New Tonneau Box – Invisible cargo box for trucks with tonneau covers
BakFlip folding toolbox for BakFlip tonneau covers
For the past few years BAK Industries has been working on a revolutionary new concept of combining a toolbox / cargo box to integrate with BakFlip tonneau covers. The idea would be to incorporate a cross the bed style box (suspended on the side rails) with the panels that make up the BakFlip cover. Since the panels on a BakFlip cover are patented to be able to open up behind your cab like the lid of a toolbox, BAK's idea was to use the panels themselves as the lid of the box. It's a brilliant idea that is soon to be released to all those folks that own a BakFlip tonneau cover. Give us your feedback and let us know what you think? In the meantime, here's a sneak peak at a demo model still in the R&D stage. The final product is scheduled to be released in early November 2010.
Ford tonneau covers
2009 and 2010 has seen Ford Motor Company slip right into what can only be called a true leadership role when it comes to both the products it is putting out as well as the accessories it has chosen to offer Ford truck owners. I was struck by their innovation on my last trip to Detroit where I met with the heads of their accessory department and discussed intimately all the cool things that they currently offer with their current array of accessory vendors. It would seem that they have finally reached a point where they recognize that they either offer significant value to their consumers, or they will simply lose out to the aftermarket as they have always done in the past.
One product that Ford seems to have embraced that has done exceedingly well is their new folding tonneau cover. The new Ford OEM folding tonneau cover is an all aluminum folding tonneau cover made for them by BAK Industries. It is very similar to the BakFlip tonneau cover, but includes some bells and whistles exclusive to the OEM version. The new Ford folding tonneau cover folds up all the way and sits snugly and flush in between the rails for ultimate style. The locking mechanism is securely located under the panels of the tonneau cover, which is a true quad fold tonneau cover that is there when you need it and gone when you don't. The key you drive your F150 or F250 truck with is the same key you use to secure and lock your tonneau cover, which is a brilliant idea too!
Where aftermarket tonneau covers provide only partial access to your truck bed, the Ford hard folding tonneau cover gives you complete freedom to use your truck like truck and still lock up your valuables when you need to use your truck bed as a trunk. It's this sort of vision that will most certainly allow Ford to continue to dominate the pickup world as it currently doing.
As the owner of BAK Industries, I can tell you that I couldn't be prouder to be working with a company like Ford on their tonneau cover program. Their trucks are built so well nowadays and so much thought and creativity is integrated into them, that the BAK folding tonneau was a perfect fit. The new folding tonneau cover works perfectly with their tailgate step, tie downs, bed extender, bed rails, bedliners and other OEM Ford truck bed products.
Aluminum Tonneau Covers
Aluminum tonneau covers come in may shapes and sizes and are generally considered much stronger than a conventional plastic tonneau cover or a soft vinyl style tonneau. There are however a variety of factors which one should consider when examining whether an aluminum tonneau cover is indeed the best choice for you. Herewith follow what I see as the pros and cons of settling on an aluminum tonneau cover for your truck.
Aluminum BakFlip Tonneau Cover
Aluminum tonneau covers do not expand and contract like plastic covers will. This is a very important fact that should not be taken lightly. Since aluminum will always maintain it's actual size, there will never be a time, whether its extremely hot or freezing cold where an aluminum tonneau cover will expand or contract. This means that an aluminum tonneau will not bow or sag like many tonneau covers do. They will not pool water in the winter and they will not bow up and cause latching and install problems because they suddenly seem to be bigger in summer.
Most aluminum tonneau covers are either powder coated or painted. A powder coated aluminum tonneau will maintain a much better overall look over time than will a painted aluminum tonneau cover. Always be sure to ask if the tonneau cover is painted or powder coated. At face value they may seem the same, however I can assure you that they are not!
A downfall in some aluminum tonneau covers is how hot they can get in the summer. If you live in California, Arizon, Nevada or Texas as an example, be aware that an aluminum tonneau cover, which is n most instances black, will get so hot that you can almost fry an egg on top of the tonneau. With that said, they do cool down as quickly as they heat up and you're likely not opening and closing the tonneau every minute of the day.
On the flip side, an aluminum tonneau cover is still metal, so if you live in a climate that's exposed to a lot of hail, be aware that an aluminum tonneau cover can ding. Unless you have a really solid aluminum tonneau cover like the RollBak all aluminum retractable tonneau, you can run into an issue where you're left with a few pock-marks from hail.
In my oipnion, aluminum retractable tonneau covers are way better than any kind of vinyl retractable tonneau. That's because they're just so much stronger, more secure and overall superior in function, aesthetics etc. There are some retractable tonneau covers like the Retrax, which is made of Lexan, however again, the Lexan will not weather like aluminum and will not look as good over time. Also, aluminum retractable tonneau covers are much, much stronger than Lexan. So the clear winner when it comes to retractables are indeed aluminum retractable tonneau covers.
RollBak aluminum retractable tonneau cover
When it comes to folding tonneau covers, there is a debate that exists as to whether the above sentiment is true or not. In my opinion, aluminum folding tonneaus are great, however the hail and the heat issues are ones that don't really float my boat. I think that the perfect folding tonneau cover is the BakFlip F1 because it combines aluminum for structural integrity and incorporates a fiberglass top surface for staying cool to the touch and eliminating expansion and contraction. At the same time, it will not ding in hail. So the winner of the folding tonneau cover as far as I'm concerned is both a combo of aluminum and fiberglass reinforced polymers.
BakFlip F1
Aluminum tonneau covers can also be painted, so if you're looking for a specially custom tonneau cover, consider aluminum as you'll end up with more or less what you want, beyond just functionality and features.
4 is better than 3
In the beginning, tonneau covers were nothing but cheesy tarps. Then came the advent of the one piece fiberglass tonneau cover that took the industry by storm. Their popularity still exists to this day in the way of ARE, Leer, Undercover, Snug Lid etc. However, having owned one of these before, I can tell you with certainty that while they look great, they are more of a pain than anything else. Let's face it, nobody really wants to remove a monstrosity like that everytime they need to use their truck beds.
So, as forward thinking Americans we figured out that if you split a tonneau in two, you get to use half your bed, while the other half is still covered. Hence came the bi-fold tonneau cover that while innovative, really never took off properly. Gaylords produced one with a "butterfly" feature (split down the middle), but this again was just not a very appealing option for those that had been burned by the one piece in their past.
Finally, the tri-fold tonneau cover popped it's head up and pretty much blew the lid off the industry. However these covers didn't really solve problems like wasting 1/3rd of your bed, or covering stake pocket holes etc. They were nice, but not that nice.
As with razor blades that started with a switch blade, then became two blades, then three, then four and now five, the tonneau cover has seen a similar type of metamorphosis. The one piece evolved to two, then three and is now available as a Quad-Fold in the way of the patented BAKFLIP TONNEAU COVER. The BakFlip, actually has 5 panels. 4 that fold and one tiny one that is stationary.
BakFlip Quad-Fold Tonneau Cover
Like anything in life, things keep getting better. In the instance of tonneau covers, 4 panels are better than 3.
Let me know what you think? BAK Industries is about to release a new tonneau cover that we feel will stir up some emotions. The new cover also has multiple panels. Join our twitter account or visit us here periodically to stay in touch with the tonneau leaders.
Quad-Fold Tonneau Covers
BAK Industries is the first company to ever make a Quad-Fold Tonneau Cover. The Quad Fold Tonneau, to be marketed under the name FoldBak Tonneau Covers will be released later this year. The FoldBak will be able to install in literally minutes and be as secure as a BakFlip F1 or RollBak G2 tonneau cover. Suffice it to say, it's a pretty damn strong tonneau cover. It will be able to withstand hundreds of pounds of weight on top of it and fold forward in increments to allow ultimate access, function and utility. One of the coolest thing about the new FoldBak Quad Fold Tonneau is that it incorporates the all new "Front to Bak" design, which means that as well as being able to fold forward, from the tailgate towards the cab, it can also fold "BAK"wards from the cab toward the tailgate. The panels incorporate BAK Industries patented slam latch design, secure concealed locking, sleek stealth aesthetics, ergonomically designed operation from either side of the truck, 2 minute install and a power 3 year warranty.
The FoldBak Quad-Fold tonneau cover can be removed just as easily as it can be installed, ships in the best packaging available anywhere and is made right here by BAK Industries in the USA.
Follow us on twitter on my personal account, jmaimin to stay abreast of the FoldBak tonneau cover's official release. Quad-Fold tonneau covers are finally here and guaranteed to change the way you will see and regard tonneau covers forever!
Tonneau covers, motorcycles and quad bikes
There's no question that when it comes to a weekend of fun, throwing your dirt-bike, motorcycle or quad in the back of your truck and heading up to the trails is just the best! What can totally ruin a weekend of fun like this is to return from agreat 2 ride, only to find that you ramps, tent and gear are no longer in the back of your truck. The problem with tonneau covers is that if they are the kind that can keep your cargo secure, i.e., hard, they generally need to be removed in order to get your bikes and gear in the back of your truck. As such, you run the risk of having your stuff stolen, unless you spend the time to load the inside of your truck with all your gear and then unload it again and eedless to say, none of us want to do that!
This age old problem was finally laid to rest w bed ith the advent of the patented BakFlip feature that allows you full access to your truck without removing your tonneau cover. The BakFlip does 3 cool things when it comes to dirtbiking which make it the absolute unrivaled king of tonneau covers for offroading:
1. It allows you to haul your bikes without removing your tonneau cover.
2. The BakFlip protects your cab from being damaged by pulling your bike into the back of your truck. You cannot imagine how many rear windows have been blown out buy doing just that.
3. You get to unload your bikes and lock up your gear under a solid, water tight, secure tonneau cover.
Tonneau covers for the seasons
Depending on where you are from, your reason for owning a tonneau cover may vary considerably. I know that where I live in LA, it rarely ever snows and only occasionally rains, so the elements are not as important for me as perhaps someone living in Michigan. What I do love about the BAK tonneau covers though, is their ability to have such wide appeal to so many different people, regardless of where they might live. The fact that they do so well in freezing conditions has seen the BakFlip become the most popular hard tonneau cover in Canada, and the reason it sells so well in the Northwest is because of how well BakFlip tonneau covers fare in the rain.
BAK Tonneau Cover in snow
Some things that should be considered if you live in a climate that gets a lot of snow is how much weight your tonneau cover can handle, how well it operates in icy conditions and how well it keeps water and moisture out of the bed. If your tonneau cover is more a tarp than a tonneau, then it will likely do well in rain, but won't handle much weight, so be careful of heavy snow falls. Also, even if you have a soft tonneau that is designed to carry weight, note that you'll still have to roll it up which can be tough if a ton of snow is on it, It's better to err on the side of a hard tilting cover or better yet, a hard folding tonneau cover like the BakFlip, that'll still give you access to your bed and offer the security you need from a hard tonneau cover.
For those of you that live where snow is rare, you best be aware that certain tonneau covers can get super hot in the summer. be careful if you're going with an aluminum tonneau cover, because in the middle of summer they can get really hot, almost to the point that you can't touch them. A good fiberglass folding tonneau like the BakFlip F1 would probably be a great option for you.
If you live in an area that is very leafy, be careful of retractable tonneau covers in the fall. You don't want a ton of leaves getting into the canister which will prevent your cover from retracting and perhaps even draining water.
For a real education on what tonneau cover would suit your needs best, from security, to climate, to style, to performance, get hold of a BAK Industries tonneau cover expert at (818) 365-9000 or visit www.bakliner.com.
One thing I am excited for is Spring. It's my favorite season in LA, and when I get to thinking about my BakFlip and spring, I think of how cool it is to be able to kick back at the beach or a park and tailgate. One the coolest thing a BakFlip cover can do is turn into a tailgating bench.
BakFlip used as a tailgating bench
BakFlip for Chevy Avalanche is here!
The new BakFlip tonneau cover is now available for the Chevy Avalanche and if I may say so myself, is a real step up from the OEM version of the Avalanche tonneau cover. For one, it costs less than half the amount. For two it will never fade. For three you get far better function out of your truck by being able to operate it easier than the OE cover, by getting full access to your truck when you need it and by not having to deal with loose panels on your truck. The BakFlip won't fade like that OEM part either.
Take a look at the BakFlip for the Chevy Avalanche in this video and let me know what you think. I love it, because it not only demonstrates how cool the cover is, but shows that BAk Industries is more forward thinking than OEM's and honestly, in my opinion, smokes them on the design.
Can I stand on my tonneau cover?
An all too commonly asked question is whether or not you can stand on your tonneau cover. Honestly, when was the last time you had anyone ask if they could stand on the hood of your car? It would seem to me that standing on the average tonneau cover wouldn't make much sense at all, but still, the question comes up more times than you can imagine.
Obviously it must be an important issue. If weight is at the core of the matter, why not ask how much weight the tonneau cover can handle? Why do so many people find the need to stand on the damn thing? Any way, we felt it important enough of a point, based on peoples insistence in finding out whether they can take a stroll on their tonneau, to ensure that all BAK Industries tonneaus at least, were able to allow you to stand on them. Considering that most people weigh less than 400 lbs, there should be no issue standing on any BAK tonneau cover. With that said, here's some advice for anyone that simply has to stand on a BakFlip:
BakFlip tonneau covers are designed to fold over so that each time one panel folds over the next, it is able to withstand an additional 150 lbs of weight. This means that if a panel can handle 150 lbs, then it can handle 350 lbs when folded over. Folding it again will see the BakFlip handle 450 lbs etc. So, before jumping up onto the cover to change that light bulb in your garage, consider this: First fold the cover over once or twice. It will certainly hold your weight without an issue. More importantly however is that when it's folded over, you'll effectively be standing on the underside of the panel. This means that if you ever damage the panel by lets say standing on it with your gold shoes on, you'll not see any visible damage when the cover is closed.
When it comes to a really heavy duty cover like a RollBak all aluminum retractable, you'll have no problem standing on it either. The RollBak is super rugged and it's textured powder coated finish will shrug off pretty much anything you can throw at it. So, when it comes to BAK's retractable or folding tonneau covers, both allow for you to go ahead and do your thing.
But here's the point of this article; I think that most people really want to know whether or not the cover can handle a bunch of isolated weight on it. Unlike a load of snow that is evenly dispersed across the surface of a tonneau, standing on a tonneau cover puts a bunch of weight in one single area. the difference is huge and therefore legitimizes the question.
One thing to consider is that if you're going to put something heavy on the back of your tonneau cover, make sure you can tie it down. I find many one piece tonneau covers and even some poorly designed folding tonneau's that claim to be able to stack a quad bike on the back of them. The problem is that these covers also cover your stake pockets so that tying down the quad is impossible. Make sure your tonneau allows full access to your stake pockets if you're going to be using it to load stuff on it. If it doesn't, you've just spent a ton of money on a solution that's not quite a solution.
BAk Industries tonneau covers always allow full access to stake pockets, so in addition to being able to handle the weight, you can actually put the feature to good use.
Let me know what you think about standing on a tonneau? I'd be interested to get your take on why it's such a commonly asked question.
Tri-Fold Tonneau Covers. Everything you need to know.
I'm not really one for semantics, but I do believe that when it comes to tonneau covers, people should be told the truth and not mislead. between all the hype and competition that exists online, it's hard to know what to believe anymore. That's why I have the urge to shed light on the Tri Fold Tonneau Cover issue and hopefully get some feedback and opinion from you.
Here's the way I see it: a TRI FOLD TONNEAU COVER denotes that it folds three (TRI) times. It doesn't mean once, twice, or four times, but unquestionably 3 times. Hence the words TRI FOLD. Well, in doing my research, I cannot find one single tonneau cover in existance, outside of BakFlip tonneau covers, that are actually tri fold tonneau covers. BakFlip, because of it's patented ability to fold 3 times or more is actually a tri fold cover. It folds 3 times.
Let's look at some of the tonneau covers out there that advertise themselves as being tri-fold. First, take a look at the Extang range of so called Tri-Fold tonneau covers out there. How many times do they fold? Yup, you got it........They fold up twice. They are indeed bifold tonneau covers. If anyone can explain to me why I should consider any of these covers to be called Tri-Fold, I will gladly consider it, but until then, I chalk it up to sneaky and quite honestly, misleading marketing. What happened to just giving people the real truth? Nobody is calling any of their products bad, we're just asking for some truth over here!
Bi-Fold Tonneau Cover
There are a plethora of soft folding tonneau covers that call themselves tri-fold as well. As if they too can jump on the bogus band wagon and ride the coat tails of a category of tonneau cover that they don't even make.
Folks, this is the reason why I choose to blog about tonneau covers. I am intent on sharing the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth so that when you ever need to make a decision about buying a tonneau cover, you don't get duped.
if you're looking for Bi-Fold cover, then start shopping for a tri-fold, because the truth is, 99% of the robots out there selling tonneau covers can't tell the difference between 2 and 3. Maybe I'm just blowing off steam, but when an entire category of tonneau covers is based on a clear and blatant marketing lie, I just feel I need to step in and correct the record. If it's not a BakFlip Tonneau Cover, it's NOT A TRI-FOLD!
This is a BakFlip. It has 4 panels and folds 3 times. It is a Tri-Fold Tonneau Cover.