Bed covers are extremely useful for keeping your truck bed dry and its contents secure. While most can get the job done, not all of them are created equal. There’s a balance between being easy to use and being secure, and the Retrax EQ accomplishes just that.
This option has completely changed how I’ve viewed this accessory in the past. With high-tech features that make using it effortless, a sleek low-profile design, and the durability to withstand work and play, this cover is changing the game for the tonneau cover industry.
I previously covered an installation guide, so this will be my follow-up review.
Table Of Contents
Shipping & Packaging
The EQ shipped directly from RealTruck within about a week. This was awesome because I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it and try out its features.
Everything inside the box was packaged and padded nicely to ensure that nothing was damaged during the shipping process.
Electronic & Retractable
With a name like the Retrax EQ and a brand as well-known as RealTruck, you know this cover will be packed with a ton of high-tech and quality features. While most tonneau covers come in either a roll-up or tri-fold design, this one utilizes a retractable one. This allows the cover to slide in and out of the main canister at the back of the bed. Crucially, it allows you to easily store and protect the cover whenever you need to utilize your entire truck bed.
The retracting system features a dual helical cable drive system and glide tracks integrated into the side rail channels. This provides an insanely smooth and quiet operation. It also features an anti-pinch feature that will stop the motor if it detects an obstruction like your fingers.
Since it is a retracting cover, the top rolls up into a main canister located near the cab. With other bed covers, these can take up a lot of valuable bed space. However, the Retrax EQ was designed to have the shortest canister in the industry. This ensures that you can still pretty much get full use of your truck bed which is essential, especially if you have a short-bed truck.
What makes this tonneau cover so special is the ability to open and close it either via the Retrax app, the optional keypad, and/or your vehicle’s key fob.
This is super useful if you want to open and close the bed cover as you approach your truck and are getting ready to load cargo. Or, from inside the cab if you forgot to close it. The cover also has a manual release if you need to access the bed quickly.
Other Key Features
The cover itself is made from heavy-duty aluminum that is strong enough to support up to 500 lbs. This makes it possible to tie down and haul things on top of the bed cover. With it being able to support so much weight, it’s even possible to use the cover as a platform to reach the roof or lay on for a quick afternoon nap.
Other Notable Features
- Included driver’s side LED light so you can see your cargo at night.
- T-slot channels built into the cover’s rail system provide the ability to add additional accessories that mount using a T-slot mount. This also gives you the ability to add additional storage such as bed racks on top of the cover.
- Industry-leading 5-year warranty.
- American made!
- Corrosion resistant aluminum construction.
- Durable UV-resistant matte black finish.
Final Thoughts
One of the first accessories I ever bought for my Tacoma was a soft roll-up style bed cover which turned out to be really disappointing. It only lasted me a few months even with just normal wear and tear. The Retrax EQ completely changed my mindset on what a cover should be and provided features I never even thought of.
As someone who does a lot of housework and renovations, I especially like that I can open the cover as I walk to the truck with my hands full without having to set anything down. The cinching ability has also been great when I am hauling something and forget my tie-down straps.
If you’re interested in a premium option and want something that is built to last and offers features that you didn’t know you needed, I highly recommend the Retrax EQ. This bed cover is perfect for just about everyone from work trucks to overlanders.
