Tonneau covers are a must-have for your truck. At first, there were only a few manufacturers of tonneau covers, but now, the market is full of them.
There are so many different covers, from soft rolling ones to hard folding ones. Each has its purpose, but the general idea is that the hard cover is more expensive.
That’s mainly due to the things it can offer – like anti-theft protection. The soft covers protect the cargo from the elements, but even they do a worse job at it than the hard covers.
So, the Retrax made something new entirely – the hard rolling tonneau cover. This cover is the best of both worlds, but for a high-end price.
Here, we will review the Retrax Pro MX and see what it’s all about. Is this tonneau cover worth the money? Let’s find out!
Retrax Pro MX Hard Rolling Tonneau Cover
- Hard rolling tonneau cover
- Fits 08-16 F250, F350 with stake pocket access, 6’10” bed, 81.8”
- Premium matte finish
- Durable aluminum panels
- No drilling installation
- 100% bed access
- Anti-theft protection
- Made in the USA
Highlights Reviews Of The Retrax Pro MX Hard Rolling Tonneau Cover
The Build Quality
The build quality for high-end tonneau covers has to offer a lot more than the more affordable models. That’s why I was pleased to see that this tarp is very durable and well-made.
Most hard tonneau covers are foldable, but this is a rolling one. Rolling covers are more convenient since they take up less space. Also, a rolling cover allows the third brake light to be visible at all times, guaranteeing safety.
So, with the matte finish, even the paint is very durable and the whole set should last you a long, long time. Also, the tarp can be locked, so it offers you maximum security – your cargo is perfectly safe wherever you park your car. This is where the hard tonneau covers excel because they offer more protection-wise.
What I liked is that the tarp can be locked anywhere on the rail. In case you want to transport something that cannot fit under the tarp, you can always just lock it behind the object to secure it with the latch or key.
The panels are extremely durable, and the tarp is waterproof. This rolling hard tonneau cover offers perfect protection from theft and the elements. No dust or debris will make its way into your trunk.
The perimeter seals on the ends make sure that the water won’t make its way to your cargo. Some heavy rains or snowstorms might make it into your trunk nevertheless, so keep this in mind!
However, do keep in mind that the rails can get stuck if dust or dirt gets into the rails. The rails should perhaps be cleaned often so this doesn’t happen.
What I wanted to mention is the lifetime guarantee that this tarp comes with. The Retrax guarantees with a lifetime guarantee that your tarp is made with all the best materials.
The Design
When it comes to reviewing design, the first that comes to mind is how high-end the tarp looks and feels. The matte finish makes it look very expensive and it completes the aesthetics of your vehicle.
I always prefer the matte finish because it’s proved to be more durable and it looks nice for longer than the polished finish. The finish is also UV-resistant and scratch-resistant. The polished finish gets more scratches over time, which makes the tarp looks used up and old.
Since the tarp is UV-resistant, that means it won’t become hot to the touch even in very hot weather. The panels cannot freeze either, so you will have no issues opening the tonneau cover in temperatures below zero.
If you are looking for a tarp that will look good always, consider buying the Retrax Pro MX cover. The tarp looks flush with the car’s design, so it will fit right in when you install it.
The clamps and the hinges are all designed to look flush with your car. If your tarp stands out,t’s not a great look overall, and for the high-end price, you want the accompanying aesthetics to go with the astonishing performance.
The low-profile design makes sure that the tarp looks great when rolled over your trunk. This design also makes less noise when you’re driving fast – so truly something to look out for when you’re buying a new tonneau cover.
The caps have a matte finish as well, as well as the sides – to make them look perfectly flush with the car. The sealed ball-bearing roller system is unique and it glides over the rail easily. This unique system eliminates the need for Velcro, snaps, springs, or pull straps whatsoever.
Ease Of Use
As for the ease of use, there are a few things to be on the lookout for when you want to invest in a new tarp. First of all, the tarp should be easy to install.
The Retrax Pro MX doesn’t require any drilling, so you don’t need to damage your car to install this bad boy on your trunk. The snaps that come with this tarp are enough to secure it on top.
The installation guide that comes in the package is solid and will help you out through the process of installation. Do keep in mind that the tools you need for the job do not come in the package, despite the price.
The installation takes no more than an hour, which is great. As for ease of use, the tarp should be simple and uncomplicated to use. The Retrax Pro MX is rather easy to figure out.
There is a handle at the side which you pull to roll the tarp up or to roll it over. All in all, nothing too complicated.
The latch can be locked for maximum security of your cargo, and the installation guide has a few words about this topic as well. The flap that covers the keyhole is a little flimsy, so it might not be very durable.
The Performance
The performance is the final touch of the review where we can see for ourselves how the tonneau cover acts when in use. After all, all the details and the build quality mean nothing when the tarp isn’t performing well.
We already noted that the rolling cover performs well when protecting the cargo from dust and debris. On the other hand, loads of rain or snow could make their way into your trunk.
The polish is fantastic and very durable, which is to be expected when investing in a high-end tonneau cover. The cover can withstand even rocks thrown on it without any dents or scratches – so the polish is high-quality without a doubt.
The whole package is easy to install and to use, as the installation guide is very clear and simple to follow. The only flaw I could find is that you don’t get the tools you need for the job in the package. So, if you’re not a nifty person by nature, you will need to invest in a wrench, as well.
Furthermore, I liked very much that the tarp could be locked to keep the cargo safe. The flap covering the keyhole doesn’t seem very durable – so if it breaks, dust could get inside the lock.
What we liked
- Anti-theft protection
- Premium matte finish
- Easy to install and to use
- Durable aluminum panels
- Visible third brake light
- Lifetime warranty
What we didn’t like
- Tarp can leak
- The tonneau cover can get stuck on the rails
- A flimsy flap on the keyhole
- Tools needed for installation aren’t included
Conclusion For The Retrax Pro MX Hard Rolling Tonneau Cover
To conclude, there are so many things to keep in mind when we’re discussing the high-end tonneau covers. First of all, do they offer more than the more affordable products?
Well, the Retrax Pro MX offers so much more and it’s the synonym for convenience. Easy to roll up and roll over, it locks… there is no doubt that it does a great job at protecting your cargo.
In my opinion, the pros of the Retrax Pro MX outweigh the cons by far. The price is high, sure – but the durability alone is the reason why you should invest in this hard rolling tonneau cover. If you want high-quality performance, you should pick a high-end cover like the Retrax Pro MX!
I am Dave McCurdy I am the content developer on the ecodrivingusa.com website. I have 6 years of experience in marketing as an automotive major.