2014+ Truck Bed / Tonneau Covers

15SilverSilverado · July 19, 2016

Yeah, the cargo lights don't do much with a cover like you have. You could always do the mod to make them work with your backup lights.

Wondering if there's a way to re-wire the cargo lights, to a new light inside the bottom of the lid? Then again, I can always use a damn flashlight, lol. Doing all of this work, might be overkill.

DAY11 · July 19, 2016

I believe your 15 is prewired for bed lights. You can tap into that to run your LEDs under the tonneau.

OR. You could tap into your reverse lights. That way you can hit the fob and have light for a while without having to run to the cab to hit the switch.

Cowboyman · July 19, 2016

Man that thing is sharp!

Thanks, I appreciate it......Had a lot of fun in that truck.....Kept it almost 23 years...(for me that is a miracle....lol)

Daryl Z71 · July 20, 2016

Thanks, I appreciate it......Had a lot of fun in that truck.....Kept it almost 23 years...(for me that is a miracle....lol)

Haha! I had an 88 long bed that Dad and I fixed up as my first vehicle. It wasn't as nice that that though.

15SilverSilverado · July 20, 2016

I believe your 15 is prewired for bed lights. You can tap into that to run your LEDs under the tonneau.

OR. You could tap into your reverse lights. That way you can hit the fob and have light for a while without having to run to the cab to hit the switch.

Both of these sound like awesome ideas. What is the procedure do to these things? I'd imagine it's not that difficult.

DAY11 · July 20, 2016

There are threads about installing bed lights. If you can't find it in the search give me a message and I'll help.

The kit from GM can be had for around $120. It is plug and play. About a half hour install as it is easier if you drop the spare tire. Be sure to get the one for 2015 as it changed for 16.

You can also get just the harness end and put your own LEDs on it. The harness runs around $30.

You could tap into the reverse lights under the rear bumper and run your own wiring and LEDs for that option. Not sure how handy you are.

Here is the thread. It is long but good reading before you start your project...

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/topic/153192-led-under-rail-bed-lighting/page-2?hl=bed%20lights

Edited July 20, 2016 by DAY11

Dodgersfan · July 21, 2016

For anyone interested or looking at folding hard covers, I hope this helps...

I just installed the Bakflip MX4, and it is a BEAST. The thing is so solid and so much thicker than my old Undercover Flex (not saying anything bad about Flex, I liked it too). Just taking it out of the box, it felt sturdy and solid. I was going back and forth between MX4 and G4 Elite. The main things I was looking for were security and ability to use the bed. Plus it looks awesome. The matte black aluminum looks real good on my black truck. It doesn't have that shiny fiberglass look.

I would have no issue leaving something valuable in the bed while eating in restaurant or something like that. I would say that with any locking tailgate, pre-2016 Silverado, this cover would make the bed the most secure place in the vehicle. Still very secure in my 2016 also. Anyone wondering about the coat hanger issue, I saw that video too. I can't speak about the other Bakflips, but that is not an issue with the MX4. The rear panel is 1/2" thick (I think). When the panel is closed, the bottom of the panel sits below the top of the tailgate, and there is only a 1/8" gap between the tailgate and the panel. So if you stick anything between the cover and the tailgate, it will just hit the 1/2" panel.

I'm going to say that the G4 Elite has a more secure locking mechanism, but after that I think the MX4 is the most secure folding hard cover out there right now. I only picked the MX4 over G4 was because I like the flush look better, and I need access to the whole bed on regular basis.

It was very easy to install. I like the rail system it uses. The rails are L-shaped, so you just sit in on top of the bed cap and use the brackets to attach. Makes it much easier to keep the rail system level. When I installed the Undercover Flex, there was no L-shape, so had had to be careful to keep the height uniform along the bed.

I really like being able to open and close the tailgate with the cover closed. I wish there was a way to open the cover from the cab, but that's probably impossible if you want to keep the ability to fold cover to access 100% of bed. I can't speak about water proof yet, but that's not huge concern for me. I don't put anything in the bed that vaporizes if it gets a tablespoon of water on it, just sports gear and luggage for the most part.

If anyone is shopping, I hope this helps. I also recommend Tonneaucoversworld.com to purchase. They gave me a GREAT price on it, and they quickly handled a small issue I had with the cover. Can't say enough good things about their customer service, specifically Angela Sharr.

litetech · July 21, 2016

Just received my BAK G2 Bakflip. Installation was really easy, took 15 minutes. Fit and finish is excellent, I really like it. I will build some LED bed lighting tomorrow, will post pictures once I am done. Still waiting of my RC 2" level kit, can't wait to put it on.

bgweed · July 21, 2016

Both of these sound like awesome ideas. What is the procedure do to these things? I'd imagine it's not that difficult.

See below in addition to DAY11's comments.

There are threads about installing bed lights. If you can't find it in the search give me a message and I'll help.

The kit from GM can be had for around $120. It is plug and play. About a half hour install as it is easier if you drop the spare tire. Be sure to get the one for 2015 as it changed for 16.

You can also get just the harness end and put your own LEDs on it. The harness runs around $30.

You could tap into the reverse lights under the rear bumper and run your own wiring and LEDs for that option. Not sure how handy you are.

Here is the thread. It is long but good reading before you start your project...

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/topic/153192-led-under-rail-bed-lighting/page-2?hl=bed%20lights

Here's a video on a 2014:

and another on a 2015 LT:

I'm going to try to add some additional lights into the existing stock set circuit.

Edited July 21, 2016 by bgweed

bgweed · July 21, 2016

I just installed the Bakflip MX4, and it is a BEAST.

Good read, thanks! Any chance you've seen a Revolver X2 and can offer any comparison notes? I'm on the fence between the Revolver and the MX4. I like the Revolver in its "rolled up" form... and it's nice that it doesn't block the entire rear window... but that MX4 looked like a beast even before I read your post. Also I've heard that roll-ups are difficult in cold / icy winters.

Dodgersfan · July 21, 2016

Bgweed,

I saw the x2, but a roll up cover really wasn't on my radar, so I didn't do too much research into it. Looks like nice cover, but doesn't fit my personal taste. I wouldn't be diligent with cleaning and conditioning that vinyl, and I was concerned it would weather on me. And I personally like the look of the hard cover better. But if you like that vinyl look, that seems like a good option for you.

In regards to the panels blocking the window. I thought about that too. But I came to the realization that if I needed to fold up the cover for a load, chances are whatever I was hauling would block my view anyways. Honestly I had an undercover flex on my last truck, and that was really a non issue. I'm the only one in my wife's family with a truck, so I get volunteered for moving duty all the time, and it hasn't been issue. Plus I like being able to fold up just 1 or 2 of the panels, instead of having the roll up cover all the way open or all the way closed.

I think it just depends on what you want and need. Probably can't go wrong with either one.

Cowboyman · July 21, 2016

For anyone interested or looking at folding hard covers, I hope this helps...

I just installed the Bakflip MX4, and it is a BEAST. The thing is so solid and so much thicker than my old Undercover Flex (not saying anything bad about Flex, I liked it too). Just taking it out of the box, it felt sturdy and solid. I was going back and forth between MX4 and G4 Elite. The main things I was looking for were security and ability to use the bed. Plus it looks awesome. The matte black aluminum looks real good on my black truck. It doesn't have that shiny fiberglass look.

Good review, appreciate you posting that.

I saw an ad in the latest Truck Trends magazine for it and thought it looked really good....they made it so you could open and close the tailgate without touching the cover.....that was a big reason I didn't pick that one back in April when they had the last generation.

Another reason was the person at the Leer dealer told me some of them leak at the seams quite a bit.....hopefully they improved that too.....on trips that would be a problem for us.

BAK seems to be constantly taking customer feedback and improving their covers.....thumbs up to them !

Edited July 22, 2016 by Cowboyman

Dodgersfan · July 22, 2016

To each their own. The ability to open and close the tailgate without touching the cover was a huge selling point for me. And water tightness wasn't an issue for me. That's the beauty of everyone having different wants and needs from their trucks and covers. If we all bought the same truck and accessories, it would be a pain in the ass to find yours in the parking lot.

Cowboyman · July 22, 2016

To each their own. The ability to open and close the tailgate without touching the cover was a huge selling point for me. And water tightness wasn't an issue for me. That's the beauty of everyone having different wants and needs from their trucks and covers. If we all bought the same truck and accessories, it would be a pain in the ass to find yours in the parking lot.

I think you misunderstood me, that was the reason I didn't choose the last generation of the Bakflip back when I bought mine in April........that was be a huge deal to me too.....it was one of the reasons I chose the Revolver back then.

I'm glad they fixed it with this new generation.

Dodgersfan · July 22, 2016

Oooooh. I thought you were saying you didn't like the new universal seal feature. But now it makes more sense. Couldn't figure out why that new feature would have been a deterrent. Either way, I didn't think you saying anything negative bro.

Someone on hear was debating between the revolver and mx4. You can probably explain the benefits of each, much better than I can. He would probably appreciate any insight you have on yours.