Bakflip MX4 vs. Leer HF650M

[DCShepp]

UPDATE: went with the Leer and very much enjoy it. Product is great, instructions were absolute garbage - installation video does not reflect updated parts. Once I figured out the details installation was extremely easy.

Functionality has been great so far (about 1 month in). Only leakage has been at the tailgate and will be sealing that shortly.

Very satisfied so far, feel free to message with any questions about it.

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[Jmitchelltfo]

Not sure if cost is factored in......but I wanted the best deal possible on a cover that provided decent protection. I don't expect a dust or watertight seal with any product that covers a truck bed, but keeping honest people honest is nice with a hard tonneau.

I ended up finding a Bakflip MX4 for $200 on FB marketplace that only needed one section of weatherstripping applied to the front edge.

Works great and the "slight" discount was nice too.

 

[Hog_Johnson]

The only issue is that the seal against the tailgate is getting a little warped. I plan on contacting Leer for a new one, we’ll see how that goes.

One of the clips that hold the prop rods when not in use broke on mine when I installed it 4 years ago. I filled out the contact form on their website during lunch today and got a response within 45 min saying they had sent out a pair of replacements, free of charge. Based on some of the posts in this thread I either got lucky or their customer service has improved

 

[NCDriver]

Wonder if anyone knows about the Ford Hard folding cover on LEER’s website. It’s priced at half the other hard covers at $599. Does anyone have any experience?

 

[NCDriver]

This is exactly what I was looking for so far - seems like lots of Bakflip positives, with minimal Leer feedback other than customer service issues. Basically not necessarily a knock on the Leer, but definitely not selling it....

I just bought the Bakflip MX4 a month ago. Had to send it back. The new guide rails are a significant downgrade and do not fit properly, even after adjusting the clips they will not latch in. My cover came with tons of scratches all over. The back flap was cracked off in shipping. This was not the product I expected given the premium they want.

If you notice a lot of the positive comments are from people who bought it before the recent update. YMMV, but I really found the “upgraded” design to be a significant downgrade.

 

[DCShepp]

I just bought the Bakflip MX4 a month ago. Had to send it back. The new guide rails are a significant downgrade and do not fit properly, even after adjusting the clips they will not latch in. My cover came with tons of scratches all over. The back flap was cracked off in shipping. This was not the product I expected given the premium they want.

If you notice a lot of the positive comments are from people who bought it before the recent update. YMMV, but I really found the “upgraded” design to be a significant downgrade.

See, this was the biggest thing that turned me away from the Bakflip - hearing lots of commentary that it just isnt what it used to be, that the new versions are almost like cheap knock-offs of the ones that garnered all the good reviews.

That said, very happy with the Leer as of now - both in quality and function as well as the overall look.....with the exception of remarkably bad installation instructions.

 

[Parthery]

I had an Undercover get destroyed in shipping....that's not their fault...unfortunately it's FedEx Ground's fault. When I reached out and sent the customer service folks pics, they mentioned that this happens very frequently and they would prefer to use UPS but have a corporate account with FedEx. The second one arrived in one piece. The first one landed in the dumpster.

For build quality, the Extang Endura is head and shoulders above. Thats also why they charge a premium for it.

 

[DCShepp]

I had an Undercover get destroyed in shipping....that's not their fault...unfortunately it's FedEx Ground's fault. When I reached out and sent the customer service folks pics, they mentioned that this happens very frequently and they would prefer to use UPS but have a corporate account with FedEx. The second one arrived in one piece. The first one landed in the dumpster.

For build quality, the Extang Endura is head and shoulders above. Thats also why they charge a premium for it.

Interesting you say that - my top was shipped via fedex and I had a terrible experience with that. The top was delivered without any damage, but it was a complete fiasco just getting it delivered and having to sign for it.

UPS > FedEx

 

[DCShepp]

SIGNIFICANT UPDATE: first big test of the LEER and it's an all out FAIL.

Tis the season, and this weekend I got all my mulching done. As such, went and picked up 5 loads of mulch bags with the Leer opened all the way up and propped up.

At the end of the day I went to close everything up and the tiny little release levers on both support rods had snapped off. As a result of this, the support rods are currently stuck on the rail on both sides, as it will not release.

Suffice to say, extremely unhappy with this turn of events...

 

[DCShepp]

Secondary Update - still not happy about the flimsiness of the rod latches, but was actually able to get ahold of customer service pretty easily (thanks to info in another thread) and got a direct number for the person to speak to. New parts shipped out this morning.

 

[Parthery]

SIGNIFICANT UPDATE: first big test of the LEER and it's an all out FAIL.

Tis the season, and this weekend I got all my mulching done. As such, went and picked up 5 loads of mulch bags with the Leer opened all the way up and propped up.

At the end of the day I went to close everything up and the tiny little release levers on both support rods had snapped off. As a result of this, the support rods are currently stuck on the rail on both sides, as it will not release.

Suffice to say, extremely unhappy with this turn of events...

If this happens again, a tiny flathead screwdriver pushed into the opening and up will release the rod. I learned the hard way, too.

 

[DCShepp]

If this happens again, a tiny flathead screwdriver pushed into the opening and up will release the rod. I learned the hard way, too.

Yep - I actually keep a leatherman in my glove box which also does the job, but it's much more about principle and standing behind their product to me.

Greatly appreciate the advice though!

 

[Parthery]

As others have said, the issue is the Customer Service Dept at Leer is a one-(wo)man band. That said, Nichole fixed my issue and has been completely responsive.

 

[Parthery]

Figured I would add some feedback after a few months of use of both. Here's what I've come up with from my experience:

FIT AND FINISH
Both the BAK MX4 and the Leer have held up well going through the heat of the summer. Both have also been through some heavy weather and neither shows any hail, dent, etc... Some say FRP (Leer) does better in these conditions but BAK claims to have improved the finish on the Gen3s.

INSTALL
As everyone has noted, Leer's instructions are awful. That said, the videos and experience of those of us who have installed it have been a great help. Biggest takeaway is (a) take your time and (b) make sure the front gaskets are in the right place (one on top and the one underneath sealing against the front of the bed.)

USE/OPERATION
The second panel on the Leer vibrates around because it doesn't have a latch. It bugs me; some of you may not even notice.

KEEPING WATER OUT
Leer's double seal does a better job of keeping water out at the front. None of them keep the water out around the tailgate, so consider adding a $30 seal kit.

CUSTOMER SERVICE
Leer has been great; I broke a prop rod and sent an email and pic. Got two replacement prop rods and clips shipped out UPS same day at no charge. With BAK as long as you contact them directly at their email / phone number, and don't go through Realtruck, they are responsive too.

VALUE
The Leer/Ford covers that were briefly available for $600 were the real deal. Its' my understanding that they moved production from Overseas back to the USA and that was why they clearanced them out. Right now the Ford Ranger covers are going through the same exercise and are available on Leer's site for $300.

 

[FaaWrenchBndr]

I had to backflip, sold it as it was a cheap piece of shit

I’ve had the lawyer 650 for about a month.
I like the four piece better than the three-piece of the backflip. However, I will say the layer is heavier, but overall all the quality of it is better than the MX4

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