by parthery
  • 3 weeks later...
parthery Enthusiast

parthery

Posted
Posted

Leer sent me a replacement HF650M.  Installed it last night and IT DOESN'T VIBRATE ON THE INTERSTATE!

 

I'm not sure if I got a dud the first time, or if they may a design change.  This one shipped from Elkhart IN to me whereas the other ones came from Arlington TX. 


 

  • Like 1
  • 2 months later...
JP642 Enthusiast

JP642

Posted
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Brian - I have an Undercover Armor Flex that has now just developed the same split on the side seal at the hinge point. I just talked to RealTruck/Under Cover and they have a side seal replacement kit that they sell for $26. Mine is being covered under the 5-year warranty. Not sure if it is the same seal specifics as yours, but worth a call to them again to try and see if fits yours.

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