Hard Folding Tonneau Choices

[Diver4242]

I'm looking for a hard folding cover for our 2021 Ranger XLT with 6' bed. I see the WeatherTech is just a Lomax so I'd just order from Lomax, but realtruck.com has choices from BAK, Gator, Extang, UnderCover, Access/LOMAX. Any recs on those brands?

The Lomax can hold 400lbs on top in case I want to strap down a few light boxes, which is nice. Also what finishes are better in case we do put something on top, i.e. would grip/hold better? Matte, diamond, urethane, other?

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[Diver4242]

I'm liking the five year warranty and 600lb weight capacity on this Extang. https://realtruck.com/p/extang-solid-fold-alx-tonneau-cover/v/ford/ranger/2021/

 

[5thranger]

I'm looking for a hard folding cover for our 2021 Ranger XLT with 6' bed. I see the WeatherTech is just a Lomax so I'd just order from Lomax, but realtruck.com has choices from BAK, Gator, Extang, UnderCover, Access/LOMAX. Any recs on those brands?

The Lomax can hold 400lbs on top in case I want to strap down a few light boxes, which is nice. Also what finishes are better in case we do put something on top, i.e. would grip/hold better? Matte, diamond, urethane, other?

I have the BAK Flip it has been a good cover. I quit using soft roll up covers.

 

[KJRR]

I've got the solid fold 2 on my scab and happy with it over 5 yrs. It's got some dents from the blocks and folding it back. Leaks a little when parked, no leaks when driving. Still works good, easy to get on and off when needed. I don't carry anything on top. I'd buy it again.

 

[CTYankee]

...realtruck.com has choices from BAK, Gator, Extang, UnderCover, Access/LOMAX. Any recs on those brands?

When I had my truck accessories shop, we sold, installed, and serviced all the brands above except for Gator. Extang covers were generally good except for the first-gen Solid Fold. We pulled the demo unit off the floor because that cover caused too many customer issues. We only sold a few Solid Fold 2.0 covers and I don't recall having any particular issue with those.

We generally recommended the UltraFlex for the hard folding style because it had almost zero customer complaints and the prop rods seemed like a better design than the ones on the BAK covers. Access was never a big seller for us and we felt it didn't provide comparable value to the UltraFlex.

Keep in mind I sold my shop 3.5 years ago, so my knowledge of the various brands is a little dated. Take that into account. On my last truck, I installed a Truxedo Sentry hard rollup and I will do that again when I'm ready to get a new cover for the Ranger I recently purchased. I think it has all the benefits of the hard folding covers but without the need to ever remove it or block the rear window.

 

[subquark]

I know you're looking at folders but I wanted to chime in on rollers. I have the BAK Revolver X4s which is aluminum and says it supports 300#s.

I like it because I can roll it up tight and only lose about 10-12 inches of bed access BUT what I really like is that I can still see out the back with it's rolled up, covers a bit less than half the height of the rear window.

BUT ... and this is a huge bummer, it will freeze and be impossible to open. Even dousing it with a quart of alcohol won't free it up. I've had to use a heat gun on it. =(

I park outside and wouldn't have that freezing issue if it was garaged (except if I'm out and it got wet, then froze).

I don't know how the folding ones do in the cold. I did use dry silicone spray this year and that helped prevent the seal from freezing to the bed rails. But what freezes up in the full-length hinge made by each 2-inch slat.

Just more info and make sure to post pics when you get one.

Happy Holidays! =)

 

[KJRR]

I know you're looking at folders but I wanted to chime in on rollers. I have the BAK Revolver X4s which is aluminum and says it supports 300#s.

I like it because I can roll it up tight and only lose about 10-12 inches of bed access BUT what I really like is that I can still see out the back with it's rolled up, covers a bit less than half the height of the rear window.

BUT ... and this is a huge bummer, it will freeze and be impossible to open. Even dousing it with a quart of alcohol won't free it up. I've had to use a heat gun on it. =(

I park outside and wouldn't have that freezing issue if it was garaged (except if I'm out and it got wet, then froze).

I don't know how the folding ones do in the cold. I did use dry silicone spray this year and that helped prevent the seal from freezing to the bed rails. But what freezes up in the full-length hinge made by each 2-inch slat.

Just more info and make sure to post pics when you get one.

Happy Holidays! =)

Yeah, you get ice on the folding ones and silicone on the seals helps but just like doors, you get enough ice in there and it's impossible to open without heat. Keeping the snow cleaned off when parked helps. A trip through the car wash fixes all that.

 

[subquark]

Yeah, you get ice on the folding ones and silicone on the seals helps but just like doors, you get enough ice in there and it's impossible to open without heat. Keeping the snow cleaned off when parked helps. A trip through the car wash fixes all that.

Good tip (except the car wash, AZScorpion wouldn't approve of anything except hand washing using kittens and lots of 303!).

Another winter issue I have is with the BedRug. The tailgate portion connected to the bed part freezes solid! I melted a few small holes in the flap with the heat gun. =(

My issue comes from melting during the day and that water getting everywhere - I can't keep the cover or rug dry. =(

Hmm, you give me something to ponder, my driveway slopes down enough for the bed water to run to the tailgate when I park nose in. BUT ... if I were to back in, that water would go to the front of the bed. That may lessen the freezing at the back.

Thanks for causing me to ponder! =)

Happy Holidays!

 

[AzScorpion]

Good tip (except the car wash, AZScorpion wouldn't approve of anything except hand washing using kittens and lots of 303!).

Another winter issue I have is with the BedRug. The tailgate portion connected to the bed part freezes solid! I melted a few small holes in the flap with the heat gun. =(

My issue comes from melting during the day and that water getting everywhere - I can't keep the cover or rug dry. =(

Hmm, you give me something to ponder, my driveway slopes down enough for the bed water to run to the tailgate when I park nose in. BUT ... if I were to back in, that water would go to the front of the bed. That may lessen the freezing at the back.

Thanks for causing me to ponder! =)

Happy Holidays!

You've been taught well my young friend!?

You're good as long as you go through the self serve car wash with the wands.Just make sure it's not to cold outside or you'll end up like this.

 

[KJRR]

Good tip (except the car wash, AZScorpion wouldn't approve of anything except hand washing using kittens and lots of 303!).

Another winter issue I have is with the BedRug. The tailgate portion connected to the bed part freezes solid! I melted a few small holes in the flap with the heat gun. =(

My issue comes from melting during the day and that water getting everywhere - I can't keep the cover or rug dry. =(

Hmm, you give me something to ponder, my driveway slopes down enough for the bed water to run to the tailgate when I park nose in. BUT ... if I were to back in, that water would go to the front of the bed. That may lessen the freezing at the back.

Thanks for causing me to ponder! =)

Happy Holidays!

Having the melting water run towards the front may cause some of it to get in the bed depending on how well you have it sealed up there. I know I get some trickles in that way. And may end up with water in the spark plug holes.

 

[subquark]

Having the melting water run towards the front may cause some of it to get in the bed depending on how well you have it sealed up there. I know I get some trickles in that way. And may end up with water in the spark plug holes.

I think my '22 has the cowling fix to stop water from getting in the plugs.

Plus I have the incredible (incredibly tiny) engine cover for extra protection.

If all of that fails, I have a backup water mitigation system in place:

 

[airline tech]

Undercover Armorflex here - Installed for 27 Months, Zero Issues with it and Zero Leaks the only drawback is blocking the rear window if fully folded, but it does not rest against the cab, which is why I decided on this cover.
Not a big deal blocking the window as in the 27 months it's been installed, I have only needed it to be fully folded a few times.
I keep it protected with 303, no fading on exterior surface, still looks brand new.

 

[harringtondav]

I was going to recommend my three panel Gator X until I read your weight requirement. 300# for the Gator. I've never considered loading on top of it since there are no tie down anchors.
Its water tight, light and easy to remove with four hand knobs when I need the full box for tall loads.

 

[dozxab]

I have the Gator EFX. It is only rated for 300 lbs. My brother helped me install it as best he could after a recent shoulder surgery, just to get out of the house. 3 hands are better than 2! About halfway through, he commented that it was a lot nicer than the one on his F-150. More solid mounting at the front and every fold latches down. The only leaks I get are from automatic car washes at the tailgate. Not bad, just a little leakage.

 

[Goyo86]

I’ve had a tour top on my truck for the winters and it’s been great, not folding but solid choice

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