2022 Tonneau covers

Its not attached to the tailgate itself; if I remember it is along the last section of the cover and the tailgate closes into it. It may be already attached from factory. I dont think it is the foam kind like up at the cab.

 

I've seen weather stripping on the bulkhead but not the tail gate.

 

Yeah, and if you can, run a bead of silicone or sealant along that front piece of foam and set the cover back down on it. I ran some down on the corners at each side also and this seemed to help. 99% of everything else goes through the tubes.

 

So maybe I’m wrong and this doesn’t lay flat on the tailgate. I thought it was there to keep water out.

 

That piece gets pushed against by my tailgate when it's closed. I'd describe it as a snug fitting, not overly tight, but definitely not loose.

 

I have the Bak flip f1 I liked it at first but after a year it faded really bad and the latches to hold it up broke. Also not great in the rain. I had the first one replace with warranty. Same thing happened to the second. My next one is going to be an ultra flex cover also a tri fold. Has very good reviews.

 

Trying to understand where you caulked here, can you post an image with some arrows pointing or something?

 

I just received and installed the undercover armorflex from Realtruck last week. I installed it on Friday, a couple of observations for it: install is easy and straight forward, you lose the deck rail system with the installation(I didnt think of that when I ordered it), looks great on the truck. We received a pretty good storm on Friday evening after I installed it and was excited to check out how it did. Well it leaked a lot! I was expecting a little water but this was a lot. It looks like the first folding seam from the tail gate is leaking where the latch is attached with rivets as it just streams in right there, it also leaks a pretty good amount at the front of the bed where those two indents are (where the front wall meets the sides). They do not provide anything to seal that area(nor direct you to in the instructions), so I am going to look at getting weatherstripping or something for there to try to seal it. I sent @SantanaRealtruck a DM amount the other leak so hopefully I just got a fluke or something else as the cover is really nice.

 

Damn the no rail might be a deal breaker. I guess I'll do the mx4 because you can keep the rail

 

Yeah i understand that, if I had know that in advance I would have gone a different route too.

 

You cant see it but it is on top of this foam section here. On the top of it before you set that panel down. I carried the sealant over into the edges also (second pic)

 

Not saying you did, but you cant use anything like Armor All on BakFlips. That’s verbatim what they say. Apparently they can tell and it will void warranty. You can, however use 303 spray protectant. I feel like 303 works better anyway and has no odor.

 

Update, I received the x4s cover today, 8/8/22

 

I installed my RetraxPro yesterday. Yes, I drilled out the holes for the drain tubes. The largest bit I had was 1/2 inch, which is just a tad too small. With a little effort, I made it work. The bed already has small holes in it, but if you got the spray on liner, they sprayed over them. I can tell you one thing I learned the hard way. I was afraid to drill through from the bed, fearing I'd hit the gas tank or something (I may have done this before ) so I drilled from below upwards. I thought I did my best to lay to the side vs directly under where I was drilling; I clearly did not. The dust/particles got on my hands and arms and felt like 1000 splinters. It was much better today, but still have some in the soft skin on the sides of my fingers - miserable!

As far as the tailgate opening, just spray a light coat of silicone spray on the rubber weather seal and the tailgate will open as it should with the button etc.

 

That’s much classier than what I did in the corners. I tore off a couple of pieces from the extra weatherstripping and shoved them in the corners.

I also drilled holes, I ended up drilling into the top corners(looks like a triangle) right above the tie down hooks and left the factory holes alone hoping that if water does get in then it can drain there, also didn’t want to jack my tubes with plywood or any other stuff I end slamming into the front of the bed from it being so slick. I still haven’t gone back and cut my tubes to length so they’re just dangling somewhere under the bed. Gah, wish I wasn’t so lazy now that I think about, maybe I’ll remember tomorrow to do that. Ha

 

I checked underneath and the extra length didn't interfere with anything so I just left them full length......maybe that gives you a reason to be lazy and just not do it, lol

 

Ha! I didn’t need any extra motivation, definitely just got moved to bottom of the list of priorities. Thanks!

 

Question for Retrax owners. In looking at the channels that the cover bearings ride in, it's shaped like a "C". When I was installing it, I couldn't understand why water wouldn't just roll off the top to the edges and leak into the bed from the bottom rail edge. Well, I washed the truck today and that's exactly what happens. Is this normal or have I installed it wrong?....(granted, it may just be the pressure and will stay dry during rain, haven't had any yet!)

I will say I really like this cover so far. It's definitely the highest quality tonneau I've had, but should be for the cost.

 

We had an absolute downpour for about an hour and a half here in Memphis earlier today, I waited until it stopped and went and checked under the cover(mx4) for any water in the bed. To my surprise it was bone dry inside, for those who are curious about this cover. Still haven’t driven in the rain with it, I’ll give a report whenever I do.

 

Any Retrax Pro XR Owners with Rhino Rack Crossbars?

I'm installing a Retrax Pro XR next week and was going to order the crossbars to go with it. Anyone install the Rhino Rack Vortex crossbars? Were you able to go with the 65" bars or are the 71" required? The 71 would be a sure fit, the 65 seems like they might be just long enough... but without the cover on my truck I can't get exact measurements of the distance between the tracks. I would rather go with the 65 if they fit (was thinking the overhang of the 71" might generate a bit more noise and drag since it would out wider than the cab of the truck.

Any reviews or opinion on crossbars to go with the retrax are well appreciated.

Also... did any of you also add any sealing/weatherstripping around the tailgate. I can see straight through the gap between the tailgate and the side of the bed, so clearly water will be able to get in there easily.

Thanks!

 

The install instructions really emphasize pushing the track back against the wall of the bed and inclining the inner most point up 2 degrees as a way to help with leakage while you're tightening the mounting brackets. I had to ask someone to help and found it challenging to do both simultaneously.

 

update: received the replacement cover from RealTruck and they were great to work with on it. Unfortunately though the new Under Cover Armor Flex leaks in exactly the same spot and a lot. It’s at the first hinge from the tailgate where the straps for tying it down when open and the latch are. It just streams in right on the drivers side there where the rivets are. I expected a little water to get in and for it to not be water tight but this is a stream of water. I love how the cover looks but definitely can’t recommend it. I am reaching out to @SantanaRealtruck to see what my options are as it appears to be an issue with the production of this cover.

 

Just installed my retraxone XR.. love the cover but had a few issues:

1. The threaded holes in the rails were either too small or sprayed in so i couldn't get the screws in.. Had to use my power drill to get them in.
2. I couldn't get my rear width to be within 1/8th inch as the front of the rails. Plus the plastic adjustment screws got stripped within 2 sec of me trying to adjust them... so for right now it works ok but i'm going to need to find a longer term solution. Seems like some cheap plastic screws
3. The drain hole tube inserts into the bottom pan don't stay put. Tried turning it but its a dumb design in my opinion. Could be better with a threaded option.

Few quirks but the overall look and functionality is good. Wish they could improve on some of these smaller things though.

 

I couldn't get mine a consistent ⅛ inch either. I would have everything perfect then when I tightened the bolts it pulls it out of whack. I found the adjustment screws to be almost worthless; for me, one turn definitely didn't move the rail ⅛ inch. I re-measured and tightened at least 5 times and said screw it, I'm done.

I experienced leaking from the bottom of the track for the first couple days but yesterday when I took it through the car wash not a drop came in. I haven't decided if that was a fluke or something needed to settle.

If you are talking about the small screws that hold the rails to the canister, yes, mine were very tight. I ended up using the technique I call - brute force and ignorance. This seemed to get them in fine.

 

Looks like you had the same experience as me. Seems like a few easy fixes for them to make this even better. A little disappointed at this price point they didn't do this but we'll see how it breaks in over the next few weeks.

 

Installed SyneticUSA retractable cover from Truck2Go. Looks good but not sure how well it will keep water out of the bed. Will run it through a brushless car wash soon to test.

 

That box looks smaller than the retrax! Nice

 

Thanks!

 

For those of you who have a diamondback, is the latch next to the cab suppose to be under more tension? It seems like it is more difficult to open than the one next to the tailgate.

 

Smaller individual slats that hold less weight, and no ball bearing on the sides.