BAKFlip F1 vs MX4: Which BAK Hard Folding Cover Should You Buy?

How we made this guide: picks and specs come from our catalog and fitment data, owner quotes come from verified reviews and the guide was drafted with AI help, then checked and edited by Trevor Hall.

Buy the BAKFlip MX4. It starts at $1,199.99, installs in about 30 minutes and fits more trucks and beds. BAK also lists the F1 as discontinued from June 2026, sold while supplies last. The BAKFlip F1, from $1,349.99, only makes sense if a part for your truck is still available and you want its fiberglass reinforced (FRP) top, which resists dents and scratches that mark aluminum. Owners also report it stays cooler in the sun.

Load rating, latching, bed access and warranty are a tie. The F1 costs $100 to $200 more on the same truck and bed, and we do not list it for every bed the MX4 fits, so check fit first.

Skip it if you park outside in hail country and can still get an F1 for your truck, or if you want to carry a rack (see the MX4 TS below).

BAKFlip F1 vs MX4 specs side by side

From BAK's spec sheets and our fitment data. Ratings are the owner reviews on file.

What the F1 and MX4 share

Both are hard folding covers on aluminum rails that clamp to your factory bed rails, with no drilling. Every panel latches itself when you close it, so a locked tailgate locks the bed. If your tailgate does not lock, add a tailgate lock. Otherwise anyone who drops it can reach the release cables. Both keep the third brake light clear and drain through tubes.

Neither is waterproof. Leaks are the most common complaint in the low-star reviews of both covers, so do not expect the F1's pricier panel to keep the bed drier. More on that below.

Panel construction: fiberglass top vs aluminum top

This is what the extra money buys. The F1 puts an FRP skin over a foam core with an aluminum bottom skin. The MX4 Gen 3 uses aluminum skins over a polymer core, which BAK says is about 22% stronger than the original MX4. Both are rated for 400 lb, so neither carries more. The difference is the surface: FRP takes hits that would dimple aluminum, and owners report it stays cooler to the touch.

“I spent a little more this time with the F1 series for the increased hail resistance. This cover also stays cooler to the touch than the previous aluminum covers and that is nice when trying to open and close it in the hot sun.”

BAKFlip F1 owner · 5 out of 5 stars

“Lastly, the cover gets extremely hot in direct sunlight. It becomes uncomfortable to touch and makes it painful to open when needed.”

BAKFlip MX4 owner · 2 out of 5 stars

Skip it if your truck or bed is on the MX4-only list, or you would rather buy a cover BAK still makes.

Finish and looks: gloss or matte

The F1 is a gloss textured black that suits gloss paint and chrome trim. The MX4 is a textured matte black that hides fingerprints and light scuffs and blends with black plastic trim. Both sit close to flush with the bed rails, so from the side either one looks factory.

“I love how the matte finish is exactly the same as the chevy truck plastic.”

BAKFlip MX4 owner · 3 out of 5 stars

Which trucks each cover fits

For many buyers this makes the choice. In our range the MX4 fits 18 truck models and the F1 14, and on several trucks we list no F1 for a bed length or a generation. Prices are the lowest part for those years:

One gap runs the other way: for a 2019 or 2024 to 2025 Ram 2500 or 3500 with the 8 ft bed we list the F1 but no MX4, so check the selector before you choose.

The gap is widest on mid-size trucks and long beds. Factory options can change which part fits: BAK makes separate Ram parts for RamBox and the multifunction tailgate, and Toyota's deck rail system or a GM CarbonPro bed can change fit, so enter your exact truck in the selector before ordering. On a Tacoma you keep the track:

“The Toyota Tacoma version reuses the adjustable tie down rails by moving then about 1 1/2 inches lower so you keep that feature.”

BAKFlip MX4 owner · 5 out of 5 stars

Own a 2002 to 2013 Avalanche or Escalade EXT? The F1 is the only BAKFlip we list for that 5'3" bed, from $1,399.99. It takes the place of the factory three-piece lid.

Install and daily use

The MX4 Gen 3 has newer click-in clamps and BAK quotes under 30 minutes. BAK quotes under an hour for the F1. Owners of both covers report anywhere from about 20 minutes to 2 hours, with most done in an hour or less. One MX4 long-bed owner found the two-piece rails hard to line up. Both fold to two-thirds open on buckle straps or all the way against the cab, and you can drive in either position. One owner who moved from an MX4 to the F1 found it lighter:

“The F1 is lighter and easier to install than the MX4. So far, it has performed as well or better than the MX4.”

BAKFlip F1 owner · 5 out of 5 stars

“I like that the folded panels are really secured in place when driving and won't get whipped in the wind plus it leaves room for maximum cargo space. The upgraded cable system for latching and unlatching is another big plus.”

BAKFlip MX4 owner · 5 out of 5 stars

Weather sealing and what owners report

The MX4 Gen 3 has revised seals and a longer tailgate seal, though one owner found the new ribbed tailgate rubber fit less well than the old one and let in a little water. The F1 has a dual-action tailgate seal on most trucks. In the reviews, 12 of 290 F1 owners (4%) gave one or two stars, against 25 of 328 MX4 owners (8%). Leaks come up about twice as often in F1 reviews, though: 31 of the 200 on file mention them, against 15 of 200 for the MX4 (not every mention is a complaint). For both covers the leaks are at panel seams and side edges as well as the tailgate. Check that the rails are square and the tailgate seal sits flat before blaming the cover.

“Was hopeful this wouldn't be the case with the integrated drainage system, but it leaks around all the edges & between panels.”

BAKFlip MX4 owner · 2 out of 5 stars

One owner whose third BAKFlip is an F1 on a 2022 Ram 2500 Mega Cab found the covers on both Ram Mega Cabs too tight at the rear of the bed:

“Fit on the F250 was great but not so good on the Rams. Both were too tight at the rear of the bed requiring slight modifications to allow it to close and latch. Disappointing because it should fit each vehicle properly. The seal on the rear of the cover barely closes down on the top of the gate so water is going to leak in unfortunately.”

BAKFlip F1 owner · 3 out of 5 stars

The F1 panel is not proof against age either. One long-term owner saw it start to fail after five years:

“I have owned this for a little over 6 years. While I was mostly happy with my choice at first, I will say that longevity is not its strength. After 5 years, it began to become waterlogged and at about 6 years and three months, the brackets on the belly side are falling apart.”

BAKFlip F1 owner · 3 out of 5 stars

The F1 warranty is 5 years, the same as the MX4's, so the pricier panel buys no extra warranty time.

BAK is phasing out the F1: what that means for you

BAK lists the F1 as discontinued from June 2026 and is selling the remaining covers while supplies last. Parts for some trucks and beds may run out before others, so the F1 column in the fit table can shrink over the coming months. A new F1 still comes with its 5-year warranty.

For most owners we suggest the MX4 (or the FiberMax for a fiberglass top): same 400 lb rating, same 5-year warranty, same no-drill clamp-on install, for less. If you want to spend less again, the BAKFlip G2 is the lower-priced BAKFlip with the same fold-to-cab design. If you want a fiberglass top for less, see the FiberMax below. You can compare every BAKFlip that fits your truck in our BAK tonneau covers.

Price: is the F1 worth the extra?

You get no more load rating, warranty or bed access for the F1's higher price. You get the FRP surface and the gloss look. For a garage-kept truck that is hard to justify. For a truck that lives outside in hail and sun, the panel is the reason to buy one, as long as your part is still listed. Want FRP for less? The BAKFlip FiberMax, from $1,249.99, uses an FRP top panel with a 300 lb rating and a 3-year warranty.

Skip it if you want 400 lb, a 5-year warranty or the F1's dual-action tailgate seal: the FiberMax uses a conventional tailgate seal.

Watch both covers

The F1 clip shows the gloss FRP top on a Toyota Tacoma. The MX4 video is the full Gen 3 install on a 2024 Sierra.

The BAKFlips we carry at a glance

Verdict by use

Skip it if you need more than 300 lb on the closed cover or a warranty longer than 3 years. See our BAKFlip G2 vs MX4 comparison.

Skip it if nothing will ride on top. More options in our best hard folding tonneau covers.

Frequently asked questions

Is the BAKFlip F1 worth it?

Only if you want its FRP top and a part for your truck is still listed. BAK lists the F1 as discontinued from June 2026, and it costs $100 to $200 more than an MX4 with the same 400 lb rating and 5-year warranty. For a garage-kept truck, the MX4 does the same job for less.

Is the BAKFlip F1 discontinued?

Yes. BAK lists the F1 as discontinued from June 2026 and sells the remaining covers while supplies last. For most trucks we suggest the MX4 in its place, or the FiberMax if you want a fiberglass top, and the G2 is the lower-priced BAKFlip.

What is the price of the BAKFlip MX4?

The MX4 starts at $1,199.99 on many short beds. Newer Tacomas and Tundras, heavy-duty trucks and long beds cost more, for example from $1,249.99 on a 2022 to 2026 Tundra and $1,299.99 on a 2021 to 2026 F-150 8 ft bed. Your price depends on year, model and bed. No MX4 part in our range costs more than $1,300.

Are BAKFlip covers waterproof?

No, they are water-resistant, not waterproof. The seals and drain tubes keep most water out, but owners of both covers report leaks at panel seams, side edges and the tailgate, some in ordinary rain or a car wash. Put anything that must stay dry in a sealed tote. Read our car wash guide before you take one through, and our BAKFlip MX4 review for what owners report over time.

What are people saying about the BAKFlip MX4 Gen 3?

Owners praise the quick install, the factory look and the upgraded release cable, though one owner found the rear panel's cable tightened after two weeks. Low ratings mostly concern leaks at seams and edges, heat in direct sun and adhesive bumpers coming loose. Most reviews on file do not say which generation the owner has.

Can you drive with a BAKFlip F1 or MX4 folded open?

Yes. Both fold two-thirds open and buckle down on straps, or fold all the way against the cab and lock there, and you can drive in either position. MX4 owners report the folded stack stays put at speed, and the third brake light stays visible.

Where is the BAKFlip MX4 made?

In Missouri. BAK builds and assembles the MX4 at its Missouri plant from globally sourced materials, and the F1 is also listed as assembled in Missouri. Both come with US-based product support.

Related guides

• BAKFlip G2 vs MX4: Which Is Right for Your Truck?
• BAKFlip MX4 Review: Is It Worth the Money?
• Best Hard Folding Tonneau Covers: Picks for Security, Budget and Racks