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.
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.
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.