Factory bed cover thoughts?

What’s your guys opinion on the factory hard bed cover?

 

Mediocre imo.
Unless you baby it, it will fade and the seals for the hinges will deteriorate. I think it takes a lot of work to remove, just so I can use the full bed. Also doesn't keep out water all too well...

 

I would save the money and look at aftermarket options. I went with the diamondback switchback. I uploaded a video on YouTube discussing it on the truck.
https://youtu.be/6NkZa8BEcDU?si=UjWwb4lFql0r5wXO

 

I like mine but only had it 10 mo. Like bakflip, don't like extang.

 

My factory cover was replaced under warranty after 3 years due to serious leaking through the seals. The now 2 year old replacement is starting to leak pretty good and it’s faded. I do like the hard cover as opposed to the soft vinyl I had on my old Tundra however. If my hands are full I can place something on top of it while I open the tailgate.

 

The downsize for me was you can't flip the last panel, it's locked in place. Only the 1st 2 panels closest to the tailgate are movable.

 

In a word “garbage”.

 

Definitely not worth more than a hundred

 

It’s relatively sturdy but the materials are terrible. Picture of mine at three years old.
Made my truck look like a junk.

 

My buddy has one. Same story it faded and looks like shit. The hail broke big holes in it too. (Thanks Colorado)

 

The factory cover is a fucking beast brother! It won't win any tonneau cover beauty contest, but it is built like a tank. If you can find one cheap, grab it!

 

I purchased the Bakflip MX4 3 years ago. Parked outside 24/7 and has only mild fading on the rubber seals. My buddy has the OEM and is 6 months younger, looks considerably more worn out.

Functionality seems about the same, though I am biased towards mine. But he hasnt reported any major issues.

 

I got the Lomax. Researched it to death. Best bang for the buck.

 

Factory tonneau cover has been great the 3 1/2 years I've had my truck. Long as it's treated periodically, no issues. Mine still looks as new. It's heavy, but seals very well. I've stuck 60 lb concrete bags on top of it while pulling other stuff out of the bed....it's been no worse for wear.

 

I assume his dealer never instructed him how to care for it. When I bought my truck, the dealer supplied me with a starter kit with bottles of wolfsteins cleaner, and protectant.

 

My biggest issue with the factory bed cover is, if you go with it, you are pretty much committed to it forever.

The factory cover requires the use of special bed side covers with cutouts.

Aftermarket bed covers are designed to work with the standard bed side covers. You can remove the bedcover and return the truck to stock or purchase a different brand in the future.

If you go OEM today, you are probably going to want to stay OEM in the future due to the additional cost of replacing the bed side covers.

I went with the Lomax aluminum tri-fold cover. It is lightweight, seals well (more leaks from the tailgate than the cover), and pretty rugged. The cover, combined with a locking tailgate, keeps my golf clubs about as safe as I could imagine.

 

Bought my truck used with the OEM cover on 3 yrs ago. Never had a cover before. I like it, its functional, easy to use. I don't have issues with it leaking but do park in a garage usually. I do treat the outside surface regularly, so it still looks new. However, I can see it looking like crap if it sat outside all the time and wasn't treated with some protectant. It literally takes about 15 minutes to treat it.

 

Treat it with what?

 

After a wash, I coat it with 303 then immediately add Meguires Ultimate Black over the 303. Works great, looks great and only takes 15 minutes total. I do it 3-4 times yearly.

 

Thank you. And no problems with water leaks. ?