Folding Tonneau or a Cap (Topper/Shell)

[BigDogg795]

So after owned a hard tonneau cover (an Undercover SE) I realized the limitations to it; specifically the need to remove it every time I wanted to put something tall in my bed. I'm looking at the BakFlip MX4 or the Extang Solid Fold 2.0 but I've also considered a cap as well. While super tall items won't fit with the cap; I like the idea of having a waterproof cover in the bed and the ability to camp back there if necessary.

Just want the opinion of anyone who's gone through the same decision making process. Thanks in advance!

 

[69GWC]

I had a tonneau cover for about 3 months on one of my trucks and wont buy another they just dont work for me like the looks of them though.
I like having a topper you can still haul alot before it needs to come off.
For some tsking them on and off dont work out but I can take one off by my self and have plenty of room to store it while its off thr truck, thought I would point that out some dont think about that part of them.

 

[bruce219]

I have the american retractable roll cover,retracts into a 8" by 8" box,waterproof,can open from a key lock or open when you drop tailgate.Its expensive at $1700 but i love it.No need for toolbox or dragging stuff into cab if you have to run into store e.t.c and you have full use of bed by just retracting it.$1700 unfitted,took me about 2hrs to fit it,now 1 hr no problem.

 

[Skrap]

On my MC 2500 I have a Leer hard tonneau and it looks fantastic on my truck. In the end I wish I would have gone with a Cap/Shell on the back. I haven't needed to carry tall o really long things but when we go on vacation/road trips we tend to pack a lot of ****. With a Cap I wouldn't have to be so OCD about how I pack the truck and it would allow the ability camp or at least lay down in the back. So much more utility with the cap.

 

[HowBoutDemPhillies]

Get a Diamondback!

 

[AzCats]

I had a tonneau cover for a couple of years and then switched to a Snugtop shell. I love having the shell much better.

 

[Tray Burge]

**** this, can't upload ****. I'll see ya'll at Hemi Truck Club.com.

 

[CostaRam]

i just installed my BackFlip MX4 and like it. Well built and good solutions for flipping it and driving with it open. It completely installs in about 30 minutes and the cover comes off in about 1 minute.
I have another pick-up with a cap/shell and i don't particularly liked it.
1° it makes our pick-up look like a stretched SUV
2° the cap/shell is either too big or too small depending what you transport
3° the shell limit view to the back and sides
4° they are not watertight as well (with some extra work they might be)
5° they are a impossible/ a PITA to take off and install alone due their size/weight

Advantage is that you can sleep in them (if it's not raining) and transport live animals without the danger that they jump out of the truck bed.

If you like the look, never have big stuff in your truck bed and camp a lot a shell/cap is for you, if the above not applies then a flip cover makes you happier.

Chris

 

[AzCats]

CostaRam good points on the pros and cons of shell/tonneau.

I agree it's more difficult to see out the back and sides with a shell. The shell look def isn't for everyone at first I didn't like it but now its growing on me (short bed with a shell). I would say the shell can hold more than a closed tonneau. Also my Snugtop shell is waterproof (tested NorCal rains).

For the OP it really comes down to how you use the truck and what type of usable storage you need.

 

[BigDogg795]

i just installed my BackFlip MX4 and like it. Well built and good solutions for flipping it and driving with it open. It completely installs in about 30 minutes and the cover comes off in about 1 minute.
I have another pick-up with a cap/shell and i don't particularly liked it.
1° it makes our pick-up look like a stretched SUV
2° the cap/shell is either too big or too small depending what you transport
3° the shell limit view to the back and sides
4° they are not watertight as well (with some extra work they might be)
5° they are a impossible/ a PITA to take off and install alone due their size/weight

Advantage is that you can sleep in them (if it's not raining) and transport live animals without the danger that they jump out of the truck bed.

If you like the look, never have big stuff in your truck bed and camp a lot a shell/cap is for you, if the above not applies then a flip cover makes you happier.

Chris

How's the MX4 on the water resistance? I'm thinking I might combine the tonneau with a waterproof box to keep stuff I don't want to risk rusting (tool and the like) to be safe versus say just a milk crate.

As far as removal; you're talking about removing the entire cover and leaving the mounting points in place?

 

[CostaRam]

Hi BigDogg795,
i had no chance to test the watertightness of my MX4 as it's dry season here.
It is well made with lot of rubber seals, a drain tube and it looks waterproof, but i'm sure some drops will get in.
I will do the same and make/buy a watertight box to use as tool box.

To take just the hard cover off (to fit something high) is 1 minute:
fold it and unscrew the two hand wheeled bolts on the cabin side of the bed.
To take also the rail out you need about 5 minutes to loosen the 6 clamps holding the rail on the truck bed.

If you have a spray-in bed liner and caps you may have trouble as the bed becomes a few millimeters more narrow and the hard cover is too wide and is more difficult to close.
I will work on a solution for that (probably cutting the inside lip of the bed cap or a new cap without inside protection)

Chris

 

[69GWC]

i just installed my BackFlip MX4 and like it. Well built and good solutions for flipping it and driving with it open. It completely installs in about 30 minutes and the cover comes off in about 1 minute.
I have another pick-up with a cap/shell and i don't particularly liked it.
1° it makes our pick-up look like a stretched SUV
2° the cap/shell is either too big or too small depending what you transport
3° the shell limit view to the back and sides
4° they are not watertight as well (with some extra work they might be)
5° they are a impossible/ a PITA to take off and install alone due their size/weight

Advantage is that you can sleep in them (if it's not raining) and transport live animals without the danger that they jump out of the truck bed.

If you like the look, never have big stuff in your truck bed and camp a lot a shell/cap is for you, if the above not applies then a flip cover makes you happier.

Chris

My toppers have always been water tight and have slept in them in heavy rains, I have had atleast 9 different ones.

Taking them off is not hard I do it by my self.

You will have to take a tonneau cover off more often then a topper if you haul alot, been there done that.

One othet plus is you can put racks on the topper and can haul alot of different things up on top of them.
if you have dogs you can haul them in back and open up the sliding back windows so they can get plenty of air.

 

[DannyMK2]

How's the MX4 on the water resistance? I'm thinking I might combine the tonneau with a waterproof box to keep stuff I don't want to risk rusting (tool and the like) to be safe versus say just a milk crate.

As far as removal; you're talking about removing the entire cover and leaving the mounting points in place?

the mx4 is actually pretty damn water tight. i have one spot where water comes in during heavy rain, but i think i just need to adjust the rails to fix this. i have no need to completely remove the cover, since folding against the window gives you all but 3" of bed space back, but if thats something you plan on doing often i would go with the extang solid fold. the whole cover comes off in under a minute, a lot easier then the mx4. the extang was not as water tight though.

 

[BigDogg795]

the mx4 is actually pretty damn water tight. i have one spot where water comes in during heavy rain, but i think i just need to adjust the rails to fix this. i have no need to completely remove the cover, since folding against the window gives you all but 3" of bed space back, but if thats something you plan on doing often i would go with the extang solid fold. the whole cover comes off in under a minute, a lot easier then the mx4. the extang was not as water tight though.

Alright cool. Now I just have to decide if I wanna spend the extra [emoji383][emoji383][emoji383] on the rollbak or just go with the MX4 lol.


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[David776895]

I'm looking for a tonneau cover also, but can't afford $800 for the mx4. Is there a less expensive one that people recommend?

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[CostaRam]

David776895
get a soft tonneau cover as they are considerable cheaper.
Chris

 

[Nutshell]

I have a cap and love it. Great for camping, brining the dog and I have removable racks on top for a canoe or kayak. I have to take it off for the 4 wheeler so I just decided to buy a trailer. Visibility does suck but you get used to it.

 

[JIMBOX]

I Agree witt the cap fans, although it's mainly because I already have another open bed pickup RANGER-

I have a tonneau cover forit, but since I've installed the ARE CANOPY on the RAM--I've removed the RANGER tonneau-I need the open bed PU-





I have enough glass, so I can see theu the ARE and using the rear view mirrors--it's no sweat-

Whatever

JIMBO

 

[603photog]

I picked up the Tyger tri-fold tonneau from Amazon. $230 and easy installation. Has two metal clamps that hold it to the bottom of the bed rails and two plastic quick-release clamps that allow you to release the rear portion and fold it up towards the cab where it then latches in place allowing a 2/3rds bed space.

I have collapsible bull rings installed in the rear bed rail pockets and the tonneau does a good job sealing on top of those. Ran it through the car wash today and seemed to be pretty water tight. Comes with an extra strip of weather-stripping for the tailgate, if needed.

LINK: Tyger Auto tri-fold tonneau

Installed:

 

[R.L.K.]

I have a buddy with a cap or camper style shell on his Ram , it's one flush with the top of the cab no windows & color matched . He installed 4ea eye bolts on the top corners , and devised a rope & pully lifting fixture in his garage that stays installed and up high when not in use .
He removes his cap sometimes weekly ,says it takes less than 10 mins by himself .
He backs into his garage when he lifts it off and just leaves it there suspended Untill he wants it back on ....
Just a thought on a quick one person removal of a cap.