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BakFlip F1

The BakFlip F1 Tonneau Cover is the flagship tonneau cover in BAK Industries line-up of hard folding tonneau covers.

Resting on our laurels in not something that BAK has ever been inclined to do and so, once we reached the summit of our game we continued to study the tonneau cover arena, looking for where we might be able to implement improvement on what for all intents and purposes seemed to be the ultimate in tonneau covers. Between the BakFlip G2, BakFlip HD and BakFlip CS, you might imagine that finding a way to better the product would be somewhat redundant. After all, what could we possibly do to make a better tonneau? At some point, one may look at the landscape and say "if it works don't fix it". Well, we decided not to fix it, but rather to add another BakFlip to the family. This time, the BakFlip F1 and here's why:

There are parts of the world where the weather can be particularly harsh. Whether it's deep in Alaska or even in the sweltering Arizona sun, the elements can have devastating effects on your vehicle and it's accessories. After 2 years of having aluminum tonneau covers in the field, we'd been privy to happenings where hail had damaged a few of out covers. We'd heard stories where folks vehicles got so hot that they could literally fry an egg on them and that my friends, is where we decided to lend our focus. So we set out to find a material that could handle the harshest of elements and ultimately eneded up with the BakFlip F1.

The BakFlip F1 is made to the exact same specifications as the BakFlip HD. It has all the same attributes in terms of strength, function, design, fit, appearance, warranty and install. But, where it differs is that the top surface of the panels, rather being aluminum, are covered with a fiberglass reinforced polymer. This stuff is super strong, impact resistant, fade proof, ding proof, scuff proof, won't expand or contract and stays cooler to the touch in comparison to aluminum. As a black tonneau cover, the FRP surface will still get hot, but certainly not like metal.

When we first began to explore the option of a polymer to use on the top surface of our F1 cover we were extremely skeptical. In the past we'd tried ABS, but didn't have enough faith in an ABS tonneau cover. We toyed with TPO which is what motorcycle chest plates and boots are made out of, but TPO seemed to scuff to easily and didn't quite look good enough. So when we finally stumbled across FRP it was like finding the holy grail itself!

The BakFlip F1 still has an aluminum substrate as we have confidence that aluminum provides the structural stability the BakFlip panels need and is still lightweight. We also prefer to attach components to aluminum, rather than a polymer for obvious reasons. The latch mechanisms etc., are all attached to the aluminum substrate, making the cover extremely strong.

The BakFlip F1 is actually a few LBS lighter than it's G2 and HD brother and sister, but is every bit as strong and can certainly withstand a beating and emerge without a scratch.

If you're heavy on your truck cover, feel the need to throw something on top of it every now and then, live in a climate with lots of ice or hail or simply want your tonneau cover to stay cooler in the summer months than a metal tonneau cover, then the BakFlip F1 is for you.

The BakFlip F1 has superior injection molded cable covers, adding elegance, style and refinement to the operational components of your BakFlip cover.

BakFlip F1 latch handles

BakFlip F1 latch covers

The BakFlip F1 also has a newly designed flush fit square hinge. It has superior weather resistance as well.

BakFlip F1 Hinge

BakFlip F1 Hinge


BakFlip F1 flush hinge design

BakFlip F1 flush hinge design

Comments (11) Trackbacks (0)
  1. I am currently looking for a tonneau cover. I found Bakflip and got very interested. I own a 2009 F350 long bok and haul a fifth wheel. I went to a Ford dealer in my neck of the woods (Ottawa Canada) and it seems that they have a very similar product but they can’t tell me if it is made by Bak.

    Anyhow, I’d like to get more information because I would be using it to drive with the cover 1/2 open when I have the fifth wheel hooked on. Nowhere in your well made video did I see a fifth wheel pin or making use of the backflip while pinned to a fifth wheel.

    My question, would the G2 of HD be a good choice to put on my truck and hook to the fifth wheel? Can I drive 60-70 miles per hours with 2 or 3 pannels flipped opend?

    Thanks a lot…. Mike

  2. Hi Mike,

    The Ford OEM tonneau cover is indeed made by BAK Industries. With that said, the BakFlip tonneau covers will operate the identical way. The differences are subtle, but include a longer warranty through Ford and a few minor refinements in terms of drain valves, rubber seals, modified latch release handles etc. By and large though, the covers are pretty much the same.

    As far as being able to use the BakFlip with a 5th wheel: You can most certainly do so. BakFlip covers (both G2 and HD) have D-rings positioned on top of the cover (right behind your cab). The paels also have D-rings underneath. So when you fold over one, two or three panels, you have the luxury of being able to easily secure them down by making use of the automatic latching system which holds the panels down to the rails as well as using the D-rings to further secure the panels down to allow you to drive with the BakFlip tonneau cover open in any incremental position. In short, it’s a match made in heaven for anyone who hauls a 5th wheel.

  3. I just installed a BakFlip F1 on my 2004 F150. It was a super easy install and I love the way it looks on the truck. EXTREMELY well built unit. With my locking tailgate this will be a very secure top. I am very happy with my BakFlip and a buddy is also going to order one for his truck

  4. i need one of these for my 03 avalanche!!!!

  5. Can I use a product like spray detailer or Turtle Wax Ice on my F1 cover?

  6. IM LOOKING FOR A ALUMINUM COVER FOR MY 1950 FORD F-1,,,,,,,,,,,DO YOU CARRY IT? THANKS JERRY

  7. Can you close the tailgate with the Bakflip F1 in place (ie without having to fold/lift the last segment, as per the original Bakflips)?

  8. Does anyone know if you can install the Bakflip F1 with a Ford factory plastic bed liner?

  9. You can most definitely install the BakFlip with a Ford plastic bedliner.

  10. Just got the F1 for my 10′ Tacoma looks awesome easy to install however shortly after in stalling it it began to rain so looked under the cover and it’s leaking from a few spots I’m thinking the seals just need time to reset from being shipped is this common?
    Erik

  11. Hi Erik,

    It does take a while sometimes for your seals to settle. Usually the heat will welp expedite this. leave your truck parked out in direct sunlight for a while and you should be good in a matter of an hour or so.


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