Gator FX3 vs Bakflip G2
Tonneau covers have come a long way from being just a simple sheet to protect your truck bed. Modern designs, combined with innovative materials and features, now make them a staple for any pickup truck owner who values security, aesthetics, and convenience.
The Gator FX3 and the Bakflip G2 are two top contenders in this space. Both promise to safeguard your cargo, offer full bed access, and sport a sleek design. But which one holds the edge? Dive into our comparison of these two powerhouses to determine the ultimate champion for your truck.
Bakflip G2 vs Gator FX3
This table compares the Bakflip G2 and Gator FX3 based on their key features in a descriptive sentence format.
| Bakflip G2 | Gator FX3 |
|---|---|
| Constructed with solid-core panels featuring aluminum skins. | Built with Fiberglass Reinforced Polymer (FRP) and aluminum sub-panels. |
| Features automatic latching panels operational from either side of the bed. | Equipped with auto-locking slam latches and a pull cable for unlocking. |
| Offers a no-drill clamp-on installation in under an hour. | Designed for drill-free installation using provided clamps, typically completed in less than an hour. |
| Folds up to the cab for 100% bed access without removal. | Can lean against the cab secured with prop rods for complete bed access. |
| Premium EPDM weather seals tightly fit to the bed rails with integrated drainage system. | Utilizes EPDM weather seal and integrated drain tubes for optimal weather resistance. |
| Can support up to 300 lbs. of evenly distributed weight. | Capable of supporting up to 300 lbs. when weight is spread out. |
| Boasts a textured powder coat finish with a sleek design sitting flush with bed rail. | Features a semi-gloss textured black finish with a low-profile design. |
| Comes with prop rods to hold the cover upright when driving. | Can be safely propped against the cab for highway driving with rubber bumpers for cab protection. |
| Comes with a three-year, hassle-free warranty. | Offers a limited two-year warranty against manufacturing defects. |
| Compatible with BAKBox 2 and ensures 3rd brake light visibility. | Has a dual-action rear seal allowing cover closure with or without the tailgate open. |
Full Bed Access
The Gator FX3 offers panel-by-panel folding facilitated by a pull cable, allowing for easy bed access. It can be fully propped against the cab and secured with prop rods, providing 100% bed access.
In comparison, the Bakflip G2 can also be completely folded up to the cab, giving 100% truck bed access, and comes with prop rods to hold the cover upright when fully open.
Installation
Installation for both the Gator FX3 and Bakflip G2 is straightforward. The Gator FX3 prides itself on its simplicity; most installations are completed in under an hour.
Its clamp-on design negates any drilling, requiring only basic tools for most vehicles. Similarly, the Bakflip G2 offers a no-drill clamp, ensuring installation in under an hour, emphasizing easy bolt-on procedures.
Locking Mechanism
The Gator FX3 is equipped with auto-locking slam latches that lock each individual panel. Its security is heightened once the tailgate is opened, and its fiberglass-reinforced polymer (FRP) panels are notably cut-proof.
On the other hand, the Bakflip G2 uses automatic latching panels that lock onto the cover’s mounting rails, which can be effortlessly deactivated. With solid-core aluminum panels, it ensures heightened security. A patented latch system works seamlessly when the tailgate is locked, guaranteeing the safety of the contents.
Weather Protection
The Gator FX3 and Bakflip G2 employ EPDM weather seals for optimum weather resistance. The FX3 introduces integrated drain tubes and a dual-action tailgate seal, facilitating tailgate operations without adjusting the cover.
The Bakflip G2, however, focuses on ensuring a dry truck bed by channeling water to the front before expelling it through drainage tubes.
Durability & Support
The Gator FX3 merges the durability of fiberglass-reinforced polymer for its top panels with the stability of aluminum sub-panels. Both covers boast the capability to support up to 300 lbs.
When the weight is spread out evenly, the Bakflip G2, crafted with 1/2″ thick solid-core panels adorned with aluminum skins, matches this weight support.
Warranty
Warranty periods differ between the two. The Gator FX3 provides users with a limited two-year warranty against manufacturing defects. In contrast, the Bakflip G2 offers a slightly lengthier three-year, hassle-free warranty.
Aesthetics & Design
From an aesthetic standpoint, the Gator FX3 sports a semi-gloss textured black finish, ensuring an elegant addition to most trucks. Its design is intentionally low-profile.
Meanwhile, the Bakflip G2 has a textured powder coat finish on both panels, presenting a modern and enduring look. It sits flush with the bed rail, imparting trucks with a sleek silhouette.
Operational Convenience
For operational ease, the Gator FX3 is designed with a pull cable, simplifying the panel-by-panel folding and ensuring quick bed access. The Bakflip G2, however, is enhanced with an automatic latching system, which can be operated from either side of the bed – an advantage when on the go or burdened with loads.
Tailgate Interaction
Tailgate interaction varies slightly between the two. The Gator FX3 introduces a dual-action rear seal, allowing users to close the cover with or without the tailgate engagement. The Bakflip G2 incorporates a specialized tailgate seal, ensuring smooth operation with selected applications.
Safety During Transit
While in transit, the Gator FX3, when fully propped against the cab, uses rubber bumpers to protect the cab from potential impacts. The Bakflip G2, however, focuses on visibility by ensuring the 3rd brake light remains unobscured, thus maintaining safety during journeys.
Additional Accessories
Accessory compatibility can enhance the utility of these covers. While specifics for the Gator FX3 aren’t detailed here, most tonneau covers are compatible with bed liners, toolboxes, and other truck bed add-ons.
However, users should consult the manufacturer for precise details. The Bakflip G2 is compatible with the BAKBox 2, a toolbox accessory that offers additional storage without consuming bed space.
Our Observation
The Bakflip G2 and Gator FX3 Tonneau Covers are top-tier products, each designed with meticulous attention to functionality and aesthetics. Both prioritize security, with advanced locking mechanisms ensuring the safety of your cargo.
Their easy, no-drill installation methods nod to user-friendliness, saving time and preventing potential damage to the truck bed. Their full bed access features, coupled with durable construction materials like aluminum and Fiberglass Reinforced Polymer, testify to their adaptability and strength.
While the Bakflip G2 boasts a three-year warranty and American craftsmanship, the Gator FX3 impresses with its UV-resistant top panels and two-year warranty. Both covers offer a harmonious blend of style, durability, and practicality.
Peter Rees, your go-to car parts expert, bridges the gap between mechanics and motorists. With over decades in the automotive industry, he decodes the intricacies of vehicles in his insightful blog, steering readers toward savvy decisions and smooth rides.
