Being loyal to a particular brand means you will likely stick to the brand irrespective of others’ comments about the brand. Some people are not loyal to any brand.
For such people, choosing between different brands will become an issue. This is likely the case with the different parts of the vehicle, including the tonneau cover.
Two popular brands that make it difficult for people to choose are the Leer HF650 and Bakflip MX4. Are you in such a situation? You are at the right place to get the information that will guide you. Keep reading this article.
Leer HF650 VS Bakflip MX4
The Leer HF650 and Bakflip MX4 have a lot of similarities and few differences. The truth is that you might not be able to tell the difference unless you are a professional.
Before you make your final decision, this article will highlight the similarities and differences between the two tonneau covers. Not only that, but the article will also suggest which of the two is better. Check out the article.
Similarities between the Leer HF650 and Bakflip MX4
For two popular brands of the tonneau cover to be placed side by side, you should know that they share a lot of similarities. The similarities in features are even the reason why some people are confused about which one they should buy. Do you know the similarities between the two? If not, the following are some of the similarities.
Price
You might be surprised that one of the areas of convergence between the two popular covers deals with the price. This is even one of the major reasons why many people do not know which one they should opt for.
To some enthusiasts, the similarity in price connotes some things. To some, it means that both products have similar features, and what you will enjoy when you buy one is likely what you will enjoy on the other one. So, if you are confused about the one to buy, price is not a major thing that will guide your decision. Both truck bed covers fall under the same price range.
Quality
A lot of things are considered before you can conclude the quality of a product. For instance, you will consider the material, the potential lifespan of the cover, peace of mind while using the product, and ease of installation and maintenance.
From reviews and users’ comments about the covers, it will be safe to say that both the Leer HF650 and Bakflip MX4 are quality products. If you want a product that will last for many years, you can consider any of the two.
Auto-lock
Since many people consider how secure a tonneau cover is before buying them, you should know that each tonneau cover has its unique locking system. Both the Leer HF650 and Bakflip MX4 truck bed covers have similar features when you talk about the locking system. Both covers are equipped with an automatic lock system when you close them.
Differences between the Leer HF650 and Bakflip MX4
Both the Leer HF650 and Bakflip MX4 covers have some features that differentiate them the same way they share some similar features.
The fact that they are produced by different manufacturers means that some features will be distinctive on each cover. Highlighted below are some of the differences between the Leer HF650 and Bakflip MX4 cover.
Material
One of the many things that you will consider before you buy a cover for the truck bed is the material of the cover. This is because you will not want to buy a material that will get worn or rusted after a few months of usage.
Despite the similarity in prices, the Leer HF650 and Bakflip MX4 covers are made from different materials. The Bakflip MX4 is made from aluminum material with a matte-black finish. This implies that the cover will last for many years without thinking about rust.
On the other hand, the Leer HF650 is made from fiberglass. Not the only fiberglass, the one that is reinforced with polymer. Well, you might be wondering if the fiberglass material is also durable. Yes, reinforced fiberglass materials are also durable.
Warranty
You can’t buy a product without considering its warranty. You need to be sure that the company will be there for you if you have any issues with the product.
Though both come with a warranty, there is a difference between the warranty policies of the two companies. The Bakflip MX4 comes with a limited warranty of 5 years while the Leer HF650, on the other hand, comes with 3 years limited warranty.
Weight
If you need to put a load on the cover, you should know the weight capacity of the cover. If you put a load beyond its capacity, you are reducing the lifespan of the cover. Both the Leer HF650 and Bakflip MX4 are equipped with different load capacities.
The Bakflip MX4 supports a load that does not exceed 400 pounds. On the other hand, the Leer HF650 has a higher load capacity. It supports loads up to 450 pounds. To avoid ruining the covers, you should ensure that the weight of the load is evenly distributed.
Water-resistant
To always keep the truck bed dry, both covers are designed to get rid of water when it rains and when you wash them. The Bakflip MX4 is designed with drain tubes. These tubes serve as a channel for water to get drained from the cover. The Leer HF650 is not designed with any tube. Its seals and rails on the perimeter are used as channels for water to get drained from the cover.
Design
Tonneau covers have different designs and your preference will determine the one you will buy. The design of the cover also determines how it will be easier for you to access the truck bed when you open it partially.
Just like many other products from Bakflip, the MX4 is designed with tri-folds. This implies that you can fold it for partial or full access to the truck bed.
For partial access, you can fold it to the second panel, or last panel, or you fold it on the can and then lock it. For full access to the truck bed, you will need to loosen the two-star bolts underneath the cover, and then lift it from the rail brackets.
For the Leer HF650 cover, it is designed with 4 folds, which are flexible and lightweight. For partial access to the truck bed, you can fold it in two ways or against the cab. Folding in 4 ways will make the cover shorter when you put it against the cab. This implies that it will not block the third brake light.
Which is better between the Leer HF650 and Bakflip MX4?
After careful consideration of the similarities and differences between the Leer HF650 and Bakflip MX4, it will be a bit difficult to say which is better.
Nevertheless, in general, especially when you consider the warranty, the popularity, and the excellent customer service of Bakflip, one can easily say that the Bakflip MX4 is relatively better than Leer HF650.
This is, however, not to say that the Leer HF650 is not a good product. The truth is that the durability of both covers depends on how you care for them. Some maintenance tips will be discussed later in this article.
Maintenance tips for both Leer HF650 and Bakflip MX4 cover
Buying a quality product is good but you should also care for the product if you want to use it for many years. Also, coming with a warranty doesn’t mean that the product could not be damaged if you fail to care for it properly. Below are some tips on how you can care for your Leer HF650 and Bakflip MX4 covers.
Avoid sunlight
One of the greatest enemies of the tonneau cover is the UV. When you expose the cover for a longer duration, the color will quickly fade. The issue here is that the warranty does not include the discoloration of the cover.
In your best interest, it is recommended that you do things that will keep the color of the cover intact. One of the things you can do is to always park the truck in shady areas. If possible, you should park in a garage. Also, be mindful of the type of soap you use for cleaning the cover.
Regular cleaning
The cover will look attractive on the truck after successful installation. To maintain that look, you should regularly clean the cover with soap and water. However, avoid the use of a hard brush on the cover.
Trust an expert
If you have any issue with the cover, you should have someone that can easily fix it for you. Though some of the issues are what you might be able to resolve you can also seek professional service.
Conclusion
One of the pros of the Leer HF650 and Bakflip MX4 is that they are easy to install. If you have any issues during installation, you can hire a professional to fix them for you.