OK, I've sifted through a ton of posts some new some old about retractable covers with mixed results. How about this being the end all post about wich is best? (Maybe make it sticky, mods?)

Lets have your real world experiance with covers, good or bad. Please no bashing, just what you liked or didn't like about your cover. How well built? How strong? How weather resistant? DID IT RATTLE?? Did it last a long time?


Personally, I'm torn between the American Roll Cover, by truck covers USA, and the Bak cover. For the price I'm tempted to go with the BAK, as they both seem similar.

Thanks,
Aaron

 

My vote: American Roll Cover.

ARC has a lock, Bak does not, so you have to open your tailgate to open the cover.
ARC covers a portion of your tailgate (about 1/4", maybe 3/8"), Bak does not (only an ugly rubber bulb fits agains the tailgate inner wall.)
If you care: ARC is double walled aluminum and can take over 500 lbs, Bak is not and can take 400 lbs.

Only possible "con" to ARC: Takes 4 train tubes instead of the typical 2. Must drill two 1.25" holes beneath the rear stake pockets. But, the cover comes with rubber grommets, so it looks nice.

 

Great info!

Anyone else? Might order one tonight....

 

ive been looking at the roll n lock.. seems to have great reviews, but very pricey...

 

had a roll n lock for 5 yrs
was great at first; the side gaskets btwn the sliding line gate and the track mechanism started to leak, and the drain in the box enclosure were to small clogging with small tree leaves and else. From time to time I needed to open the box enclosure to clean debri from inside the box other wise it pool with water that was track inside the bed as one closes / roll out the cover in place; therefore, anything inside the bed will get drip wet...

 

I will like to install the Bak Flip F1 hard cover on my F150 truck; does ony one has feed back on the matter?

Does Bak Flip covers stand to the weather?

 

The RollNLock is vinyl laminated aluminum. If you want the vinyl to not fade, you have to apply some sort of UV protectorant (Just Once, 303, etc.). The cover has a tailgate piece that requires drilling 4 or 5 holes in your tailgate.

I'm not a big fan of Bak products. But, the F1's top panel is fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP) and the bottom panel is aluminum. FRP is a good thing, pretty darn tough, won't dent like aluminum, and won't fade like powdercoated aluminum. The seals on the covers are rather flimsy though. Bak told me that the seals on the Ford OEM Bakflip (aluminum panels) are thicker.

 

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

 

Great pics and vid! Probably the best cover on the market right there folks!

A few more pics of the TCUSA cover.

 

Mine'll be here next week! Thanks for the info guys!

 

Awesome! Be sure to do a review thread as there aren't a lot of us with the ARC.


One tip for installation is to be patient. It takes a little while but it's easier with a friend.

 

Can you have a below the rails toolbox with the retractable covers like the ARC?

 

Not really. Better to use one or two SwingCases from Undercover.

 

hmm. the ARC looks nice.. pricey too..

 

It is, but it's the best purchase I've made for my truck. It essentially turned my bed into a big trunk. When retracted, though, I still have the capability to haul stuff around taller than the bed. I've been nothing but happy with the purchase.