Both these covers may look similar, but there is a lot of difference in them.
Speaking of these two, the Bakflip MX4 is top of the line cover by BAK industries, and comes with a premium built, where the FiberMax comes with almost similar features but slightly less durability. But then again it’s justified with “slightly less” price tag.
Kind of you get what you pay for… But the main question to ask here is, which one out of them provides better value for money?
Let’s find out.
Table of Contents
Starting with their designs:
The Bakflip MX4 may seem same at first, but there are some key differences to note.
MX4 cover features durable aluminum panels of aircraft grade material which are then coated with black finish, giving it a more matte look in comparison, (while the Fibermax is a little more glossy).
The difference here is that the MX4 is exclusively aluminum, where the FiberMax is a composite material having aluminum covering on it. So with completely built aluminum MX4 offers more strength in comparison.
But at the same time, the FiberMax cover, as its name suggests comes with the FRP (Fiberglass Reinforced Polymer) coating, which protects the cover more.
Other than this both covers provide you with EPDM seals and drain tubes which are equal in terms of quality (you may have to install drain tubes by drilling though).
Both covers provide you with dual tail gate sealing, so you can close the cover on top of closed tail gate.
And both come with automatic locking latches, so on closing the cover, they lock automatically.
Both covers also feature rubber shows underneath the panels, so they don’t rub against each other.
And both covers provide you with partial as well as full bed access, where both panels can be secured on 2/3rd of the way (with buckle straps) as well as propped up vertically in the last standing position, using rods.
And, although they block the rear view like all other trifolds, these two still don’t block the 3rd brake light.
They lean against your cabin and have rubber bumpers and that way they protect your truck from any heavy cargo by taking the impact instead.
But with such high price for both, they sure don’t provide you with some extra features, like the cushioning underneath and LED lights (preinstalled) like seen in some tonneau covers (Undercover Ultra Flex for example).
FYI: This guys really explains well in this video.
Protection and Durability
Out of two, the Bakflip MX4 with it’s all aluminum panels are stronger.
These panels are aircraft grade composition and offers enhanced injection-molded bolt housing components that add to their durability.
In the case of carrying weight, this cover is slightly more efficient and can carry approximately 400 lbs of weight.
And in comparison, the BAKflip Fibermax provides you with 300lbs.
But where MX4 comes with powder coated aluminum panels the Fibermax comes with FRP, which provide you great protection against UV rays and are heat resistant.
With UV rays protection, the cover is less prone to fading and last a little longer and with heat resistance, the panels stay a little cooler (in summers).
Other than both covers provide you with almost equal weather protection, with weather tight sealing.
Both covers provide you with dedicated hinges and seals composed of EPDM rubber along with dedicated drain tubes that let’s the accumulated water (in the rails) out of the cover very efficiently.
These covers basically have 2 types of sealing.
One of them is out side on the panels sides, and this resists water going in. And some water that still goes in, goes to drain tubes which then expel the excess accumulated water (in the rails) out of the truck bed.
The other seal sits between the drain tubes and your bed.
But these two, provide good efficacy here with their extruded side seals making them water proof to some extent.
But still both of these covers are prone to leakage, as no cover is total waterproof. That’s why they are all marketed as water resistant instead of being fully water proof.
In terms of security, although both provide with automatic slam latches, the MX4 offers with a better injection-molded latch system which feel more sturdy.
Their Working and Installation:
Both covers are fairly simple to install and understand.
And although both have bed rails, panels, clamps, drain tubes, and where MX4 has additional tool box, it took me slightly less time to get it installed (40 minutes) where Fibermax took about an hour.
Note: There are tons of videos on their installation procedure, so I am not going to share those.
Both covers although features same mechanism of opening/closing, the MX4 seems a little more sturdy, with it’s slightly firmer latches.
Other than this, rest is almost same, both covers have pull relese cables underneath each panels (on both sides) and you can use/pull it to open each panel. And it can only be accessed with the tail gate is unlocked.
These covers can be locked at all positions as they have identical buckle straps to fix them up at their places (although their quality could have improved a bit I feel, but wait till you see G2s).
If you open all the way you can use strat bars with prop rods and they will keep the panels from falling back down, and you can drive around like that.
For cabin protection, both offer you D shaped bumpers, allowing you to lean any heavy cargo against them.
Other than this, the Bakflip MX4 offers you with a tool box at the end, which can also be removed, if you need whole bed. It’s a nice little feature to have.
So What’s the Verdict?
Well you can’t go wrong with either of them.
But both offer you slightly different features. Still let’s discuss the bottom line.
The Bakflip MX4 offers you slightly more durable panels having weight bearing capacity of 100 lbs more.
While the Bakflip Fibermax offer you with a stronger coating of fiberglass protecting the cover.
So if you can compromise a little on panels overall durability, you can save a few bucks and go with Fibermax.
But for me personally, their main selling point has always been their customer service.
I’ve had problem with its cover hinges and I contacted them and they understood it was a manufacturing issue and so they simply sent me the new one, (and asked me to destroy the old one).
