Bed cover... hard folding or roll up ?

[MackE7]

I want to get a bed cover for my SB SD.

I am trying to decide between a hard fold up and a roll up. I am considering the standard Pace Edwards and the Extang Solid Fold.

Which would you chose and why ?

Thanks

[MDarrough]

READ THIS THREAD

Mark

[MackE7]

Thanks for the reply, but that thread doesn't say anything about the multi piece fold up bed covers, like this one.
http://www.aztrucks.com/product.asp?..._Tonneau_Cover

I pull a 5th wheel. I have a SB. I don't want to lose any more storage space than I have to, like the roll tops would with the canister. And I want to completely remove it from time to time. Seems like the folding covers would be pretty good for that.

[Cool_Canuck]

I've had the truxedo roll up cover for the last few years. Really works well with the fifth wheel. The Access Cover is very similar.

[chopperdoc]

I have the Extang Trifecta and love it. It is very easy to use and there are no snaps or velcro to play with. 2 screw clamps hold the front end down and two spring loaded handles hold the back end down. Pull the handle down and slide it inward and fold the cover up. I did have to remove the entire thing to get my patio furniture in the bed when I moved last month. The cover works very well and takes 5 minutes to install.

[MackE7]

I am thinking of a hard fold up. They aren't quite as sleek as a roll up because they sit on top of the rails versus flush.

I like the fact that a hard fold up could be completely removed fairly easily. I had a solid bed cover on my old truck and it was a total pain to remove.

How hard are the roll ups to totally remove ?

[Cool_Canuck]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MackE7</div><div class="ubbcode-body">How hard are the roll ups to totally remove ?
</div></div> 6 clamps (bolts) 10 minutes total maybe. The rails take up very little room. I haven't had to remove them in the last 4 years.

Not all roll ups are equal. My buddy's takes two people just to roll it up and unroll. It uses snaps and bows.

[JonH]

I also have a roll up, in the form of a Roll-n-Lock. Though I like it and would probably get it again, don't forget that the "roll" takes up bed space at the cab and the folding kind don't (I think, anyway).

And as far as how fast to remove my cover? I'm not too sure but I would imagine a bit more than ten minutes AND you would definitely need two people to get it off of there.

Hope this helps,Jon in American Fork

[Cool_Canuck]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: JonH</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I also have a roll up, in the form of a Roll-n-Lock. Though I like it and would probably get it again, don't forget that the "roll" takes up bed space at the cab and the folding kind don't (I think, anyway).</div></div> That is not true with the soft tops like Access and Truxedo. When rolled, they sit pretty much on top of the box and when need be will push forward against the cab.

[OMCUSNR]

I'm not sure I see the reason to remove it??

I had a Pace Edwards on my F-150 & loved it for the versatility. It took about 10" out of the forward part of my short box, and I never noticed it. I could easily get a yard of rock dumped in w/out damaging anything.

The rails are almost flush & the box itself sat only a 1/2" abouve the bed. It did need to have some 1/2" holes drilled into the bed for some drain lines (2), but it was an extremely clean install.

[MDarrough]

I really like the Pace Edwards Bed Locker. Electric operated with a remote. I don't like the idea of having another fob, though. Anybody have one of these?

Mark

[JebNY]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: OMCUSNR_RET</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'm not sure I see the reason to remove it??

I had a Pace Edwards on my F-150 & loved it for the versatility. It took about 10" out of the forward part of my short box, and I never noticed it. I could easily get a yard of rock dumped in w/out damaging anything.

The rails are almost flush & the box itself sat only a 1/2" abouve the bed. It did need to have some 1/2" holes drilled into the bed for some drain lines (2), but it was an extremely clean install. </div></div>

I regularly haul items that require all 8 feet of my bed and extend above the rails. I had a roll up a few years ago and I liked it but it was hard to remove till I made a couple of small modifications to where the rails met the roll up box. Then it could be removed in 10 minutes or less. After 5 or 6 years the spring in the roll up mechanism broke, a real pain to roll up without the spring.

Jeb

[MackE7]

I've got a short box and once in a while I am hauling dirt bikes with the tire pushed against the front of the box. Other long things too. So I don't want to lose 10" of box length. Doesn't sound like I want a roll up.

"After 5 or 6 years the spring in the roll up mechanism broke, a real pain to roll up without the spring."

Thank you very much for sharing that. I think you just helped me finalize my decision.

[MDarrough]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: JebNY</div><div class="ubbcode-body">After 5 or 6 years the spring in the roll up mechanism broke</div></div>

What brand was it?

Thanks,
Mark

[DslDav]

The fold up cover I have is in four sections and can be opened in the front or folded up to the front panel from the back. It does a perfect job of covering the bed and keeping it dry. BUT I will be replacing it with a retractable roll up one because the Fold-A-Cover is a bear to fold when standing on the ground. You need two people to fold the center sections or get in the bed yourself and manhandle it. Granted I have a long bed and 4X4 dually which all make it more difficult.
The canister ones don't loose all the front bed portion as they don't extend all the way down to the bed from the bed rails. You still can load plywood and 2X4's 8' long and close the tail gate.
I'm getting the retractable roll up kind that operate with one hand back and forth.