Tightening Vinyl Gator SFX

[Yellow318]

Does anyone know if the Gator SFX Trifold cover’s vinyl can be tighten up? I’ve had lots of covers but this one just seems kinda floppy to me. It’s only around 3-4weeks old. Maybe I’m wrong about this but the deflection seems really loose. I did read and follow the installation instructions when installing. Watched the video of the install on YouTube too. Thanks

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[colinl]

that is normal for the Gator SFX, which I'm pretty sure is what Ford uses as a factory accessory.

it does flap even when new and it'll worsen over time as the material fatigues and ages. I can't see how it could be tightened without a specialty shop re-stitching the vinyl on at least one side, but I'm curious to hear if anyone has done that.

honestly my plan is to run it until it has a hole in it, then replace it with a removable hard tri fold.

 

[Yellow318]

that is normal for the Gator SFX, which I'm pretty sure is what Ford uses as a factory accessory.

it does flap even when new and it'll worsen over time as the material fatigues and ages. I can't see how it could be tightened without a specialty shop re-stitching the vinyl on at least one side, but I'm curious to hear if anyone has done that.

honestly my plan is to run it until it has a hole in it, then replace it with a removable hard tri fold.

I think what I’m going to do is attach Velcro to the rails and the cover to stop so much flap. Maybe some 3M double sided tape.

 

[Edge Haley]

My Gator Tonneau was one of the original release models and defiantly has a strap about 10 inches from the front that tightens the covers. Very easy to adjust...only had to adjust it once after 2 years of use. If I were ordering a new Maverick I'd buy another Gator SFX...has never leaked a drop.

 

[greenlight]

I ordered one of the Gator SFX as well, and I wound up sending it back and got the hard trifold by Gator. The cover itself was good with no leakage into the bed, but it pooled water, so made it impossible to open the cover when I needed to get some tools out. So I decided the hard cover was the way to go. Real Truck was great in the whole process.

 

[sprcoop]

If that is normal I don't see how they sell any.

I have the Truxedo soft roll up from Ford and it is tight as a drum. It moves at 75MPH but it does not flap.

 

[Yellow318]

If that is normal I don't see how they sell any.

I have the Truxedo soft roll up from Ford and it is tight as a drum. It moves at 75MPH but it does not flap.

I mean I’m not a knit picker the slightest but it does seem a bit excessively loose to me

 

[Danny1911]

My cover is loose like that. Not too impressed, but I guess you get what you pay for. At least it’s easy to remove and light weight, which is a plus compared to the hard trifolds I’ve had on previous trucks.

 

[Big C]

Does anyone know if the Gator SFX Trifold cover’s vinyl can be tighten up? I’ve had lots of covers but this one just seems kinda floppy to me. It’s only around 3-4weeks old. Maybe I’m wrong about this but the deflection seems really loose. I did read and follow the installation instructions when installing. Watched the video of the install on YouTube too. Thanks

I have the same one. Yours is defective. It should not Bunch up along the perimeter like that. They have an excellent warranty. I had a problem with the first one I had lifting up on the back corner by the tailgate from new. I bought it through real truck and they redirected me to the company, they asked me to take pictures and send them to them. Also they'll ask you to cut out the gator logo and take a picture of that. And they will send you a new one. Very happy with their customer service.

 

[Cullione]

There should be a reversible block on the front of the drivers side rail. It is numbered 1 through 4. By flipping the block, you can adjust the tension put on the cover. I don't recall if 1 or 4 is the tightest setting, but you get the idea.

 

[Yellow318]

There should be a reversible block on the front of the drivers side rail. It is numbered 1 through 4. By flipping the block, you can adjust the tension put on the cover. I don't recall if 1 or 4 is the tightest setting, but you get the idea.

I’ll look and see. Thank you

 

[Bushpilot]

I have the same one. Yours is defective. It should not Bunch up along the perimeter like that.

I second this. I have the same cover, and it is tighter than that, with virtually no sag, even after over 1.5 years of use.

 

[Yellow318]

I have the same one. Yours is defective. It should not Bunch up along the perimeter like that. They have an excellent warranty. I had a problem with the first one I had lifting up on the back corner by the tailgate from new. I bought it through real truck and they redirected me to the company, they asked me to take pictures and send them to them. Also they'll ask you to cut out the gator logo and take a picture of that. And they will send you a new one. Very happy with their customer service.

I got it from RealTruck so if I can’t figure it out I’ll go through the warranty process. Thanks for giving me insight into the process. Might end up being the best route.

 

[chuckles]

Yup, defective. Went through the same.

Contact Extang ([email protected]) and provide photos and the RealTruck invoice. They replaced mine with the Trifecta2.0 (gratis). I'm quite pleased with the Trifecta thus far. All in all, it was a simple (few email) process to get the replacement.

Gator SFX tri-fold. No significant leakage issues, just ponding and corner peel.

Beginning warranty return process. Results unknown at this point.


Edit:
Just heard back from Extang (the manufacturer of the Gator SFX). They offered a replacement/upgrade with a Trifecta 2.0 -- trivially simple.

This is how customer support should work. Positive shout out to Extang!

 

[dls235]

Does anyone know if the Gator SFX Trifold cover’s vinyl can be tighten up? I’ve had lots of covers but this one just seems kinda floppy to me. It’s only around 3-4weeks old. Maybe I’m wrong about this but the deflection seems really loose. I did read and follow the installation instructions when installing. Watched the video of the install on YouTube too. Thanks

I would say that is definitely not normal, at least based on the pictures I’ve seen of other Maverick owners with the same tonneau cover. I just purchased one yesterday and if I saw pics of it like this, it would definitely not have been a tonneau I would consider for purchase. Let us know what ends up happening or how the replacement looks.

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