Fold-a-cover G4 Elite or Extang Encore?

Which would you choose and why?

My observations from videos are that the G4 elite is sturdier and has a better lock, but I've never seen either in person.

Opinions and thoughts appreciated. My truck will be here in a week, so I'm trying to get a tonneau asap.

 

i have the Encore.

pros:
- fits nicely and looks great
- can fold from front or back equally easily
- is light and can be entirely removed in 30-60 seconds
- can tri fold flat and lockstrap in place behind the cab and drive like that (w/o blocking rear glass)

cons:
- not sufficiently water resistant, leaks at sides
- rails displace factory rails by dropping about 1.5" (not sure of exact), factory rails still usable, just lower position
- lock is ok but easily jacked by lifting rear panel for the lock wire (it's not very secure although it looks moreso than a soft top, although it's really not)

despite the cons it suits me. if i could comfortably pay for a perfect deal maybe i would have, but my personal priorities were the pro list above.

 

I just ordered the G4 elite by foldacover. It was a tough decision because they all have their pluses and minuses. I'll let you know how I like it. The Extang was my second choice.

 

what do you mean "a perfect deal"?

 

I've had the Foldacover G4 for over a year and very pleased with it. The install did take awhile to get everything aligned properly so that the front and rear panels closed properly.

 

I bought and installed the encore a couple of weeks ago. Let the truck sit outside in monsoon rain for 2 days, and not more than a couple of drips got in. I'm happy with it. Suits me fine. I don't think any folder will be 100% leak proof for any amount of time, but that's just opinion.

 

Has anyone had issues with someone trying to break into your covers? I have looked at almost all the different options tri-fold, Bak roll up etc. It seems like most of them keep the water out but I am concerned and wondering how easy it is jam a crow bar or something under them and pop them open.

 

Have the Encore since February and can't complain. Leaks a little but not enough to be a deal breaker. People comment that it looks OEM if that's something that you are looking for. As far a breaking into it, someone definitely could if they wanted to (like anything really). More of a deterrent to the casual thief lol.

 

Well I think a crow bar would get you into any hard tonneau cover. I do think if I park my truck in the Lowes parking lot someone might take notice of someone prying my cover with a crow bar. A dark parking lot late at night is a different story

 

I've had a G4 for about a year on a 2nd gen. Bought it used, so it's about two or three years old. I've had no problems with it, and installed by myself with minimal readjustments. The anchor points take up specific spots on the bed rails, plus they do limit your ability to slide things up and down the rails. It's also not weather or dust proof. I think of the more as weather resistant.

For me, one of the biggest benefits of the G4, and why I bought it, is the front panel that opens. I installed a Toyota bed divider (the aluminum kind) just behind it and now have a separate locking "trunk" that's good for stashing things out of site. One of the drawbacks of this cover is that it's not as easy as others are to remove. There's four bolts that hold the whole thing on and you're left with the anchor points on the rail. All in all, I really like this cover and use it a lot and think it looks good.

 

i actually do this with my Encore. i have a Truxedo Expedition bag mounted directly behind the cab, this one:



and i can just open the locking front panel and use it like a trunk as you're doing. i also have a AMP bed extender mounted in the rear of the cab, and the rear Encore panel opens as well giving me access there, too. two trunks. and all this stuff comes out in a minute or two.

 

I have a G4. Decent cover and no real problems with it.

Took it to Moab and when I got back, the whole bed was filled with red sand. So like others have said, it's not particularly dust proof. I've driven through serious rain and hail storms as well as taken it through car washes and it'll leak on the four corners. I just keep the stuff I don't want wet away from the corners.

It takes me less than 5 minutes to remove and I carry a 10 or 11 mm wrench with me (I don't recall which one). If you fold it back, it doesn't block your rear view. The downside to this is you have to remove the cover if you need to use all of your bed.

I don't think the G4 would survive a crow-bar. Honestly, I doubt any cover of this type would. However, it is more secure than putting anything in the cab in my opinion.

 

Hi there. I'm getting this one put in by the factory with my truck order - they say it has to be built with the truck...the mounting points where the rails attached to, I guess.

My question with your con below...

- rails displace factory rails by dropping about 1.5" (not sure of exact), factory rails still usable, just lower position

...is due to the rails now being lower in the bed (using those brackets), are you sacrificing anything as far as accessories you can use (e.g., bed dividers, extenders, bed racks, etc.), and are there any strength integrity issues due to bracket attachment?

 

it's a good question and would be answered in a piece by piece basis. the OEM bed divider may not fit, I'm not sure as i don't have it, but from pics it looks like it needs the upper mount at a certain height. of course there are always options and you can get a Harbor Freight cargo bar that WILL fit for $20.

i also have the Truxedo Expedition bag mounted on the factory rails under the front panel of the Encore for a trunk function, which is great as you can see above. it comes down to what exactly do you want to mount and those dimensions.

 

i LOVE my fold-a-cover

 

A lot of these covers have drain lines for the leaks the tacoma bed does not have the punch out hole to accept drain lines was explained to me Ford F-150 has the punch out hole

 

I had some issues with foldacover, never responded to my email. Their tonneau cover do not last long, rubber deteriorated after a few years, metal in middle sags,overall finish just fades. It's just not automotive grade. Told my son about this and he got the Encore instead.

 

I went with the Undercover Ultra Flex. This is my first truck and first tonneau but I have no complaints. Love the matte black look vs. the hammered black of many others.

 

BakFlip MX4