BAKFlip MX4 review
For many pickup truck owners protecting the truck bed is a top priority. Left open and exposed to the elements, it is difficult to keep small, loose items in the truck bed without the fear of them being stolen or damaged from exposure to bad weather conditions.
This explains why many people turn to basic tonneau covers such as the BAKFlip MX4, for some level of protection.
- From my experience, most designs either emphasize convenience or protection, very rarely both. If it has a couple extra layers of protection, then chances are, it’ll take a while to access.
If you can get access to the truck bed quickly, then it’s not that safe. These are the main reasons so many people find it difficult choosing between different truck bed cover options: roll-up tonneau covers, low-profile covers, retractable tonneau covers, folding tonneau covers.
And then you still have to decide whether to get a soft roll-up design or a hard folding option for your needs.
BAKFlip has made the effort to walk the fine line between convenience and protection and with the MX4 soft bed cover. Using aluminum panel sections and a tri-fold design, this is one heavy-duty tri-fold tonneau cover that gets as close as possible to offering truck owners the best of both worlds.
Design Features
The BAK BAKFlip MX4 is designed specifically for the Ford F150 and Ford fans glean the most benefits offered since this tonneau cover best suits the exact shape of the truck bed.
Each segment is made of aluminum paneling that folds inward towards the cab of the truck and offers more rigidity and sturdy protection compared to traditional softcovers with tear and UV-resistant, marine-grade vinyl over an aluminum frame which you can either have them open or closed.
From the design of this product, one thing is clear, it was made to travel at speeds over 60mph without generating much noise or vibration.
I like the black color and strength of the density panel core, it’s as simple as you can get plus it is UV resistant too. If I got a gallon of gas for every premium grade canvas grill cover I saw get bleached out after just one summer of UV exposure, I’d never have to refill.
Installation
The cover doesn’t require drilling or any modification to get it properly installed, instead, it clamps onto the truck bed without leaving a mark when you go to remove it.
Talk of removing it, I once had a heavy 1-piece hardcover that I’d always bug a friend to assist me to put it on and take it off, but the MX4 is lightweight and easy to install by one person with minimal tools and effort – that doesn’t mean an extra pair of hands can’t come in handy.
Protection and Safety
When I was in the market for a tonneau cover, my attention fell on the BAKFlip MX4 because I was looking for something that would not obstruct me from accessing the cargo area of the truck or make it really easy for my things to be stolen.
Each segment is made of aluminum paneling that folds inward towards the cab of the truck and offers more rigidity and sturdy protection compared to traditional softcovers with tear and UV-resistant, marine-grade vinyl over an aluminum frame which you can either have them open or closed.
The folding design is meant to be quick and simple whenever you need to access the truck bed, but you have to open the tailgate to open the cover – I guess that’s for extra protection.
With the way it was designed, water should flow to the appropriate area and be channeled away from the truck bed, but if there are gaps from poor installation, it might find its way in.
If you notice some water in the bed after a rain, you’ll just need to figure out where the problem is, then adjust or apply additional sealants.
- The installation process is easy enough and requires no drilling, just minor adjustments for function
- It doesn’t vibrate or generate much noise while the car is moving
- Light enough to be operated by one person
- The cover is sturdy, looks great, and it’s secure
- The metal looks thin like it might easily
- The product takes time to seal properly
What’s the alternative to the BAKFlip MX4?
Main Features
When I spot a product I like, my mind quickly jumps to the question ‘how’s the installation process?’ There are lots of covers that are appealing to the eye, but installing them becomes a disastrous experience.
The BAKFlip G2, like all BAKFlip products, is easy to install because the panels don’t have to be drilled on.
If you have some tonneau cover installation experience under your belt, you can get it done in less than 10 minutes.
It looks gorgeous with a sheen that’s hard to ignore. This cover strikes a balance between quality and appearance.
It weighs about 40 lbs. is sturdy, and robust for a cover this lightweight.
This is a good alternative to the BAKFlip MX4.
- Has a smooth low-profile look
- The cover feels heavy, but can still be installed by one person
- It doesn’t rattle when driving
- The texture of the surface makes cleaning a bit difficult
FAQ/Buying Guide
Contents:
Is BAKFlip MX4 secure?
While there is no theft-proof lock system built into the BAKFlip MX4 cover, it is designed to provide a little security for the contents of your trunk.
The panels of this tonneau cover are quite difficult to deform and they can withstand an evenly distributed weight of about 400 lbs. resting on them during use.
The cover locks into position with the help of a slide latch that’s only accessible when the tailgate is open. Though this effectively secures the cover in position as long as the tailgate is locked, if a person really wanted to get into it, they’d probably find ways to open it.
So I wouldn’t advise you to leave your life savings and grandmother’s pearls in the trunk unattended for too long.
Which BAKFlip cover is best?
Which BAKFlip cover is the best? Which should I go for? Which BAKFlip cover is more durable? All these depend on a lot of variables.
The first step to finding the best tonneau cover for your truck is to know what you want, the driving conditions in your region, how often you need to access the trunk of your vehicle, and finally, you need to consider your budget.
BAK is a renowned aftermarket tonneau cover company that produces different covers for truck owners, and the BAKFlip series which is one of their most popular covers are highly rated by users.
My all-time favorite of the series is the BAKFlip G2, I used it for a little over 2 years until I decided it was time for a change.
Can you drive with BAKFlip open?
Yes, but I’ll advise against doing so.
The cover folds up and out of the way of the bed while in the open position, opening it into a partially or fully open position.
This design makes the open cover will flip up and out of your way when necessary, thereby creating more room than a roll-up style tonneau cover.
The downside is that it impedes rear vision when in this position by blocking the full rear window.
Is the BakFlip mx4 waterproof?
100 percent? No!
The MX4 tonneau cover is designed to repel water and it does a decent job of restricting moisture from the truck bed, but it is not 100 percent waterproof.
Though there’s a rubber seal system along the rail edges of the cover, there’s still an opportunity for water to leak in.
There are built-in channels that drain moisture from the rail and out the side of the truck.
Most of the moisture that comes in contact with the cover will drain out, but a small amount might find a way into the truck bed.
One thing is certain, even during heavy rain moisture leaks are reduced to the barest minimum, but it’s important to note that your truck bed will wet sometimes.
Does the BakFlip lock?
Yes. Each of the BAKFlip covers has a partially open position that provides access to a portion of the truck bed while covering some. You can lock the cover in position with a simple clip.
How much does BakFlip mx4 weigh?
It weighs about 58 lbs.
How do I clean my Bakflip?
There are two methods for cleaning your BAKFlip tonneau cover. You can get it cleaned at a drive-thru car wash as well as skip the wax, or handle the cleaning and washing by yourself.
If you choose the latter, then this guide is for you.
You’ll discover that it’s simpler than it seems.
First off, BAKFlip tonneau covers such as the BAKFlip MX4, G2, HD or F1 do not need special cleaning agents. All you need is a mild solution of soap and clean water.
- Spray water on your tonneau cover to remove some of the dust and dirt stuck on the cover’s panels.
- Do not start scrubbing right away to avoid scratching the surface of your BAKFlip cover else you’ll have to start searching for the best scratch remover.
- Now, take a sponge or microfiber towel and dip it in the soapy water solution.
- Start cleaning from the center to the edges of the cover.
- Do not apply to much force so you don’t end up damaging the thing.
- If gentle scrubbing is not enough to remove the dirt, then you can try letting the area soak for a few minutes to see if there’ll be any difference.
- Once you’re done with scrubbing, rinse the tonneau cover with a hose and allow it to dry off on its own or use a clean towel to wipe off the moisture.
- You can apply some protectant spray once it is dry, but make sure the protectant is safe for your use case.
Stay away from protectant that contains even a trace of ammonia because this could damage the top of the cover’s panels. When in doubt. Always refer to your owner’s manual to figure out which cleaning agents and protectants are safe for your truck cover.
Conclusion
When it comes to theft, the protection a tonneau cover such as the BAKFlip MX4 or G2 offers is very minimal, but it does have a basic barrier of protection compared to simply leaving the truck bed exposed.
If you consider the security of your truck bed a top priority, then you’ll need to trade ease-of-access and some convenience for a more secure, hardshell option.
If, like me, you are looking for something budget-friendly and easy to install that’ll at the very least protect the truck bed from the sun and rain, then the BAKFlip MX4 and G2 is worth checking out.
Re: Cleaning. You mention drive through cleaners. Does this include the brush type drive through or just the water spray type. some of the brush type apply a pretty strong pressure on the sides but may be less where there is not normally a panel to wash (above the bed sides).
Thanks,
Bill
I read this review and it lines up with others BUT:
It’s the G2 that requires you to open the tail gate before lowering the last cover section.
With the MX, you can open/close the tailgate with the cover fully locked down.
IIRC. Please advise if I’m wrong.