Buying 2019 OR tomorrow - Factory Tonneau or Aftermarket?

Bakflip MX4 here. Love the flush look and matches nicely with box sides as mentioned. Easy to install and remove if you need full box access.

 

Thanks!

 

Aftermarket for sure

EDIT: if the truck doesn’t have one, great. don’t buy OEM, especially from the dealer.

If the truck has a tonneau, tell them to find you one without it, or get them to remove it and reduce the MSRP accordingly. What I did whit multiple things on my truck. You don’t have to buy any options Ever..., floor mats, side steps, tonneau, or any other toyota or dealer add on.

Tonneau covers are handy, but I wouldn’t pay the 699? That the dealer is charging when you can source a gently used backflip or equivalent for much less.

 

I have the OEM on my '18 TRD Sport and am pleased with it. A little water gets in during hard rain, but I have water-tight boxes underneath so no problem.

 

I have the SB tonneau. Some people criticize it, but I think it's great. Solid quality, and does exactly what it is supposed to do. But...(see below)

^^ Definitely try for this. And...(more below)

If the previous strategy isn't gonna work, then aftermarket will be best.

 

Yeah I have the OEM tonneau and those pins are annoying. Catch things on them and about 1mm away from scratching my wheels if I throw the tires in the back upright. Hoping to upgrade to a 2020 and will not be getting it this time. Going aftermarket tonneau or might even go with topper instead.

$650 from the factory, so not far off.

 

If you're a bit OCD , you won't like the OEM cover. It doesn't stay flushed. The ones I have seen on trucks looked a bit warped . One reason I've opted out of it. Before truck purchase, one of most important is a tonneau but, a good one to know once locked it's safe. It took about 2 months of searching , going shops and settling on the LEER HF350M. I have not seen any Tacoma with this particular cover yet than mine. Importatnt piece of this particular cover is it doesn't have a strap going across the release clip. A simple wire fished in between the tailgate and cover will unlock it. Pretty stupid design.
The LEER is a HD latch you need to press with 2 fingers to release, but easy. All 3 panels have it's own latch. When you close it, each lock has a loud *POP* ..*POP*.. Very easy to remove whole panel if need to. The mounting clamps are real easy as well. All you need is a 12mm socket. **NO CUTTING ANYWHERE ** . I've gone through pouring rain and wash the truck once a week. If any, a few drops in the bed another important factor. This cover sits about 1/4 *ABOVE* the bed and has rubber seal that keeps water out. Most ones I looked at sits below the bed rail which contributes to water leak. I love this frickin cover. This cover is designed how I would've done it. Installer told me use 303 Protectant once a month on bed panels and rubber seals to keep it pliable.

 

I don't mind the OEM tonneau cover but it came pre-installed on the truck when I purchased it. If it didn't already have it I would have purchased an after market option. The OEM is sturdy and I haven't noticed any leaks but you have to make sure you press down on it on the panel edges for it to latch well, there is an audible click. It seems easy enough to remove although it is somewhat awkward for one person but not a huge deal. 303 Aerospace Protectant has kept it looking brand new even sitting out in the Southwest sun for extended periods. Just make sure to haggle with the dealer on the price if it is pre-installed.

 

I'll throw in a vote for an aftermarket, but it all depends on what you wants to spend. The Toyota cover isn't very expensive and is functional for most folks' needs. I have the Truck Covers USA rolling tonneau. They will set you back almost as much as a cap, but what you get is fully lockable, water resistant, retractable cover that's solid as they come. I have mine with yakima rails pre-welded and I have a set of bars mounted to the top. I can easily access everything in the bed and lock it out of sight all while keeping the space above the bed to tie down bikes, boats, paddles, etc., with easy access vs. having to load as much on my roof.

May be more than you're looking to spend, but I've had mine on for 3 years and its as solid as the day I installed it.

https://www.truckcoversusa.com/american-rack-system/

 

How much did it set you back? I'm thinking about something similar vs. getting a topper. I was looking at the retractable RetraxPro XR with the Yakima rails as well, which is going for just over $1700 on Amazon as of now. The toppers I'm looking at (Leer or ARE) are probably closer to $3000 fully kitted out. I prefer the look of a tonneau, but debating if I need the extra storage space and height or not that comes with a topper. With a couple kids, I can't put much in the cab on trips and the bed with tonneau can get full and be restrictive.

 

Yeah, it's a hard decision for sure. Mine set me back right at $2k including the yakima hardware/rails/bars and it is a tough balance at times. I still prefer a tonneau overall, but when we take trips with my daughter it can get a bit tetris-like in the bed, but at the end of the day I gain easy access to things mounted on my bed so it works out. I can't imagine a better retractable cover though. Perfect design imho

 

If that included the bars as well in the price, then that seems like a good comparable price. Good to have an alternative to the Retrax though, didn't know there was another with the same features.

 

I have the factory cover, but loved the truxedo lo pro lq better.

 

I have a Truxedo Truxport and i like it alot. I wanted the rails ontop of the bed instead of making the bed more narrow. If i haul anything heavy and it shifts against the rail it wont damage it nearly as much as the low pro style.

 

I was thinking the Bak MX4 but the Bak rep recommended the F1 and Fibermaxx because she says the MX4 will dent easier and wouldn't be as good in the cold weather (Pittsburgh, PA). Anyone have experience with MX4 denting or problems in the cold?

 

Aftermarket, don’t have to cut rails

 

I have the MX4, had it for a year and a half. Had a half a foot of snow on it last winter. Below freezing for a while. My 5 year old daughter loves climbing up on it. I regularly put stuff up on it. I do have a scratch on it but no dents and no issues in the cold. I am happy with my decision.

 

I have the Bakflip MX4 and live in Pennsylvania. Went two winters so far. The problem in the winter would be ice buildup. I would not open it unless I removed the ice or snow. I did manage a very small scratch on the top by some wrenches I had sitting on it. Only complaints I have are this some of the rivers that hold the openers have some rust on them some did not. The fastener that you use when the cover is open and laying on the bed fell off. I just got a little bigger screw and some thread locker on them. You will also want to put some thread locker on you prop poles. As they vibrate off and fall in the bed.

Keep 303 dressing on it and I figure it will life the last of the truck. Dents may come but its not like it is on your body panels and would stick out. I would buy again in fact if I were to get a newer model I would order it with out oem cover. Then you will not have to look at the holes some one cuts in your bed rail caps.

 

Probably too late, but don't be shy to ask for free items thrown in after you negotiate the price. Don't be afraid to walk away!!!

I got the following:

Winter tires/rims
OEM soft top Tri-Fold Tonneau cover
rubber Tub Mats
Pro Grill
A good price on your trade in

*** Don't be afraid to walk away ( I said it again). Try another dealership....

 

OP pics of the truck???