Gator SFX cover: Caveat Emptor

[EMANRESU]

Anyone considering a Gator SFX tri-fold soft folding tonneau cover:
Be aware that the SFX cover is known to sag and collect water. Go to the product page at RealTruck website and search MOST RECENT reviews, term WATER, and select WITH MEDIA. You'll see >16K reviews with many "5 stars" providing the 4.7 score -but scroll through the pages: buried in there are several reviews/pics that show covers collecting water, and there are more posted without media. After only 7mos the SFX on my RAM Classic pools 1-2gal between the center set of rails (see pic), and it has billowed excessively at hwy speed since new.

Posting b/c I did my research, saw a 4.7 avg for >16K reviews, scrolled the reviews a few pages, then decided the SFX is a good product.
Surprised to find I was wrong, based on my experience.
Stellar review avg scores can mask underlying issues: maybe Gator has production issues, or the tonneau material is cheaper now -IDK.
Can't imagine anyone with the SFX issues mine has providing a 5-star review.
Caveat Emptor.

Submitted my SFX review on the RealTruck website a couple days ago -hasn't been posted.

 

[RamDiver]

Thanks for posting.

Reading reviews isn't a straight-forward task and as you have discovered many reviewers seem a bit confused about how to quantify their grading with the star system.

Amazon reviews and reviewers can be very confusing. They will rave about the deficiencies and then grade it as a 4 or 5-star, WTF?

For reviews of any electronic device or most anything made in china, anything older than 4-6 months is almost irrelevant yet you will always see 2,3,4 years and older.

What's the point amazon? The junk manufacturers change designs and components so often that older reviews are almost useless.

I usually start with the 2 & 3-star ratings, learn the deficiencies, and then temper the 4s & 5s when they mention the same flaw but discount the deficiency factor.

I find nothing more irritating than unsorted dates on old reviews kept on top of the pile because of the higher ratings.

I'm confident almost nothing from china is produced to the same quality as it was years ago, so suppliers, why even bother?

...End of review rant.

.

 

[EMANRESU]

OP, following up:
Called Gator Customer Service, then emailed Gator SFX warranty claim with requested tonneau photo/SN/etc.
Received claim approval email within the hour, and new replacement Gator SFX cover 3 days later.
Waiting for better weather to install.
Documenting that RealTruck/Gator upheld the SFX warranty- satisfied w/their claim process.
Hope the replacement cover holds up better!

 

[RamDiver]

OP, following up:
Called Gator Customer Service, then emailed Gator SFX warranty claim with requested tonneau photo/SN/etc.
Received claim approval email within the hour, and new replacement Gator SFX cover 3 days later.
Waiting for better weather to install.
Documenting that RealTruck/Gator upheld the SFX warranty- satisfied w/their claim process.
Hope the replacement cover holds up better!

Thanks for the update and the great news that RealTruck is standing by the Gator SFX warranty.

.