Hard Bed Cover Clearance With F350 Short Bed and Slider Hitch

[MJohnston]

Hello All,

I just purchased a new 2026 F350 Crew Cab short bed and am hoping to install a 4 panel hard bed cover. I am wondering if the hard cover will work with my B&W companion slider hitch without impingement risk while towing. I would like to keep the flap closest to the truck cab down while towing (without needing to fold the cover all the way in the vertical position against the cab).
Previously I used a soft roll up cover on my F250, which worked well, but I prefer to switch to a hard cover for durability, look, and security when not towing.

I tow a 2018 3120RL Montana.

Appreciate any insights from the group!

Michael

 

[Bobby P2]

Following. Been thinking about a hard cover also but don't want it to fold up against back window either. Short box Chevy here.

 

[BB_TX]

Have you considered a hard roll back lockable cover? I used a Pace Edwards hard roll back cover on my F350 long bed and was very happy with it. You do lose a small amount of space at the front of the bed, but that was not a problem for my long bed. And they are very strong. And do not block the back window. I caught a young nephew jumping on my like a trampoline! No damage.

 

[Derby6]

Can’t help with your exact request. But I have revolver roll ups on my trucks. They are solid and secure and look good.

 

[MJohnston]

Can’t help with your exact request. But I have revolver roll ups on my trucks. They are solid and secure and look good.

Derby6,
I was looking at those as well. Two questions:
1) How much does it obstruct the view out the back window and block the middle window slide?
2) how much does it overhang the bed?

Okay, a third question, what holds it down against the rails, just weight or is there Velcro securing it along the sides?

Thank you!
Michael

 

[MJohnston]

Have you considered a hard roll back lockable cover? I used a Pace Edwards hard roll back cover on my F350 long bed and was very happy with it. You do lose a small amount of space at the front of the bed, but that was not a problem for my long bed. And they are very strong. And do not block the back window. I caught a young nephew jumping on my like a trampoline! No damage.

I did consider this as well. However I can’t afford the lost bed space with a shortbed. My backup generator fits perfectly in that spot between the cab and the hitch.
Michael

 

[Derby6]

Derby6,
I was looking at those as well. Two questions:
1) How much does it obstruct the view out the back window and block the middle window slide?
2) how much does it overhang the bed?

Okay, a third question, what holds it down against the rails, just weight or is there Velcro securing it along the sides?

Thank you!
Michael

I hope these pics can answer better than my words.
1- Blocks, less that 1/2 way up the window--That being said, I personally can' see fiver hitch over it, so I have to use mirrors and cameras when hooking up. I have 8' Long Beds, so your would be lower/smaller.
2- I didn't measure, but mine, I'd estimate 12-16".
3- No velcro, Its a rotating lock lever type system that locks into slotted pieces on the cover. So you must open the bed when the cover is closed to pull cable to release. (I guess if you don't have a locking tailgate its not secure. LOL)

In edit--Don't let the chipped paint discourage you. This truck has over 200K miles. It's seen Key west and the oil fields of Prudhoe Bay, AK, so it has been thru EXTREME temps and abuse--Like -60 degrees for days in severe winds. and 100+ degree temps out west. The cover itself is starting to crack a little bit in the back, but it still looks great and is good for another 100,000 in my eyes.

 

[mattf]

Hello All,

I just purchased a new 2026 F350 Crew Cab short bed and am hoping to install a 4 panel hard bed cover. I am wondering if the hard cover will work with my B&W companion slider hitch without impingement risk while towing. I would like to keep the flap closest to the truck cab down while towing (without needing to fold the cover all the way in the vertical position against the cab).
Previously I used a soft roll up cover on my F250, which worked well, but I prefer to switch to a hard cover for durability, look, and security when not towing.

I tow a 2018 3120RL Montana.

Appreciate any insights from the group!

Michael

We have a 2017 F350 crew cab short bed with the same hitch. I tried the Back Flip 4 panel bed cover and it didn’t work. I had to fold it all the way up where it blocked the back window of the truck. Made a turn with the cover in this position, without sliding the hitch back, and the corner of the bed cover gouged the fiberglass front cap. Switched over to a hard roll up cover that rolls into a canister at the front of the bed.

 

[AZMont]

I have a Ram 3500 Mega Cab one ton SRW that I use the Backflip bed cover and Pull Rite auto slide hitch. I have been towing with the cover in the folded and flat position behind the cab. I have never had an interference issue between the Backflip cover and the hitch/king pin box. I am also using a Gen Y pin box (not goose box due to clearance issues) with a Pull Rite capture plate. I have done this for my last 2 Montana fivers with no issues. My Backflip also has the "back box" optional feature cargo box. This leaves me a clear view out of my rear window. Before leaving I am always careful to check that the Backflip hold down straps are fastened.

 

[MJohnston]

We have a 2017 F350 crew cab short bed with the same hitch. I tried the Back Flip 4 panel bed cover and it didn’t work. I had to fold it all the way up where it blocked the back window of the truck. Made a turn with the cover in this position, without sliding the hitch back, and the corner of the bed cover gouged the fiberglass front cap. Switched over to a hard roll up cover that rolls into a canister at the front of the bed.

Thank you Matt! Sorry to hear about the damage caused by using this cover, but appreciate the information.
Michael

 

[MJohnston]

I have a Ram 3500 Mega Cab one ton SRW that I use the Backflip bed cover and Pull Rite auto slide hitch. I have been towing with the cover in the folded and flat position behind the cab. I have never had an interference issue between the Backflip cover and the hitch/king pin box. I am also using a Gen Y pin box (not goose box due to clearance issues) with a Pull Rite capture plate. I have done this for my last 2 Montana fivers with no issues. My Backflip also has the "back box" optional feature cargo box. This leaves me a clear view out of my rear window. Before leaving I am always careful to check that the Backflip hold down straps are fastened.

I have a buddy with this same setup with a similar result. However it’s too late for me since I already purchased the B&W. Good info for future readers of this thread!
Michael

 

[AZMont]

B&W is a good solid hitch. Hope someone can give you the exact feedback you need.

 

[DutchmenSport]

I drive Chevy's, but have fold back covers on both my pick-up trucks. One truck is a long bed (8 foot) and the other is a short bed (6 foot). My original covers on both trucks was the Flip Bac. When we had the long bed repainted last April, we took the opportunity to get a new Flip Bac. Actually, it's a different brand, but works the same way.

The panels fold up and on all of them, the foremost panel (when all the following panes are folded up, can stay flat against the bed rails and there is a strap that clips to keep the folded panels from unfurling when driving.

Both models can also be opened all the way and held upright against the back of the cab window with 2 clip solid arms.

The new one on the long bed:

The short bed, Closed:

Short bed, opened all the way, against back window:

Short Bed, First panel closed only:

How the rails for the cover is attached:

2 panels closed, but the top one does not strap down in this position:

Now, I do not have a fifth wheel hitch in the short bed, but with the covers are made in 3 equal lengths, so if the first panel is shut, that's covering 1/3 of the bed, leaving 2/3rds open. You can measure your short bed length and divide it by 3. Then you know exactly where the folds will happen before you buy.

My original Flip Bac on the long bad had 4 equal sections and was very heavy. The new one has 5 sections and they are all NOT equal in length, but they are much, much lighter, even when folded all together. The weight comparison between the old and the is quite different.

We considered the roll up type, but as the photo above shows, it robs several inches from the available bed space and anything under the roll has to be pulled out. The flip back does take a lot less space, and does not get in the way if anything is placed directly in the front of the bed. BUT, you loose the ability to look out the back window of the cab when the flip bac in in the up position. It's a trade-off you need to figure out for yourself.

 

[Derby6]

We considered the roll up type, but as the photo above shows, it robs several inches from the available bed space and anything under the roll has to be pulled out.

I am waaaay confused.
What do you mean you lose bed space with roll up? I lose absolutely zero bed space.
And as far as under it, its no more than what's under a hard top folded up???

 

[BB_TX]

I am waaaay confused.
What do you mean you lose bed space with roll up? I lose absolutely zero bed space.
And as far as under it, its no more than what's under a hard top folded up???

There are two types of roll up.
One rolls from back to front on top of the bed rails like shown in the pictures above. And doesn’t take up bed space.
The other is something like a spring loaded window shade and rolls back into a canister at the front of the bed and under the bed rails. That type takes up some of the bed room behind the cab.

 

[Eldergioe]

I have a pace installed on mine. I highly recommend it. But you'll need to make sure if you have room when it's rolled. I have an 8' bed. I have the aluminum one which is super tough.

 

[rbert6]

I have a long bed using the bacflip (4 sections) it starts off light but over time water penetrates into the panels and become very heavy. They are filled with styrofoam which soaks up the water I have not been able to dry them out. If anyone has any suggestions I would love to have a resolution.

 

[BB_TX]

I have a long bed using the bacflip (4 sections) it starts off light but over time water penetrates into the panels and become very heavy. They are filled with styrofoam which soaks up the water I have not been able to dry them out. If anyone has any suggestions I would love to have a resolution.

You are not alone. I looked into a Backflip a couple years ago and found posts similar to yours about the styrofoam soaking up water. And Bacflip offered no solution.

 

[Miatadoc]

I used a Bak Flip with my F-350 short bed. Our Monty had the Mor-Ryde pin box. I was able to use the cover with 3 of the sections folded onto the 4th as the OP is wanting to do. I modified the assembly by cutting a 1"x1" piece of wood to a length that matched the bed rails of the truck, then drilling holes for bolts to prevent the wood from sliding out. Each hole was located just inside the corresponding bed rail. I propped the trailing end of the bed cover flaps on the wood and used bungee cords attached to the D-rings of the bed cover to prevent the flaps from separating. This elevation allowed the shear plate of the Mor-Ryde to slide under the bed cover. It worked great; I used this set up with our B&W slider until I sold the truck.