I'm seriously considering buying a retractable bed cover. The strong ones that make my whole bed into essentially a lockable container, but allow me to retract it into a box if I need to haul tall stuff. I usually haul around low-profile, but expensive, dive gear.
Does anyone have any opinions / experiences / thoughts re: brands, quality, and price?
I am trying to choose between Pace-Edwards, Retrax, and TruckCovers.
I favor those popular in Southern California, and am not very interested in the various flip-flop type covers.
There's also the option of a hard tonneau (non-retractable) that might be worth visiting if the occasional removal of it for larger loads isn't too difficult.
Anyone with long-term usage experience with these covers?
Take a look at an Extang Solid Fold. It's a hard folding cover that can be COMPLETELY removed or installed in just a couple of minutes.
Retractables:
Pace Edwards Jack Rabbit: Vinyl covered aluminum. It's not a smooth cover, it's wavy. The Full Metal Jack Rabbit (black powdercoated aluminum) is much better looking. If you get a Pace Edwards, be sure to lube the rails a couple of times a year. Spring loaded, locks every 12 inches.
RollNLock: Vinyl laminated aluminum. RollNLock locks the tailgate when the cover is closed (although the lock is not so heavy duty). The only time we had a problem with an installation was with a Tundra. Spring loaded, locks every 12 inches.
Retrax: Made of Lexan, which is a type of plastic. The cover is not spring loaded like the other retractables, so move the cover at will. It does not lock the tailgate when closed. It may cover or partially cover your stake pockets, but you can order it with the stack pockets open for a small additional fee or you can order extra wide rails. The Lexan can scratch, but then so can the vinyl and aluminum. However, since the Lexan is perfectly smooth, you will tend to more easily see those scratches as opposed to the Pace Edward Metal which has a texture.
Truck Covers USA: Black powdercoated double walled aluminum. The strongest of the bunch (holds 500 lbs) and has the smallest rollup canister. Spring loaded, locks every 12 inches.
I have the latest PE Full Metal Jack Rabbit w/explorer rails. couldn't be happier.
I decided to pay extra and get full metal as I don't want any vinyl (like JR or Roll&Lock) that deteriorates over the time. and the powdercoating will last. explorer rails offer various rack systems to be installed.
Also, the latest FMJR is a bit redesigned, it has different seal at the tailgate end, entire width is the pull handle w/ thermal strip (not a little handle offset to the left like on the pics) and the lock and latch are integrated into one and unobtrusive latch.
Yea, I'm with you, I think the black powdercoated aluminum covers (PE Full Metal and Truck Covers USA) are the nicest looking.
The powdercoating will lose its gloss and a bit of its color though, just like powdercoated toolboxes, grill guards, etc. You should occasionally apply either an "Armoral" type product or wax it.
Retractable bed covers?
Linear Mode
