I’ve had the roll n lock on my 2004 Ford Sport Trac about 15 years. It is great. I use the 303 spray on it regularly. It still looks new after being parked in my driveway in the Florida sun for all those years. Parked in the driveway under a giant oak tree. I found out that leaves and debris collect in the channel and block the drains. So a couple of times a year I remove the 2 screws securing the cover. The other covers require a dismantling to remove the debris. Plus there is a large gap between the cover and canister that allows debris to collect under the other brand. Remove the debris to clear the drains. If you park inside or under cover this will not be a problem. About 5 years ago I had to replace the spring. I was not upset. Things wear out and break with use and age. Like the rest of my truck has done over those 19 years. The strap is a minor issue, but the dry, secure bed makes up for that. Would I buy another one? Yes already ordered for my 2024 Ranger. To be installed upon its delivery next month. I looked at the retrax bed cover. It is not fabric over aluminum. Just fabric unless you upgrade to the pro model for a lot more money and less bed room due to the larger canister. I was thinking about putting D Rings on each side to replace the strap. But if the top isn’t pulled straight the latches on both sides may not lock.
Great points. Thanks. We also remove the debris and clean it out. Plus, clean and protect the cover as well. Besides the strap, we have been happy with it
TOO🤣🤣🤣 I AFTER 2 days of research decided TODAY and purchased the same cover for my 2010 DODGE RAM 3500 DULLY. I too live n FLA. Getting my TOTAL setup for the truck and trailer ready for the BIG TRIP. After cing this video I feel GREAT on my purchase. Thx. My cover is the LG448-M. Stay safe and healthy and have a BLESSED day 🙏
@@DownsizingMakesCents Well they sent me 2 n a row defective so I canx the order and I could not put my Predator 3500 generator in the bed and close the cover. Not enough height. I liked it but would not work for me. Have a 🙏 BLESSED 🙏 LIFE. Enjoy your travels.
Thank you for the video. We have a Roll n Lock cover on our Ram 3500. I agree with everything you said. Please keep them coming. We also have a Grand Design Solitude fifth wheel. Thanks for sharing.
Gary, sounds like we would get a long great 😉 Having a truck bed cover has helped us so much keep weight off the RV and keep our stuff in the truck safe. Thanks for your positive feedback 🤗 Alice
Hello again, Larry and Alice! Great video(again) on the Roll-n-lock cover. I've been using a Roll-n-lock cover since the early nineties on all of the pickups I've bought. At first, I tried the fiberglass cover, but soon found it's limitations on carrying taller items. I've had only Roll-n-lock covers since then, and for the same reasons you mentioned. I've never had any problems with theft or damage from the elements to our stuff while using this cover. Well, except for the one time when we got caught in rain that turned into snow and it froze the cover in place to the slide rails. Not much I could do about that than wait for warmer temperatures and the thaw. I'm also impressed that this cover has a metal back, so no one can cut it open to explore what I'm carrying. Another advantage this cover has is that when it's locked in full close position, it engages into the tailgate to help prevent theft of your tailgate, which is becoming a big problem. I always have my tailgate locked, so this cover just adds an extra layer of protection against theft my my tailgate. You two be safe and enjoy yourselves! Thanks!
Hey Phillip, thanks for sharing your experience with the RNL, I hope we never have to worry about snow, haha. I was not aware of the tailgate theft problem. Yes having the cover lock to the tailgate is a big advantage to the RNL compared to the Retrax, i should have mentioned that in the video. Larry
I just purchased a Roll n Lock cover like the one in the video. I've always wanted a bed cover for anti-theft purposes. So far I'm liking it. The strap is annoying, but it is what it is. I live in southern Arizona, so I just hope the summer sun doesn't destroy the vinyl top. I'm really forgetful about doing maintenance on things like that. Thanks for the video.
Our Florida sun is prob similar to Arizona and has held up well. I’m not a big maintainer either but $1300 was a lot of money for us so I will do my best to extend the life of the top. Larry
We had the Retrax Pro that you showed at the end of your video installed last year on our GMC with an auto slider 5th wheel hitch in the bed. No cord to mess with, stop and lock the cover in any position and less maintenance (because it’s powder coated metal) would be pluses for the Retrax Pro. They seem very similar in their design and looks...but maybe not quite as cool as yours! We love our cover for all the reasons you cited whether towing or not.
We have a 2500 RAM and installed the Roll n Lock cover too. We are not full time, but we do haul a travel trailer from time to time. Our last trip in the southeast was for 80 days in the spring of this year. Our first 6 week trip in fall 2020, was worrisome because we didn’t have a cover. I researched a lot of covers and wanted a Peragon cover for a while, but then decided against it because if my tubs or crates slid too far forward, I might not be able to get it open. I am glad I got the Roll n Lock cover. It looks good and works well. I haven’t been driven crazy by the strap. I am a bit heavier and older than Larry, so I screwed a 4” el (L) bracket to a 1”x2”x6’ furring strip that allows me to hook under the lip of my crates to pull them to the tailgate to access them. Yes, I have to move things around a bit but I don’t have to get up into the truck bed if I don’t want to…helps a 70 year, overweight vet still enjoy the good life. Maybe I can lose some weight before I turn 71.
Frank, that’s a great solution to not go in the truck. Larry is 56 with RA and he does hurt himself. He uses a small step ladder to get in and out many times. Maybe he should think about your solution. Glad to hear at your age you are still enjoying yourself. We hope to be doing the same in our 70s 🤞 Stay safe and have some fun, Alice
Great review of the pros, cons, and practicality. I had one of these a couple trucks ago. Liked the cover a lot, but the canister for storage just ate space we needed at the front of the bed. One important thing to note, the cover will not work with all 5er pinboxes and definitely not the Goosebox as the rails intrude too far into the bed and will collide on tight turns. Those who like the cover and tow a 5er need to be conscious of this.
Yes i agree, every pinbox and hitch is different and may or may not accommodate a partially closed cover while towing. When I am backing into tight spaces and doing extreme angles with the truck, i always retract the cover all the way to make sure i dont have a cover collision. Thanks for pointing that out. Larry
Howdy - I've just installed a new goosebox, and was going to buy a roll-n-lock cover. My Q is do you have a goosebox and if so how far 'could' you turn? 60, 70, 80 degrees?
@sohereweare-lifeitsallabou9447 Too many unknowns and variables now to say for sure. Roll-n-Lock now has several series, and there is a difference in the bed protrusion by the tracks. Truck year, make, and model also matter. Gen 1, 2, or 3 Goosebox too. Also, keep in mind that towing on the ball gives more multi-axis movement versus being on the conventional pin. What I mean is the trailer can not only pivot but also lean and bring the rear of the Goosebox very close to the bed. The rails for my tonneau protrude into the bed of my 2015 RAM 3500 long bed just 1-1/8". I did contact the passenger side rail with the Gen 2 Goosebox backing into a site where 5er was heading uphill while truck level and about 75 degrees. Enough to make it ugly to where I needed to file it, but it doesn't affect the use of the vinyl tonneau but would definitely cause an issue with a roller.
Another very helpful and informative video. Several months ago, I purchased a 2019 RAM 3500 Limited Super Cab SRW truck that has a bed cover installed. It is the American Truck Cover model made by Truck Covers USA. The design is very similar to your Roll n' Lock, including the long strap, etc. Your maintenance tips and solution to securing the pull strap were very helpful. It also prompted me to email the manufacturer to provide download links to installation and maintenance tips, etc. Thanks, again, for everything!
Back in 2008 I purchased a new Truck and I did purchase a Roll-Bak cover. I remember paying good money for it back then. Don`t think they are in business any more. The sellers said it was so well built you could stand on it and it would endure to your next truck. Lightweights could probably stand on it but unfortunately not me. It had a powder coated aluminum top and rolled into a canister. I still have that truck. After sixteen years the powder coat is still on and other than an occasional bind because of the spring getting a little weak its the best investment I ever made for my truck. It`s very secure and looks strong and impenetrable. My wood stays dry and generator stays secure and other than clearing out the debris from the drain system it has always worked great. I am ready to purchase a new truck and I hope it fits in the new standard beds.
Everything you said is fact... My Roll n' Lock has been on my truck since 2003. And it still works great. So much so, I purchased the electric one for my new truck 3 years ago. There's no straps and locks in any position. All you have to do is minor maintenance to keep it working properly. The electric one is the same maintenance. However, it has a metal top. I agree, it is expensive. But opening and closing is a push of a button. Good video, sharing....
I would have though roll n lock would give me a free cover by now, three videos with a lot of views, come on roll n lock i want an electric one too. Lar
I looked at the roll n lock but I chose the Pace Edwards power with remote control so I can stop it wherever I want and I can open it as I am backing up or close it as I am pulling away and I put it on when my truck was new 2015 and I have changed the batteries in the remote one time. I is on a 2015 3500HD long bed and I have had no problems with it. A friend of mine has a Roll n Lock and he likes his too.
The roll n lock electric does not have a 8 foot bed version, 6 foot is the longest. I will have to check out the pace edwards, thanks for sharing your experience, Larry
I had the powered Pace Edwards on a 2005 F150, loved it!!!!! 17 years of troublefree use, and i used it a lot....and did pull a 5th wheel with it, like the rest of you, loved being able to have it partially closed. Only had to lube the tracks a few times over the years. The only problems I had over the years was, i wore out the remote and had to get a replacement once, and in the last couple of years, the finish started to come off in one spot. Contacted Pace Edwards, and they sent me a patch kit for free....cover was about 15 years old at the time. Cover was worth every penny.
Good video Larry. I just watched another video for the drain holes in the catch box he installed a sink drain screen upside-down over the hole so helps reduce the clogging of it. Just thought that might help you. Have a BLESSED day.
Good to have the strap tied to the back of your box. A couple of years back while travelling in California with my fifth wheel and Denali 3500, with a similar roll top, the strap flapped in the wind and worked it's way down the front of the box and wrapped around the truck drive shaft. It snapped with a loud bang and bent the roll top up a little. It scared the heck out of the two of us in the truck as I was going 60 MPH and thought a tire blew. I managed to pull over and it took a few minutes to figure out what had occurred.
Robert, wow. That’s scary. We could see that happening. A tire issue is one of my biggest scares. Hope it wasn’t too costly to fix. Thanks for sharing your story 🤗 Alice
Thanks, Larry. Excellent review of the Roll n' Lock. It's does make your truck look cooler...and that IS important. Going back to check out the install video. Peace!
He’s doing a bit better everyday. We have a short and some UA-cam community posts showing him doing little projects and an outing to a park for the first time in months Thanks for thinking of us 😃
Good Morning. Yes I have the Roll N lock also. Yes the strap is a pain but I do like your rubber cord to help keep it out of the way. I put a tool box under the box in the truck to keep some truck stuff. I have a sliding fence to keep things from moving around and a way from the hitch. I try to take the champion hitch like yours out when not need which is why i have the moving fence connected to the Roll N lock. Thank You Jack
Also, a bed cover increases fuel mileage.Thank you for this review. I'm installing my Roll-N-Lock bed cover today. I ordered the powder coated A Series. Oh yeah, and it's MADE IN THE USA!
On my third Roll N Lock and agree it’s nice to have covered space when pulling a 5thwheel. I installed one on my 2020 F450 last year . Strap can be annoying at times but not a deal buster for me . Quality is really good on these covers , I like the soft vinyl versus some of the shiny finish of some of the others. I would definitely buy another Roll N Lock again .
Cliff, that’s good to hear. We feel better about our purchase. Yeah. The strap is not so bad that we would spend another $700 for another cover. Thanks for sharing your experience, Alice
The three reasons I got the rollnlock instead of the retrax is lower bedrail profile, cheaper, and the vinyl top makes it more waterproof. But I had to create a custom locking position so that I could cover more of my bed while I was towing. Larry
Thank you Dr. Larry for another great tip! The number of bed covers to choose from are many. You have simplified my search when the time comes to buy one for our future truck. One more video to add to my Larry’s Lessons playlist. Thank you sir!😎
Rick, check out the install video too. He goes over other truck covers. Larry really enjoys these videos - and I’m glad you do, too. Larry’s lessons is too big to put on the banner on the side of the thumbnail 😉 You changed your channel pic? Alice
@@DownsizingMakesCents Hi Alice. I’ll check out the install video. And yes, I changed my picture. As I mentioned before, we are preparing for RV life by doing all the things like downsizing our home base this past month, check…buying the toy before the toy-hauler(three wheel Harley-Davidson) check. And last, but not least, narrowing down our toy-hauler options currently. I wanted a less formal picture to reflect more fun and less work. How did I do?😎
Great job with the picture change. And the Harley sounds awesome. I have a sister in Utah that loves trips on her hubbies bike. Sounds like you are definitely on your way. Make a list of must have tools and extra parts - we had a fuse blown and made our leveler computer go out 😬 Luckily we had extra fuses. Alice
I installed the all aluminum version of the Roll-N-Lock on my truck this past summer. I like the looks, security and the fact that it has one of the smallest cannisters on the market. I actually decided against the Retrax Pro because the size of the cannister was so much larger. However, I am now wishing I had gone with the Retrax Pro. Like you, the strap on my Roll-N-Lock drives me absolutely bonkers. Additionally, my RnL leaks like a sieve all over the place. I can not trust it to keep my bed contents dry in rainy weather. Even though the cannister is bigger, I really wish I had gone with the Retrax Pro.
I have a retrax pro and it will not keep the bed dry at all!! It doesn't leak between slats, but the rail design is silly. Water comes in the rail and rides the bottom of the cover so it soaks the whole bed.
@@DownsizingMakesCents I had the role n lock m series a couple trucks ago and it kept my bed drier than any cover I've ever owned. I was thinking about getting the a series but seeing some of these comments concerns me.about leaking. Are you still finding your m series to be pretty "waterproof" for a tonneau cover?
Thanks for your update. This is the cover were going to get! For all the reasons you stipulated! I thought from watching your install that strap was going to catch. But the positives outweigh the negatives! Thanks! maybe we will see you on the road. We pick up our rig at then end of Oct.
Just purchased and they installed it for FREE in Sulphur Springs, Texas. I'M SO EXCITED AND THANKS FOR THE "tub" brand and dimensions! Bought if because you did there homework 😉
I hope you love your roll n lock, I love mine most of the time, except for when that strap gets stuck it’s still drives me nuts. i’ve had it for a couple of years now and it still works great and the cover has lasted well even in Florida Sun. I haven’t had to do anything to it except for clean it with 333 every couple of months. Larry
Good evening to you! You have done another excellent product review here! Thank you very much for sharing your thoughts and experiences with this tonneau cover! Ha…we are as clear as mud water with regards to what we want to do. I will be pulling a 27foot travel trailer with a crew cab, long bed F350. Our trailer only has 1 external storage, pass through bay. So, a fair amount of stuff will need to go into our bed. We also don’t have a ton of storage inside the trailer. So….we will want to put something back there. Of course, a hard shell bed top is expensive and blocks the view. So, I am more inclined to something like what you have or maybe a soft top bed topper that Incan also fold out of the way when not needed. Ha….bed storage and inverter generator are our two biggest supporting decisions we have to make right now. Safe travels!
If i had a travel trailer, i would definitely get a hard shell topper for the back of the truck, lots of storage, use a camera to help back into the hitch. I highly recommend the honda generators, i used our 2000 for 17 years and it has worked great. I just added the 2200 and it is even better. Quiet and powerful uses a very small amount of fuel. I did a video about my 2000 about a year ago check it out. ua-cam.com/video/FfJyTaz1Byo/v-deo.html. Larry
When you said, “… that friggin’ strap”. I laughed my rear end off. I too, have a Roll ‘n’ Lock cover and I too hate “that friggin’ strap”, lol. My R&L (which I bought new in 2011) has been on my 2011, 2018 and 2019 Ram trucks. The thing still looks and performs great. Love your channel. Keep the vids coming!!!
@@DownsizingMakesCents The vinyl looks great. You’d never guess the roll and lock was that old, or that its been on three trucks. The only thing I replaced was the thing in the middle that reverses the latch direction, and one of the Roll’n’Lock logo stickers fell off. I sent an email to customer service telling them how much I liked the product and they sent me those part FREE!! So I’ve had mine for 10 years now. Oh.. and my trucks have never seen the inside of a garage If I were to replace it, I’d blow $$$$ on the electric. Cuz I HATE THAT FRIGGIN STRAP, lol lol
Our retractable Ford OEM bed coverbon our F-250 is metal and works great. Low profile and slides easily back and forth. Has to be all the way open or closed. Does not completely seal all water but very little gets in. Practically maintenance free.
We are glad you found one that works for you. However, we need one that can cover half the truck while hitched to our fifth wheel. But your recommendation is great for others - thanks for sharing 🤗 Alice
Great review Larry. I have a Limax. It has 3 solid panels that fold back. It’s really sturdy and can’t be punctured. The good is there’s no compartment to store the roll up. There’s no rain catch tank either. It’s always been dry inside. The bad thing about it is, unless I remove it from the truck only 2/3 of it is open. It works for us as we have a travel trailer instead of a fifth wheel.
Great video Larry! That’s good to use so no one can see your stuff in the bed of your truck. I wouldn’t like the strap myself. But that cover does the trick. Glad you did a video of this nature. It helps. Hope you a great evening and week. Safe travels.
Hey, Sherri. I wouldn’t want a truck without a cover. It protects your stuff in so many ways. Hope this helps other truck owners. Hope all is well with you 🤗 Alice
Hi. You wanted to know about the Retrax Pro. I have the manual XR version, no motor. It does leak a little bit which doesn't let me use cardboard boxes as eventually some water gets to it. Heavy plastic containers work fine. ( Don't use cheap thin plastic containers, I'll explain later ). Mine isn't vinyl, its aluminum. I lubricate it VERY LIGHTLY with dry teflon lube, I choose this lube which was designed for off-road bike chains and doesn't gum up or collect much grime. I don't apply the oil to the tracks directly, I oil a rag to minimize the amount of oil I use. I carry an old hand towel under my back seat to dust away the top of the bed cover if there is a lot of leaves and dust at the time. I added 4 extra clamps strictly out of paranoia because I carry 2 heavy ( and insanely expensive ) E-Bikes on top of the cover which adds about 250 pounds ( Including towers bars and bike holders ). While I wouldn't classify what we do as off-road, we are addicted to fire and BLM roads and 9 out of 10 times these are not paved so there are more bumps and vibrations that make things wobble and shake loose. Did I mention I'm paranoid? Yes well I also added 8 heavy duty silicone suction cup D ring holders on the outside of the truck, these do not damage the paint. I use 4 on each side to tie the bikes in with tight bungee cords, these reduce the side wobble of the bikes therefore reducing the strain on the bike rack. NOW... There is one thing about the Retax I don't like. I doubles as a frying pan and an oven!!! It gets hot as hell both inside the bed and the cover itself, it WILL burn your hand easily. Im seriously considering painting it gloss white. or maybe adding some kind of cover that can take 65 mph winds and rain, if there is such a thing, or something. If anyone has a solution to this problem I'd love to hear it! I had some disposable plastic food containers in there a few hours, they deformed from the heat! I actually purchased a carport canopy ( I have no garage ) in a large part because of this. It's no fun getting burned while loading and unloading our bikes. The heat is VERY frustrating. Other than that, the Retrax works.
Thanks for sharing your experience with the Retrax. The vinyl top on the roll n lock keeps the water out mostly but not completely. Great idea using bike chain lube for the rails, i uses a special tephlon formula for my mountain bike, i will try it on the roll no lock rails, ill bet it will work awesome. I wonder if there was as way to paint the top of the Retrax cover white to reduce the heat problem, im sure i could do something like that to my roll n lock vinyl top. I still hoping to get a free Retrax to do a review, haha. Larry
I have a love and hate relation with our retrax std. 3 years review here. First the locking system on the retrax MX isn't a locking system with step like yours. Unless you lock it completly closed it won't really hold any other position when forced. In fact, someone broke thru while completely closed just by forcing it since I for some reason didn't closed it completely. Also a major issue for me is that below the canister, that we can't open btw to clean it, the canister leave less that 7-8inch below it. This is a major since we haul a lot of stuff. The look on the retrax is better that yours BUT water does go thru when heavy raining or while washing the truck (don't go in a carwash it's like not having a cover). The only reason I didn't buy the Rollnlock is that my Ford dealer didn't installed them and they were 3000$ CAN vs about 1800$ for the Retrax. Still prefer our cover than any soft or panel type of cover (had a 3 rigid panel before and hated it!). Still recommend the retrax but i'll buy the locknroll next time.
I didn’t know that about the locking mechanism for the Retrax, very interesting. In the us the roll n lock is much cheaper than the Retrax pro. The roll n lock is very water tight, the only thing i dont like is the strap system. Larry
Morning guys, Larry, I am glad to see you back at it again. I just wanted to give you a heads up with these covers. We are getting to try full timing for a while and after watching your video, realized that we would need one. It has been a pain in tail end. They have a third party that handles their credit card sales that declines the sales for what ever reason they choose, but won't tell you. I know you have nothing to do with it, I am just venting. Please, keep doing the things you guys do but take care of yourself. Alice take care of yourself also.
Sorry you ran into this problem. Have you made posts on their social media pages? That often gets some action. Let us know what happens. It’s a crazy world right now. Larry isn’t completely back - his battle born battery video is mostly from the DIY he did in 2020. But we are happy he was able to film the intro and outro and edit the whole thing. So that’s progress 🤗
Thanks for your video. I had settled on Roll n Lock, but wondered about the extra cost of the E-series model. I don’t think I’m as willing to put up with the strap issues as you have been. Also, the cover itself is individual interlocking coated aluminum panels which I thought were very durable. So, I’m happy like you are with my selection, but there’s one small thing I would like them to improve. I now have to carry two fobs on my keyring. One for the truck itself, and a separate one to operate the cover. I *really* wish Roll & Lock would work with the automakers on some way to connect to the body control computer and watch for key presses on the factory key fob (or combinations of button presses, that would operate the cover. I bought the cover from the automaker, and it was installed by the original dealer. Surely some kind of arrangement like this could be worked out.
Excellent review. If i have to do it again, i would go with the roll up type. I’m sporting the tri-flip type. Not a full timer so it gets the job done.
Good video y'all. My issue is I need a truck. lol I will be wanting to get a cover of some sort though when I get one. I am hoping that is soon. Not having a truck sucks. Thanks for the great tips. I will give this a look soon I hope.
Ever consider using a retractable dog lease to replace that crap strap? Carabiner handle near tailgate and retract as needed. Small dog should work, but best buy the big dog to know where you are in the pack when needed. Great video.
Really nice review of the cover. I thought about a cover but with the kayaks and bikes I generally have things in the truck that exceed the height of the truck bed. Good job.
I have the retrax pro version sold by Line-X. Called Truck Gear RETRACTABLE HARD TONNEAU COVER. It has been great. Had it about 3 years. Love it.. can stand on it if needed or set stuff on top of it as well. Worth the cost.
My tetrax is 10 years old use it all most every day leaks a little more and not as smooth rolling as day but still works great and the finish is still good.
I swear at that strap every time i have to touch it. I really sucks, always getting stuck on something. But i do love this style of cover vs the flipping hard type. I still think I would prefer the Retrax pro vs the roll n lock. Larry
I have a 2019 Silverado with an 8' bed, I am considering installing the ReTrax XR Pro. It is aluminum and locks in many positions. Also, it has tracks, T-Slots on each side so you can install a Yakima, Thule, or Rhino-Rack system. Thanks for this video, it helped me make my decision.
Hey David, YES get the Retrax instead of the roll n lock, but it is more expensive, i was just being a cheapskate when i bought mine. The roll n lock works but the Retrax has more locking positions which is much better for fifth wheel. If you get it please contact me and let me know how you like it, i really want to know, Larry.
@@DownsizingMakesCents I will! And I will try to attach some pictures. I am also going to add the Rhino-Rack Vortex crossbars to carry our kayaks. Now the wait, everything is on backorder!
The RollnLock website says the 'box' is 7" deep, you said yours is 12". Is that because you have a long bed??? - How does is work under snow? - Do you HAVE to use the strap? What happens if you just grab the cover from one side and pull on it??? - Nice review, thank you. (I've had the same Retrax cover on my Ford Ranger(s) for the past 18 years. It's been a great cover. BUT, the box is 12" deep. Not a problem for the 6' bed on my Ranger, as I still end up with a 5' bed. But I'm getting a new truck, and all the new trucks seem to only have 5' beds. So if the RollnLock box is only 7", it might be the one I go with...)
The Rollnlock is only 7 inches deep, up and down, but is 11 3/4 long as far as how much bed it takes up. If i take a measuring tape an measure from below the canister back to the front of the truck bed it is almost 12 inches. I think all he rollnlock cannisters are the same size no mater what length you get, but i would definitely call rollnlock to make sure. I hope that answers your question. Larry
Amen on the strap, that things always in the way and caused lots of bad words! On bad dirt roads I get more dust in my bed with the cover vs without. I think it's the large gaps at the tail gate. I'm going to try some tail gate seals eventually.
Great vid Larry! Never had one of those on my trucks, but I don't think they were even around that long. I have camper shell right now though. Hope all is well 👍
We are so glad we can put our heavy items in the truck even when towing the fifth wheel and know it’s safe. We are still in Canada enjoying the cooler temps. Wishing the best 🤗 Alice
@@DownsizingMakesCentshi I’m a first time ever truck owner - a Tacoma Trd pro. I am looking for the best cover to choose. So you are in Canada? I am in Minnesota. I read a comment above where rain froze and locked the bed cover. What tips or recommendations can you think of for me in a very damp and sometimes cold climate. My needs are: hailing canoes. Hauling skis, hauling hay bales and lumber and bycicles. Driving round trip 70 miles whenever there are snowdrifts to get through on my way to work and home.
I had the retrax on my 2016 Silverado 2500HD since it was new. It never gave any problems and looked as good as the day it was new when I traded the truck a month ago. I now have a 3500HD dually that will have another retrax bed cover on it soon.
Let us know how you like it. I find it hard to know if it’s locked or not - drove to a store and found it open when I got there. But Larry never had that problem
Larry, good review! I’ve come to the conclusion you need a Utility Body Werks bed. When I was in the market for a larger truck the truck I got had one installed. The only problem, the next truck will have to have one also 😁.
@@DownsizingMakesCents, Larry, it took me 2 years to find the truck I currently have. A new one was not in my budget nor will it ever be. Fixed cars for years so older stuff will always be more in my budget 😉. Our new to us current rig is just under the allowance of 24k so…. The search is on for another néw to us truck before I retire (a semi) I mostly want it for safety for hills. Enjoy the videos, keep up the good work!
We bought the fifth wheel used. And of course we do like to mod and fix it ourselves. The only reason we got the truck new is because we got such a deal - the price of some used ones with the same features I wanted. Thanks. We really appreciate your watching and commenting
@@DownsizingMakesCents >> Hi Folks, Didn't realize i had left comment 6mos ago. I finally bought RnL yesterday > I remembered someone had addressed the "strap issue" > so i went looking on Y T and found your review again. Good to see I agreed w my prior comment :)
The Retrax Pro looks to have a larger housing that takes up more room. Also, the way it locks in position looks like a compression pin that digs into the rails. I like the locking mechanism of the roll and lock better.
I've had a retraxpro xr for the last 2 and it provides zero water protection. I had a roll n loc on a previous truck that I liked much more...the only advantage of the retrax is that you can stop it in any position.
Thank you for your review. It help me to know what I need to be looking for and why. I have been looking at the retrax pro power cover. I think that for the ease of use I.e. not having a strap to pull close and it has a brake that locks it in place where ever you stop it. It will cost more but I believe it will save me time effort and frustration.
Great honest review. Question if you don’t mind about the way you attach the trailer. I’ve seen some use a ball in center of bed. What’s the advantage to your large piece you attach to?
most fifth wheels come with a standard king pin that attaches to a fifth wheel hitch, the large piece. There are goose neck style king pins that connect over a ball in the bed of the truck. There are pros and cons to both. I kept the standard hitch because it is very safe and very easy to connect and disconnect. I hope that answers your question. Larry
Really great review Larry, I'm wondering about putting it on my Honda Ridgeline 09 just because the bed is so short and then there goes another foot but I'm getting it for a good deal so I'll give it a try and I'll give you my review also if I was going to put a Honda Africa 1000 in the back of my truck I don't know if it'll fit with the truck bed cover.
Hey Larry, thanks for the review! I ordered the same cover for my truck but have had issues with the cover staying locked at the different locking points when driving… Within a few minutes it retracts back into the canister on its own (besides when it’s fully closed) I contacted the supplier and they said that the different locking points are for loading and unloading and not driving in those positions. Didn’t really make sense to me but wanted to know if that’s been your experience. Thanks!
Thanks for the review... i am having a hard time deciding on a new cover. i have the Bakflip F1, and it is total junk. think I will switch to a retractable though
Our roll n Lock Install Video ua-cam.com/video/IWduW2irBEk/v-deo.html and newest video - how to make the cover last for years ua-cam.com/video/MwNUrmf-4t4/v-deo.html
I got tired of the strap. Cut it off and just closed it from the side. Used it like that for years. New truck, I got a different brand cover that jams up if you don't pull from the center, so now I'm stuck with a strap.
I purchased a 2004 truck with roll n lok. HOWEVER, the cover is not working as intended. Purchased a new lock , only for it not to work properly. Was told the rails are shot, and not worth replacing. However if I can just get the cover to close( and stay close) until I decide to slide it open I’d be fine with that.
I really enjoyed your video. It was very informative for the pros and cons. I've seen so many videos on tonneau covers and they don't go into details on the cover. Their concern is to buy their cover. I just bought a 2022 Ram 2500 megacab with ram box. All of the sites I've looked on don't have ram box capability and aren't flush with the bed. What recommendations would be the best for my truck. Thanks
Check out my other video for detail on the installation. ua-cam.com/video/IWduW2irBEk/v-deo.html The retrax pro is a great option but $500 more, I could do it again I would prob spen the extra money and get the retrax to get rid of the strap. Larry
My rollnlock 530M-XT had damaged parts when it arrived from the Florida RollNLock warehouse. I do like it but it seems sluggish when it opens. I have to give it a push to get it going
Question: when towing and you have it at that custom stopping position. How many inches is it from the king pin when hook up and towing? And when turning is it clear from touching?
That is a great question, I hitched up the fifth wheel, then moved the cover back about two inches to give some extra room when making sharp turns while backing into spots, even at extreme angles it does not hit the cover, i try to remember to open the cover while backing into a spot just in case though. Larry
I have never had the pin box or the rv hit the side of the bed box, but I have come very close, and touching a few times, we have 5-6 inches of clearance and that is enough in smooth terrain but when we get into bumpy or hilly terrain when backing in, we have to take a lot of care to minimize this effect. We have had to completely change our technique backing in to tough spots because the bed was going to hit the RV. Larry
I’ve had the roll n lock on my 2004 Ford Sport Trac about 15 years. It is great. I use the 303 spray on it regularly. It still looks new after being parked in my driveway in the Florida sun for all those years. Parked in the driveway under a giant oak tree. I found out that leaves and debris collect in the channel and block the drains. So a couple of times a year I remove the 2 screws securing the cover. The other covers require a dismantling to remove the debris. Plus there is a large gap between the cover and canister that allows debris to collect under the other brand. Remove the debris to clear the drains. If you park inside or under cover this will not be a problem. About 5 years ago I had to replace the spring. I was not upset. Things wear out and break with use and age. Like the rest of my truck has done over those 19 years. The strap is a minor issue, but the dry, secure bed makes up for that. Would I buy another one? Yes already ordered for my 2024 Ranger. To be installed upon its delivery next month. I looked at the retrax bed cover. It is not fabric over aluminum. Just fabric unless you upgrade to the pro model for a lot more money and less bed room due to the larger canister. I was thinking about putting D Rings on each side to replace the strap. But if the top isn’t pulled straight the latches on both sides may not lock.
Great points. Thanks.
We also remove the debris and clean it out. Plus, clean and protect the cover as well.
Besides the strap, we have been happy with it
I bought a truck private party that has this exact roll n lock cover. It does not retract anymore. Can you tell me which springs I need?
Thank you!
That strap hack is a good idea and I will copy when I buy my peragon bed cover.
Lance, hope it works for you because before that strap would drive us crazy. Let us know how it goes,
Alice
Excellent video! You hit every point without extra un-needed filler. Thank you, this was extremely helpful!
Larry tries his best to be thorough yet concise. Glad you liked it
TOO🤣🤣🤣 I AFTER 2 days of research decided TODAY and purchased the same cover for my 2010 DODGE RAM 3500 DULLY. I too live n FLA. Getting my TOTAL setup for the truck and trailer ready for the BIG TRIP. After cing this video I feel GREAT on my purchase. Thx. My cover is the
LG448-M. Stay safe and healthy and have a BLESSED day 🙏
Thanks for checking out the video.
Good luck on your big trip
@@DownsizingMakesCents Well they sent me 2 n a row defective so I canx the order and I could not put my Predator 3500 generator in the bed and close the cover. Not enough height. I liked it but would not work for me. Have a 🙏 BLESSED 🙏 LIFE. Enjoy your travels.
If I had a product I'd hire Larry as my spokesman !!
Wow - that’s one of the best compliments. Thank you.
But we are too honest 😉
Alice
Thank you for the video. We have a Roll n Lock cover on our Ram 3500. I agree with everything you said. Please keep them coming. We also have a Grand Design Solitude fifth wheel. Thanks for sharing.
Gary, sounds like we would get a long great 😉
Having a truck bed cover has helped us so much keep weight off the RV and keep our stuff in the truck safe.
Thanks for your positive feedback 🤗
Alice
Hello again, Larry and Alice! Great video(again) on the Roll-n-lock cover. I've been using a Roll-n-lock cover since the early nineties on all of the pickups I've bought. At first, I tried the fiberglass cover, but soon found it's limitations on carrying taller items. I've had only Roll-n-lock covers since then, and for the same reasons you mentioned. I've never had any problems with theft or damage from the elements to our stuff while using this cover. Well, except for the one time when we got caught in rain that turned into snow and it froze the cover in place to the slide rails. Not much I could do about that than wait for warmer temperatures and the thaw.
I'm also impressed that this cover has a metal back, so no one can cut it open to explore what I'm carrying. Another advantage this cover has is that when it's locked in full close position, it engages into the tailgate to help prevent theft of your tailgate, which is becoming a big problem. I always have my tailgate locked, so this cover just adds an extra layer of protection against theft my my tailgate.
You two be safe and enjoy yourselves! Thanks!
Hey Phillip, thanks for sharing your experience with the RNL, I hope we never have to worry about snow, haha. I was not aware of the tailgate theft problem. Yes having the cover lock to the tailgate is a big advantage to the RNL compared to the Retrax, i should have mentioned that in the video. Larry
I just purchased a Roll n Lock cover like the one in the video. I've always wanted a bed cover for anti-theft purposes. So far I'm liking it. The strap is annoying, but it is what it is. I live in southern Arizona, so I just hope the summer sun doesn't destroy the vinyl top. I'm really forgetful about doing maintenance on things like that. Thanks for the video.
Our Florida sun is prob similar to Arizona and has held up well. I’m not a big maintainer either but $1300 was a lot of money for us so I will do my best to extend the life of the top. Larry
Thanks for an authentic review. Refreshing after seeing so many crappy sales pitch reviews. Cheers man.
Best compliment we can get. We hope never to be a “product pimper” channel
We had the Retrax Pro that you showed at the end of your video installed last year on our GMC with an auto slider 5th wheel hitch in the bed. No cord to mess with, stop and lock the cover in any position and less maintenance (because it’s powder coated metal) would be pluses for the Retrax Pro. They seem very similar in their design and looks...but maybe not quite as cool as yours! We love our cover for all the reasons you cited whether towing or not.
I’m sure you can see my Retrax envy in my video, the roll n lock works for us, but i should have spent the extra money to get the Retrax pro. Larry
We have a 2500 RAM and installed the Roll n Lock cover too. We are not full time, but we do haul a travel trailer from time to time. Our last trip in the southeast was for 80 days in the spring of this year. Our first 6 week trip in fall 2020, was worrisome because we didn’t have a cover. I researched a lot of covers and wanted a Peragon cover for a while, but then decided against it because if my tubs or crates slid too far forward, I might not be able to get it open. I am glad I got the Roll n Lock cover. It looks good and works well. I haven’t been driven crazy by the strap. I am a bit heavier and older than Larry, so I screwed a 4” el (L) bracket to a 1”x2”x6’ furring strip that allows me to hook under the lip of my crates to pull them to the tailgate to access them. Yes, I have to move things around a bit but I don’t have to get up into the truck bed if I don’t want to…helps a 70 year, overweight vet still enjoy the good life. Maybe I can lose some weight before I turn 71.
Frank, that’s a great solution to not go in the truck. Larry is 56 with RA and he does hurt himself. He uses a small step ladder to get in and out many times. Maybe he should think about your solution.
Glad to hear at your age you are still enjoying yourself. We hope to be doing the same in our 70s 🤞
Stay safe and have some fun,
Alice
Frank thank you for your service!!
Great review of the pros, cons, and practicality. I had one of these a couple trucks ago. Liked the cover a lot, but the canister for storage just ate space we needed at the front of the bed. One important thing to note, the cover will not work with all 5er pinboxes and definitely not the Goosebox as the rails intrude too far into the bed and will collide on tight turns. Those who like the cover and tow a 5er need to be conscious of this.
Yes i agree, every pinbox and hitch is different and may or may not accommodate a partially closed cover while towing. When I am backing into tight spaces and doing extreme angles with the truck, i always retract the cover all the way to make sure i dont have a cover collision. Thanks for pointing that out. Larry
Howdy - I've just installed a new goosebox, and was going to buy a roll-n-lock cover. My Q is do you have a goosebox and if so how far 'could' you turn? 60, 70, 80 degrees?
@sohereweare-lifeitsallabou9447 Too many unknowns and variables now to say for sure. Roll-n-Lock now has several series, and there is a difference in the bed protrusion by the tracks. Truck year, make, and model also matter. Gen 1, 2, or 3 Goosebox too. Also, keep in mind that towing on the ball gives more multi-axis movement versus being on the conventional pin. What I mean is the trailer can not only pivot but also lean and bring the rear of the Goosebox very close to the bed. The rails for my tonneau protrude into the bed of my 2015 RAM 3500 long bed just 1-1/8". I did contact the passenger side rail with the Gen 2 Goosebox backing into a site where 5er was heading uphill while truck level and about 75 degrees. Enough to make it ugly to where I needed to file it, but it doesn't affect the use of the vinyl tonneau but would definitely cause an issue with a roller.
Another very helpful and informative video. Several months ago, I purchased a 2019 RAM 3500 Limited Super Cab SRW truck that has a bed cover installed. It is the American Truck Cover model made by Truck Covers USA. The design is very similar to your Roll n' Lock, including the long strap, etc. Your maintenance tips and solution to securing the pull strap were very helpful. It also prompted me to email the manufacturer to provide download links to installation and maintenance tips, etc. Thanks, again, for everything!
The strap is kind of a pet peave for me but, the cover does exactly what it should do. Glad yours works great for you. Larry
Back in 2008 I purchased a new Truck and I did purchase a Roll-Bak cover. I remember paying good money for it back then. Don`t think they are in business any more. The sellers said it was so well built you could stand on it and it would endure to your next truck. Lightweights could probably stand on it but unfortunately not me. It had a powder coated aluminum top and rolled into a canister. I still have that truck. After sixteen years the powder coat is still on and other than an occasional bind because of the spring getting a little weak its the best investment I ever made for my truck. It`s very secure and looks strong and impenetrable. My wood stays dry and generator stays secure and other than clearing out the debris from the drain system it has always worked great. I am ready to purchase a new truck and I hope it fits in the new standard beds.
Sounds like that was well made. It’s a shame they aren’t around anymore.
Ours is still going strong. I clean it and protect it from time to time
Everything you said is fact... My Roll n' Lock has been on my truck since 2003. And it still works great. So much so, I purchased the electric one for my new truck 3 years ago. There's no straps and locks in any position. All you have to do is minor maintenance to keep it working properly. The electric one is the same maintenance. However, it has a metal top. I agree, it is expensive. But opening and closing is a push of a button. Good video, sharing....
I would have though roll n lock would give me a free cover by now, three videos with a lot of views, come on roll n lock i want an electric one too. Lar
I looked at the roll n lock but I chose the Pace Edwards power with remote control so I can stop it wherever I want and I can open it as I am backing up or close it as I am pulling away and I put it on when my truck was new 2015 and I have changed the batteries in the remote one time. I is on a 2015 3500HD long bed and I have had no problems with it. A friend of mine has a Roll n Lock and he likes his too.
The roll n lock electric does not have a 8 foot bed version, 6 foot is the longest. I will have to check out the pace edwards, thanks for sharing your experience, Larry
I had the powered Pace Edwards on a 2005 F150, loved it!!!!! 17 years of troublefree use, and i used it a lot....and did pull a 5th wheel with it, like the rest of you, loved being able to have it partially closed. Only had to lube the tracks a few times over the years. The only problems I had over the years was, i wore out the remote and had to get a replacement once, and in the last couple of years, the finish started to come off in one spot. Contacted Pace Edwards, and they sent me a patch kit for free....cover was about 15 years old at the time. Cover was worth every penny.
I have this exactly bed cover on my Tacoma and I love it 👌🏻👍🏼😎
Glad to hear it.
Good video Larry. I just watched another video for the drain holes in the catch box he installed a sink drain screen upside-down over the hole so helps reduce the clogging of it. Just thought that might help you. Have a BLESSED day.
Thanks. That sounds like a great idea.
Once Larry’s health and a back, I’ll tell him about that
Alice
@@DownsizingMakesCents HOPEFULLY his health will recover QUICKLY 🙏 have a BLESSED day
Good to have the strap tied to the back of your box. A couple of years back while travelling in California with my fifth wheel and Denali 3500, with a similar roll top, the strap flapped in the wind and worked it's way down the front of the box and wrapped around the truck drive shaft. It snapped with a loud bang and bent the roll top up a little. It scared the heck out of the two of us in the truck as I was going 60 MPH and thought a tire blew. I managed to pull over and it took a few minutes to figure out what had occurred.
Robert, wow. That’s scary. We could see that happening. A tire issue is one of my biggest scares.
Hope it wasn’t too costly to fix.
Thanks for sharing your story 🤗
Alice
Thanks, Larry. Excellent review of the Roll n' Lock. It's does make your truck look cooler...and that IS important. Going back to check out the install video. Peace!
Hey guys. You know Larry - he is brutally honest. And he always has a little Larry touch to his DIYs
Alice
Hope all is well with your health. Thanks for the video have a Blessed Day
He’s doing a bit better everyday. We have a short and some UA-cam community posts showing him doing little projects and an outing to a park for the first time in months
Thanks for thinking of us 😃
Good Morning. Yes I have the Roll N lock also. Yes the strap is a pain but I do like your rubber cord to help keep it out of the way. I put a tool box under the box in the truck to keep some truck stuff. I have a sliding fence to keep things from moving around and a way from the hitch. I try to take the champion hitch like yours out when not need which is why i have the moving fence connected to the Roll N lock. Thank You Jack
Jack, sounds like you have a great set up. Thanks for sharing it with others here
Alice
Hi Larry 👋🏻. It’s Snarky here…just wanted to drop in and check on Alice. Give her my regards, please!
Thanks Snarky. Still here. Maybe the next video I’ll make an appearance 😁
Alice
This was a great vid.
Clear and exhaustive review.
Your hacks are 👍
Resourceful guy. 👏
Thanks. We hope this helps others looking for a truck cover - with an honest review. No product pimping here 😉
Alice
Also, a bed cover increases fuel mileage.Thank you for this review. I'm installing my Roll-N-Lock bed cover today. I ordered the powder coated A Series. Oh yeah, and it's MADE IN THE USA!
Thanks. Hope you watched the install video 🤗
On my third Roll N Lock and agree it’s nice to have covered space when pulling a 5thwheel. I installed one on my 2020 F450 last year . Strap can be annoying at times but not a deal buster for me . Quality is really good on these covers , I like the soft vinyl versus some of the shiny finish of some of the others. I would definitely buy another Roll N Lock again .
Cliff, that’s good to hear. We feel better about our purchase. Yeah. The strap is not so bad that we would spend another $700 for another cover.
Thanks for sharing your experience,
Alice
The three reasons I got the rollnlock instead of the retrax is lower bedrail profile, cheaper, and the vinyl top makes it more waterproof. But I had to create a custom locking position so that I could cover more of my bed while I was towing. Larry
Thank you Dr. Larry for another great tip! The number of bed covers to choose from are many. You have simplified my search when the time comes to buy one for our future truck. One more video to add to my Larry’s Lessons playlist. Thank you sir!😎
Rick, check out the install video too. He goes over other truck covers.
Larry really enjoys these videos - and I’m glad you do, too. Larry’s lessons is too big to put on the banner on the side of the thumbnail 😉
You changed your channel pic?
Alice
@@DownsizingMakesCents Hi Alice. I’ll check out the install video. And yes, I changed my picture. As I mentioned before, we are preparing for RV life by doing all the things like downsizing our home base this past month, check…buying the toy before the toy-hauler(three wheel Harley-Davidson) check. And last, but not least, narrowing down our toy-hauler options currently. I wanted a less formal picture to reflect more fun and less work. How did I do?😎
Great job with the picture change. And the Harley sounds awesome. I have a sister in Utah that loves trips on her hubbies bike.
Sounds like you are definitely on your way.
Make a list of must have tools and extra parts - we had a fuse blown and made our leveler computer go out 😬 Luckily we had extra fuses.
Alice
@@DownsizingMakesCents Thank you.😎
I installed the all aluminum version of the Roll-N-Lock on my truck this past summer. I like the looks, security and the fact that it has one of the smallest cannisters on the market. I actually decided against the Retrax Pro because the size of the cannister was so much larger. However, I am now wishing I had gone with the Retrax Pro. Like you, the strap on my Roll-N-Lock drives me absolutely bonkers. Additionally, my RnL leaks like a sieve all over the place. I can not trust it to keep my bed contents dry in rainy weather. Even though the cannister is bigger, I really wish I had gone with the Retrax Pro.
I agree Jeb, ours is waterproof either the vinyl cover, but the strap does piss me off often. Larry
Get the BAK REVOLVER x4 in my opinion.
I have a retrax pro and it will not keep the bed dry at all!! It doesn't leak between slats, but the rail design is silly. Water comes in the rail and rides the bottom of the cover so it soaks the whole bed.
@@DownsizingMakesCents I had the role n lock m series a couple trucks ago and it kept my bed drier than any cover I've ever owned. I was thinking about getting the a series but seeing some of these comments concerns me.about leaking. Are you still finding your m series to be pretty "waterproof" for a tonneau cover?
Thanks for your update. This is the cover were going to get! For all the reasons you stipulated! I thought from watching your install that strap was going to catch. But the positives outweigh the negatives! Thanks! maybe we will see you on the road. We pick up our rig at then end of Oct.
Once i got the strap figured out on the RNL, works great for us, i cant imagine having a pickup without some kind of cover, so useful. Larry
You cracked me up with the strap issue 😂
It really does bug him - still 😂
Alice
I died when he said "I eventually came up with this strap solution that reduces the swearing significantly" 🤣
Just purchased and they installed it for FREE in Sulphur Springs, Texas.
I'M SO EXCITED AND THANKS FOR THE "tub" brand and dimensions! Bought if because you did there homework 😉
I hope you love your roll n lock, I love mine most of the time, except for when that strap gets stuck it’s still drives me nuts. i’ve had it for a couple of years now and it still works great and the cover has lasted well even in Florida Sun. I haven’t had to do anything to it except for clean it with 333 every couple of months. Larry
Good evening to you! You have done another excellent product review here! Thank you very much for sharing your thoughts and experiences with this tonneau cover!
Ha…we are as clear as mud water with regards to what we want to do. I will be pulling a 27foot travel trailer with a crew cab, long bed F350. Our trailer only has 1 external storage, pass through bay. So, a fair amount of stuff will need to go into our bed. We also don’t have a ton of storage inside the trailer. So….we will want to put something back there. Of course, a hard shell bed top is expensive and blocks the view. So, I am more inclined to something like what you have or maybe a soft top bed topper that Incan also fold out of the way when not needed.
Ha….bed storage and inverter generator are our two biggest supporting decisions we have to make right now.
Safe travels!
If i had a travel trailer, i would definitely get a hard shell topper for the back of the truck, lots of storage, use a camera to help back into the hitch. I highly recommend the honda generators, i used our 2000 for 17 years and it has worked great. I just added the 2200 and it is even better. Quiet and powerful uses a very small amount of fuel. I did a video about my 2000 about a year ago check it out. ua-cam.com/video/FfJyTaz1Byo/v-deo.html. Larry
After watching your video, I'm going to spend the extra money on a Retrax Pro. Thanks for the honest and helpful review.
Glad we could help. Let us know how you like it
When you said, “… that friggin’ strap”. I laughed my rear end off.
I too, have a Roll ‘n’ Lock cover and I too hate “that friggin’ strap”, lol. My R&L (which I bought new in 2011) has been on my 2011, 2018 and 2019 Ram trucks. The thing still looks and performs great.
Love your channel. Keep the vids coming!!!
Good to know it lasts that long, 10 years wow. How it the vinyl doing, has it started to deteriorate? Larry
@@DownsizingMakesCents The vinyl looks great. You’d never guess the roll and lock was that old, or that its been on three trucks.
The only thing I replaced was the thing in the middle that reverses the latch direction, and one of the Roll’n’Lock logo stickers fell off. I sent an email to customer service telling them how much I liked the product and they sent me those part FREE!! So I’ve had mine for 10 years now. Oh.. and my trucks have never seen the inside of a garage
If I were to replace it, I’d blow $$$$ on the electric. Cuz I HATE THAT FRIGGIN STRAP, lol lol
Thanks for the info. Good to hear it is a quality product and they have great customer service. Yes! That strap 😅
Our retractable Ford OEM bed coverbon our F-250 is metal and works great. Low profile and slides easily back and forth. Has to be all the way open or closed. Does not completely seal all water but very little gets in. Practically maintenance free.
We are glad you found one that works for you. However, we need one that can cover half the truck while hitched to our fifth wheel.
But your recommendation is great for others - thanks for sharing 🤗
Alice
i think that's the retreax one
Great review Larry. I have a Limax. It has 3 solid panels that fold back. It’s really sturdy and can’t be punctured. The good is there’s no compartment to store the roll up. There’s no rain catch tank either. It’s always been dry inside. The bad thing about it is, unless I remove it from the truck only 2/3 of it is open. It works for us as we have a travel trailer instead of a fifth wheel.
I looked at that a a choice but it blocked my view of the hitch when backing up. Larry
Great video Larry! That’s good to use so no one can see your stuff in the bed of your truck. I wouldn’t like the strap myself. But that cover does the trick. Glad you did a video of this nature. It helps. Hope you a great evening and week. Safe travels.
Hey, Sherri. I wouldn’t want a truck without a cover. It protects your stuff in so many ways.
Hope this helps other truck owners.
Hope all is well with you 🤗
Alice
Hi. You wanted to know about the Retrax Pro. I have the manual XR version, no motor. It does leak a little bit which doesn't let me use cardboard boxes as eventually some water gets to it. Heavy plastic containers work fine. ( Don't use cheap thin plastic containers, I'll explain later ). Mine isn't vinyl, its aluminum. I lubricate it VERY LIGHTLY with dry teflon lube, I choose this lube which was designed for off-road bike chains and doesn't gum up or collect much grime. I don't apply the oil to the tracks directly, I oil a rag to minimize the amount of oil I use. I carry an old hand towel under my back seat to dust away the top of the bed cover if there is a lot of leaves and dust at the time. I added 4 extra clamps strictly out of paranoia because I carry 2 heavy ( and insanely expensive ) E-Bikes on top of the cover which adds about 250 pounds ( Including towers bars and bike holders ). While I wouldn't classify what we do as off-road, we are addicted to fire and BLM roads and 9 out of 10 times these are not paved so there are more bumps and vibrations that make things wobble and shake loose. Did I mention I'm paranoid? Yes well I also added 8 heavy duty silicone suction cup D ring holders on the outside of the truck, these do not damage the paint. I use 4 on each side to tie the bikes in with tight bungee cords, these reduce the side wobble of the bikes therefore reducing the strain on the bike rack. NOW...
There is one thing about the Retax I don't like. I doubles as a frying pan and an oven!!! It gets hot as hell both inside the bed and the cover itself, it WILL burn your hand easily. Im seriously considering painting it gloss white. or maybe adding some kind of cover that can take 65 mph winds and rain, if there is such a thing, or something. If anyone has a solution to this problem I'd love to hear it! I had some disposable plastic food containers in there a few hours, they deformed from the heat! I actually purchased a carport canopy ( I have no garage ) in a large part because of this. It's no fun getting burned while loading and unloading our bikes. The heat is VERY frustrating. Other than that, the Retrax works.
Thanks for sharing your experience with the Retrax. The vinyl top on the roll n lock keeps the water out mostly but not completely. Great idea using bike chain lube for the rails, i uses a special tephlon formula for my mountain bike, i will try it on the roll no lock rails, ill bet it will work awesome. I wonder if there was as way to paint the top of the Retrax cover white to reduce the heat problem, im sure i could do something like that to my roll n lock vinyl top. I still hoping to get a free Retrax to do a review, haha. Larry
Thanks for a comprehensive review. Appreciate word of mouth as the best advice/communication for products.
Yes. And we like to use a product for awhile before we do a review.
I have a love and hate relation with our retrax std. 3 years review here. First the locking system on the retrax MX isn't a locking system with step like yours. Unless you lock it completly closed it won't really hold any other position when forced. In fact, someone broke thru while completely closed just by forcing it since I for some reason didn't closed it completely. Also a major issue for me is that below the canister, that we can't open btw to clean it, the canister leave less that 7-8inch below it. This is a major since we haul a lot of stuff. The look on the retrax is better that yours BUT water does go thru when heavy raining or while washing the truck (don't go in a carwash it's like not having a cover). The only reason I didn't buy the Rollnlock is that my Ford dealer didn't installed them and they were 3000$ CAN vs about 1800$ for the Retrax. Still prefer our cover than any soft or panel type of cover (had a 3 rigid panel before and hated it!). Still recommend the retrax but i'll buy the locknroll next time.
I didn’t know that about the locking mechanism for the Retrax, very interesting. In the us the roll n lock is much cheaper than the Retrax pro. The roll n lock is very water tight, the only thing i dont like is the strap system. Larry
Morning guys,
Larry, I am glad to see you back at it again. I just wanted to give you a heads up with these covers. We are getting to try full timing for a while and after watching your video, realized that we would need one. It has been a pain in tail end. They have a third party that handles their credit card sales that declines the sales for what ever reason they choose, but won't tell you. I know you have nothing to do with it, I am just venting. Please, keep doing the things you guys do but take care of yourself. Alice take care of yourself also.
Sorry you ran into this problem. Have you made posts on their social media pages? That often gets some action. Let us know what happens. It’s a crazy world right now.
Larry isn’t completely back - his battle born battery video is mostly from the DIY he did in 2020. But we are happy he was able to film the intro and outro and edit the whole thing. So that’s progress 🤗
Have you tried buying from Amazon, they offer most truck/bed options at a similar price. Larry
Thanks for your video. I had settled on Roll n Lock, but wondered about the extra cost of the E-series model. I don’t think I’m as willing to put up with the strap issues as you have been. Also, the cover itself is individual interlocking coated aluminum panels which I thought were very durable. So, I’m happy like you are with my selection, but there’s one small thing I would like them to improve. I now have to carry two fobs on my keyring. One for the truck itself, and a separate one to operate the cover. I *really* wish Roll & Lock would work with the automakers on some way to connect to the body control computer and watch for key presses on the factory key fob (or combinations of button presses, that would operate the cover. I bought the cover from the automaker, and it was installed by the original dealer. Surely some kind of arrangement like this could be worked out.
Excellent review. If i have to do it again, i would go with the roll up type. I’m sporting the tri-flip type. Not a full timer so it gets the job done.
It makes a huge difference when you want a lot of truck before space and be able to see the hitch backing in
Good video y'all. My issue is I need a truck. lol I will be wanting to get a cover of some sort though when I get one. I am hoping that is soon. Not having a truck sucks. Thanks for the great tips. I will give this a look soon I hope.
William, how about you buy our whole set up and Larry and I downsize to smaller RV and truck 😉
Alice
Great review. Tonneau cover is a definite must.
Thanks. Yes. We are so glad we invested time and money into a truck bed cover,
Alice
Ever consider using a retractable dog lease to replace that crap strap? Carabiner handle near tailgate and retract as needed. Small dog should work, but best buy the big dog to know where you are in the pack when needed. Great video.
Sounds possible, but I’ve seen too many of those ropes break. Hate for that to happen driving down the highway
Really nice review of the cover. I thought about a cover but with the kayaks and bikes I generally have things in the truck that exceed the height of the truck bed. Good job.
That is a disadvantage to a fifth wheel- what you can put in the bed of the truck.
Thanks for always coming by,
Alice
I have the retrax pro version sold by Line-X. Called Truck Gear RETRACTABLE HARD TONNEAU COVER. It has been great. Had it about 3 years. Love it.. can stand on it if needed or set stuff on top of it as well. Worth the cost.
I agree the Retrax is especially a better choice for fifth wheel owners, i should have spent the extra money and got the Retrax. Larry
My tetrax is 10 years old use it all most every day leaks a little more and not as smooth rolling as day but still works great and the finish is still good.
“Reduces swearing immensely.” Haha If only that was my concern. Good honest vid. I still believe the hard roll is superior.
I swear at that strap every time i have to touch it. I really sucks, always getting stuck on something. But i do love this style of cover vs the flipping hard type. I still think I would prefer the Retrax pro vs the roll n lock. Larry
Another great video. Stay safe and healthy
Kirby, thanks. We are doing our best. And wish the same for you 🤗
Alice
This is a GREAT review. Your experience is really appreciated. Thank you for sharing.
No worries. We have a new video showing how we keep the cover lasting for years
Yeah, this is great. Would love to have "trunk" space in the back of the truck. Smart idea getting the strap out of the way 👍
Jenna, the cover has taken a lot of weight of the RV. We are so glad we have it.
The strap is a pain but otherwise it’s working great,
Alice
Thanks Jenna, it took some trial and error to get the strap the way I like it. Larry
I chose RnL over Retrax because of the lock system. 2 locks on RnL at the tailgate. You can get 2 locks on the Retrax too, but it's another 1K now.
I have a 2019 Silverado with an 8' bed, I am considering installing the ReTrax XR Pro. It is aluminum and locks in many positions. Also, it has tracks, T-Slots on each side so you can install a Yakima, Thule, or Rhino-Rack system. Thanks for this video, it helped me make my decision.
Hey David, YES get the Retrax instead of the roll n lock, but it is more expensive, i was just being a cheapskate when i bought mine. The roll n lock works but the Retrax has more locking positions which is much better for fifth wheel. If you get it please contact me and let me know how you like it, i really want to know, Larry.
@@DownsizingMakesCents I will! And I will try to attach some pictures. I am also going to add the Rhino-Rack Vortex crossbars to carry our kayaks. Now the wait, everything is on backorder!
That’s a bummer, the t slots do look like they add a lot of versatility. Larry
The RollnLock website says the 'box' is 7" deep, you said yours is 12". Is that because you have a long bed???
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How does is work under snow?
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Do you HAVE to use the strap? What happens if you just grab the cover from one side and pull on it???
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Nice review, thank you. (I've had the same Retrax cover on my Ford Ranger(s) for the past 18 years. It's been a great cover. BUT, the box is 12" deep. Not a problem for the 6' bed on my Ranger, as I still end up with a 5' bed. But I'm getting a new truck, and all the new trucks seem to only have 5' beds. So if the RollnLock box is only 7", it might be the one I go with...)
The Rollnlock is only 7 inches deep, up and down, but is 11 3/4 long as far as how much bed it takes up. If i take a measuring tape an measure from below the canister back to the front of the truck bed it is almost 12 inches. I think all he rollnlock cannisters are the same size no mater what length you get, but i would definitely call rollnlock to make sure. I hope that answers your question. Larry
@@DownsizingMakesCents it does, thank you!!!
Amen on the strap, that things always in the way and caused lots of bad words! On bad dirt roads I get more dust in my bed with the cover vs without. I think it's the large gaps at the tail gate. I'm going to try some tail gate seals eventually.
Great point!
I have the Retrax on my F350. I love my cover I have the same 5th wheel hitch. I can stop the top anywhere along the track.
I have heard really great things about the Retrax, i hope comments like yours help people make their choice. Larry
Great vid Larry! Never had one of those on my trucks, but I don't think they were even around that long. I have camper shell right now though. Hope all is well 👍
We are so glad we can put our heavy items in the truck even when towing the fifth wheel and know it’s safe.
We are still in Canada enjoying the cooler temps.
Wishing the best 🤗
Alice
@@DownsizingMakesCentshi I’m a first time ever truck owner - a Tacoma Trd pro. I am looking for the best cover to choose. So you are in Canada? I am in Minnesota. I read a comment above where rain froze and locked the bed cover. What tips or recommendations can you think of for me in a very damp and sometimes cold climate. My needs are: hailing canoes. Hauling skis, hauling hay bales and lumber and bycicles. Driving round trip 70 miles whenever there are snowdrifts to get through on my way to work and home.
Good review, like it👍👍👍, thanks for sharing my friend 😀👍
Thank you. Glad we could help
I had the retrax on my 2016 Silverado 2500HD since it was new. It never gave any problems and looked as good as the day it was new when I traded the truck a month ago. I now have a 3500HD dually that will have another retrax bed cover on it soon.
The next truck I get, I will try a retrax. Larry
The next truck I get, I will try a retrax. Larry
ROFLMAO...."reduced the swearing drastically"....another helpful video...thanks!!!!
Mike, we thought that would get more responses 😂
Thanks. We do show different covers in the install video mentioned.
Thanks for making me laugh
Alice
Thanks for the cover video.
Thank you for watching. Check out the install video - we show several covers
Just got one with my new 2018 Tundra, thanks for review!!
Let us know how you like it.
I find it hard to know if it’s locked or not - drove to a store and found it open when I got there. But Larry never had that problem
Thank u Sir > well delivered and level headed review > am considering a RnL > your details very helpful
Doug, we try our best to be honest and straightforward. Glad we could help
Larry, good review! I’ve come to the conclusion you need a Utility Body Werks bed. When I was in the market for a larger truck the truck I got had one installed. The only problem, the next truck will have to have one also 😁.
Chip, thanks. About the BodyWerks - not quite in our budget 🤣 But they look darn cool.
@@DownsizingMakesCents, Larry, it took me 2 years to find the truck I currently have. A new one was not in my budget nor will it ever be. Fixed cars for years so older stuff will always be more in my budget 😉. Our new to us current rig is just under the allowance of 24k so…. The search is on for another néw to us truck before I retire (a semi) I mostly want it for safety for hills. Enjoy the videos, keep up the good work!
We bought the fifth wheel used. And of course we do like to mod and fix it ourselves. The only reason we got the truck new is because we got such a deal - the price of some used ones with the same features I wanted.
Thanks. We really appreciate your watching and commenting
Very concise, no nonsense delivery. T Y Sir
Larry tries his best to be thorough but concise. Glad he could help
@@DownsizingMakesCents >> Hi Folks, Didn't realize i had left comment 6mos ago. I finally bought RnL yesterday > I remembered someone had addressed the "strap issue" > so i went looking on Y T and found your review again. Good to see I agreed w my prior comment :)
Awesome review dude! Straight forward and easy to understand. Keep up the good work.
Thanks I appreciate the feedback, larry
Thanks I appreciate the feedback, larry
The Retrax Pro looks to have a larger housing that takes up more room. Also, the way it locks in position looks like a compression pin that digs into the rails. I like the locking mechanism of the roll and lock better.
Even though I complain about the roll n lock, I’m sure others have issues.
Thank you pointing out issues
I've had a retraxpro xr for the last 2 and it provides zero water protection. I had a roll n loc on a previous truck that I liked much more...the only advantage of the retrax is that you can stop it in any position.
Thanks for adding great info.
Larry made his own custom “stop” so it can be closed up to the hitch
Thank you for your review. It help me to know what I need to be looking for and why. I have been looking at the retrax pro power cover. I think that for the ease of use I.e. not having a strap to pull close and it has a brake that locks it in place where ever you stop it. It will cost more but I believe it will save me time effort and frustration.
Glad we could help.
We do think it’s worth the extra money
Outstanding review. Thank you.
Glad we could help.
I find it hard to lock and unlock at times. Otherwise, we love how it keeps everything in the bed of the truck safe 🤗
Alice
Great honest review. Question if you don’t mind about the way you attach the trailer. I’ve seen some use a ball in center of bed. What’s the advantage to your large piece you attach to?
most fifth wheels come with a standard king pin that attaches to a fifth wheel hitch, the large piece. There are goose neck style king pins that connect over a ball in the bed of the truck. There are pros and cons to both. I kept the standard hitch because it is very safe and very easy to connect and disconnect. I hope that answers your question. Larry
Really great review Larry, I'm wondering about putting it on my Honda Ridgeline 09 just because the bed is so short and then there goes another foot but I'm getting it for a good deal so I'll give it a try and I'll give you my review also if I was going to put a Honda Africa 1000 in the back of my truck I don't know if it'll fit with the truck bed cover.
Let me know how the install goes on the honda, you may have to do some customization, as long at the bed is wide enough it should work. Larry
Hey Larry, thanks for the review! I ordered the same cover for my truck but have had issues with the cover staying locked at the different locking points when driving… Within a few minutes it retracts back into the canister on its own (besides when it’s fully closed) I contacted the supplier and they said that the different locking points are for loading and unloading and not driving in those positions. Didn’t really make sense to me but wanted to know if that’s been your experience. Thanks!
Thanks Larry!!!
Strap still drives Larry crazy 😁
Nice!
Thanks, Larry
looking for a cover. this is very helpful. thanks
Thanks. Look at the install video we have. Larry went over a few different covers.
Alice
Excellent Review! TYVM
Thank you.
Very helpful!
Good video, thanks!
Thanks for the review... i am having a hard time deciding on a new cover. i have the Bakflip F1, and it is total junk. think I will switch to a retractable though
I I had to do it again I would try the retrax pro, I have lots of rvers who love them. Larry
Nice review. Thank you!
Your welcome. And thank you
Had to add a drop of superglue to the lid cover brush to get the brush from moving side to side
Great idea mine moves too. Larry
Thanks for Sharing. Great Job.
Thank you. Hope it helps
Our roll n Lock Install Video ua-cam.com/video/IWduW2irBEk/v-deo.html and newest video - how to make the cover last for years ua-cam.com/video/MwNUrmf-4t4/v-deo.html
I got tired of the strap. Cut it off and just closed it from the side. Used it like that for years.
New truck, I got a different brand cover that jams up if you don't pull from the center, so now I'm stuck with a strap.
If only we can take the best of every cover. Frankenstein it 😁
I purchased a 2004 truck with roll n lok. HOWEVER, the cover is not working as intended. Purchased a new lock , only for it not to work properly. Was told the rails are shot, and not worth replacing. However if I can just get the cover to close( and stay close) until I decide to slide it open I’d be fine with that.
Did you contact rollnlock to see it the had a solution, larry
I'd love to see what kind of rims you have on your truck? I also have the roll n lock on my truck and love it. great review 👏
I just have the aluminum rims that are stock with the Laramie package. Im coming up 3 years and so far so good. Larry
“This friggen strap” 😂
Adrielle, I’m trying to keep Larry PG rated 😆
Alice
How much space(inches) do you lose when fully open? Other retrax tonneaus are losing 14 inches...
You lose about 12 “ the top 7”. but we can still store bins underneath all the way back- just not on top. Pretty good
If I was retrax pro, I'd be sending him one!!
😆 We wish
Awesome video! Thank you dude
Glad we could help
Reduces the swearing significantly, Priceless statement
Thanks. Larry’s pretty funny guy 😁
Alice
I really enjoyed your video. It was very informative for the pros and cons. I've seen so many videos on tonneau covers and they don't go into details on the cover. Their concern is to buy their cover. I just bought a 2022 Ram 2500 megacab with ram box. All of the sites I've looked on don't have ram box capability and aren't flush with the bed. What recommendations would be the best for my truck. Thanks
Check out my other video for detail on the installation. ua-cam.com/video/IWduW2irBEk/v-deo.html
The retrax pro is a great option but $500 more, I could do it again I would prob spen the extra money and get the retrax to get rid of the strap. Larry
awesome review!!
Thanks. We hope it helps people make a decision 🤗
I wanna have a beer w this guy
😆
I wanna buy one for my 2011 Suzuki equator
My rollnlock 530M-XT had damaged parts when it arrived from the Florida RollNLock warehouse. I do like it but it seems sluggish when it opens. I have to give it a push to get it going
Lubing the rails with 333 protectant makes it slide better, But make sure it is not binding. Larry
Question: when towing and you have it at that custom stopping position. How many inches is it from the king pin when hook up and towing? And when turning is it clear from touching?
That is a great question, I hitched up the fifth wheel, then moved the cover back about two inches to give some extra room when making sharp turns while backing into spots, even at extreme angles it does not hit the cover, i try to remember to open the cover while backing into a spot just in case though. Larry
Have you ever had the pin box hit the side of the rails mounted to the side of the bed box during tight turns?
I have never had the pin box or the rv hit the side of the bed box, but I have come very close, and touching a few times, we have 5-6 inches of clearance and that is enough in smooth terrain but when we get into bumpy or hilly terrain when backing in, we have to take a lot of care to minimize this effect. We have had to completely change our technique backing in to tough spots because the bed was going to hit the RV. Larry