Hard roll-up tonneau covers have got their way into the market from the moment customers laid their hands on them. Why wouldn’t they? Their top-class design with a seamless soft cover providing high weather resistance and security of hard bed covers gives you everything you need.
If you have been researching roll-up tonneau covers, I bet you have looked into TruXedo Sentry CT and BAK Revolver X4s. And that is fair enough because they both have earned to trump the others with their superior qualities.
However, since that makes them rivals, the Truxedo Sentry CT VS. Bak Revolver X4s debate is inevitable with the obvious question – which is the better one? They indeed share many similarities, including their purposes. But they also have their differences that you should learn to decide which suits your truck more.
Find that out in the following discussion!
Overviews Of TruXedo Sentry CT and Bak Revolver X4s
TruXedo Sentry CT
TruXedo Sentry CT, where CT refers to Canvas Top materials, has ¾-inch thick aluminum slats finished with a woven and matte-black fabric. It uses latches in the middle of the truck bed and tailgate, featuring hook-and-loop fasteners.
If you are into that, the cover is purely black with a gothic look. Apart from that, its side rails have a 15-degree angle, making it low-profiled. When you roll it up, it gets a diameter of 12 inches. So there is no way it will obstruct your rearview.
It weighs only 75 lbs and offers a 3-year warranty, manufactured in the USA.
Bak Revolver X4s
The X4s version of Bak Revolver comprises aluminum slats layered with vinyl on its top. It comes with a patented rotational system for locking the cover to keep it put with the entirety of your truck bed.
The appearance is all black, mirroring the Sentry CT at first glance. There are black rubber straps and links to hitch the cover.
It may not be as low profile as the previous one, but it has a rugged construction with a 12-inch diameter roll-up and stocky weight of 92 lbs. The USA-based manufacturer of the product attaches a 5-year warranty period to it.
TruXedo Sentry CT VS. Bak Revolver X4s: A Quick Comparison Table
The detailed comparison between the two tonneau covers will be based on the following table. Have a look before going into the elaborated argument.
| Characteristics | TruXedo Sentry CT | Bak Revolver X4s |
| Materials: | Aluminum slats | Aluminum slats |
| Finish: | Vinyl and woven polyester fabric (matte-black) | Vinyl (matte-black) |
| Weight (packed box): | 75 lbs | 92 lbs |
| Thickness (in inch): | 0.75 | 0.25 |
| Maintenance: | High | Low |
| Installation: | Less time- and labor-consuming | More time- and labor-consuming |
| Warranty: | 3 years | 5 years |
| Price: | Affordable | High |
| Tool to attach the bed to the side rails: | Velcro | Pivot teeth |
| Water resistance: | Comparatively low | Very high |
Key Differences Between TruXedo Sentry CT And Bak Revolver X4s
Design
The key component of the Sentry CT tonneau cover is its aluminum slats and high-end vinyl and polyester fabric with layers. The 0.75-inch thick slats enhance the cover’s firmness and stability while the fabric is dedicated to providing top-tier protection for your truck bed.
You read from the brief intro that it is low-profiled, reflecting some characteristics of the brand’s famous model Pro X15.
However, the panel thickness of the cover might be too good for its own good because it will pop up a bit after installation.
About the mechanism design, there is Velcro on the cover sides to let it stick in spontaneously when it remains closed. It may be too traditional for some users, but it allows your cover to get unstuck without hassles. So anyone can run it on their own.
If Velcro becomes an issue for you, especially after you read about its protectability, Bak Revolver has a solution for you. Instead of using Velcro, the X4s features pivot teeth to affix the cover and its rails. And the cover, made of 0.25-inch thick aluminum slats, also has a vinyl coating like the TruXedo Sentry CT.
Additionally, it settles in well, only 0.5 inches above the rails, with 1/8th inch showing up above. There is abundant space beneath it, so your spare wheel will easily fit in.
Tailgate Sealing And Water Leakage
Bak Revolver X4s has a tight dual tailgate sealing to cover the tailgate’s lip by approximately an inch.
It is very adept at keeping out water. The only area vulnerable to leaks is near the bulkhead’s end and the sides. But that does not always happen. Plus, you can prevent that by adding weather strips to tie up that part.
Now, if you look at the TruXedo Sentry CT, it has a dual tailgate sealing mechanism too. Although it has little room for improvement, it works better than X4s. You will rarely find water leaks, if at all.
The reason is that the sealing is heavily layered with a cover, a metal, 1 rubber piece under, and 2 rubber pieces on top of the cover. Each strengthens the sealing to be highly waterproof. That is how its layout works for its function.
While we are at it, note that both tonneau covers have cable latches on each side. With the addition of the sealing, they enable you to close the covers when the tailgates stay closed.
Durability And Load-Bearing Capacity
The X4s tonneau cover has rust-resistant aluminum slats with a robust vinyl coating. With such reinforcement, the product can bear 400 lbs of loads. Again, it has no Velcro. So the slats can efficiently keep the rails, and the cover stuck together.
Regardless, having Velcro could not impact the load-bearing capacity of the Sentry CT. The broad and beefy panels can effortlessly handle 400 lbs. On the plus side, it weighs lighter.
Bed Access
You have to roll the Bak Revolver toward the bulkhead to get bed access and sort out your cargo.
The same goes for the Sentry CT. But it also has a more straightforward way. You can simply use the quick latch mechanism to detach the tonneau cover to load heavier items.
Price
Both tonneau covers will demand good spending. But TruXedo Sentry CT is less demanding than Bak Revolver X4s at the expense of some features and benefits you will receive from the latter.
For example, you will get 5 years of warranty from Bak Revolver, which comes down to 3 years for TruXedo.
Fitment
There are 3 sizes of TruXedo Sentry CT to fit a range of vehicles. You can choose any from 5’7”, 6’7”, and 8’2” tonneau covers designed to be compatible with your 2015-2022 Ford F150.
On the contrary, X4s is a 6’10” bed that fits any 2020-2022 model from GMC Silverado, Chevy, and Sierra HD Series. Unlike the TruXedo cover, it comes with a fixed size without other options.
The first one has higher flexibility in terms of size, whereas the other has higher compatibility with a variety of cars.
Security
TruXedo incorporated the Sentry CT with a security latch to focus on the middle part of the cover. The Velcro is responsible for the remaining portion. While the security latch peaks at protecting the central area, the Velcro is not as reliable for securing the rest.
4Xs outrivals TruXedo in this aspect. Fixed up with a bunch of rotational locking rails, it secures the tonneau cover in each area equally and strongly.
Installation
Installing the tonneau covers is no big deal. But X4s take more time than Sentry CT. With no drilling or additional tools, you clamp the rails and roll the cover within less than an hour. The Velcro mechanism makes it quite easy.
Not that the second one requires a complex setup process. It is just that it has a heavier design, taking more time and labor to put in place.
Maintenance
It is a bit troublesome to take care of the TruXedo tonneau cover, with its nearly 1-inch panel thickness. That is mainly because of the 5-layer woven polyester on the aluminum slats. While it adds to durability and appearance, it also draws in more dust.
But in the case of the Bak Revolver X4s, you will find maintenance more easygoing. Also, remember that it weighs 92 lbs when the other cover does only 75.
Removal
Users often need to remove their tonneau covers to avail of full bed access. The process is simple with both covers here.
If you have a TruXedo, you are to detach it from the side rails. Do that by pushing up on the retainer clip and slipping the header guide from the rails. Perform the drill on both the passenger and driver sides and lift the Sentry CT carefully.
It will be even easier with a Bak Revolver. All it needs is removing some nuts and bolts, and the cover will roll out instantly. Nonetheless, you will get only the full bed length but not the entire width because of the side rails staying fastened.
TruXedo Sentry CT VS. Bak Revolver X4s: Any Similarities?
Apart from USA-based manufacturers and similar materials, the tonneau covers share one or two more characteristics.
You already know about their roll-up diameters, cable latches, and tailgate seals. In addition to them, they both have an aerodynamic shape capable of reducing air drag. You will find a difference of 0.5 to 1 mpg after setting them up.
Then there are rubber bumpers in both covers. They act as a blockage between the cover and your truck.
So, Which One Is Better – A TruXedo Sentry CT Or A Bak Revolver X4s?
A Bak Revolver X4s wins the argument in the aspects of protectability and durability, the two prime characteristics every user wants from a tonneau cover.
It has low upkeep and exceptionally high water resistance. You can use weather strips to even lower the possibility of any leakage. Even without them, its dual tailgate sealing is more powerful than its counterpart.
But I will not vote out the TruXedo Sentry CT. Although it may be a wee bit on the downside about protecting your truck bed, it can handle theft and robbery just fine. It has a light yet solid build with an easier installation process and more manageable bed access.
Furthermore, according to suppliers, they got fewer customer complaints about TruXedo than Bak Revolver. That is enough reason why it makes a worthy rival. So, if you are short on budget or prefer a lightweight tonneau cover, go for Sentry CT without second thoughts.
Final Words
Bak Revolver tonneau covers are renowned for their easy use and extended warranty. Customers well-received the X4s, particularly for their long-lasting performance.
Although you may rarely notice inconsistencies in its water resistance, its overall performance is deserving of the price. On another note, the TruXedo tonneau cover deserves your consideration, too. Have a look into it if needed.
Whichever it is, I hope the extensive TruXedo Sentry CT VS. Bak Revolver X4s comparison helped you make your final decision. Choose the more fitting cover for your vehicle to get safe rides and secure your valuable cargo.
Sources:
- https://realtruck.com/blog/bak-revolver-x4-vs-truxedo-sentry-ct/
- https://tonneaucoverguide.com/bakflip-revolver-x4s-review/
- https://truxedo.com/images/install-guides/1118085-Lo_Pro_Manual_Rev_C__03-10-21_.pdf
- https://comparetonneaucovers.com/bak-revolver-x4s-vs-truxedo-sentry-ct/
- https://www.f150forum.com/f129/bak-revolver-x4s-vs-truxedo-senry-ct-518542/
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