Fold-A-Cover G4 Elite, should I do it?

Philipgonzales3 · January 24, 2020

So I have about 150 hours in tonneau cover research and it doesn't seem to get any easier. Lol I just made up that number so it could be much higher!

So I like the fact that the cover can open from both near the cab and near the tailgate. I like that it is not as vulnerable to being opened with a hanger like some of the other covers. It uses a key on both sides which is fine. I mean I'd prefer if it just knew when I wanted it to open (Psychokinesis?) , maybe biometric or something easier but a key is fine.

Honestly I don't use my bed a whole lot. Likely will just use it for luggage when we travel, maybe an ice chest, and other random crap. I do want to eventually put a dirtbike in the back, but I'll be honest that is not going to be anytime soon. I ride my buddy's bike for now since he has like 5. So because of this I'd like it to be fairly easy to remove. 5-10 minutes is fine since even if I did have a dirtbike, I would only use it a couple times a year.

I already have this cargo bar

https://www.etrailer.com/Truck_Bed_Accessories/Erickson/08907.html

And plan to buy this cargo net and have one in the front and one in the back.

https://www.shopchevyparts.com/bed-products/2019-silverado-1500-bed-cargo-net-vertical-black-chevrolet-bowtie-logo/84050683-p-92300633.html

Now for the things I'm unsure of. Doesn't seem like a very popular tonneau and their customer service doesn't seem all that great from what I've found. Now I do plan to have it installed by a shop that specializes in doing tonneau covers so I know that it will be installed correctly and have someone to b**** at if leaks like crazy or falls apart.

I have read they do leak near the handles after some time I think. I've also read they don't hold up all that great. Also will I even be able to use that much space near the cab? I'm 6'2" and can barely reach the floor of the bed in the corner, no way I could reach towards the middle without climbing on my tire/step rails lol.

I know the locks can also freeze but I live in south Texas and it freezes like twice a year and the whole city shuts down when it does.

It's not the most attractive thing I've seen but then again neither am I. Second choice would be a Bakflip MX4 but my concern would be driving without being able to see out of my rearview. Can I do that? I mean YOU probably can, but this is my first truck and I'm liable to run some poor chap over. I also like the peragon cover but I'm not sold on that one either.

Someone help? Anybody?

Edited January 24, 2020 by Philipgonzales3

Snuff · January 24, 2020

Forget about it Invest in tie down straps and even a cargo carrier if you need it. The crew cabs are huge and with the rear seat folded up you can haul so much. I use my bed way too much to try a cover.

Philipgonzales3 · January 24, 2020

34 minutes ago, Snuff said:

Forget about it Invest in tie down straps and even a cargo carrier if you need it. The crew cabs are huge and with the rear seat folded up you can haul so much. I use my bed way too much to try a cover.

A cargo carrier! Man now I have one more thing to look at buying! Thanks A lot! Lol but seriously looks like they even make some for dirtbikes, definetly looks like a good option for the future.

Honestly coming from a focus ST, I can fit more stuff under my seats than I could fit in the hatch. Maybe not a true statement but it sure feels that way. So far I keep my ratchet straps, 1/2" drive breaker bar, socket set, a spare pair of shoes, a spare jacket, the factory jack and lug wrench thing, jumper cables and I think that's it. But it's all out of sight so don't even know it's there. I mostly use the seats for my two kiddos though. One is still in a carseat. I'd rather not make the kids ride in the bed, so I still think a tonneau is in order.

Edited January 24, 2020 by Philipgonzales3

Philipgonzales3 · January 24, 2020

I think I may just go with the extang encore. I keep seeing bad reviews on the fold-a-cover. Seems some people are having issues with the cover soaking up water and becoming water logged and falling apart. Top that off with the poor customer service and I just can't justify getting the fold-a-cover.

BlackRST · January 24, 2020

11 hours ago, Philipgonzales3 said:

A cargo carrier! Man now I have one more thing to look at buying! Thanks A lot! Lol but seriously looks like they even make some for dirtbikes, definetly looks like a good option for the future.

Honestly coming from a focus ST, I can fit more stuff under my seats than I could fit in the hatch. Maybe not a true statement but it sure feels that way. So far I keep my ratchet straps, 1/2" drive breaker bar, socket set, a spare pair of shoes, a spare jacket, the factory jack and lug wrench thing, jumper cables and I think that's it. But it's all out of sight so don't even know it's there. I mostly use the seats for my two kiddos though. One is still in a carseat. I'd rather not make the kids ride in the bed, so I still think a tonneau is in order.

I went with the GM soft top cover. I got a deal on it I couldn't pass up. The only other ones I entertained were the retract type for the easy of storage while open. I did see, which I assume you did as well that a good amount of the covers would press weight on to the tailgate stopping it from opening with the drop down feature. Either way I've found the cover to be almost 100% water proof. With two big dogs in the crew cab, and straps, first aid, etc inside my under seat storage having the cover is great when I want to toss things in quickly.

Philipgonzales3 · January 24, 2020

7 minutes ago, BlackRST said:

I went with the GM soft top cover. I got a deal on it I couldn't pass up. The only other ones I entertained were the retract type for the easy of storage while open. I did see, which I assume you did as well that a good amount of the covers would press weight on to the tailgate stopping it from opening with the drop down feature. Either way I've found the cover to be almost 100% water proof. With two big dogs in the crew cab, and straps, first aid, etc inside my under seat storage having the cover is great when I want to toss things in quickly.

Yeah the soft covers seem to be pretty darn practical. I decided I want a hard cover for the added security though. Yeah I guess I can live with the auto drop feature not working. I mostly use it just to show people it has a power tailgate lol.

BlackRST · January 24, 2020

15 minutes ago, Philipgonzales3 said:

Yeah the soft covers seem to be pretty darn practical. I decided I want a hard cover for the added security though. Yeah I guess I can live with the auto drop feature not working. I mostly use it just to show people it has a power tailgate lol.

Haha fair enough! durrtymax jack (youtube) did one of the hard metal roll up covers than I really liked and seemed very practical but also was hard and lockable. I was sour towards the tri fold covers because my buddy always calls me because he cant use the full size of his bed. haha.

It's Tim · January 24, 2020

Cargo carriers and bed covers are kinda silly for a pickup truck. Dirt bike should be in the bed at all times cause you never know when you're gonna get the itch. lol.

Philipgonzales3 · January 24, 2020

18 minutes ago, It's Tim said:

Cargo carriers and bed covers are kinda silly for a pickup truck. Dirt bike should be in the bed at all times cause you never know when you're gonna get the itch. lol.

But I'm used to a car...I need a trunk! Maybe it's not too late to get into a Prius? Haha JK I love my truck, especially since I'm a little on the heavy side (250 pounds) and it fits my fat ass perfectly! Lol.

Called my local preferred extang dealer and they told me it would be $850 + $50 install fee for the extang encore. Seems like a pretty good price to me.

Philipgonzales3 · January 26, 2020

I ordered the encore through the preferred dealer near me. Should have it installed next week. Wish me luck!

Sean006 · March 29, 2020

On 1/25/2020 at 11:21 PM, Philipgonzales3 said:

I ordered the encore through the preferred dealer near me. Should have it installed next week. Wish me luck!

Ever get this installed ? Review ?

Philipgonzales3 · April 26, 2020

On 3/28/2020 at 10:04 PM, Sean006 said:

Ever get this installed ? Review ?

Hey,

Sorry I haven't been on this forum much lately. Yes I got this installed and so far so good. Works as expected.

I have had a couple of small annoyances but at this point I would buy it again, as it is just too darn handy to have it fold from both directions. I did initially have a good amount of water coming in near the cab and tailgate. I bought a tailgate seal and cab seal (installer didn't install cab seal but wasn't a big enough deal for me to take it back to them, so I just ordered one myself). I still get a slight about of water during car washes and what not but nothing to write home about. Also sometimes I have to either slam the top down to get it to latch correctly, or give it a bang from the top after it has shut. I am pretty picky so other than that all smooth sailing so far.

Did you pick one up yet?