First pickup ever – need advice on hard bed covers for winter + full bed access

[norpan]

Hi everyone,

This is my first pickup ever. I’m in Norway, where it’s basically EVs only these days, so the F-150 Lightning was the first truck I could even consider. Not much local experience here with pickups, so I’m trying to learn from you guys who’ve been doing this for years.

We get a lot of snow in the winter, so I’m looking for a hard bed cover that can handle winter weather, but I also need full bed access for transporting motocross bikes (Talaria Sting and sometimes a KTM 390). I’ve now realized it’s also nice just having the bed open for hauling other large stuff, so easy and quick access matters.

I’ve mostly been looking at hard roll-up covers and hard trifold covers that can flip all the way up against the cab window. But the YouTube reviews all seem to assume you live in the U.S. and have had pickups forever, so I’m missing some practical “real-life” pros and cons – especially in snow and freezing temps.

What would you recommend for:

• Full bed access without losing too much space inside the bed
• Surviving heavy snow without constant cleaning
• Easy one-person operation (with kids running around)
• Driving 70mph with full ved access

Any tips, experiences, or things I should be aware of?


Thanks in advance!

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[TaxmanHog]

I responded with what I'm using (Roll up), but considering your need for hauling Bikes, a TriFold might give you better access to the forward portion of the bed so the wheels can tuck in as far as possible, my roll-up impedes the available space.

 

[RickLightning]

The good news is that anything that fits your model year Lightning also fits an F-150 with the 5.5 foot bed.

If you must have full bed access without removing the tonneau from the truck, that is very limiting. There are covers like BAK that fold up and block the rear window that could meet your requirements. Most covers fold into a final panel blocking the bed.

Any of the covers that roll into a canister should not be on your list due to the heavy snow issue, both weight as well as getting liquid in the canister that freezes.

I had an Extang Encore trifold on my 2013 F-150 that was easily removed when necessary, but they stopped making it. On my Lightning, I put a Diamondback HD, which would be great if you had an ATV, because you would drive it up ramps and tie it down (supports 1,600 pounds), and snow cover would be a non-issue. Don't know that you want bikes on top of the bed.

Stay away from Peragon, it rattles when open and takes up value bed space when folded.

Also be aware that some covers require you install side gutters that stick into the bed. Others attach with quick clamps that are annoying to undo when you want to open the cover. And, think about security. Many covers open with a wire that you pull after opening the tailgate. Easily defeated if someone wanted to. The Diamondback has very strong, secure locks.

Most of the covers are made by one company, Realtruck, which owns AMP, ARE, BAK, Bedrug, Extang, Gator, Husky, Lund, Retrax, RollNLock, TonnoPro, Truxedo, Undercover, and more. They also have their own website, www.realtruck.com. Stay away from Chinese companies selling no name covers on sites like Amazon, Ebay, and Temu.

Visit large volume autopart sites and read customer reviews, and sites like www.f150forum.com to read threads about them. Good luck!

 

[hturnerfamily]

interesting question, as I've had my Tri-Fold hard tonno cover on from day one... and have loved every mile of it, whether it was just there to keep my full BEDRUG out of the elements, or to camp under it overnight, folding it up like a 'tee pee', of sorts, with a tarp overhead, or to take my son a queen mattress, keeping it out of the rain, or, just yesterday, removing it all-together, while moving a tall item across town. It removes easily, where you can even store it within the bed. It also tri-folds from the FRONT, which makes for easier access to storage near the cab, but also if you simply want to 'air-it-out' while driving. You can also fold it up from the REAR, either just the rear 1/3 section, or both the rear and middle sections, with clips to keep it secure while driving, etc. The front section also comes with a LOCKABLE(key) rotating knob and lift handle.

The tri-fold cover also allows me to store my 120v mini-fridge in the bed, with access to my cold items for long trips...
extang Encore Hard Folding Truck Bed Tonneau Cover | 62702 | Fits 2021 Ford F150 5' 7" Bed (67.1")

 

[RickLightning]

interesting question, as I've had my Tri-Fold hard tonno cover on from day one... and have loved every mile of it, whether it was just there to keep my full BEDRUG out of the elements, or to camp under it overnight, folding it up like a 'tee pee', of sorts, with a tarp overhead, or to take my son a queen mattress, keeping it out of the rain, or, just yesterday, removing it all-together, while moving a tall item across town. It removes easily, where you can even store it within the bed. It also tri-folds from the FRONT, which makes for easier access to storage near the cab, but also if you simply want to 'air-it-out' while driving. You can also fold it up from the REAR, either just the rear 1/3 section, or both the rear and middle sections, with clips to keep it secure while driving, etc. The front section also comes with a LOCKABLE(key) rotating knob and lift handle.

The tri-fold cover also allows me to store my 120v mini-fridge in the bed, with access to my cold items for long trips...
extang Encore Hard Folding Truck Bed Tonneau Cover | 62702 | Fits 2021 Ford F150 5' 7" Bed (67.1")

Your link doesn't work, probably because, as I noted, the Extang Encore cover was discontinued.

Had it for 10 years. It could be folded to the front third and secured for driving, yes. But you cannot fold it to the rear and drive, they warn against doing that. Mine also didn't allow you to only fold the back section and secure it, you had to gold up both the back and middle sections.

 

[tearitupsports]

The Bak X4S easily rolls up with minimal effort, but does not block your rear window view like a trifold. It does not impede any of the bed space either. I find it to be the perfect solution.

 

[flypony53]

I responded with what I'm using (Roll up), but considering your need for hauling Bikes, a TriFold might give you better access to the forward portion of the bed so the wheels can tuck in as far as possible, my roll-up impedes the available space.

which roll up do you have? I have a BAK Revolver X4s and I find it to impede less than a fold up my buddy has on his. Mine rolls up on the surface, so likely the difference. I also like that the roll up does not block the rear window.

 

[molsonmatt]

Hi everyone,

This is my first pickup ever. I’m in Norway, where it’s basically EVs only these days, so the F-150 Lightning was the first truck I could even consider. Not much local experience here with pickups, so I’m trying to learn from you guys who’ve been doing this for years.

We get a lot of snow in the winter, so I’m looking for a hard bed cover that can handle winter weather, but I also need full bed access for transporting motocross bikes (Talaria Sting and sometimes a KTM 390). I’ve now realized it’s also nice just having the bed open for hauling other large stuff, so easy and quick access matters.

I’ve mostly been looking at hard roll-up covers and hard trifold covers that can flip all the way up against the cab window. But the YouTube reviews all seem to assume you live in the U.S. and have had pickups forever, so I’m missing some practical “real-life” pros and cons – especially in snow and freezing temps.

What would you recommend for:

• Full bed access without losing too much space inside the bed
• Surviving heavy snow without constant cleaning
• Easy one-person operation (with kids running around)
• Driving 70mph with full ved access

Any tips, experiences, or things I should be aware of?


Thanks in advance!

https://www.peragon.com/shop/covers/Ford/F-150 Lightning/2024
This is what I have. Love it.

 

[RickLightning]

https://www.peragon.com/shop/covers/Ford/F-150 Lightning/2024
This is what I have. Love it.

I tried it, and ultimately returned it. My reasons were:

1) When folded, the panels make noise every bump or pothole you hit in the road.
2) When partially folded and locked, it still moves, i.e. slides forward or backward, and makes noise. In addition, the folded panels make noise (see #1 above).
3) Removing it was fine, but putting it back in was no where near as easy as they said.
4) It would sometimes miss the ramp when trying to fully open it.
5) The loss of bed space on a 5.5' bed wasn't working for me. Might not work for OP given his need for full bed access.
6) It got burning hot in the sun. Too hot to touch.

Based on some of their product claims, which I then was able to demonstrate to them were not true (see #2), they covered the return shipping. The Diamondback HD is even more expensive, but love the look and the ability to stack anything on it and tie it down. Got a 10' piece of lumber? Lay it down, strap it, and staple on a flag and off you go.

 

[MachLightning]

I have a hard roll up and I love it. I was looking at a trip-fold, but I didn't want something that either didn't fold up all the way, or when it did it blocked my rear window. Hard roll up was the answer!

It hits all of your requirements. I have full bud access and have used it to haul two mountain bikes and two kayaks (one 10 foot, and one seven foot).

It looks super nice when it's closed. No creases from a trifold, and it seals extremely well. You can see how it looks when it's open on my profile picture.

There's a lot of vendors that sell hard roll ups. I got mine from Ford because I had a ton of FordPass points to burn.

 

[sotek2345]

I have been through several types and currently have a Ford branded version of this:

https://realtruck.com/p/extang-solid-fold-alx-tonneau-cover/

It has been my favorite and has held up very well. It is very heavy duty (you can walk on / sit on it, snow load is no issue, etc.). No rattles or other noise when driving either fully covering the bed or folded up to a single panel. You do need to remove it for full bed access, but that takes less than 5 minutes.

 

[dlwhitlinger]

I'm a cyclist and when I was shopping for a cover, I didn't want one that rolled up or flipped up as it wouldn't work with bike rack bars. I also didn't want a cover that rolled up into a permanent box behind the cab and took up bed space. I settled on the Peragon as it folds up without taking off the bike rack bars and it doesn't have a box in the bed taking up space. So this works well for me... when I need to haul stuff, I fold up the cover and remove it and pull off the bike rack bars if I absolutely need to.

 

[Tfarrell73]

I 2nd the Bak X4S. Had a previous version on my last truck also

 

[F150Redux]

I have the "BakFlip MX4 Hard Folding Tonneau Cover" on my 2025 Lightning Lariat. I had the same tonneau, but an earlier version, on my F150 Powerboost.

The new version updates a couple things (mounting points for panel closest to cab and mounting brackets from rail to cover).

My F150 Powerboost was kept outside in the driveway and the cover handled the New England winters just fine.

You can fold this up in such a way as you only lose a couple inches of bed space, but your rear window visibility will be blocked.

If you needed to remove it you'd need a screw driver and about 5 minutes. Two screws, two hand-screw knobs, fold and lift off.

 

[RustleT]

I love my Peragon. If you follow the directions, it is actually quite easy to take in, out, and lock. I remove it rather than leave it folded up. The only thing I agree with a previous poster on is that it is very hot sitting in hot weather in the sun. That is why I keep my hand around the strap that is wrapped around the panels when removing. I had the Ford roll up before, which was also beautiful but took up too much room. Peragon looks great, seals well, and is super durable.

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