BakFlip Cover Specific Discussion

I was hunting for specific info and felt like I had to dig and search way too hard to get it in the 2 relevant threads that existed, so wanted to hopefully help someone out who may have been in the same boat as me, and also I plan to document my install here.

With ZERO luck finding an OEM cover in stock for my 5.5, and no ETA I just pulled the trigger on a BakFlip MX4. (Out of stock at , but in stock at ) After a lot of reading here and on some FB groups, I came to the 'conclusion' that the OEM is made by Bak industries (A subsidiary of Truck Hero). According to Bak, the OEM cover is a rebranded Bakflip G2, contrary to most reports that it's a rebranded MX4. I believe there is some weight to this because on another post, a tundra owner who said he had an MX4 on his old Tundra was arguing that the OEM cover is NOT and MX4, it's "better" because it's "Lighter", this is likely because the G2 has a 1/2" core, while the MX4 has a 5/8" Core. Also the G2 is only good for 300Lbs of evenly distributed weight, and the MX4 is good for 400Lbs. If anyone with an OEM cares to get with me to to an in depth comparison once mine comes in, I'm game.

 

Ironically, I just got off the phone with tonneauworld and was told I would have to ditch my rail system on the 22 Tundra. Do you have the rail system?

 

First, Thank you, second Darnit.

After a lengthy chat with a Bakflip Rep (tonneaucoversworld.com and Bakflip.com are the same people BTW). The part number BAK-448440 is in fact the part number for a 5.7' bed with OR without deck rails, what it will NOT be compatible with is the Trail Special Edition Storage Boxes. However, they are 6-8 weeks out. The rep said at this point covers for the 22' are made to order, and they are gaging demand. The shipping time hasn't updated on tonneaucoversworld.com, and any order you put in will ship in 6-8 weeks. With this new information, I may cancel my order, but maybe not.

 

I think the primary reason that drives the OEM Bed Cover is a rebranded MX4 (vs the G2) is the cover itself. I'm at work and can't get a thickness on my cover for awhile, but here are pics for comparison of the construction of the 3 covers.

Note the underside material mimics the MX4 vs the "exposed" aluminum of the G2.

OEM:


MX4:


G2:


One thing that does support the OEM cover being a rebranded G2 are the rails. The rails on the G2 are "cheaper" than that of the MX4. The G2 rails have exposed aluminum ends whereas the MX4 rails have more of a "finished" look to them. The fit & finish of the MX4 rails are better. I might suspect they mixed by using the higher quality cover with the cheaper rails, but that's pure speculation on my part.

At the end of the day, I'm pretty sure the only real meaningful difference between the two is the core thickness that drives load capacity on top of the cover. The actual "locking" and stay pole mechanisms are the same, I believe.

The OEM cover instructions and info about the cover on Toyota.com don't state a load capacity rating for on top of the cover, so it's tough to tell without a thickness measurement.

 

@KroppDuster thank you for this info!

 

Well even after I had someone confirm a ship date after Bak rep told me what she did, they’re still telling me it will ship to deliver next week. Only time will tell I guess. I’ll keep y’all posted, on delivery and then on fit if/when it arrives.

 

Getting good information from manufactures is like trying to herd cats now days. Please keep us update.

 

6-8 Weeks shipping for any hard trifold from Bakflip or Undercover confirmed, probably true for most if not All Truck Hero brands, and they own just about all of them. Truck Hero Brands | Truck Bed Covers & Truck Accessories (truck-hero.com). I haven't cancelled my order just yet for the MX4, but will be doing so if I find something sooner.

 

UPDATE: MX4 Order cancelled, as I found an OEM cover at the dealer. Install help video and discussion of that cover here.

 

sounds good. I will still hangout as I am not sure when my ride will show up.

 

Did you ever get the measurement of the thickness? Curious as I’m looking at one an Toyota has ZERO specs for weight carrying capacity listed for thier OEM.

 

I've talked to a rep at Bakflip, their load carrying capacity is between 300-400lbs evenly distributed across the cover depending on the model.

 

I just measured the Toyota OEM cover thickness. It is ~15mm.

 

For the BAKFlip proper? I’m getting the Toyota OEM one that nobody seems to have a real answer for….and if the Toyota is actually a BAKFlip, what model?

 

That is closer to 5/8” suggesting (The Toyota OEM) is most likely the MX4 rebranded by Toyota (combined with it being the matte color this makes the most sense).

 

It feels really solid and heavy duty for sure. Although I am not sure I can live with it and might need to go back to a retract like I used to have for the intermediate locking positions. If I do, I'll sell this one here.

 

While we're talking the bakflip - I have the OEM Tundra - and one of the bumpers on the section closest to the cab popped off in the first 2 days I owned it. Strange, but it seems the 3m tape didn't really get a good hold on the surface. The other side, is still on. I have the original piece that fell off, I contacted bakflip, and they sent me this huge bag of all other kinds of bumpers, but none this exact size. So, any suggestions on how /what to use to get this original one back on? Rec'd tape? or ?

 

I've had good experience with double sided Gorilla tape. Have no idea how it holds up in weather though.

 

i was wondering about that same exact thing….don’t have my truck yet. Did they install the foam pieces to touch the window or the outside cab? I’m hoping they put mine on the window area (not that I will drive around a ton with it up anyways) so it will not mess up the paint.

 

OEM is the Bakflip MX4 with a toyota logo on it. 400lbs evenly spread across the cover (snow load)

 

Mine did the same thing. Haven’t gotten around to putting it back on yet.

 

I'll have to get some and try it - This is in SWFL, so the biggest issue here, is the heat/sun. But, like I said, it came off, like a day or so after I put it on.

One other person asked about the blocks for the windows - This was a Tundra OEM (from bakflip) that I installed myself and yes, i put the blocks on for where it touches the cab when fully opened. This was a slim bumper (not even sure what it's there for as nothing seems to bump against it there. - It sits next to the snap receiver for the strap, and is maybe 5/16" wide/high and rounded on the top side, flat where it attaches to the tonneau cover with tape, 4" long. Now that I think about it, it might be there, to protect the snap - if you lay anything on top of the tonneau cover when it's closed. (say if you put plywood on top, or something like that... maybe it is for protecting those snaps, I'll have to look closer to see if that might be what it's for)

Update: so I washed the truck yesterday and looked at the side that is still stuck on solidly after 3 months - and it's not tall enough to protect the snaps... so, not quite sure, what it's for. If anyone has an idea, I'd like to know what it's for.

 

Can anyone with an MX4 measure the vertical space from the floor of the bed (on one of the raised ribs) to the underside of the cover? In other words, what’s the maximum height of a box I can fit under the tonneau when closed?

 

I’ve got 20” to the bottom of the MX4 from the top of the raised rib. Midway down the cover I have the pieces that allow it to rest against the back window. They come down a little further and I’m thinking that spot probably has 19-1/4” clearance.

 

You’re the man!