Tonneau cover

So i had an A.R.E topper on my 2021 tundra crewmax and loved it but it’s causing paint damage on front corners,so i sold it and am looking into a hard tonneau cover as I don’t need topper anyways.I like the Bakflip x4 but I can’t justify $2000.00. I seen bison has one for about $679.. i am sure there are some different quality there”get what you pay for”. I want one that folds up to back window and not take up still 1/3 of the box when folded all way up. The bakflip seems to be the Cadillac of them out there,So i bite the bullet buy once cry once? Thanks

 

Yes, get the one that’s a bit better and replacement parts can be bought for.

Look for a used one on your local marketplace.

I got my Tubdra one for $225, got one for my last Tacoma for $400, both in obvious lightly used shape, but pretty great condition for the price savings.

Just make sure you know what it’s suppose to come with and ensure it’s all there (all mounts, all hardware, drain tubes, front mounts, arms to hold it up, retaining clasps, etc).

 

Why didn't you simply address the paint rubbing issue?

 

Not sure where you are getting 2k for a tri-fold bakflip, but see what @memario1214 cost to your door is. He runs Hotshot Offroad and is easy to work with. I had the bakflip and it was great in general, I didn't like that if I had it fully flipped up that I couldn't see out my back window. I ended up moving to a Retrax to also gain rails for a bed rack and I like it more and losing the space from the canister doesn't affect how I normally use my bed. A few times I've hauled bigger items and its forced me to have the tailgate down but I liked being able to see the load out the back window. I ran my bakflip for like 4 years and it was solid, I just personally like the retrax more. Think about your uses and the linked member sells both.


https://hotshotoffroad.com/collections/folding-covers-14-21-tundra/products/mx4-07-21-tundra

 

Just for clarity's sake, you mention the X4 which is a roll-up, but then talk about folding it up against the cab, so I'm assuming you mean the Bakflip MX4?

This what I have and I'm extremely happy with it.

Either way, neither of those should be anywhere near $2,000 - MX4 is like $1,100 and X4 is less than that.

On previous trucks I almost always ran toppers on them, and fully intended to get one for the '19.



At some point while saving up I changed up my plan, and I REALLY like having the tonneau instead. It was getting more and more awkward crawling around in a cab high shell, and sometimes a pain if I needed to haul taller items.
With the tonneau I still have lockable storage for my surfboards and gear, but SO much easier to get up in there and load/unload, etc. and I love having the open bed access. It's like the best of both worlds.

I also run elevate racks on mine (surprisingly few options to run racks with a tri-fold tonneau)

My racks came with holes for high and low settings. I didn't like the goofy look of my racks in the "High" position so I drilled my own "Med" holes just high enough for my surfboards or SUPS to clear the cab.
This height allows me to fold the first and second panels but doesn't let my fold it all the way up against the cab.
Before getting my racks I hauled something with the cover folded up against the cab and didn't like not being able to see my load, rubbing on the cab, etc. so I decided in the rare event that I need the full bed open I'll just take the cover off completely, it's only 2 knobs/5 minutes.

I like saving money as much as the next guy, but this is the kind of item when I don't mind adopting the "Buy Once, Cry Once" approach and spending a few hundred more to get something that (I hope) will last for a long time and not have problems. I'm only about 15 months in so I can't speak to longevity, but it seems very well made and so far, so good.

I went and picked up some patio furniture yesterday and was going to take the cover off, but opted to just fold the 1st & 2nd panels forward (and click it into the nifty little keeper buckles) then strap the furniture down.
15 or 20 miles on the freeway at 75... easy peazy.
I probably could've put the two pieces on end and had the tailgate closed, but I had my board on the racks so straps it is.





I have no knowledge of the Bison covers, looks like they might be decent quality. I looked at their website but there wasn't as much information or pictures as I'd hoped. Not sure what the mechanism is for releasing/opening the panels.

Shows a guy standing on it (Briefly, and for thier ad, sooo?) 300 lb. load on top vs. 400 lbs. for Bakflip (Bakflip says "evenly distributed") I hauled a hot tub cover on top of mine but it wasn't heavy.

My research of features, reviews, experience of members here, my lifestyle and the way(s) I use my truck, led me to the MX4, Elevate racks, and full Bedrug, and if I were doing it over I'd do it the same.

Functional, clean, cushy, and aesthetically pleasing. Good luck with your decision, I hope you get what works best for you.

 

Thank you for those great pictures man,greatly appreciated! I like the led lighting you have in the box as well.

 

I like your snoopy decal to, i have one on an older Chevy truck i drive in the summer time it use to be my dads truck and he’s no longer here and he loved snoopy lol. So i got a snoopy waving.

 

Yeah, having the lights back there makes life so much easier. Like $40 on Amazon and pretty easy to do once you have power to the bed.

That's an interesting coincidence, I inherited my love of Snoopy from my dearly departed mom. She loved and collected all things Snoopy.

When she said she wanted a big party for her 90th birthday, I instantly knew what I had to do.

The party was at the church she attended for over 60 years... I got the organist to play the Peanuts theme song on the piano and made a surprise entrance.
For quite awhile she didn't know it was me in the costume.

 

Love it, that just gave me goose bumps and shivers love it buddy god bless your mom,what a fantastic picture!

 

Right?!

As I was typing that I looked down and realized I was wearing a Snoopy T-shirt.

Having all her Snoopy stuff around keeps her close, plus it's pretty hard to be in a bad mood wearing a Snoopy shirt.

 

The Bakflip I had one my F150 leaked pretty bad. Not saying they all do, just my experience. It was on the truck when I bought it so I’m not sure about the quality of the install.