Side-By-Side Comparison of BakFlip vs Solid Fold w/ Pics
#16
02-14-2011, 10:22 AM
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I would really love to get the Extang Solid Fold as it allows alot of bed accessories most covers do not. I read either here in an archived thread or somewhere else, that the Solid Fold leaks badly with 2009 -2011 F150s and why I cancelled my install. I still don't have one yet but would if these are water tight, somehow.
I know most are not 100% but as long as it keep the rain out, I'm good. I don't expect the car wash not to break the seals.
My 2008 Sport Trac folding hard cover was a lot like the Fold a cover, but it was totally removable. For such a small cover, it was 70lbs because it latched like a car trunk and was built like a tank.
It was totally water tight and no water from rain or snow ever got in. The car wash did leak water into though because of the high pressure breaking the seals. It was basically the same design as the Solid cover but the seals were different. It used a seal that looks like a tailgate seal. The hinge was covered in a rubber casing. It was 100% water tight.
I need 100% water tight because I carry things in the bed that can't get wet at all.
I gave up on most covers because I need something that I can remove myself and I need a cover that will open up the bed, on the go, when I need to.
I didn't go with a fiberglass lid because they are just to impracticle. The undercover is a great idea, but it's to bulky with no handles to be removeable by one person. It also can't be used on the go, to open the bed since it doesn't fold.
I was going to go with an Extang Express Soft Tonneau cover as it does provide some security as it locks when using a locking tailgate and it is on top of the bedrails. From reviews at autoanything, it seems to be the most water tight cover they sell. I would love to get a solid fold if it could offer the same water tightness. I just loved the 2008 Sport Trac's cover but it was a bi-fold as the bed was only 4' long. Plus it's heavy duty make would likely make it to heavy for most trucks. It opened from either end and locked at both ends, it was really really nice.
So if you can get this Solid Fold Cover water tight, I'm SOLD!
Thanks.
I know most are not 100% but as long as it keep the rain out, I'm good. I don't expect the car wash not to break the seals.
My 2008 Sport Trac folding hard cover was a lot like the Fold a cover, but it was totally removable. For such a small cover, it was 70lbs because it latched like a car trunk and was built like a tank.
It was totally water tight and no water from rain or snow ever got in. The car wash did leak water into though because of the high pressure breaking the seals. It was basically the same design as the Solid cover but the seals were different. It used a seal that looks like a tailgate seal. The hinge was covered in a rubber casing. It was 100% water tight.
I need 100% water tight because I carry things in the bed that can't get wet at all.
I gave up on most covers because I need something that I can remove myself and I need a cover that will open up the bed, on the go, when I need to.
I didn't go with a fiberglass lid because they are just to impracticle. The undercover is a great idea, but it's to bulky with no handles to be removeable by one person. It also can't be used on the go, to open the bed since it doesn't fold.
I was going to go with an Extang Express Soft Tonneau cover as it does provide some security as it locks when using a locking tailgate and it is on top of the bedrails. From reviews at autoanything, it seems to be the most water tight cover they sell. I would love to get a solid fold if it could offer the same water tightness. I just loved the 2008 Sport Trac's cover but it was a bi-fold as the bed was only 4' long. Plus it's heavy duty make would likely make it to heavy for most trucks. It opened from either end and locked at both ends, it was really really nice.
So if you can get this Solid Fold Cover water tight, I'm SOLD!
Thanks.
#17
02-14-2011, 12:57 PM
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I have had the extang solid fold for 3 years now............that's 3 hard Canadian winters. I wouldn't trade it for all the bakflips I've seen.......they just don't seem to be nearly as well constructed.
My solid fold is still in perfect condition and doesn't leak a drop to this day. From what I have seen.......Extang makes a superior product - period!
I have seen several previous bakflip owner up here switch to the Extang......and now say they would never buy anything else.
My solid fold is still in perfect condition and doesn't leak a drop to this day. From what I have seen.......Extang makes a superior product - period!
I have seen several previous bakflip owner up here switch to the Extang......and now say they would never buy anything else.
#19
02-14-2011, 02:09 PM
Anyone have a comments on this THREAD. I've read some other Ford 2009 - 2010 F150 threads on the same problem. I also found the same problem on the Tundra Forums. This is why I scrapped the idea of buying this.
If this problem has been fixed and/or has a reason why this happened and to keep it from happening again, I'd love to hear.
I'd love to buy this cover as it leaves the bed side walls free of rails and brackets. That way I can use the bike rack pole I want to use, I can use some Extang Strap down Cleats as pictured from the original poster, and can have furniture or other cargo lay on the bed wall without worrying about a rail gouging or scratching my cargo.
My only requirement is 99% water tight where water won't pool or collect, or it simply won't meet my needs.
Thanks guys for telling me how yours keeps the water out. I just wonder if anyone knows about the problem I sited. I'm leaning more, back to, the Solid Fold Cover.
Thanks!
If this problem has been fixed and/or has a reason why this happened and to keep it from happening again, I'd love to hear.
I'd love to buy this cover as it leaves the bed side walls free of rails and brackets. That way I can use the bike rack pole I want to use, I can use some Extang Strap down Cleats as pictured from the original poster, and can have furniture or other cargo lay on the bed wall without worrying about a rail gouging or scratching my cargo.
My only requirement is 99% water tight where water won't pool or collect, or it simply won't meet my needs.
Thanks guys for telling me how yours keeps the water out. I just wonder if anyone knows about the problem I sited. I'm leaning more, back to, the Solid Fold Cover.
Thanks!
Last edited by Mike Up; 02-14-2011 at 02:23 PM.
#20
02-14-2011, 02:44 PM
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I had a Extang Solid Fold on my 2005 Dakota that I traded in for my F150.
I'm not a fan of them because one day while it was folded up one of the screws holding to straps at the from broke loose and the whole cover unfolded on my while I was going 70 down the freeway. This caused one of the hinges to bend and took me months of fighting with Extang to get replacements. At first they sent me a whole brand new cover, which was awesome. But, the straps on the new cover weren't in the correct spot so they couldn't attach to the snaps on the other side to secure it while folded. So I called them up and sent it back, they said a new one would be sent as soon as they recieved it. Gave them a few weeks and never heard anything, so I called them up and they said that I was supposed to send the original I had back isntead of the new one. I told them that's not what the guy on the phone said and they said too bad. They would only send me a new hinge. I agreed and was already quite mad about it at this point. It took about 2 weeks for the hinge to show up. When I went to put it on it wouldn't fit because one of the panels was actually bent where it slid into the hinge. So again I called them up and they said that at that point there isn't anything they can do for me because I was out of warranty.
After all this I now refuse to ever buy another product made by Extang and will never recommend them to anybody I know.
I'm not a fan of them because one day while it was folded up one of the screws holding to straps at the from broke loose and the whole cover unfolded on my while I was going 70 down the freeway. This caused one of the hinges to bend and took me months of fighting with Extang to get replacements. At first they sent me a whole brand new cover, which was awesome. But, the straps on the new cover weren't in the correct spot so they couldn't attach to the snaps on the other side to secure it while folded. So I called them up and sent it back, they said a new one would be sent as soon as they recieved it. Gave them a few weeks and never heard anything, so I called them up and they said that I was supposed to send the original I had back isntead of the new one. I told them that's not what the guy on the phone said and they said too bad. They would only send me a new hinge. I agreed and was already quite mad about it at this point. It took about 2 weeks for the hinge to show up. When I went to put it on it wouldn't fit because one of the panels was actually bent where it slid into the hinge. So again I called them up and they said that at that point there isn't anything they can do for me because I was out of warranty.
After all this I now refuse to ever buy another product made by Extang and will never recommend them to anybody I know.
#21
02-14-2011, 07:43 PM
Wow, I emailed Extang about the negative reviews about the Solid fold and within an hour, a Tech specialist responded back with a phone number. Not the crappy customer service I read about.
I still have some questions for them so I'll catch them on hours they're open.
After having a POS Pace Edwards Jackrabbit, I'll never spend big bucks on a product without talking to the maker about my needs and expectations. I ended up throwing the POS Jackrabbit in the garbage. Never threw away $1000 before, so it hurt a lot. No one even wanted it for security only for $150!! So off to the dump it went.
Covers that can't keep water out are useless.
I still have some questions for them so I'll catch them on hours they're open.
After having a POS Pace Edwards Jackrabbit, I'll never spend big bucks on a product without talking to the maker about my needs and expectations. I ended up throwing the POS Jackrabbit in the garbage. Never threw away $1000 before, so it hurt a lot. No one even wanted it for security only for $150!! So off to the dump it went.
Covers that can't keep water out are useless.
#22
02-15-2011, 03:18 PM
Okay, I just talked to Extang which was excellent in itself. I was able to talk to someone right away as well as yesterday with some emailing me back within 1 hour.
Anyhow, Extang is well away of their problems. The leaking panels they said have been addressed with a redesign. So there should not be any leaks in the panels anymore.
The strapping mounts have been beefed up so the straps won't pull out of the panels. They acknowledged this defect as well.
They also went on to say if there's problems with panels leaking or anything else, they'll cover it on warranty. This may be the top I get. I may buy this online as it's very simple to install if a dealer charges a lot for install.
The reason I like this so much is that there are no rails or obstacles on the inside of the bed walls or on top of the bed walls.
The main reason is I want this bike carrier and the tops and insides of the bedwall must be clean of obstructions.
I also can use Extangs Cargo Cleats which hold 500 lbs each. This will work great is securing gear along with the factory bed tie downs.
I also want to get the Amp Research Bed Extender and don't want any bedwall inside rails to obstruct it's motion. The Amp Bed Extender is designed wider so that it can use most of the tailgate area unlike the Ford Plastic Folding Extender that angles in so much of the tailgate area can't be used.
This Thule bike rack will likely save me $200 - $300 over another speciality bike rack for my Camper. I'd rather put that money into the cover where the Thule bike rack can be used with or without the camper.
The ease of complete removal is also something that looks great. Two local dealers swear by the Extang Solid Fold and never had any problems with them. Perhaps they started carrying them after the designs were changed for the better. I plan on removing this cover a lot like I did on my previous 2008 Sport Trac so it's ease of removal is a big, BIG PLUS. It's also lighter than my Sport Trac's folding cover as it is only 50 lbs opposed to the Sport Trac Cover's 70 lbs.
Anyhow, Extang is well away of their problems. The leaking panels they said have been addressed with a redesign. So there should not be any leaks in the panels anymore.
The strapping mounts have been beefed up so the straps won't pull out of the panels. They acknowledged this defect as well.
They also went on to say if there's problems with panels leaking or anything else, they'll cover it on warranty. This may be the top I get. I may buy this online as it's very simple to install if a dealer charges a lot for install.
The reason I like this so much is that there are no rails or obstacles on the inside of the bed walls or on top of the bed walls.
The main reason is I want this bike carrier and the tops and insides of the bedwall must be clean of obstructions.
I also can use Extangs Cargo Cleats which hold 500 lbs each. This will work great is securing gear along with the factory bed tie downs.
I also want to get the Amp Research Bed Extender and don't want any bedwall inside rails to obstruct it's motion. The Amp Bed Extender is designed wider so that it can use most of the tailgate area unlike the Ford Plastic Folding Extender that angles in so much of the tailgate area can't be used.
This Thule bike rack will likely save me $200 - $300 over another speciality bike rack for my Camper. I'd rather put that money into the cover where the Thule bike rack can be used with or without the camper.
The ease of complete removal is also something that looks great. Two local dealers swear by the Extang Solid Fold and never had any problems with them. Perhaps they started carrying them after the designs were changed for the better. I plan on removing this cover a lot like I did on my previous 2008 Sport Trac so it's ease of removal is a big, BIG PLUS. It's also lighter than my Sport Trac's folding cover as it is only 50 lbs opposed to the Sport Trac Cover's 70 lbs.
Last edited by Mike Up; 02-15-2011 at 03:52 PM.