Hard Fold Tonneau Covers

C

ChargersSB

Member
I am wanting to get a hard tri-fold tonneau cover for my 2016 Tacoma, but wanted to see if there were any recommendations. Are there any that use the existing Toyota deck rail system, or do they make it where that has to be removed and the tonneau companies system installed? I have seen a lot of for either the Bakflip or Extang ones, but each of those have different models as well. I would like to avoid having to remove the existing deck rail system if possible.
 
ChargersSB said:
I am wanting to get a hard tri-fold tonneau cover for my 2016 Tacoma, but wanted to see if there were any recommendations. Are there any that use the existing Toyota deck rail system, or do they make it where that has to be removed and the tonneau companies system installed? I have seen a lot of for either the Bakflip or Extang ones, but each of those have different models as well. I would like to avoid having to remove the existing deck rail system if possible.
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If you have the money I would get the Bakflip MX4. It uses the existing deck rail system and allows you to fold it back and have full access to the bed while protecting the rear window.
 
OR17TRD said:
If you have the money I would get the Bakflip MX4. It uses the existing deck rail system and allows you to fold it back and have full access to the bed while protecting the rear window.
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Welcome to the forum.
Agreed with OR17TRD. I have the OEM one but would have gotten the MX4 otherwise.
 
Thanks. I took a look at that one and like how flush it sits compared to Extang's. However, I also like that the Extang Encore you can open the back panel near the rear window. I am now debating between the Bakflip MX4, Extang Solid Fold 2.0 or Extang Encore (installation instructions for this one have you drill a hole in the bed for the drain tube, which I didn't like). I don't want to have to drill any extra holes.
 
ChargersSB said:
After doing some more research and watching some installation videos I decided to go with the Extang Encore. It comes Friday!!! I'll post some pictures after I install it.
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Exciting. Looking forward to the pictures. Let the drilling begin haha
 
You are really going to like the Extang Encore. Be sure to carefully read the install instructions. You will not actually be drilling new holes, rather, just enlarging existing ones in the bed. If you have a bed mat, then you will need to drill it too. I used a step drill bit for the mat.
Take your time to set the hinge pivot points using the provided Styrofoam spacers for the best fit. Set the latch adjustments too.
Just a hint... close your tailgate first, then drop the back lid for better seal fit.
Have FUN and take your time.
 
Amarse said:
You are really going to like the Extang Encore. Be sure to carefully read the install instructions. You will not actually be drilling new holes, rather, just enlarging existing ones in the bed. If you have a bed mat, then you will need to drill it too. I used a step drill bit for the mat.
Take your time to set the hinge pivot points using the provided Styrofoam spacers for the best fit. Set the latch adjustments too.
Just a hint... close your tailgate first, then drop the back lid for better seal fit.
Have FUN and take your time.
Click to expand...
Extang Encore 2017 TRDOR ShortBed
2017EXTANG.JPEG
 
Any opinions of the soft cover versions like the Lund Genesis Elite made with a canvass like material. I know it not as secure but still seems like a decent cover for the price.
 
I finally had a chance to install it yesterday, no pics yet, but soon. A couple of things. Mine did not come with the foam spacer block to make sure that the drain rails were the proper distance. However, I did my best and it seems to be okay. I am going to contact Extang to see if they can send me one so I can just double check.

Other issues: 1) The latches on tailgate section are very hard for me to get to actually latch on. I really have to slam it to get them to latch. The drain rails are level, I tried adjusting the latches in/out and nothing changed that. They do latch, but I really have to slam it shut. 2) No rain yet, but even with just a heavy dew overnight there was some water leaking in from the back corners by the window and the corners by the tailgate. Seems like an easy fix would be to just put down some thin self adhesive weather stripping in those areas. 3) Seems like the seal on the tailgate sits just on the very very edge of the tailgate towards the inside. However, it does look like there are three lines of seals on the cover and that they may create a barrier as it didn't seem like it was leaking there.

Overall though, I like the looks and functionality of it. We'll see if I can fix the slight leaking issues. I didn't finish installing the drain tubes yet, but I think I will just enlarge the holes that are already in the plastic bed cover and stick them down there.
 
ChargersSB said:
I finally had a chance to install it yesterday, no pics yet, but soon. A couple of things. Mine did not come with the foam spacer block to make sure that the drain rails were the proper distance. However, I did my best and it seems to be okay. I am going to contact Extang to see if they can send me one so I can just double check.

Other issues: 1) The latches on tailgate section are very hard for me to get to actually latch on. I really have to slam it to get them to latch. The drain rails are level, I tried adjusting the latches in/out and nothing changed that. They do latch, but I really have to slam it shut. 2) No rain yet, but even with just a heavy dew overnight there was some water leaking in from the back corners by the window and the corners by the tailgate. Seems like an easy fix would be to just put down some thin self adhesive weather stripping in those areas. 3) Seems like the seal on the tailgate sits just on the very very edge of the tailgate towards the inside. However, it does look like there are three lines of seals on the cover and that they may create a barrier as it didn't seem like it was leaking there.

Overall though, I like the looks and functionality of it. We'll see if I can fix the slight leaking issues. I didn't finish installing the drain tubes yet, but I think I will just enlarge the holes that are already in the plastic bed cover and stick them down there.
Click to expand...

Great review. Thanks for posting.
 
Amarse said:
Extang Encore 2017 TRDOR ShortBed
View attachment 14998
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What is the measurement from the edge of the head rail on the truck to the edge of the drain cap? I didn't get the foam space block and extang said it should be 1", but that seems like it would make the metal bracket on the drain cap end only be half way in the slot. I definitely don't have a 1 inch gap between the head rail and edge of the drain cap. Right now, the metal bracket on mine is flush with the edge of the slot by the drain cap.
 
Okay, I was able to shift back the drain rails so they were an inch away from the head rail. That helped the tailgate panel latch better and I finished drilling the holes for the drain tubes. Checked this morning for water and only a couple of minor spots, mainly in the back passenger side corner. In the pics you can kind of see the trail of water from there. Nothing that some weather stripping can't fix. Overall, so far, this seems like a very good cover. It is nice to be able to lock it and access from either the cab side or tailgate side. I would definitely recommend this cover. Doesn't seem 100% waterproof, but can we really expect that? Some weather stripping seems like it would be an easy fix.
Slight water leak

Slight water leak

Open view

Open view

Folded back to cab

Folded back to cab

Back panel open

Back panel open

Rear view

Rear view

Water leak by passenger tailgate coming from back passenger corner

Water leak by passenger tailgate coming from back passenger corner

Fully closed from back

Fully closed from back

 
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ChargersSB said:
Okay, I was able to shift back the drain rails so they were an inch away from the head rail. That helped the tailgate panel latch better and I finished drilling the holes for the drain tubes. Checked this morning for water and only a couple of minor spots, mainly in the back passenger side corner. In the pics you can kind of see the trail of water from there. Nothing that some weather stripping can't fix. Overall, so far, this seems like a very good cover. It is nice to be able to lock it and access from either the cab side or tailgate side. I would definitely recommend this cover. Doesn't seem 100% waterproof, but can we really expect that? Some weather stripping seems like it would be an easy fix.
Slight water leak

Slight water leak

Open view

Open view

Folded back to cab

Folded back to cab

Back panel open

Back panel open

Rear view

Rear view

Water leak by passenger tailgate coming from back passenger corner

Water leak by passenger tailgate coming from back passenger corner

Fully closed from back

Fully closed from back

Click to expand...
Looks good. I was debating on drilling out those holes bigger for the drain tube. My issue will be the bed mat laying on them. I see you don’t have a bed mat so I can’t ask how that fits with the tubes. I’m thinking I’m going to drill new holes on the cab side of the bed and have the tubes short and out of the way.
 
Okay, so we just had our first rain since I installed the cover. It leaked like crazy. Mostly up by the cab. Before the rain I installed a rubber seal on the head rail and that seemed to help a little bit, but I am definitely going to have to put silicone all around. It leaked on the sides, the head rail, not so much at the tailgate, but everywhere else.
 
ChargersSB said:
Okay, so we just had our first rain since I installed the cover. It leaked like crazy. Mostly up by the cab. Before the rain I installed a rubber seal on the head rail and that seemed to help a little bit, but I am definitely going to have to put silicone all around. It leaked on the sides, the head rail, not so much at the tailgate, but everywhere else.
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It looked like in your pictures it didn’t leak hardly at all. What happened?
My bakflip leaks about as much as the pictures you posted. Few drips down the bed sides here and there but nothing bad or that I’m mad about.
 
OR17TRD said:
It looked like in your pictures it didn’t leak hardly at all. What happened?
My bakflip leaks about as much as the pictures you posted. Few drips down the bed sides here and there but nothing bad or that I’m mad about.
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Those pictures were just after a heavy mist in the morning. Now it rained and it was leaking all over. Not quite sure what to do. My only thought is to try and put more of the rubber seal I got all around along with putting some black silicone I got along the edges of all the rubber seals.
 
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