Review: BakFlip F1

[Carey Frennier]

So I've had this cover for a couple weeks. It had HUGE shoes to fill! The OEM cover is basically awesome!.



This cover allows me to access my entire pickup bed. It's strong and the finish is great. I also love how easy it is to take the entire unit off if I want to. It's also extremely light weight compared to the insanely heavy OEM unit.



I love being able to simply lock my tailgate and I'm secure! The OEM cover has two locks that you have to lock manually and if you buy an OEM cover, you have to get it re-keyed in order to work properly.



I didn't think I'd like the cable lever style system this cover has. The OEM has really robust push buttons and I liked the solid feel they have. This cover uses a cable that can be pulled from either side of the truck. It's so simple and it works flawlessly. I like being able to open it from either driver or passenger side.



The biggest issue that I have with it right now is that it's not really 100% water tight. Somehow, a little bit of water is finding it's way into the truck. It's a really slow leak. Eventually I will get to the bottom of it and get it all fixed up.



The other issue is that you need to lift the back section every time you shut the tailgate. This has become a little annoying.



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[Carey Frennier]

The hump in the middle is now fixed. It was the truck cab protector. I didn't cut it to the correct length and it was resting on the latch track when the cover was closed. This small, extra amount of material pushed the cover up there. I've trimmed it and it's perfect now.

 

[Jim Mills]

Are you using the hoses? The F1 was my 1st choice until I realized it leaks. I havent bought a cover yet but also looking at the trifecta, jackrabbit & kcover.

 

[Carey Frennier]

I am using the hoses. Can see them in one of the pics. Can also see video of the cover on www.YouTube.com under SVTTRAC

 

[Jim Mills]

Are you using the hoses? The F1 was my 1st choice until I realized it leaks. I havent bought a cover yet but also looking at the trifecta, jackrabbit & kcover.

 

[Jim Mills]

My search is over, a buddy in the salvage business just got me an OE for $100. COuldnt pass that up, that means more $'s to spend on mods!:banana:

 

[Supercharged SVT]

Why the change from the OEM (I know coming from a guy that discards everything OEM)

 

[Charlie L]

Glad it works for you Carey. The OEM is great, haven't had a chance for the re-key but I will. Thanks again

 

[Carey Frennier]

I swapped it out so I could have full bed use and cut down the weight. Every tiny bit helps!

 

[David Roll]

Did trimming the extra material help with the water leak? I like the idea of a lighter cover that gives better access to the bed. The OEM is a real pain to put on and off by myself, and I really dislike the fact that I need to bungee it to keep it folded in half when it is off the truck.

 

[Carey Frennier]

Trimming the material did work but there is still a very tiny amount of water finding it's way in somehow.

 

[Carey Frennier]

Update:



Well...we have had some pretty cold nights lately and a major issue with the cover has surfaced.



When it's cold, the rubber seal that connects to the tailgate freezes onto the tail gate. This makes it a real pain in the neck to open the tailgate. The only place to grab is the handle and sometimes it feels like you need so much force......I'm afraid I may break the handle.



I'm also a little annoyed at having to pop the last section of the cover open, everytime I go to shut the tailgate. If you do not do this, it will not seal and you can damage the cover seal.

 

[Jim Upton]

Wait until you get the snow and freezing rain, doesnt sound promising in snow country.

 

[Carey Frennier]

In freezing rain my OEM cover did the same thing.



I've had 12-14" of heavy lake effect snow on the BakFlip F1 and it was nothing. In fact, the snow comes off much easier than it did on the oem cover and I have no problems folding the cover up with a little snow on it.