bed cover for short bed truck

[papermakermd]

What would be a good bed cover for a short bed to use with a fifth hitch. 2022 F-350.

 

[BobLandry]

I have a F250 with the short bed and a Retrax cover. With the cover completely rolled in, I can see look over my shoulder and see the hitch to connect. There is no interference between anything.

 

[MoonShadow_1911]

I have a F250 with the short bed and a Retrax cover. With the cover completely rolled in, I can see look over my shoulder and see the hitch to connect. There is no interference between anything.

+1 for the Retrax! Best cover out there in my opinion.

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[BobLandry]

I did a lot of research and touchy feely at the truck & hitch shops before deciding on the Retrax. This is my second one. The first one was the vinyl version and after 8 years of sitting in the sun, the UV finally got it. The nes one is the aluminum version and it's really nice. They make a powered one, but when you can retract and close the cover with finger pressure walking along the side of the truck, why spend the extra $$$? They are not cheap but it's a quality bed cover and this one will probably outlast me.

 

[Bill & Jeri RV Travels]

I’ve used a Truxedo Pro X15 tonneau cover on our F350 diesel short bed for about three years and am very happy with it. It rolls up completely out of the way when towing our Montana fiver. The cover still looks new.


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[traveldawg]

Retrax Pro seems like a winner. I've had Roll-N-Lock on my last three trucks. I may have to rethink the next time and look at that Retrax closer. I got, and recommend, an aluminum one.

 

[papermakermd]

I have a F250 with the short bed and a Retrax cover. With the cover completely rolled in, I can see look over my shoulder and see the hitch to connect. There is no interference between anything.

Thanks Bob for your response. I was told by a local shop that this type of cover would not work because of the rollup canister. How far from the front of the bed does the canister stick out? Have you had any problems with water leaking into the bed? I had one hard fold up cover which leaked terribly.

 

[papermakermd]

+1 for the Retrax! Best cover out there in my opinion.

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Thanks1911! for your response MoonShadow_

 

[papermakermd]

I’ve used a Truxedo Pro X15 tonneau cover on our F350 diesel short bed for about three years and am very happy with it. It rolls up completely out of the way when towing our Montana fiver. The cover still looks new.


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Thanks for your response Bill & Jeri RV Travels ! When your cover is rolled up what is the thickness of the roll. Does your Fifth Wheel clear it on tight turns? I'm leaning towards a soft roll up.

 

[papermakermd]

Retrax Pro seems like a winner. I've had Roll-N-Lock on my last three trucks. I may have to rethink the next time and look at that Retrax closer. I got, and recommend, an aluminum one.

Thanks for your response traveldawg ! Have you had any problems with leaks ?

 

[Rivercityjeff]

YMMV

Recently purchased and installed a Bakflip 4. Selected it because, it's a hard cover, can support up to 400 pounds, I can close it without having to open the tailgate and it's easy to remove. Considered the rollup but, there are times I need the whole bed. The new truck has only had 2 washes and there are no leaks.

 

[Ynot4me2]

I've had the Backflip on my last 2 trucks and absolutely love it. Its also saved my rear window a few time when it was completely folded up with a bunch of stuff in the box. No leaks on either. But if I'm not mistaken, you need to have the reg or long bed if you want it down while pulling the 5th.

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[BobLandry]

Thanks Bob for your response. I was told by a local shop that this type of cover would not work because of the rollup canister. How far from the front of the bed does the canister stick out? Have you had any problems with water leaking into the bed? I had one hard fold up cover which leaked terribly.

It goes to the front bed rail and has a rubber gasket. The canister may collect some water, but anything it collects drains out through rubber tbing that empties behind the cab.
The Retrax is not absolutely water proof, and in a driving rain I'll have a small amount of water entry near the tailgate. I don't thinkl any of the bed covers are totally watertight.

 

[papermakermd]

YMMV

Recently purchased and installed a Bakflip 4. Selected it because, it's a hard cover, can support up to 400 pounds, I can close it without having to open the tailgate and it's easy to remove. Considered the rollup but, there are times I need the whole bed. The new truck has only had 2 washes and there are no leaks.

Thanks for your reply Rivercityjeff but I'm afraid a fold up cover will not give me enough clearance for making turns with a fifth wheel hitch.

 

[papermakermd]

I've had the Backflip on my last 2 trucks and absolutely love it. Its also saved my rear window a few time when it was completely folded up with a bunch of stuff in the box. No leaks on either. But if I'm not mistaken, you need to have the reg or long bed if you want it down while pulling the 5th.

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Thanks for your reply butI don't think a fold up cover will work for me.

 

[papermakermd]

It goes to the front bed rail and has a rubber gasket. The canister may collect some water, but anything it collects drains out through rubber tbing that empties behind the cab.
The Retrax is not absolutely water proof, and in a driving rain I'll have a small amount of water entry near the tailgate. I don't thinkl any of the bed covers are totally watertight.

Thanks Bob but I think I'll have to stick with a soft roll up for now.

 

[Bill & Jeri RV Travels]

Thanks for your response Bill & Jeri RV Travels ! When your cover is rolled up what is the thickness of the roll. Does your Fifth Wheel clear it on tight turns? I'm leaning towards a soft roll up.

It’s about 5-6” when rolled up and there are a couple of straps that keep it rolled up and out of the way. My fiver does not come close to it when turning or backing. BTW, I had a similar Truxedo (Low-Pro) on a F150 Ecoboost I used to have when Hurricane Matthew came within about 25 miles of us. My truck sat outside. I got about three drops of water in the bed, but I think that blew in around the side of the tailgate.


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[papermakermd]

It’s about 5-6” when rolled up and there are a couple of straps that keep it rolled up and out of the way. My fiver does not come close to it when turning or backing. BTW, I had a similar Truxedo (Low-Pro) on a F150 Ecoboost I used to have when Hurricane Matthew came within about 25 miles of us. My truck sat outside. I got about three drops of water in the bed, but I think that blew in around the side of the tailgate.


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Thanks Bill & Jeri ! I had a soft fold up on my other Truck and never had a drop of water in the bed. I think this is the way I'll be going.

 

[WhittleBurner]

We have the Truxedo Deuce and liked it so much that when we went from our short bed to a long bed we bought another one. Having that large section next to the cab that opens without rolling up the whole cover is nice. One thing to watch when buying a cover is how high it sits on top of the bed rails. The deuce is only 1/2 inch.

 

[Bill & Jeri RV Travels]

I would say my Truxedo Pro X15 sits about 1/2” or so high. Here is a picture of it on our F350. BTW, this cover is made out of the same material as new convertibles use.




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