Im considering a Retrax for my DC, but heard that you lose some space toward the cab due to the retraction compartment. For those of you running one, would you be able to post some pics of this lost space. I would like to know exactly what I'm losing. Thanks.
If you want a retractable cover and be able to keep as much space as possible, you should look at a Pace Edwards or Bak. Both canisters take up less than 12". Plus some great deals going right now on the PE - up to 20% off right now and if you use the coupon code TUNDRA you will get an additional discount for being a Tundra owner! Call or PM me if you have any questions I would be more than happy to help you out!
I recently got the roll-n-lock, and I love it. It supposedly has the smallest cannister in the industry, but I can't confirm that. What sold me is, that it's got a vinyl topper above the slats. I wanted to minimize the look of the slats as much as possible, and that helps quite a bit. Strengthwise, there are probably other covers that are better though. I've heard of some (maybe it's the retrax), where you can actually stand on the cover. You can't stand on the roll-n-lock.
Just installed mine tonight, took about an hour, did it all myself except for lifting it into the bed. Straightforward, simple, and way better than my old fiberglass cover.
I have the retrax also. I looked at them all and went with retrax for one main reason. It can be locked open in ANY position. This means if I have a box in the bed that extends up past where the cover will go over it. I can sandwitch the item between the tailgate and the retrax and lock it into place so it dosen't move around.
Although it is not 100% water tight, (None of them are)it is very good. And honestly it is as water tight as the bed is anyway. I can go through a high preassure car wash and still not get water in the bed.
Works for me
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08 Crew Max SR5 4x4 5.7 REMOVED Pro Comp 6" Stage I REMOVED
3 + 2.5 (rear 1" block + 1.5" AAL)
BFG AT KO 305/65/18
Retrax bed cover
Warn Trans4mer w/ muti- mount
4 PIAA ATP's
I use a Retrax on my DC. Yes, I lose some space at the front of the bed. However, it is worth mentioning that there is still some space below the canister. In my case during race season I keep a couple spare racecar axles, come-along, and some other tools there. I'll see if I can get a measurement of how much space gets sucked up by the canister exactly.
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07 Bluestreak Tundra DC SR5 TRD+LineX+Retrax
ITA Integra racecar
02 Subaru WRX daily driver
American Truck Cover from Truck Covers USA is the strongest & has the smallest canister at 8". The slats interlock metal to metal and not metal to rubber insert to metal like the JackRabbit FMJ.
Did you guys drill the holes in your bed for the water drains from the cover? I haven't done that yet and was trying to decide if it's worth it. I don't really like drilling 1/2" holes in a new truck.
What I did and what I think the Retrax instructions suggest, is drilling holes in the oval-shaped plastic plugs at the front of the bed. Route the drain tubes through there. I just used a utility knife to cut an "X" through the plastic plug and routed the drain tube through that. That way you're not drilling any metal etc. and it's pretty easy. Worse comes to worse, you can order new plug or, pop them out and spray them with spray-on bedliner to seal them.
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07 Bluestreak Tundra DC SR5 TRD+LineX+Retrax
ITA Integra racecar
02 Subaru WRX daily driver
That's a good idea, I think I'll give that a try. How far does your cover go? Mine is just short of the tailgate and if I slide it towards the tailgate it doesn't cover the front. I do have the tailgate gasket but haven't installed it yet.
Something sounds like it's off. I think you have it installed too far forward. Loosen up the mounting clamps and slide the whole assembly toward the back.
There's a little rubber flap on the underside of the Retrax that should flatten against the top edge of the tailgate. I put the gasket stuff up along the sides of the tailgate, and I'll probably put a little bit at the bottom corners of the bed where it meets the tailgate. I just noticed there's a little bit of gap there the other day.
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07 Bluestreak Tundra DC SR5 TRD+LineX+Retrax
ITA Integra racecar
02 Subaru WRX daily driver
Does anyone know where I can get more of the weather stripping that comes with the Retrax? I need to redo some of it where its been folded over and no longer sealing right.
I just installed my Retrax and love it.....you do lose a little bit of room at the top front of the bed, but well worth it. You are going to lose some room somewhere regardless of what cover you choose, so you might as well go with one that fits your needs functionally. The Retrax worked best for me.
You can buy the stripping from 3M or directly through Retrax, when I bought my cover they said it was designed specifically for the Retrax, but I am sure that you can probably give 3M the product code (I think it was on the bag it came in) and they can send you some more....if not Retrax will sell you some at an elevated price ($30).
__________________ 2008-5.7 4x4 Limited TRD:
20" Moto Metals w/ Nito Graplers, AMP Power Steps, AFE CA Intake, Magna Flow Dual Catback, 3&1 Leveling, Tint, Viper 5901, Retrax, LineX, Nav, Clear Bra.
You can buy the stripping from 3M or directly through Retrax, when I bought my cover they said it was designed specifically for the Retrax, but I am sure that you can probably give 3M the product code (I think it was on the bag it came in) and they can send you some more....if not Retrax will sell you some at an elevated price ($30).
Thanks! Anyone still have the bag from the stripping? It's been about 3 years since mine made it into the trash.
Edit: On the Retrax website, they call it a "Tailgate gasket". They mention the use of 3M adhesive, but I hope the whole thing is actually a 3M product.
Retrax
It's been about 3 years since mine made it into the trash.
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