A serious word of caution to those of you who own BakFlip Tonneau covers...
Today while traveling from Abilene,TX to Amarillo,TX my BakFlip cover was blown completely off the truck, nearly removing one bed rail cap and ripping the sheet metal.
I was traveling on Hwy 83 at 65-70mph. Winds were 15 gusting to 25 and varying from a direct cross wind to just off the right front fender. All of a sudden there was a loud BOOM and I looked in the rear view mirror just quick enough to see my tonneau cover go flying into the highway median. The view reminded me of scenes when a hurricane or tornado tears a roof off a house.
I was able to stop and turn around to retrieve the damaged bits and pieces. I didn't think to take pictures but now wish I had. Those familiar with the BF know that rails are clamped to your bed rails. The cover sits in these rails and is held in place primarily by two bolts w/wing nuts right behind the cab, one on each bedrail.
I can't be certain but it appears that what happened is the wing nut on the right (passenger side) bed rail mount vibrated loose and fell off. (I rarely put anything in the bed so I seldom open and close the cover - except for the pice just at the tailgate - for me it's an appearance item only, so I'm sure this wasn't human error.) This apparently then allowed the high winds to get under the cover until enough force built up to rip it off. I say this because the right side BF rail is still on my truck in perfect condition. The cover was blown off, the left side rail blown off and twisted to 90 degrees, my driver side bed rail cap was peeled back from cab almost to the tail light and the point where the BF rail mounts near the cab, right behind the bed stake post, the sheet metal there was literally pulled up and torn about an inch and a half -- just like you were popping the top on a can.
Fortunately I was able to pop the plastic bed cap rail back into place, after some minor pounding to straighten the sheet metal, so there is no visible damage to the truck.
The cover is in two large pieces with three of the folding parts still joined, though seriously torqued, while the 4th piece broke away completely.
I don't recall where I purchased the BF - it was from an online dealer and I won't be home for another 3 weeks where I can search for them in my records. The cover was put on the truck around April of 08 and had performed fine until now. Again I don't recall but I'm guessing it has only a 1-year warranty and I suspect wind is considered an act of God so it's unlikely I have any recourse there ---- although the damned wing nut should not have come loose! Odds are I've just lost a $675 tonneau cover so I guess I'm in the market for a good, used replacement of some kind for a 6-1/2 ft bed on a 06 F150.
So... if you have a BakFlip by all means get into the habit of checking those wing nuts FREQUENTLY! Fortunately there were no other vehicles following me at the time.
Check your BakFlip cover today!!
Register today or sign-in to remove these ads!
Last edited by Smokin Lariat; 09-28-2009 at 07:48 PM.
Thanks for the warning. I'm considering one of these when I order my new truck sometime soon. Maybe a good idea to put a nylon nut on that instead of the wing nut.
Locktite is your friend. Either that or replace the wingnuts with locknuts.
The wingnuts are a selling feature of the BakFlip - so it can be removed easily and quickly - with or without 25mph winds! Locktite or locknuts a good idea for sure. I'll darn sure use some on my next tonneau!
I shared photos of the damaged cover and my story with BakFlip. While not accepting any responsibility (i.e product design - they say this has never happened before and there is now a question of whether my cover was installed with provided lock washers?) but BakFlip has offered to replace my tonneau with a brand new model they will be introducing in November and charge me only the shipping costs.
I've been a major proponent of BakFlip on this forum and continue to be. Prior to this incident the cover had performed flawlessly. I think their offer on my behalf is exceptionally fair and confirms my belief that I made the right choice in selecting BakFlip in the first place.
Still, if you have one of their covers, check those wing nuts and look for the lock washers they say are supplied with the units.
__________________
My other truck is a hot air balloon!
Well I was leaning toward a BakFlip for my new truck...now I'm sold.
What's this about a new model coming out in November?!?
Here's the info direct from the email I received from the company...
I would like to extend a personal offer to you to replace your
unit with our newest and best release of BakFlip cover which we will be
unveiling on November 4th 2009 at this years SEMA show in Las Vegas. It is a brand new BakFlip made from a combination of aluminum and FRP (fiberglass reinforced polymer), likely to be branded as BakFlip SD.
That's all I know so far. As a follow-up, the company rep, knowing I'm on a week long trip in Albuquerque, emailed me again saying they were going to go ahead and ship the cover to me so it will be waiting when I return home. I don't have to wait till the November debut. I'll post some pics once we get it installed. But I'll say again, I am impressed, no amazed, at this level of customer service. I'm sold on BakFlip!
Good thing nobody was behind you, that could of been real bad.
I've checked mine in the past and they've always been tight but better safe then sorry, I'll start checking them on a regular basis. I'm happy to hear Bak Ind. stepped up like they did, that's awesome.
nice to hear that BF took care of you. that's awesome!
__________________
2009 SCrew XLT 4x4, Tint, Black emblem overlays, Goodyear Wrangler Silent Armor Tires on ATX Predators,
Line-X, Bakflip HD Tonneau, Ruff 'N Tuff bed extender, Catch-all mats in front, Weathertech mat in back,
Magnaflow (16520) SIDO Dual Splits, Akebono ceramics front and back, Clifford 20.7x Remote Starter,
HD/Raptor Heads and Tails, Tailgate popper with EZ Down: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V85J6eKXfRo
Wow. I will be getting my new truck in early November and was seriously considering a BakFlip but now I am sold. That has to be the best example of quality customer service I have ever heard. Now my problem is that I am going to have to wait to get the new model
I am one of the workers at bak industries and would just like to say ur one lucky guy
the new bakflip SD is a big improvement of the recent HD version
The new SD has fiber glass top which is also better painted and gives it a glossy finish to the cover
Still has much of the same components as HD but SD is much stronger an comes with the same seals as the covers u get from REV
oh and be on a look out for a brand new redesigned running board it should be ready by november for SEMA
I am one of the workers at bak industries and would just like to say ur one lucky guy
the new bakflip SD is a big improvement of the recent HD version
The new SD has fiber glass top which is also better painted and gives it a glossy finish to the cover
Still has much of the same components as HD but SD is much stronger an comes with the same seals as the covers u get from REV
oh and be on a look out for a brand new redesigned running board it should be ready by november for SEMA
Great. When can we see pics and buy one? I have a new F150 and need an easy to access top that looks good.
This forum is owned and operated by Internet Brands, Inc., a Delaware corporation. It is not authorized or endorsed by the Ford Motor Company and is not affiliated with the Ford Motor Company or its related companies in any way. FordŽ is a registered trademark of the Ford Motor Company
Linear Mode
