OK guys ...... don't beat me up to bad or throw a bunch of rotten fruit at me but I've decided to go with an extang Solid Fold bed cover. I know there's tons of discussion on the BAKflip and I must admit they do look nice mounted down flush with the bed rail. However, and with a lot of agonizing research and sole searching and inspecting the mini demo setups at the local aftermarket supplier, I picked the Solid Fold for these reasons:

My rationale:[LIST][*]Easier/quicker to install/remove[*]Less parts to deal with (rails, clamps, shims, etc)[*]Don't have to mess with drain hoses and cutting access holes in anything[*]Looks to be smoother on top with less creases etc for dirt and dust to build up in making it easier to clean and maintain
(also comes with a 3 year warranty)


The only CON I can come up with is that it sits on top of the bed rail making it a little more visible.

It will probably be very rare that I would need to haul something where I needed the entire bed space and in that rare occasion I could just take the cover off with two hand *****.

Sooooo ... my bottom line question is who has the best price on them?

I have the 5.5 ft bed and my local supplier wants $820 for one plus $20 to install (yeah, I know, my 12 yr old could install it!) Any reccomendations will be greatly appreciated as I want to get this installed ASAP so I can get my BedRug installed also. Oh yeah, I've still got to work around the OEM Bed Extender and tail gate step with the assist handle.

 

$769.00 at Autoanything(.com)
I've bought from them before - they're reputable.

 

I went to truckaddons.com and called them for their lowest price on the top I picked out. Then called autoanything.com to tell them about the deal truckaddons was going to give me and they matched it. I got my Xtang RT cover for $340 shipped.

 

I see quite a few of the suppliers are offering 'freebee' stuff and also package deals if you purchase a Bedrug at the same time. I am in conversation with Bedrug right now getting the correct part number to order. I just found out that they now make a special molded tailgate cover to fit the ones with the step and assist handle built in. Debbie at Bedrug wrote:
Hello from Bedrug,

We do make a Bedrug for this application. The part number is a BRQ09SCSGK.
It is a molded part instead of a die cut part and has a zipper on it.

Regards,
Debbie Hall
BEDRUG INC
Customer Service Supervisor
800-462-8435 ext 238
615-847-0020 ext 238
615-847-5212

Hi,

The price is higher on this Bedrug; I would make sure they understand that you want the one with the step because the other one will still work if you cut the tailgate off. I think it is worth the extra money because the tailgate piece is molded to the contours of the tailgate. The zipper is there because it is a little tricky installing it around the bar, if you are going to be the one installing it, you will have to work with it a little to get it into place but I think you will be pleased with the fit once you get in installed.

We have not installed one with the bed extender but have had customers say that it works well.

 

I got my Extang Full Tilt Hinged soft cover from tonnocover.com. From pricing around a bit and checking out some brick and mortar stores, it was the best deal for me. Free shipping too. Only had to pay a $5 'handling fee'...

Mitch

 

Thanks Mitch,

I was all set to order this but out of curiosity I went to the tonocover.com web site and just happened to spot these orderint caveats, specifically the last one:

Order Notes
Trucks with bed liners: the Extang Solid Fold Tonneau Cover fits all sprayed-on and under-the-rail bed liners. The Solid Fold will not fit over-the-rail bed liners without cutting notches into the liner.
Trucks with bed caps: the Extang Solid Fold Tonneau Cover fits all factory and most non-factory plastic bed caps. The Solid Fold will not fit aluminum or stainless steel bed caps.
Trucks with flipping bed extenders: the Extang Solid Fold will not fit flipping bed extenders.

Nothing ever seems to be easy !

NOW, is there anyone who has the Solid-Fold installed on a 5.5 bed that could go out and measure the distance from the tail gate up to where the pull-down unlatching handles are located? I need to see where they are in relatin to my bed extender.

 

A little over 6". Also had to cut notches.

'10 XLT
SCrew/5.5' bed
Max Tow/Camera

 

Oh man! Sounds like bad news for me. I think if they're only 6" from the tailgate then my bed extender is definately going to interfere. The ,so called, Customer Service guy at extang was trying to tell me they were 16" to 18" from the tailgate. I wasn't quite believing him but didn't try to argue about it. Mue be he was measuring from the top of the tailgate when it was down :-)

I'm assuming you don't have the factory bed extender installed. What did you have to cut notches in?

 

Too bad about the Extang. Easy install. Like mine just fine, no water so far and been in rain and snow.

Notched plastic bed rail covers where the 4 cover clamps attach to the bed rails. The plastic overlaps the inside edge of the bed rail approx. 1/4". Kind of hard to put in words, but you don't do this the clamps aren't secure.

 

I need help. Does anyone out there have a 5.5 ft bed with the factory bed extender that have installed the extang Solid Fold bed cover?

I need to know how far below the top of the bed rail the latching handles hang down and also how far down they have to extend to latch or release the cover. I see that apparently extand is saying their Solid Fold won't work because of interference of the handles with the bed extender. That said, I visited a local installer and he thinks I have 1/2 inch to work with and that I can install the bed cover with my bed extender in place and still be able to open and close the rear cover. I need some accurate dimensions in order to make my decision. I don't want to have a $800 bed cover arrive and find out I can't use it. If it's unclear what I'm looking for I can post a photo.

HELP HELP HELP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh yeah, apparently the G4 Elite Fold-A-Cover does require drilling into the bed rails on the new Fords with the plastic rail covers. The installer said this wasn't required on the GM's. Being an engineer I don't understand why the folks at Fold-A-Cover couldn't have made their rail so that it folded over the edge of the bed rail so it could be clamped along the inside side of the rails.

 

The best bet is the BakFlip. It is an OEM Ford part and therefore is designed to work with all ford accessories including the bed extender. There's no drilling either.

 

I just received my Solid Fold in the mail. Nice unit. Quick to install. I paid 620.00 for a 6 1/2 foot from Truckaddons.com http://www.extangfactoryoutlet.com/e...olid-fold.html is the link. You have to call the 800 number to get the best price.