Bedcover recommendations - Must open with tailgate up

[SkyBlader]

Hey all!
Sorry for yet another thread on bed covers but digging through older threads I didn't see anything recent for what I am seeking.

We want to use the truck bed for carrying stuff on vacation or even just grocery runs so figured a cover is in order. We are looking for the following things in order of priority.

1. Good waterproofing(some drops in corners or near tailgate is fine but don't want soaked groceries)
2. Easy to open, lightweight as wife can't lift much, and should be openable with the tailgate up.
3. under 700$

Based on looking around it would seem like a soft cover trifold would probably be my best bet but even then there is tons of options. So any recommendations for covers that would fit the above that you have and love?

Thanks!

Sponsored

 

[paneubert]

Openable with tailgate up might be hard to find, since many folks consider the point of a cover to be somewhat secure. So the designers make the release latch underneath so that the tailgate needs to be opened first. I may be unimaginative, but how would you even release a cover if it is closed on top of the tailgate? Where would the button or lever be? I may just not be as much of an expert as I thought I was. Haha.

Edit to add: Maybe the Retrax? But that is EXPENSIVE.

 

[Dave O]

Hey all!
Sorry for yet another thread on bed covers but digging through older threads I didn't see anything recent for what I am seeking.

We want to use the truck bed for carrying stuff on vacation or even just grocery runs so figured a cover is in order. We are looking for the following things in order of priority.

1. Good waterproofing(some drops in corners or near tailgate is fine but don't want soaked groceries)
2. Easy to open, lightweight as wife can't lift much, and should be openable with the tailgate up.
3. under 700$

Based on looking around it would seem like a soft cover trifold would probably be my best bet but even then there is tons of options. So any recommendations for covers that would fit the above that you have and love?

Thanks!

I just placed an order for a bed cover for my newly delivered 2025 Maverick Lariat AWD Hybrid (RTX-T-80337 Retrax Pro XR Manual Retractable Tonneaux Cover w/T-Slot Rails) a little pricey but I needed something lockable, a dry bed, usable space on top of deck up to 500 lbs and the T-slot rails allow me to install other components e.g. carrier, kayak rack etc hoping it meets my expectations should arrive in a few days

​

​

 

[icegradner]

As others have said, you'll have a hard time finding a cover that opens without opening the tailgate, at least not at the price point you desire. The retracting cover both the other posters mentioned is one of two that have locks on top and can be opened. I recall someone posting about the second one, but I don't remember the brand or product name unfortunately. It was also above your budget.

As for ease of opening a soft rolling cover is likely at the top for that, but won't be the most secure, nor would it open without opening the tailgate.

 

[jmrlab]

I picked up a soft tri-fold from Rough Country about a year and a half ago when I finally rec'd my '23. I open the tailgate frequently. It was in the $300 - $350 range at the time ... Lord knows what it is now.

 

[SamFranco]

I got the tri-fold hard top from Rough Country. They have two. The more expensive one folds all the way up to the back of the cab. Easy to put on. Easy to use. No water even going through car washes. I’ve had the more expensive brands on my F-150s, but I love this one.

 

[Tony Pandy]

@SkyBlader your $ 700.00 price target is same as I'm looking at. I have found a couple of Hard Roll up ones on Amazon that Maverick owners on various Forums / FB pages have and seem to be Happy with. I use a Price watch to notify me when something hits my target price or even if I want any price change. out of the 2 in the attachment, I like the FlowKottU a little better.

 

[Tony Pandy]

@SkyBlader your $ 700.00 price target is same as I'm looking at. I have found a couple of Hard Roll up ones on Amazon that Maverick owners on various Forums / FB pages have and seem to be Happy with. I use a Price watch to notify me when something hits my target price or even if I want any price change. out of the 2 in the attachment, I like the FlowKottU a little better.

The FlowKottu states: EASY TO OPERATE: Open the lock, and the truck bed cover will automatically retract to the cabin along the side rail. You do not need to lower the tailgate, and our truck bed covers can be operated with one hand. There are no snaps to manipulate, no stuff to roll up or bundle and lash down, and no heavy tri-fold truck tonneau covers to lift and close.

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

The FlowKottu states: EASY TO OPERATE: Open the lock, and the truck bed cover will automatically retract to the cabin along the side rail. You do not need to lower the tailgate, and our truck bed covers can be operated with one hand. There are no snaps to manipulate, no stuff to roll up or bundle and lash down, and no heavy tri-fold truck tonneau covers to lift and close.

Here is a review and pictures by a member who installed a FlowKottu retractable bed cover.

I installed this about two weeks ago and just got around to taking pictures so I thought I'd share my impressions of it. Especially since it's currently on sale at Amazon.

I liked the idea of a retractable with the t-slots to eventually add some Tuwa adjustable bed rails and a rooftop tent. I don't do a lot of deep overlander stuff but up in Washington there's plenty of places I can get the hybrid to that will make good use.

Installation definitely needs two people. Instructions are not the best, and there seems to be a fair amount of extra parts and stuff they didn't show when or where to use them. Took us about an hour to get the tonneau assembled and on the truck, but finding the right spot and getting it adjusted took at least another hour, and even then I had to go back and make some more adjustments a few days later when I realized that some of the adjustments I made to make the cover retract smoother caused the tracks to get out of alignment, leaving a gap that would allow the top to pop open and retract while driving, and also let a ton of water in. Now that it's adjusted, I'm liking it quite a bit.

One note, I did not attach the latch onto the tailgate to allow it to lock closed. I didn't want to bolt it on and with the tailgate locked and closed, you can't access the strap to disengage the side locks anyway. Plus, where I finally got it aligned on the bed where everything operated smoothly and I could get the weather seals set, I didn't have room for it.

Pros:
-Retractable, slides open smoothly and just pull the strap on close it.
-Has a midway latch that allows it to open part way and secure in that spot.
-front drain hoses are set up well to pop into the drain holes in the bed (similar tonneaus I saw people had to get creative to make the hoses drain properly)
-once adjusted, it seems to hold out water very well. The bomb cyclone hit and blew down sections of my fence, my neighbor had a tree fall on her house, but when I opened the tailgate to load supplies in the bed, it was bone dry.
- has t-slots to add rails, etc.
- hundreds, even thousands less than most other retractable tonneaus
-looks great in my opinion

Cons:
-wonky instructions
-kind of a pain to install (literally, my knuckles looked like hamburger by the time I was done) - some of this was probably just me, I was cold and wet when installing it so I was kind of rushing, but getting it fitted and adjusted was quite a task
-I don't like how the rain seals sit/fit. The one against the cab, it basically folds up against the back window. It creates a trench where lots of debris builds up (see the pictures) and covers a good 2" of the bottom part of the window. The way this seal is, it seems like the entire cover is supposed to be about an inch and a half further away from the cab, but doing so prevents the cover from closing, as the latch underneath would hit the tailgate before getting to the latch point. The side seals tuck underneath the tonneau rails and it was hard to get them to stay out when moving the whole thing into place. Luckily I had just installed window visors on my wife's car and it had the perfect tool for manipulating it out from underneath.
-in order to install the locking button latch clasp, you have to have the entire assembly another 1/4" closer to the cab of the truck. Doing so puts the rain seal straight vertical and the overall fit on the bed didn't look right to me. Between that and the need to screw it into the tailgate, I chose not to install it. As mentioned, it still locks into place and I don't believe it can be opened without opening the tailgate anyway. The latch is opened with the pull strap that sits in the bed while closed.
-rear drain hoses cover the top rear tiedowns (see picture). I tried to use the upper drain holes, but it still kind of blocked the tiedowns and it put the hose at a more severe angle and caused some kinks. So while the front are well done, the rear not so much.

EDIT to add, current price on Amazon as of 11/21/24 is $675

 

[SkyBlader]

Thanks all for the recommendations! We drove out to a dealer today and played with a few of the ford covers and the wife really liked the hard top trifolds over the fabric soft covers so it looks like I have more research to do. Tony I have heard that the retractable tops take up too much bedspace in the Maverick which already has a small bed. Do these not do that or you just aren't particularly concerned about losing a foot or so of bed space?

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

Dimensions are on Amazon. Here is an example.

 

[Tony Pandy]

Here is a review and pictures by a member who installed a FlowKottu retractable bed cover.

Thanks for posting this. First I have seen on any negative "Cons" of this one. Pointed out some drawbacks I need to think about on this brand.

 

[Tony Pandy]

Thanks all for the recommendations! We drove out to a dealer today and played with a few of the ford covers and the wife really liked the hard top trifolds over the fabric soft covers so it looks like I have more research to do. Tony I have heard that the retractable tops take up too much bedspace in the Maverick which already has a small bed. Do these not do that or you just aren't particularly concerned about losing a foot or so of bed space?

Understand of concern about limited Bed space and room it takes with the box. I don't have my Maverick yet (another couple of weeks before hits dealers lot). I'll have time to get a hands on with no cover to see. Friend has the Tri-Fold Hard Cover and have looked at it. The bed size I think for my use should not be an issue.

 

[Whitty1]

Hey all!
Sorry for yet another thread on bed covers but digging through older threads I didn't see anything recent for what I am seeking.

We want to use the truck bed for carrying stuff on vacation or even just grocery runs so figured a cover is in order. We are looking for the following things in order of priority.

1. Good waterproofing(some drops in corners or near tailgate is fine but don't want soaked groceries)
2. Easy to open, lightweight as wife can't lift much, and should be openable with the tailgate up.
3. under 700$

Based on looking around it would seem like a soft cover trifold would probably be my best bet but even then there is tons of options. So any recommendations for covers that would fit the above that you have and love?

Thanks!

I was going to say Roll n Lock but it will cost you a lot more than $700. I had one on my 96 Ranger and they are quality stuff

 

[Whitty1]

Thanks all for the recommendations! We drove out to a dealer today and played with a few of the ford covers and the wife really liked the hard top trifolds over the fabric soft covers so it looks like I have more research to do. Tony I have heard that the retractable tops take up too much bedspace in the Maverick which already has a small bed. Do these not do that or you just aren't particularly concerned about losing a foot or so of bed space?

I have the Ford hard tri-fold on mine and I really like it but it isn't cheap. I wanted the security of a hard cover. My truck will most be used like a car with a truck bed.

Sponsored