Bed Covers For A First Timer

Hmmm snug top could also provide some more functionality...

 

Bakflip MX4. 4 years and still going strong.

 

Diamondback is the way to go. Strength, style and quality. Their bed cover is top notch made of aluminum. They are a bit expensive but totally worth it. Still saving for that.

 

Another vote for Bakflip MX4. I did a ton of research and have friends who have the Gator (which operates a lot like the Bakflip) and Lomax (I like the low profile look of it), both of which I was also considering. I choose the Bakflip MX4 because of the longevity. I have a lot of friends who have had these covers for a long time with no issues. For the Bakflip MX4, the rails come off with four screws, five if you have the long bed. Then you just lower it with the attached aluminum brackets. The aluminum brackets slid onto your cover rail and are attached to the bed of the truck via the existing rail holes left behind. When the supplied aluminum brackets are attached, it lowers the OEM rail down an inch or two so you don’t have to drill any new holes and you can still use your existing OEM rails and tie downs. Yes, the brackets slide into the cover rail, but I’ve never had an issue with weight with my tie downs. The aluminum brackets are actually attached with the new screws into the existing holes in your bed sidewall. The brackets are then anchored to the bed of your truck (top of the bracket) and they are also screwed into the bottom brackets via the old holes of your OEM rail so it’s anchored twice using the brackets alone so I don’t see that ever being an issue with me. I also installed the OEM tailgate automatic lock to make my bed secure with just a push of a button. So happy with that addition and makes it easy and something I didn’t have to think about later if I forgot to lock my tailgate with the key or not. Here’s some pics along with the plug n play OEM bed LED lights I installed, along with the drain tubes. Really easy tonneau cover to install and one you can easily do by yourself.

 

I went with a Diamondback for my Taco. Yes, they're expensive but I don't mind as I need/wanted something which would be very secure, which is something a lot of the other covers (OEM and others) seem to lack.

Another thing the Diamondback covers have going for them are their ability to carry weight. I have no plans to haul anything on the top of my cover, though it's nice to know if I ever needed to I could carry 400LBS on it. Being able to walk/stand on it was a plus for me too.

Drawbacks to the DB are the cost and complexity of install. For me though security was paramount so with that in mind, there really wasn't any other choice.

 

Thanks for that summary! Longevity, low profile, durability, simplicity of install & protection are all key factors that make the BakFlip MX4 a great choice.

I installed the tailgate lock too! Ready to go if/when I make the BakFlip MX4 purchase.

I like the OEM plug n play bed lights too. Boy, my accessories list just keeps growing!

Ed

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It is basically the same... only difference are Matte finish on the MX4 and semi gloss on the G2... MX4 also has the updated tailgate seal to allow independent use of the tailgate and so decorative trim that the G2 doesn't have.

 

Thanks for mention! We do sell a ton of Lomax here. They are a great cover with good value and a couple features that make them well suited to the Tacoma like easy integration with the track system and no drain tubes so no drilling needed.

We do sell BAK and many others well and offer some pretty good forum discounts to members here so please feel free to send a PM or email if we can answer questions or offer a quote!

 

Or @GotExhaust.

I've had my Lomax for about a year and a half and the only complaint I have, and this might very well be true for others, too, is the black aluminum gets HOT in the summer when you're opening and closing it. Other than that, it's been fantastic.

 

I went the cheaper Amazon route and got a soft cover trifold from Gator. Its worked fantastic. Some water has gotten into the bed when I go through a car wash or we have a few days of very heavy rain. However, I think this is pretty common for the cheaper covers.

 

Nice. Damn, how do you keep that bed so clean?

 

BakFlip G2.

 

I bought a Lomax through @GotExhaust here on the forum - the 1st mod I put on my Tacoma when I got it in February of 2020. Very happy with it.

 

That's a mean lookin Pro you've got there!

 

^^Agreed!

Very nice Tacoma TRD Pro for the Col!

Ed

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I recently got the Gator Tailback tri-fold hard cover. The quality is good and really resembles the OEM cover, but it's definitely not 100% water-tight. I'm ok with it though since it is so easy to take off and put back on, no separate rails or drains or anything. ~$800.

 

Currently have a lomax lopro cover had it for over 2 years now. Works really well. its a hard tri fold that sits super low profile. Some people don't realize I have it on. I use it because I transport my snowboard in the wint
Pros, pretty good almost no issues. Comes off easy and is pretty secure. Yeah someone who wanted to could pry bar it off if they put effort into it. bed rails are still usable all 3 sides. doesn't make the bed fully water tight but I blame the fact that stuff creeps in through the tailgate gap(I can't cover the gap because my tailgate pad secures straps through it).

Con, it does freeze sometimes to the bed, tip. WD40 silicone. I live in Wisconsin so my doors can freeze too but I do wd40 on door seams and along the sides of the cover. if it does freeze shut take a gift card and slide it between the cover and the bed which does enough to open the cover(if the bed is unlocked).
-my mountain bike is too long(29er) to have the bed cover on with the bike over the tailgate but it pops off quick and isn't too heavy.

When this gives out I'll probably get the lomax "stance" I think is what its called. its a trifold but has one more smaller section that allows the cover to fold up and stay up against the back window. Or the diamondback. The diamondback would not be as easily removable by hand for me. I like the idea of front and back access and ability to add weight to the top but the easy on/off is big for me.

I've also loved the idea of the metal locking retractable ones but I don't want to give up space in the bed.

 

Lol that was just after I got it and the dealership had it cleaned. Wish it still looked like that lol

 

I keep it this clean because I keep reading TW threads and buying more crap for my taco. I need it in case the wife kicks me out and I need a place to sleep for the night lol

 

Not sure why the Retrax doesn’t get more love on TW but love my Pro XR. Yes the canister takes up a little space in the bed but the rolltop is effortless. Aluminum is secure from thieves and Bears, can be locked in any position and allows me to run my racks right over the bed ( skis in winter and RTT in summer ). Backflip won’t work if you want racks right over the bed like i do.