Tailgate Bed Rail Cap Bowed Upwards in The Middle

MrLeadFoot · December 20, 2023

Do any of you have this issue, and will the shape limit me as to what tonneau I'll be able to get?

Jus Cruisin · December 20, 2023

Are you sure it's not the little spoiler you're looking at? Put a level on it. Mine is flat and level.

MrLeadFoot · December 21, 2023

I'm sure. I will try to gets pics up so you can see.

MrLeadFoot · February 17

Dealer changed it out and all is good.

rrmccabe · September 2

On 2/16/2024 at 8:31 PM, MrLeadFoot said:

Dealer changed it out and all is good.

So I assume its supposed to be flat. @MrLeadFoot did you check it with level after?

I ordered and returned an Access cover because it did not fit the way I wanted. RealTruck acted like it was normal but guaranteed the BAK X4s would not have same issue. What I figured out was my trim cap is bowed up in middle because. I realized this after the fact because the new X4S has same issue. Planning on calling dealer tomorrow but would like to know if they are supposed to be flat.

MrLeadFoot · September 3

I did not check it with a level aftwerwards, but it's definitely not bowed up in the middle now. I can't believe how shoddy the craftsmanship has become on these trucks that are supposed to be so advanced. We like to tout "Made in America", but nowadays I'm starting to think differently. I mean, none of the Japanese vehicles we've had in our household have had issues like this latest GM vehicle I have does. It's the dumbest little things, too. I never had issues like these on my older Suburbans and Vettes, either. Makes me wonder when a bigger failure is coming, and leaves me with lower confidence on reliability. Is it a CEO Mary Barra thing?

rrmccabe · September 4

I don't think made in America means anything anymore

My wife has a 2017 Accord we bought new. The finish in it is flawless inside and out and beyond oil changes and new tires we have never had to do anything to it.

I took mine to dealer yesterday and they removed inside cover and cut the 2 sided tape on top cap with a putty knife. Its much better now. They are having me come back this morning and they are going to put a new cap on it.

MrLeadFoot · September 4

I'd be interested in hearing the final outcome.

BTW, what made you choose the Bak X4S?

rrmccabe · September 4

Video below. Dealer got it in and out.

The reason I chose the BAK was I had a friend that had one and liked it and I got some bad info from Realtruck. I did not realize until the BAK got here that there was a problem with the Tailgate Cap. To be honest I wish I had stuck with the Access now. I have had great luck with my many access covers but many of the reviews on these BAKs are horrible. I am hoping they have fixed some of the issues.

The BAK works flawless and is easier to roll than Access Cover and of course more secure. However, if I had it to do over again knowing what I know now I would not buy one. I think there is going to be longevity issues

Its works impressive at the moment. I am just skeptical....

MrLeadFoot · September 5

Looks great. Which Access cover did you have, that you prefer over that Bak cover?

rrmccabe · September 5

10 hours ago, MrLeadFoot said:

Looks great. Which Access cover did you have, that you prefer over that Bak cover?

I have always had the Access "original". but they are all pretty similar. The cheaper models have small feature differences like latch and different tensioning system. All just convenience things. The only reasons I like the access is I have used them since 92 and they look brand new 6 years after but into service and have never had a failure. I just don't the BAK is going to hold up as well. The plastic rear outside pieces are known to break (even on install) but they are easy to replace. Some material failures which they cover under the 5 year warranty. The first ones had felt on bottom where your hand touched to roll up and that was falling off. They changed that on the newer covers so that should not be issue on mine.

What I have now works great. Rolls really nice. Its a good looking cover. Just hope I dont have to spend several hundred bucks on a replacement roll-up part if the material fails outside the 5 years. At $1249 is its twice the cost of what I have paid in the past.

MrLeadFoot · September 5

For the sake of hijacking my own thread by going off topic:

I see that the Access covers are all soft roll ups. I think what you have now should be better, given that it's a hard roll up. That's the one that I originally wanted, but with all the reviews of the inner felt liner falling apart on the inside where you touch to roll them up, I hesitated. You have the newer design (that is now rubber in that spot, I believe, right?) which supposedly addresses that issue.

I STILL have not selected a cover. I considered the Bak Flip, but I don't like all the stress on the seals as you constantly fold them up, they are susceptible to getting water between the panel construction, and they sit against your back window when you need full bed access. Being that it might also get harder for me to fold them up as I get older, I thought I had decided on a retractable instead, and settled on the Roll n Lock since it takes up the least amount of bed space. But, then I noticed from time to time I started putting things in the bed where I could see the cannister would get in the way. Grrrrr. So, now I am considering the X4S again. I have a few questions, if you don't mind:

Does it get completely out of the way when rolled up, so you can still put something tall up against the front of the bed?

Can it easily be removed if needed be, or is it too heavy to remove practically, if you're by yourself?

Does it really seem secure in place and won't budge when it's rolled up, and the straps seem strong so they can't let go or anything like that?

Do you think vinyl is harder to care for, and longevity shorter, given the exposure to the sun? I ask this since you seem to have had many vinyl ones over the years.

Thank you!

Edited September 5 by MrLeadFoot

rrmccabe · September 5

4 hours ago, MrLeadFoot said:

Will answer your questions inline

For the sake of hijacking my own thread by going off topic:

I see that the Access covers are all soft roll ups. I think what you have now should be better, given that it's a hard roll up. That's the one that I originally wanted, but with all the reviews of the inner felt liner falling apart on the inside where you touch to roll them up, I hesitated. You have the newer design (that is now rubber in that spot, I believe, right?) which supposedly addresses that issue.

Yes, what I have had are soft roll ups from Access. I think the only advantage to a hard rollup is increased security. That was not a concern to me as my truck just wasn't in places that would be an issue. You are correct, the felt is obsolete and they have rubber sections on the new ones.

I STILL have not selected a cover. I considered the Bak Flip, but I don't like all the stress on the seals as you constantly fold them up, they are susceptible to getting water between the panel construction, and they sit against your back window when you need full bed access. Being that it might also get harder for me to fold them up as I get older, I thought I had decided on a retractable instead, and settled on the Roll n Lock since it takes up the least amount of bed space. But, then I noticed from time to time I started putting things in the bed where I could see the cannister would get in the way. Grrrrr. So, now I am considering the X4S again. I have a few questions, if you don't mind:

You mentioned stress on the seals as you constantly fold them. I feel this is a downside with the X4S I bought. I just talked to a friend that has a X4S also and BAK just replaced his at 3 years old because cover was splitting at the joints.

In most situations I would not like the panel covers that fold up against the back window because you lose your rearview mirror. In my case I have technology package so my mirror is via camera and not obstructed by a panel cover up against bed.

Does it get completely out of the way when rolled up, so you can still put something tall up against the front of the bed?

No, it does not. You are going to lose about 8-10 inches above the bed rails. Its less with the Access roll up cover as the roller is smaller.

Can it easily be removed if needed be, or is it too heavy to remove practically, if you're by yourself?
It is designed for easy removal and has 4 knobs underneath and you just remove those and cover lifts off. However its still a bulky moderately heavy cover and not something you would want to be doing often. You can definitely do it by yourself but I would not want to make a habit of it. Then you need to make sure its adjusted for tension each time you put it back on. Because the knobs you just removed are on bolts in slotted holes.

Does it really seem secure in place and won't budge when it's rolled up, and the straps seem strong so they can't let go or anything like that?

The straps are secure and I would not be afraid of running down the road at 80mph with it rolled up. Its well built in that area.

Do you think vinyl is harder to care for, and longevity shorter, given the exposure to the sun? I ask this since you seem to have had many vinyl ones over the years.
I am thinking the vinyl will hold up better than this BAK cover. The BAK is vinyl also but glued to aluminum. Its just matte vinyl and does not repel water as good as the Access Cover vinyl did. Given the choice, I would rather have regular vinyl.

Again, I like the cover. As much as it cost I would expect it to last as long as the Access. But I really dont think it will.

If you need measurements or pictures of anything, let me know.

Rich

Thank you!