Overview
A lot of pickup truck owners give utmost importance to the protection of the truck bed. If the truck bed is let exposed, they would have to live with the constant worry that someone might reach in and walk off with some loose items kept there. Owing to this, many truck owners prefer using Tonneau covers to get some kind of protection.
Most Tonneau covers are designed, keeping either protection or convenience in mind. However, you seldom come across an option that offers the best of both worlds. Striking the right balance can be challenging. For instance, if the cover is easily accessible, it is not optimally safe. Similarly, if additional layers are added to it to enhance protection, access will be tricky.
You will come across plenty of options in Tonneau covers. However, if you want to ensure that you get protection but not at the cost of convenience, the BAKFlip MX4 is one of the most appealing options you will find. Let us provide you with detailed information in our BAKFlip MX4 review, which will make it easier for you to determine whether this is indeed the perfect Tonneau cover for you.
Who should get this?
Before we discuss the various aspects of the product in our BAKFlip MX4 review, let us shed some light on who would benefit most from this product.
- Those who frequently keep items in their truck bed and have to leave it out in the open for extended hours unsupervised
- Those who take their pickup trucks to remote areas in all kinds of weather conditions
- Those who want to increase fuel efficiency as the cover makes sure that air passes along the bed smoothly, ensuring less fuel is used.
- Those who want to make their truck look more aesthetically pleasing and unique and add a bit of flair to it
- Those who wish to make the truck bed more versatile
How We Picked the Truck Bed Tonneau Cover?
While elaborating on the BAKFlip MX4 review, we paid particular attention to some pivotal factors associated with the truck bed Tonneau cover. We endeavored to find out more about what makes a truck bed Tonneau cover the ideal choice. Let us take a look at some of the features that you should look out for.
Material
The type of material used for making the cover is of immense importance as this is what influences the durability and longevity of the product. Hardcovers are mostly manufactured using materials like fiberglass and aluminum due to their rigidity. Vinyl is used primarily for making softcovers if flexibility is needed. Whatever the material is, it needs to be ensured that the cover’s exterior side is capable of providing protection against external elements, including rain, snow, and UV rays, among other things.
The mechanism of retraction
Some of the Tonneau covers have single-piece designs that simply lift on one hand. However, most of them have some retraction mechanism, which allows you to access the truck bed when you need. Most budget-friendly covers are provided with a folding frame, having separate panels. The expensive covers usually have a roiling mechanism in place for the purpose. While deciding whether the cover is right for your use, you need to determine whether the retraction method is feasible.
Security
Optimal protection can only be ensured if the Tonneau cover remains in place. If it can be removed easily, it would not provide any safety. Therefore, most of the covers are equipped with a lock design that keeps them in place to enhance security. Dedicated locks are more advanced as they allow you to open the cover with ease. Therefore, while deciding on which Tonneau cover would be suitable for you, you need to ensure that it is equipped with a reliable security mechanism to keep it in place.
Sealing
Most of the Tonneau covers provide excellent protection against the weather. They ensure that external elements like rainwater and snow do not find their way to the truck bed. It is advisable to ensure that the cover you use seals the corners and sides. This prevents water or snow from getting inside via small areas and cracks. In some covers, weather-stripping is used for maintaining a proper sealing. Indeed, some high-end Tonneau covers even have a drainage system in place.
Size
One thing that needs to be given utmost attention is the size of the truck and cover. Both need to be compatible with each other. You need to make sure that the cover fits properly on the truck bed. Usually, manufacturers offer several versions of varying sizes of the same model to ensure that their product has a wider reach. Thus, if a particular model appeals to you, you need to find out whether it is offered in multiple sizes.
Accessories
We also gave importance to accessories. Truck beds are often provided with different types of accessories, including racks. However, all covers are not compatible with such items. Therefore, it is vital that attention is paid to the cover design to determine whether it would fit a truck bed with accessories.
BAKFlip Mx4 Review
Now that we have gone through the various aspects associated with truck bed Tonneau covers let us move onto BAKFlip MX 4 review and find out everything that it has to offer.
Perhaps the most striking thing about this cover is the simplistic design it is provided with. It has been made with a trifold design, with the cover having three large segments. These segments fold inward towards the cab of the vehicle. The sections are made using aluminum, which gives them the feature of rigidity and durability. Thus, this cover is capable of offering sturdy protection, something you would not find with softcovers.
The folding design also ensures that you do not have any trouble accessing the truck bed whenever required. Therefore, it is apparent that manufacturers have made exquisite attention to ensuring that you are provided with optimal convenience with this cover. A lot of covers with a rolling mechanism have limitations when it comes to positioning. This implies that you can either leave them open or closed. There is no such restriction with this MX4 cover. It is up to you to open one or two panels at the same time. Thus, how much the truck bed is exposed when you access it is under your control. This makes it a highly convenient option when you have to reach into it to get some tool or other item.
Attention has also been paid to security. The MX4 is equipped with a sophisticated locking mechanism. However, the latch can be accessed even when the tailgate is up. When the cover is closed, the aluminum panels ensure that the truck bed is protected against potential damage by external factors. It is also provided with a matte finish that is scratch resistant. The color will not fade due to the UV rays.
The installation of the MX4 is pretty straightforward. It would not take you a lot of time, and it is unlikely that you will need any assistance to manage the task. The cover sits above the bed rails, while some space is left on edge for the stake pockets. There are two supporting rails that have to be fastened down with clamps to the sides of the vehicle to ensure that the cover remains in place during driving. The clamps do not have any holes, and thus it is up to you to decide where you want to place them for optimal support.
One thing you will have to keep in mind is that MX4 is a tad bit heavy. Therefore, lifting it is somewhat troublesome if you are handling it alone.
Once you set up the cover, the design makes sure that you are provided with optimal convenience. You can access the inside contents by unfolding the covers in no time. Indeed, this saves quite a lot of time. You do not have to worry about rolling it up or going through any complicated steps. Once installed, the MX4 is a breeze to use.
When the cover is fully open, the panel segments are kept in the vertical position via simple support. This allows you to access the whole truck bed. Furthermore, the cover does not take up a lot of space.
The noteworthy point that should be mentioned in this BAKFLIP MX4 review is that it locks vertically. Therefore, it is not a good option to keep it open when you are driving. If the load is tall, it might be a better idea to remove the cover.
All in all, this MX4 cover is one of those products that will not let you down and ensure that you get optimal convenience and protection.
Pros
- Capable of providing protection against external elements like water and snow
- Easy to install
- The truck bed is easily accessible and does not take much of your time
- The cover is secure enough
- It does not vibrate much and does not produce a lot of noise when the truck is moving
- Durable and long-lasting
- Aesthetically pleasing
Cons
- The cover sometimes needs a bit of time to form a proper sealing
- The design is not really low-profile, and thus you might not be able to use it with some bed liners
BAKFlip Mx4 vs. G2
BAKFLIP MX4 |
BAKFlip G2 |
| Provided with a matte finish | Has a glossy outer cover |
| Can support up to 400 lbs. weight | Can handle weight up to 300 lbs. |
| Features a dual action tailgate seal that allows you to latch the tailgate without having to deal with the cover | Tailgate seal overlaps the top of the truck’s tailgate |
| 3-year warranty | 2-year warranty |
While both of these covers are quite similar in some aspects, they have some distinguishing factors that should be kept in mind. When we talk about BAKFlip Mx4 vs. G2, the difference in their latching mechanism is glaring. While the MX4 can remain latched when you fasten the tailgate, the same is not the case with G2. If you want to fasten the tailgate, the cover must be unlatched, which takes up quite a bit of time.
MX4 has a matte finish in contrast to the glossy upper coat layer of G2. The latching of G2 is also weaker compared to that of MX4. While a two-year warranty is offered on G2, MX4 comes with a three-year warranty.
Another critical factor in the comparison of BAKFlip MX4 vs. G2 is that MX4 is capable of withstanding more weight compared to G2. While G2 can withstand the weight of up to 300lb, MX4 can handle up to 400lbs with ease. It is likely that you will find G2 at a lower price compared to MX4 since the former has been in the market for a longer time.
BAKFlip Mx4 vs. F1
BAKFlip MX4 |
BAKFlip F1 |
| Provided with a powder coat matte black finish | Has a glossy black cover |
| Equipped with lightweight aluminum panels that open and close easily | Feature Fiberglass Reinforced Panels that protect against scratches and dents |
| Have locking rails for sealing | Provided with a latch for sealing |
| 3-year warranty | 3-year warranty |
BAKFlip MX4 vs. F1 is a notable comparison owing to the similarity the two have in terms of design. However, there are some glaring differences between the two models.
For one thing, F1 is provided with a rough texture in comparison to the smooth appearance of MX4. Similar to G2, F1 also has to be lifted so that the tailgate can be closed while no such thing is needed with MX4.
F1 is found to be more resistant against dents and scratches. It is designed to withstand harsher conditions compared to MX4.
Alternatives to BAKFlip MX4
If the BAKFlip MX4 does not suit you for some reason, you can take a look at another option that might fulfill your requirements.
Tyger Auto T5 Alloy Hardtop Truck Bed Tonneau Cover
Provided with a US patented design, this cover is manufactured with high-quality aluminum with thick PC polymers in between. The materials are arranged in a honeycomb structure, making the cover highly durable and capable of providing you with optimal protection. This cover can handle up to 500lbs of weight. The heavy-duty aluminum frames and the hardware ensure that the cover lasts for a long time.
Installation would not take much of your time since the cover comes pre-assembled and is provided with a unique quick-release clamping system. Furthermore, it offers a tight seal that ensures security and protection against external factors.
The Conclusion for You – BAKFlip Mx4 Review
It is not easy to find a Tonneau cover that manages to strike a balance between flexibility, protection, and convenience. This BAKFlip MX4 review should be enough to tell you that you get the best of both the required features with this model. The simplistic design and easy installation make it a highly convenient option. Setting it up would not take much of your time.
While the cover might provide necessary protection against theft, it ensures that you do not have to worry about leaving your truck bed exposed. However, if you want something that will be more resilient, you can take a look at other options.
