Need tonneau cover input ?

I trust your judgements, I would like to know more about the Retrax and Bak-Flip covers. Is it possible to make either one water tight, maybe with alittle extra weatherstrip here and there or some sealer. Sometimes the manufacturer won't give you the straight scoop. Is the factory oem tonneau cover water tight? Usually the factory accessories fit and perform better because they have only one model to concern themselves with, the price difference isn't that much different. Honda just might have a better R & D department than some aftermarket guys. I've read your inputs and the 2 aftermarket covers sound super. Does the aftermarket tailgate locks lock both release handles? Has anyone tried the power lock ones? I'm ready to buy , I hope y'all can enlighten me on these issues. Thanks in advance..

subscribed for info. I'm in the market for a tonneau cover as well. Anyone have any input?

I have the BAKflip. It is not waterproof, nor is it water tight, but it is close after some caulking work in the corners and around the rails where water can infiltrate over the rubber gaskets that the top has attached to the folding sections. If you are looking for absolute water prevention, this may not be the cover for you.

If you search the threads, you will find many opinions and research had by all. I don't recall any to date that are water tight - not even OEM.

I've attached a pdf of a previous thread that recaps products as of feb. Hope it helps.

I'm leaning toward Retrax myself, based on research on the ROC.

Hope this helps. Don't for get search for tonneau on the threads TONS of info :)

We have one year with our Retrax and we still love it. Other than the paint chipped off from some hog wire fencing that dear old dad didn't pack in correctly, it still looks new. We used touch up paint on the chipped area and it doesn't bother me anymore.

As for water tight, not completely, but darn close. I would estimate the water that gathers along the front drain tubes to be about half a cup with heavy rains. Now Utah is a desert state and it doesn't get tested much here but we had weeks of rain on our trip to Canada last summer. Here's the silly write up I wrote about our misadventure.

http://www.collegehillshonda.com/ridgeline/06_07_exterior.htm

There is definitely never enough water in there to get anywhere near reaching the top of the ridges on the bed, even right up in the area the water will form a small puddle. If it rolls back it's on the outside edges of the ridges. We're completely satisfied with the water protection it provides us.

I've had my Retrax for about 4 months and continue to love it. I put some clear caulk up in the cab corners and it stays mostly dry, even in heavy rain. It does still leak from somewhere, but only enough to wet the low points of the bed. I'm sure if I looked hard enough I could seal it completely, but it doesn't bother me the way it is. People continue to make positive comments about its great look and fit. Good luck with your research.

I had my Retrax only for a week, so I don't have much to report. I did wash it once and rinsed it very generously with the hose from all angles. I checked the bed after that, and there was not even a drop of water in there. So I think it should hold up very well. I did not apply any sealants, it looks the weatherstripping is very tight out of the box.

After installation (Retrax)I ran a bead of black sealant around the entire seam. The only place I still get a small amount of water in is around the fwd tie downs. Dust was a bigger problem than water. If you plan on doing any off road travel be sure you install the tailgate seal. Some have complained about flutter at highway speeds I have'nt noticed any myself. As Truckin' has stated we've had it for a year and still love it, it serves our needs completely:cool:

I have enjoyed the Retrax for about 8 months. With the tailgate seal it is reasonably water and dust tight, but not completely. However, the amount of water entering the bed area is minimal and of no concern. I think it's a great lid.

I've got the OEM cover on mine and other than the expense I have loved it. And it could be made completely water tight, I just haven't done it. The only place water seeps in is at the bolt holes in the side of the bed about 55% back, and I'm sure a little silicone would fix that right up. So far I haven't done it because, like Truckin mentioned, Utah is pretty dry. I haven't ever had anything in the bed get wet.