Tonneau Cover Showdown: Leer HF650M vs Bakflip MX4

If you're in the market for a tonneau cover for your truck, you may be considering the Leer HF650M and Bakflip MX4 models. Both offer unique features and benefits, but which one is right for you? Our comparison guide will help you weigh the pros and cons of each and make an informed decision.

 

Overview of Tonneau Covers.

The Leer HF650M and Bakflip MX4 are two of the most popular tonneau covers among truck owners. For good reason. That’s because they both offer superior protection and security from the elements and wandering eyes. Not only do they give you the ability to lock your truck bed by simply locking your tailgate, but they are both easy to install and operate. Usually within 1 hour you can have these covers on and ready for the road. Those are the features the Leer HF650M and Bakflip MX4 have in common. Now let’s look at them individually and dive into what makes them two of the best competitors.

Leer HF650M highlights

The Leer HF650M is Leer’s most popular tonneau cover. There are two main reasons for this:

1. It has four dent resistant panels that sit lower than the third brake light when open and don’t rub against the cab of the truck.
2. It also offers multiple latching positions using their patented Cync latching system. The Cync cables are built into the underside of the cover making it easy to use and difficult to break into.

Leer HF650M Pros and Cons

Pros:

• 4 panels allow cover to sit lower behind cab.
• Prop rods keep cover from rubbing against cab.
• Cync Latching system has no cables to damage.
• No drilling or drain tubes required.
• Fiberglass-reinforced Polymer panels are dent resistant.
• Multiple latching positions.
• 450 lb. load rating

 Cons:

• Only a 3-year warranty
• Fiberglass-reinforced Polymer panels may not hold up as well in heat.

Bakflip MX4 Highlights

The Bakflip MX4 is Bak Industries most popular tonneau cover. There are two main reasons for this:

1. The low profile matte black aluminum panels are light weight and offer UV protection in the summer heat.
2. They are built in the USA using quality materials.

 Bakflip MX4 Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Aluminum panels are lightweight and durable.
• Low profile design.
• Drain tubes remove excess water.
• Multiple latching positions.
• 400 lb. load rating.
• Extended 5-year warranty.

Cons:

• Aluminum panels are not dent resistant.
• Drain tubes require drilling.

Comparison of Leer HF650M and Bakflip MX4.

As you can see both covers have many great features to offer. With only a few downsides. The MX4 offers lightweight aluminum panels, while the HF650M has fiberglass-reinforced polymer panels.  The aluminum panels of the MX4 are great for UV protection in the hot summer sun but are not dent resistant like the polymer panels of the HF650M. While they both offer multiple latching positions and can be driven in the open position, the HF650M has a slight advantage since its prop rod position does not allow the panels to lean against the cab of the truck. That’s important to note because with the MX4 the more you use the cover the more it’ll wear on the paint finish of the truck. As far as water management is concerned, no tonneau cover is perfect, but both were uniquely engineered to shed water or drain it away from the bed of the truck. The potential downside of the MX4 in this area is it requires a drain tube to be installed. This could be an advantage or disadvantage. Depends on how you look at it. It is one extra step in the installation process and requires drilling a hole in the plastic bed plug, but the extra drain tube does a good job of redirecting water. Especially during heavy downpours. That’s also very important to note because one of the main reasons you buy a tonneau cover is to keep your cargo dry.

Final Verdict and Recommendation.

After comparing the Leer HF650M vs the Bakflip MX4 I’ve concluded that the Leer HF650M has a slight advantage. For me it comes down to security and durability. The fiberglass-reinforced polymer panels of the HF650M beat out the aluminum panels of the MX4 because they are dent resistant. I’ve seen the Bakflip MX4 after a hailstorm and it didn’t fair very well. Also, the HF650M has a load rating of 450 lbs. compared to 400 lbs. with the MX4. That extra 50 lbs. of load rating gives me a little more peace of mind when it comes to a wet heavy snowstorm. The final deciding factor is security. The Cync latch system cable is built into the underside of the panel. Making It much more difficult for someone to try to break into with a simple coat hanger. So, not only does the Leer HF650M hold up better in extreme elements but it also provides one extra layer of protection against breaking and entering.