THE BEST RETRACTABLE cover in here!
I also think Ive changed my mind about the roll n lock.. this cover seems to have better reviews all around. Ive been looking around for the best prices for the past 30 minutes. 
I guess im taking into consideration that Im going to be LINE X ing my bed as well. so Im thinking of that cost also.. I figured since im going to be installing a nice cover, might as well do it right the first time.
I guess im taking into consideration that Im going to be LINE X ing my bed as well. so Im thinking of that cost also.. I figured since im going to be installing a nice cover, might as well do it right the first time. 
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Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2001
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From: MA
I just installed mine tonight, and here are my initial observations...
Delivery...it came freight, and I had a 8hr window where I had to be home to meet the driver. He showed within 15 minutes of the end of that window. Typical, but still made me angry! (This was ordered from Autoanything.com)
Packaging...10 out of 10. No damage, no lost/missing parts
Instructions 2 out of 10. I opened everything up, and read the instructions the night before install. They seemed very detailed with lots of pictures, but I was lost, and thought I just needed to see all the parts laid out in front of me and it would all make sense. It didnt. The pictures didn't help. The instructions were over detailed, but missed the point. Either written by a guy in the shop who knows how to install them with his eyes closed but not explain it, or written by a guy at the factory who know how its supposed to be done, but never done it.
Initial quality 10/10 The product far exceeds anything I could have asked for! Looks and feels well built with attention to detail. Should last as long as my truck.
Ease of use 7/10 Its pretty easy, but pulls a little heavy (spring pressure) It feels like if you let go of the strap it would retract at light speed, smashing the canister and end up in the cab of the truck! Like an industrial garage door I guess. (Oh, auto anything didn't offer the optional quick release handle, wich I think would be great, so I'm going to either make one, or see if I can get one from the factory)
Looks 9/10. Great. Nothing else to say. Looks great on my work/play/all purpose truck, but would look just as good on a smooth sport truck. I said 9/10 only because the lock mechinism could be a tiny bit smoother/smaller, but overall I'm very excited with it.
Overall 9/10 I'm very happy with it. The price hurts, but seems its a classic case of, you get what you pay for. I only wish I had a brand new truck, since my truck is an 06, I won't get to enjoy the full life of the truck with the cover. I would say, if you have the money, and plan on keeping your truck for a couple years or more, this is a great product!
Delivery...it came freight, and I had a 8hr window where I had to be home to meet the driver. He showed within 15 minutes of the end of that window. Typical, but still made me angry! (This was ordered from Autoanything.com)
Packaging...10 out of 10. No damage, no lost/missing parts
Instructions 2 out of 10. I opened everything up, and read the instructions the night before install. They seemed very detailed with lots of pictures, but I was lost, and thought I just needed to see all the parts laid out in front of me and it would all make sense. It didnt. The pictures didn't help. The instructions were over detailed, but missed the point. Either written by a guy in the shop who knows how to install them with his eyes closed but not explain it, or written by a guy at the factory who know how its supposed to be done, but never done it.
Initial quality 10/10 The product far exceeds anything I could have asked for! Looks and feels well built with attention to detail. Should last as long as my truck.
Ease of use 7/10 Its pretty easy, but pulls a little heavy (spring pressure) It feels like if you let go of the strap it would retract at light speed, smashing the canister and end up in the cab of the truck! Like an industrial garage door I guess. (Oh, auto anything didn't offer the optional quick release handle, wich I think would be great, so I'm going to either make one, or see if I can get one from the factory)
Looks 9/10. Great. Nothing else to say. Looks great on my work/play/all purpose truck, but would look just as good on a smooth sport truck. I said 9/10 only because the lock mechinism could be a tiny bit smoother/smaller, but overall I'm very excited with it.
Overall 9/10 I'm very happy with it. The price hurts, but seems its a classic case of, you get what you pay for. I only wish I had a brand new truck, since my truck is an 06, I won't get to enjoy the full life of the truck with the cover. I would say, if you have the money, and plan on keeping your truck for a couple years or more, this is a great product!
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,042
Likes: 1
From: Clemson, SC
Great initial review! I think you'll be as happy with yours as I am with mine. 
Sure they do, but it's hidden underneath the "Add to Cart" button.
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Senior Member
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From: MA
Pfffffffff!!!!!!! I did the "live chat" with an expert, and he said they didnt offer it!!! Dohhhh! Hey, would you mind posting a pic or it, or trying to explain how it works, so I could try making one? I can see when you push those little bars in, they latch, holding the locks open, but can't see how the handle thingy would attach/work.
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,603
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From: cypress tx
I've had the American Roll Cover for over a year and a half without any complaints. I even had the latch mechanism (one that resets the lock) bent. It was my fault that it bent, but Truck Covers USA replaced the entire locking mechanism free of charge! Great product and great customer service.
I haven't had any problems with water leaking in, any rattling, or anything of that sort. The keyless opening latch is worth the money, as I haven't used my key since I bought the cover. Instead I just lock the tailgate. It's been very cold the last few weeks (well below freezing), but it still opens without any issues.
Here are some older pictures, but you get the idea. Very low-profile cover, especially when open. The canister is so thin I've had people not even realize I had a cover when it's retracted.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTj5X1c9ISI
I haven't had any problems with water leaking in, any rattling, or anything of that sort. The keyless opening latch is worth the money, as I haven't used my key since I bought the cover. Instead I just lock the tailgate. It's been very cold the last few weeks (well below freezing), but it still opens without any issues.
Here are some older pictures, but you get the idea. Very low-profile cover, especially when open. The canister is so thin I've had people not even realize I had a cover when it's retracted.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTj5X1c9ISI
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,745
Likes: 1
From: Texas
The cover is spring loaded and locks every 12 inches. To release it, turn the key. Turning the key is rather inconvenient, so the "keyless entry" is a cord that you pull to release it instead of turning the key.
Fort Worth
Fort Worth
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,042
Likes: 1
From: Clemson, SC
Pfffffffff!!!!!!! I did the "live chat" with an expert, and he said they didnt offer it!!! Dohhhh! Hey, would you mind posting a pic or it, or trying to explain how it works, so I could try making one? I can see when you push those little bars in, they latch, holding the locks open, but can't see how the handle thingy would attach/work.
Yep....the BedRug and ARC have been the best functional purchases I have made for my truck.
Based on what I saw from installing it, I don't believe so. It clamps to the underside of the bed rails, so any damage caused by clamping will be out of sight.
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Senior Member
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From: MA
No worries, I don't check here that often anymore anyway. (Its winter, I'm on snowmobile forums now!!!!) Anyway, I also wanted to add some more thoughts after a highway trip.
Noise....I was very worried that this cover would rattle in the wind on the highway. After driving a couple hundred miles at 50-90mph, I gotta say, I'm pretty impressed. with windows closed it is perfectly silent. With the rear slider open, you can hear a slight rattle at high speeds, but I'm pretty picky, and it wasn't enough to make me shut the window. Even my dog is pretty nosey/inquizative(He notices every new ornimant we put on our Christmas tree!), and if it made any kind of noise, he would have been trying to climb out the slider to see whats going on, but he didn't care less!
Noise....I was very worried that this cover would rattle in the wind on the highway. After driving a couple hundred miles at 50-90mph, I gotta say, I'm pretty impressed. with windows closed it is perfectly silent. With the rear slider open, you can hear a slight rattle at high speeds, but I'm pretty picky, and it wasn't enough to make me shut the window. Even my dog is pretty nosey/inquizative(He notices every new ornimant we put on our Christmas tree!), and if it made any kind of noise, he would have been trying to climb out the slider to see whats going on, but he didn't care less!