Sorry for the size I never did this insert photo stuff before.
Pete

 

Just out of curiosity, why go with a hard cover over a soft one? I've personally preferred soft covers (I use the truxedo) over hard ones. If I need to use the bed that I roll it up and I'm good to go. It seems to me that the hard ones (even the sectional ones) would be an extra thing to have to lug around when the bed was needed.

btw, I in no means am implying anything negative if it comes off like it. I'm just genuinly curious : )

 

Advantage of hard folding compared to soft tonneau: (1) Security, (2) Security, and (3) Security.

Now I've had the Extang BlackMax, and while it prevented water intrusion, I never had the confidence of placing anything valuable inside the bed because it was always a knife-away from losing everything underneath it.

 

And, I'll bet I can fold this Bakflip up against the back window, faster than you can roll that soft cover.

And, the security, and low profile, is a definite improvement.

 

There's never one answer, however in my view a hard cover is more secure, doesn't flop around in the wind, can't be cut and opened with a box cutter and doesn't make a $40k truck look cheap. Again, just my opinion, but putting a rag top cover on a brand new truck is like showing up to the prom in a great tux with a pair of flip flops.

That said, I do agree that hard covers can be cumbersome and heavy, and that's why we all love the BakFlip so much. because, it's the only hard tonneau cover in the world that does all the things a hard cover does, as well as all the things a soft cover can do - and it does them better than both combined.

 

I have to agree that there is definately no single answer to your question. I did it for a combination of reasons looks, security, durability, a weather concerns. I do a lot of long road trips and I've always had soft covers before this one and in the back of my mind was always the stuff in my truck bed. I've had to dry out my suitcases and other stuff on several occasions due to torrential downpours that curled the lip of my softcover up due to water retention on the tarp. I was always an extang fan and I still like their stuff. But this time I was coming to the end of the life in my last cover and had a lot more experiences under my belt that I needed to consider before I purchased something new. I think I found something that satisfies all of my issues with the Bakflip. I'll be sure to report if it doesn't live up to my expectations. But so far so good, we've had many heavy downpours here in New York since I've installed it and I've only gotten a slight drip here or there. I can certainly live with that. I think that when Bakflip sends me the extra clamps I need, I won't even see the slight drip.

Pete

 

Security is definatly one drawback to the soft covers. I had an aftermarket alarm installed and had them put a switch on the tailgate to help with that and there is no way to open mine unless you pull the release, which isn't going to happen easily with the tailgate up. I haven't had any weather issues with mine but, I know with many others there are the issues. I also think the right soft covers don't detract from the trucks appearance. Mine is a low profile one that velcros to a set of side rails and the cover itself is made of leather with set screws on the front of the rail next to the cab to keep it taught when the temp changes.

We'll have to see what happens when this one eventually gets to the end of its life but, the last one I had on my old truck lasted me 6 years. Had I not sold my old truck to get this one, then it would have probably easily been another 6.

It all seems comes down to personal preferance and what drawback/advantages you would like to take. Thank you for the insight everyone : )

 

I had a Bakflip a few years ago for my Dakota. A few times a year I had to re-glue the seals back on. And, it was never really water tight. I also wasn't excited about drilling holes in my bed for the drain tubes.

Are the newer Bakflips any better? Now that I have a new 1500 I'm looking for something secure and water tight. I was thinking about the Mopar flip-up tonneau but I'm not sure that's going to be any better?

 

My drain hoses go thru the existing holes in the bed wall corner..... no drilling required.

 

By the sound of it, you probably had one of the very old first generation BakFlips. The newer BakFlip covers are pretty awesome. The side seals don't stick on, but are produced with a tongue and groove system that will never fail. Also, there's no drilling required. You should be in good shape. FYI, the BakFlip is way better than that cheesy mopar cover.
Check out thew new BakFlip's here: http://tonneaucovers.com/i-6497257-b...-25-35205.html