Truck Bed Covers

[hunterridgefarm]

At some point in the near future I need to buy some type of bed cover for my F250. I have looked at Roll-N-Lock retractable aluminum truck bed cover but that seems a little high on price.

Also thought about just a standard bed cover/camper shell. This would be easer to remove but I think the roll n lock would be more secure but limit the space available.

Does anyone have something similar on their truck?

 

[lutt]

I have a century fiberglass cover I like when needed, which is most of time hunting,fishing,camping, u get the idea. But it takes two people to take off the truck when I dont need it, such when I am off work helping on the farm.I do like the fact it hides the roadbox and other items I have for working on equipment. It locks, matches the truck, have never had water or snow get in the bed while it is on. The only thing is when I am home from work I travel gravel roads 90% of the time,those things will suck the dust right in,they do make truck specific rubber seal kits,but have no expierence with them.That being said,i wish I would have got something like what your looking at. Instant access to the bed when you need it. By the way, I dont know what your gonna spend,but these are anywhere between 1200 and 1500 hundred dollars now. LUTT

 

[ch47dpilot]

Friend had a roll-n-lock on her 6' bed, lost about 1 foot of the bed use. A 5 ft bed on a truck IMO is no longer a bed its more of a big trunk. I went with the simple vinyl cover. It's held on by velcro on the sides and snaps into the back. Its secure(as far as holding things in) but could easily be broken into with a knife. I bought it new with truck in 2003 and everything but the velcro is like new. Probably going to replace it this summer with similar type. I like the convenience of being able to remove(roll up) it quickly over a fiberglass and it takes up no room from bed like a roll-n-lock. It's not going to keep the thief out but it definable does the job against the weather. That's all I want it for mainly anyways. And anyways locks are only to keep the honest people honest, a thief will find a way in if they want to bad enough. I'd rather give them an easy way in(the tailgate) and have only stuff stolen than have them destroy the truck and steal my stuff.

 

[mikim]

I use a thing called a "bak-flip" It's a hard cover in sections that flip forward when you need to haul. Not cheap...but I've had it 2yrs and abused it pretty well and it's holding up well. Flipped all the way forward it folds up against the back window...or a couple of quick connects and you can put it in the back seat.

 

[dodge man]

I've had the roll and lock style in the past, but a different brand. I liked that sytle the best of all the ones I had.

I also had a Bak-Flip, which I like also. I liked it well also, its nice because it gets 100% out of the way of the bed, but covers up the rear glass in the process. Depending on what your are hauling, that might be a good thing as the cover would help protect your rear window.

I've had several different soft ones. They are O.K., but I've had some that were hard to get back on, some that didn't last very long. They are cheaper also, but I'd never get another one of the soft ones.

 

[hunterridgefarm]

I like the looks of the Bak-Flip. I need to see if there is a dealer close by so I can physically look at one.

 

[Highbeam]

On my 2000 F350 I installed a Lund soft cover I bought from summit racing. It was under 300$ and works just fine. Easy off, easy on, hides bed contents. What are you trying to accomplish?

I like the looks, the mpg, and hiding stuff int he bed. Out of sight, out of mind.

I'm not paying 1500$ just to cover the contents of my bed.

 

[hunterridgefarm]

What are you trying to accomplish?

I just want to secure contents in the bed. I would like something that locks. When we go to Lowes for instance and have several things in the bed of the truck if we stop at another store one of us has to stay in the truck while the other goes in the store. Or if we stop to get something to eat I have to park where I can see the truck. I know it will not be theif proof but it would be something that would slow them down.

I guess I did not realize these things were around $1000.00 more or less.

I don't really want a camper cover since I am always hauling stuff and I don't like the blind spots created by some.

 

[grnspot110]

I have an Extang "Solid Fold" on my 1/2 ton Chevy, along with a "Pop-N-Lock" on the tailgate. Cover folds or removes easily! I got it off Ebay, offered them $735 & they accepted it, about two years ago. ~~ grnspot

 

[bosshoss]

Extang "Solid Fold" :thumbsup:
Great product, easy on and easy off.

 

[mrmikey]

Ditto re the Bak Flip, Ford BakFlip G2 Tonneau Covers I've got one on my Ranger and it's convient and easy to use. You don't lose much bed space and if you have a locking tailgate, it's secure as you can't get to the release handle.
As for those sliding covers, a friend of mine had one an in snow , freezing rain etc it was really secure, you couldn't get it open till spring.
The vinyl snap on or velco fasterers, they shrink and are a pain to put on.
Full size cap, good unless you have a 4 wheeler or something high then you have to remove it...Mike

 

[99johndeere99]

I had to make my cover out of 1/2 sign board it is smooth weather resistant. Put some aluminum angle underneath. I fasten it to bed with threaded rivet easy to take off. I got about 150$ in it.
Have throw bolt underneath to keep honest people honest.

 

[CHDinCT]

I have the Extang Trifecta and love it. Same as the solid fold but made with vinyl fabric so it's about half the price. I can install and remove it myself in minutes when I need the full cargo box open, or fold it back to 1/3 size for smaller objects that stick up higher than the cover. It's secure if you have a locking tailgate since you can't get to the spring tension clamps with the tailgate locked.

Extang Trifecta Tonneau Cover - 946+ Reviews on Extang Trifecta Signature Series Truck Bed Covers - Video Install Guides

 

[bdeboer]

I have an Under Cover "Classic" on the '08 Chevy 2500. It is made of ABS plastic and weighs around 60lbs., and is easily removed with quick disconnects on the shocks.

http://www.undercoverinfo.com/new_classic.php


I see they have flexible and painted covers now.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I do not see how you guys live with a bed cover or topper????:confused2:

I put stuff in my bed daily and 1/2 the time its loaded by a chain and FEL or a fork truck on a pallet. I had one on my first Pick Up, a Toyota, and it was off and in the garage in 3 months. Just did not work for me.

Chris

 

[JDGREEN4ME]

I have an A.R.E. hard top cover on my F250 and I love it! I do agree it can be a pain if you need to load large items but in nine years I've owned the truck it hasn't been an issue for me.

 

[xtn]

I think I'm going to get myself one of those bed-sized bungie nets. I don't need security, but want to empty boxes or other such items from blowing out.

 

[Scooby074]

I have a Jackrabbit, same type as in the OP.

I hate it!!!. If you have any ice/snow at all, you WILL too. Its constantly freeezing both on the slides and the upward facing lock!! Not to mention it eats about 6"+ on the sides and 1' at the back of the cab.

Next one will likely be a tri-fold... nothing that eats bed space or can freeze for me!!

 

[kf4uda]

I have an A.R.E. hard top cover on my F250 and I love it! I do agree it can be a pain if you need to load large items but in nine years I've owned the truck it hasn't been an issue for me.

I have an A.R.E. as well but on my '03 Sierra. It has been a great cover for me. It keeps everything dry and secure. Even though it has been a great cover, when I replace this truck in the next 2~3 years, I will probably try a bakflip or similar type cover. I think the bakflip or similar would give me the features that I have now plus the ability to haul tall cargo when needed.

One feature that I don't like about a bed cover is that they tend to make the bed become a catch-all. Obviously this is a personal problem and not a defect in the cover but still it happens.

 

[jejeosborne]

I have a truxedo soft roll up. It is locked with the tailgate and rolls out of the way in 15 seconds. Looked at the folding ones but didn't like them taking up space in my bed or blocking my rear window view. Hauled two motorcycles this weekend and needed to see them thru the window to check for shifting. Diamondpilot, the cover keeps items dry that fit inside. Keeps firewood, cooler, etc out of the sun/rain during camping trips. Get your chains or binders stolen once and you may reconsider.