Retractable vs Folding Tonneau Covers

All of the tonneau cover reviews I've seen are for the hard folding type. As a pick up truck newbie, it would seem to me a retractable type would be more convienent.

Is there a reason most people seem to go with the hard folding style?

 

I'm particularly interested in a solution that will protect the contents of the bed from water and that locks. I'm open to either style.

 

I had a roll and lock on my 07 LB. I'm going folder on my 16 SB. Main reason is loss of space from the canister with the rolling cover and easy of removal of the folding cover.

Now for usability and looks the rolling cover are awesome. Typically a lot better built hence the price and much easier to use!

If use of space and removability is what you need go folder.

 

Price and the auto retractable ones apparently get off track ect where as a tri fold can't really break

 

A few buddies told me that when I got my roll and lock it's not automatic but a roll up. They said they suck cause they bind and mess up. None of them actually had one keep in mind. Mine never mess or would bind. It worked great for years!

 

If your looking for full bed usage that seal the best from water and easy to use, look at the gator fx5 or bakflip vp and bakflip hard role up.

I personally think they all look great and have the least chance of leaking.

 

I bought a used TonnoPro trifold. I had a soft roll up from Truxedo on the last Tacoma. I really liked it, but there were some issues when cold, tension, the rails installed, etc. This one is so darn easy- fold it or remove it in literally seconds. I do not yet know how water-tight it will be but I see a gap above the tailgate I may have to address. Otherwise, I'd never get anything else short of a cap.

 

How about the straight roll up ones with no canister that just fold up to the rear glass? Awaiting the Revolver X2, it looks pretty awesome.

 

Check out the G4 Fold-a-Cover. Have had it in the past and really liked it. It opens from the back and the front (both sides lockable), keeps water out, and has an optional "caddy" that can fit up by the cab to store stuff that you don't want rolling around your bed. Not sure if they have anything out for the 3rd gen yet.

 

I'm also waiting for the G4 to come out, they told me it should be out before the end of the year.

 

I went soft (vinyl) tri fold. People choose hard fold for more security and durability.

For me, a soft tri fold does just fine but a hard aluminum tri fold would be better so long as i can still remove it by myself in 5-10 minutes.

My soft tri fold comes off in about 3 minutes by myself. Advantage TorzaTop TriFold

I don't care for retractibles or roll ups because they always leave hardware attached to the truck. The cover isn't removable, it just pushes out of the way...

 

Any news on the revolver x2?

 

Nope. Still getting told 30 to 60 days

 

I had a soft top on my F150 and have a roll n lock on my Tacoma - between the two I prefer the roll n lock. I did lose about 8-10" of bed space but it was only at the top of the bed. I can still use the full length of the bottom of the bed. If we are going to be honest about bed space usage then maybe a Tacoma is not your best choice.

My F150 cover was cheap and worked decent; but when I needed to "roll it up" to use my bed I still had to find something to do with the cross arms and pleather material.

Roll n locks are more expensive but they keep the bed safer, easy to use (even my wife says so), and are easily adjustable. Plus I have never seen someone report a stolen roll n lock. lol

 

I will be looking hard at this one when it actually comes out. I picked up a solid fold in the mean time. It's pretty nice.

 

My new 2016 came with the OEM trifold system, but I just ordered a pace Edwards retractable bedlocker. I had one on my 2012 and it was absolutely awesome. Electric cover that stops at any position and can switch to manual operation in the event of lost power! Yes with the install it is about $2200, but it is worth it to me personally. Link below if anyone wants to check it out.

http://www.pace-edwards.com/bedlocker-electric

 

I wish I had $2200.00

 

The PE is nice but it looks like you lose a foot of the bed.