BAKFlip MX4 Review: Is It Worth the Money?

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.

Yes, the BAKFlip MX4 is worth the money if you want a hard, self-latching cover that still gives you the whole bed: it starts at $1,199.99, carries 400 lb and has a 5-year BAK warranty. It is not worth it if you need a bone-dry bed in hard rain or a cover with its own key lock. For less, the BAKFlip G2 has the same folding design from $1,099.99 (300 lb, 3-year warranty).

Who the MX4 is for and who should skip it

The MX4 suits owners who use the bed two ways. Closed, it hides tools and luggage under a flat lid that looks factory. Folded and propped against the cab, it opens the whole bed for a dirt bike or lumber, with the third brake light still showing. Its dual-action tailgate seal also lets you drop and shut the tailgate without lifting the cover.

Skip it if your tailgate does not lock, because the cover has no lock cylinder of its own. Skip it if you need watertight storage; like every folding cover it is water-resistant, not waterproof.

What the MX4 costs on your truck

The MX4 is built per truck and bed, so the price depends on what you drive. These are the trucks and beds it fits in our catalog. The last column prices the newest generation only, which can start higher than an older truck.

Four fit notes. If your Sierra has the carbon fiber CarbonPro bed, confirm the part lists it before you order. Ram trucks with RamBox need the RamBox part, and the one we list is for the 6'4" bed. A 2020 Tundra owner says the factory bed rail system had to be moved with the supplied adapter plates, so check the part notes if your Tundra has it. And one owner reports the clamps block factory tie-down track cleats and a bed extender from sliding past, so check this if your bed has a rail track.

Raptor owners should confirm the part first. One 2026 F-150 Raptor owner says the front hold-downs had to be heavily modified and doubts they would hold up off road, while a 2025 Raptor owner reports a good fit.

Shopping for one particular truck? Our buyer's guides for the Tundra, Tacoma, Ram 1500, Silverado 1500, Sierra 1500 and F-150 narrow the field by bed size.

What changed in the Gen 3 MX4

The MX4 sold now is the third generation. BAK lists panels about 22 percent stronger than the original MX4, latch parts redesigned to resist forced entry better than Gen 2 and revised EPDM seals with tight-fit clamps.

Two changes target complaints that show up in owner reviews. BAK lists the dual-action tailgate seal as 13 percent longer, and the prop-rod clips that hold the folded stack as re-engineered. One owner of the new design says the ribbed tailgate seal fits less snugly than the old one and lets a little water in, so check that it is seated after install. A new click-in mounting system also cuts install time by about 12 percent, by BAK's figures.

What owners say: 328 reviews

The MX4 averages 4.5 stars from 328 reviews: 232 five-star, 47 four-star, 24 three-star, 20 two-star and 5 one-star. That is 85% at 4 or 5 stars and 8% at 1 or 2. In our curated sample of 200, 17 reviews sit at 3 stars or below: 6 mention leaks, 7 fit or install trouble and 7 small parts loose or broken (some name more than one).

“Very easy to install and it took me less than 30 minutes. I love the finished look - like it's from the Ram factory. 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

“If it rains, either while driving or sitting in the driveway, your stuff will be soaked. 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

“First, watched the online video instructions for my year mode and make prior to starting. Small item, but 1/8" shims shown in the video were not included with my purchase. Second, both rubber bumpers that support the cover when in the folded position became unattached after 6 weeks without ever having the cover in the folded position.”

BAKFlip MX4 owner · 3 out of 5 stars

Most of the unhappy owners describe a seal, rail or small plastic part problem rather than a failed cover. Those are fixable, but several say a missing or wrong part took more than one request to put right, which is frustrating at this price.

Pros and cons

How the MX4 holds up over the years

Long-term reports on file are few, but repeat buyers are common. Two owners say this is their third BAKFlip on a new truck, and another ran his first BAKFlip from 2015 across two Rams before buying the new design in 2026. To keep it working, recheck the clamps after the first few drives and again each season, keep the seals clean and free of solvents, and clear snow and ice before you fold the panels. The 5-year warranty covers the original purchaser only, so it does not pass to the next owner if you sell the truck.

BAKFlip MX4 problems and leaks: causes and fixes

Most MX4 problems trace back to rail alignment, a seal or a small part that arrived wrong or came loose.

“I'm in the northeast and I've had a few challenges with the latches not releasing in the cold (below 30f), so the cover wont fold up. Hasn't really been a huge issue for me though, given that I keep it closed to keep snow out.”

BAKFlip MX4 TS owner · 4 out of 5 stars

If water gets in, work through these steps in order:

1. Find the leak. Close the cover with the tailgate down and look for daylight along each rail from inside the bed. Then hose one edge at a time so you see exactly where water enters.
2. Re-square the rails and retighten every clamp, then recheck them after a week of driving. Our MX4 install guide covers clamp setup.
3. Reseat the tailgate seal so it presses evenly along the whole gate.
4. Check that the front seal runs the full width of the bulkhead, and clear or reroute any kinked drain tubes.
5. If a seal is short or torn, ask BAK for a replacement under the 5-year warranty.

Pressure washers push water past any folding cover; see our waterproof tonneau cover and car wash guides.

MX4 TS review: is the rack version worth it?

The MX4 TS is the same Gen 3 cover with T-slot channels in both side rails, from $1,449.99, about $250 more than the MX4 on most trucks and beds. It is offered on fewer trucks than the MX4, with no Titan version and mostly 2014 and newer beds, so check the selector first. The rails take crossbars, bed racks, carriers and roof-top tents (sold separately). Its Multi-Shield finish is rated up to 11 times more scratch resistant. Owners rate it 4.5 stars from 79 reviews, 73 of them 4 or 5 stars. Several say the T-slots do not suit every rack: one had to trim the rail end caps to fit the front of a rack on a 2026 Ram 2500, and another found the rack he wanted did not fit a 2025 Tacoma, so check the rack maker's fit list first. TS owners also report water at the fold lines and cab corners in heavy rain, as MX4 owners do.

“It is a well-built cover. The TS rails built in add a lot of flexibility to the bed. I like how it folds up and can expose 95% of the bed and the cover does not block the brake light, bed light and rearview camera mirror on my GMC Sierra.”

BAKFlip MX4 TS owner · 5 out of 5 stars

Skip the TS if you will never mount anything on top.

MX4 EZ-Lift: the easier-to-open version

The EZ-Lift needs about 10.5 lb of lift force, against the nearly 30 lb the maker cites for a conventional hard folding cover, and its paddle handle unlatches the cover in one hand. It starts at $1,349.99, about $150 more than the MX4 for the same truck and bed. Skip it if you have a long bed or a heavy-duty truck (it comes for short beds only in our range), or if you want years of owner feedback; only one review is on file so far.

Alternatives to the MX4 at every price

Two of the closest alternatives below are BAK covers too, and every BAK cover we carry is in our BAK Industries collection.

Under $1,000: UnderCover Select. A hard folding cover from $899.99, rated to 300 lb with slam latches and no lock of its own. Skip it if you pile heavy gear on the closed cover or want plenty of owner reviews to read first.

About $100 less: BAKFlip G2. The same full-access, self-latching design from $1,099.99, with a 300 lb rating, a 3-year warranty, an overlapping tailgate seal and 4.6 stars from 253 reviews. Skip it if you stack loads on the closed lid or open the tailgate many times a day. See BAKFlip G2 vs MX4.

Fiberglass top: BAKFlip FiberMax. Cut- and puncture-resistant FRP top panels from $1,249.99, usually a little more than the MX4 for the same bed, with a 300 lb rating, a conventional tailgate seal and a 3-year warranty. It holds 4.7 stars from 219 owner reviews. Skip it if you need 400 lb. You may see the older 400 lb fiberglass F1 mentioned elsewhere. BAK is discontinuing it as of June 2026 and selling what remains, so we suggest the MX4 or the FiberMax instead. F1 versus MX4 has the details.

A true three-panel tri-fold: LOMAX Hard Tri-Fold. From $1,115.20, it folds forward in three aluminum panels, locks automatically at ten points and comes in several finishes, including diamond plate. On short beds the aluminum and diamond plate versions cost a little less than the MX4. It folds to open about two thirds of the bed; for the whole bed, one person can lift the cover off. Skip it if you need every inch of the bed clear while the cover stays mounted, or if you value BAK's 5-year warranty (LOMAX gives 3 years) or a long owner review record.

A coated rival: UnderCover ArmorFlex. From $1,349.99, it matches the MX4's 400 lb rating, 5-year warranty and dual-function tailgate seal, and adds a textured Multi-Shield coating on the panel face for impact and abrasion resistance. Pick it over the MX4 if you slide gear across the closed cover and want that coating (the MX4 TS has a Multi-Shield finish too). Skip it if you want owner reviews to read first; none are on file yet.

A key lock on the cover: RetraxPRO MX. A retractable from $2,149.99, close to $1,000 more than the MX4. Its TraxLatch handle locks with its own key and opens independently of the tailgate, and it is rated to 500 lb with a limited lifetime warranty. Pair it with a locking tailgate, as with any cover. Skip it if you want 100% bed access; the canister takes space. More in our best retractable tonneau covers guide.

Watch the Gen 3 MX4

Frequently asked questions

Are BAKFlip covers waterproof?

No, they are water-resistant. The MX4 uses EPDM seals and drain tubes, and most owners report a dry or nearly dry bed, but expect drips at the seams in heavy rain or a car wash.

Does the BAKFlip MX4 improve gas mileage?

One owner says his highway mileage improved, but results vary by truck and speed. Our gas mileage guide covers what the research shows.

What is the price of the BAKFlip MX4?

It starts at $1,199.99 on a 2021 to 2026 F-150 short bed and most other half-ton and mid-size short beds. Long beds, the 2016 and newer Tacoma, the 2022 and newer Tundra, the Ranger, the Ridgeline, the Gladiator and heavy-duty trucks start at $1,249.99 or more.

What is the difference between the BAKFlip MX4 and the G2?

The MX4 carries 400 lb against 300 lb, has a 5-year warranty instead of 3 and uses stronger polymer-core panels. Its dual-action tailgate seal lets you shut the tailgate with the cover latched; on the G2 you lift the rear panel first. Bed access, auto-latching and the install are the same, and the G2 costs about $100 less.

Does the BAKFlip MX4 lock?

The panels latch automatically and the release cables sit inside the bed, so the cover is secure when the tailgate is locked. There is no key cylinder on the cover.

How long does the MX4 take to install?

The spec sheet lists about 30 minutes with hand tools, and most trucks need no drilling. Owners report 30 minutes to an hour; two-piece long-bed rails take longer to align.

Related guides

• BAKFlip G2 vs MX4: Which Is Right for Your Truck?
• BAKFlip F1 vs MX4: Which BAK Hard Folding Cover Should You Buy?
• How to Install a BAKFlip MX4 (and Other Hard Folding Covers)
• Best Hard Folding Tonneau Covers: Picks for Security, Budget and Racks