Can we compare Retrax vs. JackRabbit?

Hey guys, just got my 2006 Silver RTS last week. Already took the wife on a 200 mile trip to Nashville and I think she loves the truck more than I do! :D

Anyway, since this is going to be our family vehicle with our 2 small girls, we want the cover and tailgate to lock and be waterproof so that we can leave a stroller in there.

I've narrowed my search to either the Retrax or the JackRabbit. Not too much that I can find out about the JackRabbit in these forums, so I was wondering if you guys could help me compare the JackRabbit to the Retrax. I'm not wanting to fork out the extra $400 for the FMJ.

Back when I was looking for a bed cover, I also narrowed my choices down to a Retrax vs. Jack Rabbit. You can't go wrong with either cover. Both are great. I ended up picking the Retrax. Price was a major factor, and I just liked the Retrax better. After having the Retrax for several months, I can easily say it's a great cover, and I'd sure choose it again.

If you use the Search Function, you'll find all the info anyone could want about bed covers. I think I even had a thread months ago about "Retrax vs. Full Metal Jack Rabbit." If you can't find it, just put "Retrax" in the Search field and you'll find all kinds of info....and most of it very good.

Good luck with your purchase.

Thanks, I did see that posting about the Retrax vs. FMJ.

I believe the JackRabbit is cheaper than the Retrax right now and was wondering how well does it seal off the weather and how bad does it scratch compared to the Retrax.

I have the Retrax and like it very much. I think the JackRabbit is considered more durable than the Retrax, but as Tcape has mentioned it is more expensive. At least it was at the time of Tcape's purchase. The JackRabbit wasn't yet available at the time of my purchase or I would have been in the same position as you.

The Retrax uses an aluminum supported Lexan cover. The Jack Rabbit is a powder coated aluminum cover. The Retrax, in my opinion, will scratch easier than the JackRabbit. If the Retrax cover scratches, it still shows black. The Lexan is colored throughout it's depth. Should the JackRabbit scratch, I believe the aluminum color will show.

While doing your research, call the folks at Retrax and see if they are still offering the ROC discount. That may help sway your decision one way or the other.

I will echo Tcape and say both covers are worthy of your purchase.

Good luck.

I would have to agree with PM and TC and say you have it narrowed down to 2 very good tonneaus.

I own a Retrax and, while I have not had any experience with the JR FMJ, I would venture to say the JR woud probably be a little more durable/robust than the Retrax. Personally, I like the look of the Retrax better than the JR, but the cover scratches very easily, and I do not think you would have the same kind of scratching issues with the JR. As PM said, maybe if you scratch the JR, it would show the aluminium underneath, but I wouldn't know. You would have to confirm that with a current JR owner.

The Retrax customer service was some of the best folks I have ever worked with. When I got mine, the canister was scratched up a bit, and the folks at Retrax made it right with one e-mail. No arguing, asking for more "evidence", nothing. They just made it right.

Also, I know several Retrax owners are or have experienced an issue with the plastic retacting system inside the canister where the Retrax cover rolls up. I am thinking this is probably the exception rather than the norm, but...A couple folks had the plastic inside the canister break apart/fail and they could not roll up their cover. Mine has not failed yet, but I have been finding clear, .25 sized, pieces of plastic in the bed of my truck, it is getting harder and hard to close/open, and I think it is just a matter of time before mine stops retracting all together. Of course, since this is not covered by the Retrax guarantee, which only lasts one year, if it does fail, it is going into the garbage and will be replaced by another cover that is not a Retrax. I am not completely disappointed with my Retrax, but for the jack I laid down to get one, I thought it would last longer/be a little more reliable.

There are some folks who say their Retrax has been absolutely flawless too and are totally happy with their cover. So, I guess have to take each input for what it's worth. I just have not been as lucky as those folks, I guess.

I have had mine for about 3 years now and, when I bought mine, there weren't as many options out there are there is now. While I still like my Retrax, if I had a choice between the two, and knowing what I know now, personally I would go with the FMJ.

Oh, and as far as "waterproof", I don't think there is a tonneau on the market that is completely waterproof; as all the designs I have seen will let a small amount of water in. It's just because of the design of the bed/truck and not the design of the tonneaus. If you truely want your tonneau to be waterproof, you will need to go the extra step and add some additional sealant to the rails that sit against the side of the bed. Several ROC members have used silicone and the like and have reportedly made their beds dang near waterproof.

Anyway, good luck on your decision. I think either way you will be happy.

Thanks for your help guys.

Let me stress though that I am not looking at the FMJ. I'm looking at the JackRabbit! It's $500 less than the FMJ.

Oh, and for all you out there looking for a Retrax, I just got done talking with them, and they said for ROC members, the current deal is $100 if you get a Retrax with a tailgate lock and a tailgate gasket. Comes to about $1000 total after the discount.

Cheapest Prices I've Found
Retrax $935
JackRabbit $985
FMJ $1425