Which bed covers are best for a 2024 Ram 1500?

Question

So I finally pulled the trigger on a 2024 Ram 1500 last week and man I love this truck but the bed is wide open right now and I'm stressed about my tools getting swiped. I live in the Pacific Northwest so it rains basically every single day and I need something that actually stays dry inside. I spent like three hours on YouTube looking at the BakFlip MX4 because everyone says it is the gold standard but then I saw a bunch of forum posts saying the seals fail after a year and it leaks like a sieve near the tailgate. Then I looked at the DiamondBack covers which look bulletproof but they are way out of my budget and look like a total pain to take off if I need to haul something tall like my dirt bike.

My budget is capped at about $1200 because I already spent too much on the down payment and I really need to get this sorted before we move out to Idaho in three weeks. I want something that looks low profile but wont fall apart if it gets some heavy snow on it this winter. I saw some people talking about the TruXedo Sentry CT too but I'm worried about how the fabric holds up compared to hard panels. Does anyone have the newer 2024 model and found a tri-fold or maybe a hard roll-up that actually keeps the water out and doesnt rattle like crazy on the highway?

undxevfrul · Accepted Answer

Just catching up on this thread and I totally feel that stress about the tools. Like someone mentioned, the PNW rain is no joke. I was in your exact spot last year and ended up going with the Gator Recoil Retractable Truck Bed Cover. Honestly, I've been super happy with it. It's low profile and locks in multiple positions, which is great when I need to haul bigger stuff. If you're trying to stay under that $1200 cap, definitely look for open box deals on some of the big truck sites. I saved a couple hundred bucks just by snagging a return that was basically brand new. It has survived some heavy slushy snow without any issues at all. It's a great way to get that security for your tools while keeping some cash for the move to Idaho. You're gonna love the new Ram once you get it dialed in.

JPopJoy · Answer

Yo, congrats on the new Ram! Ive been through like four different covers on my trucks over the last decade and honestly... the PNW rain is a beast. If youre worried about the BAK Industries BakFlip MX4 Hard Folding Truck Bed Cover leaking, you arent wrong. I had one on my 2019 and the tailgate seal was always a bit finicky, though they might have tweaked it for the new ones. Since youre heading to Idaho and need that snow support, I would seriously look at the TruXedo Sentry CT Hard Roll-Up Truck Bed Cover. Its basically a hard cover with a canvas skin over it. Tbh its my favorite right now.

Its super low profile and doesnt rattle at 80mph.

Since it rolls up, it wont block your rear window when you have the dirt bike in the back.

The matte fabric is way more durable than it looks and wont fade in the sun.

Security is solid because of the aluminum slats underneath. Another sleeper pick is the UnderCover ArmorFlex Hard Folding Truck Bed Cover. Its got a Line-X type coating that handles heavy snow way better than the smooth aluminum ones. Usually sits right around your budget too.

nelufrphlp · Answer

That $1200 budget is a tricky spot for a hard cover that wont leak. Honestly, be careful with the cheaper hard tri-folds you find on Amazon. I think I heard they can actually buckle under heavy snow if you arent careful. Not sure but someone told me the seals on the budget ones shrink up in the cold which is bad news for those Idaho winters. If you're staying in the PNW for now, make sure to get some extra weather stripping for the bulkhead area. IIRC, the newer Rams have a little gap there that most covers dont totally seal up. Might be worth checking local truck shops for any 'take-offs' from people who traded their cover for a full camper shell. You could probably score a pro-level cover within your budget that way... definitely worth a few phone calls.