Bakflip hard folding cover and towing

[Flashracer]

I am considering a hard folding cover while towing my fifth wheel. Can I tow with cover folded flat with my short bed Ford? I didn’t want it leaning on my cab. Bakflip mx4 or undercover ultra flex.
Thanks

[jsb5717]

There are many different kinds of hard tonneau covers. Some work OK for short bed trucks. I’m not sure about the back flip but it seems very similar to the cover I had to remove from my short bed truck. For me the issue was that when folded open that it stacked up pretty thick. Mine was a 3-section cover so it also still covered 1/3 of my truck bed which became a problem in tighter turns with any side angle. One of the hooks of the cover punctured the fiberglass under the front cap on ours. I had it repaired and replaced the cover with a soft roll-up.

I’ve seen some nice hard tonneaus that roll under into the bed. But I also have a truck box so I couldn’t do that, but it’s a viable option for a short bed truck.

I prefer the hard tonneau but the soft roll up is the best solution for our set up.

[Foldbak]

Check out Retrax. They have manual and electric slide covers. I put an electric cover on mine and with my Demco slider I can close it about 1/4 while traveling. Perfect to keep ice chests out of the sun.

[Flashracer]

Originally Posted by jsb5717

There are many different kinds of hard tonneau covers. Some work OK for short bed trucks. I’m not sure about the back flip but it seems very similar to the cover I had to remove from my short bed truck. For me the issue was that when folded open that it stacked up pretty thick. Mine was a 3-section cover so it also still covered 1/3 of my truck bed which became a problem in tighter turns with any side angle. One of the hooks of the cover punctured the fiberglass under the front cap on ours. I had it repaired and replaced the cover with a soft roll-up.

I’ve seen some nice hard tonneaus that roll under into the bed. But I also have a truck box so I couldn’t do that, but it’s a viable option for a short bed truck.

I prefer the hard tonneau but the soft roll up is the best solution for our set up.

The two I am looking at are flush mounted if that makes a difference

[RVDH]

I have one and it doesn't interfere with towing folded up flat

[Flashracer]

Originally Posted by RVDH

I have one and it doesn't interfere with towing folded up flat

I hope that’s with a short bed ?

[RVDH]

6.5' bed

[jsb5717]

Originally Posted by Flashracer

The two I am looking at are flush mounted if that makes a difference

I can’t remember the brand that was on my truck before I swapped it out, but the issue was the height of the stack when it was folded back so I could tow the 5th wheel. The stack on mine was about 4” above the truck rail. Since mine was only a 3 panel cover that meant that it covered the front 2’+ area of the bed. That combo created a clearance issue in tighter turns with any side-to-side tilt.

In my mind, a cover that remains low profile in the open position will likely work for you. As long as you can avoid contact between the open cover and the nose of the trailer then you’ll be fine.

[Cat320]

I got a roll up cover. That way, when not towing and the cover rolled up, you have full use of the bed....not so with the fold up hard cover.

[432bartman]

Funny this topic just came up, as I just ordered a Gatortrax retractable cover. They are having a Father's day sale. I got their MX series, which is their aluminum constructed retractable one that can lock at any position. It was regularly $1959.00, but with the Father's day discount, it came to $1763.00, and free shipping. The Gatortrax and Retrax are basically the same. with both having a 500lb rating and being able to lock at any position. The Gatortrax has a 3 year warranty, where the Retrax has a limited lifetime warranty. The big deciding factor between the two was the big discount.

https://gatorcovers.com/p/gatortrax-mx-tonneau-cover/

[RMcNeal]

I hope the GatorTrax is better than the Retrax Pro. I've had one on my 2014 F350 since it was new and it has always leaked. Had the entire thing replaced under warranty once, and the new one leaked too. It leaks at the edges and all across the middle. The only benefit is that it locks and cannot be cut open with a pocket knife. Nothing in the bed will stay dry during even a sprinkle.

[Foldbak]

Originally Posted by RMcNeal

I hope the GatorTrax is better than the Retrax Pro. I've had one on my 2014 F350 since it was new and it has always leaked. Had the entire thing replaced under warranty once, and the new one leaked too. It leaks at the edges and all across the middle. The only benefit is that it locks and cannot be cut open with a pocket knife. Nothing in the bed will stay dry during even a sprinkle.

I have a Retrax Pro electric and I've never had a problem. I go through a car wash and the bed is dry except at the back of the cab where the box the cover rolls into is. But there's a drain hole so no problem.