Retractable Cover for Coastal Living

Feb 21, 2025 - 10:20 AM

  • I’ve got a 2022 GMC Canyon, 5-foot bed, and I’m after a retractable cover that can deal with coastal life – salty air, rain, and hauling surfboards and beach gear. I like how these roll back easy instead of folding up all clumsy, but I’m paranoid about rust and leaks. My last soft cover got trashed by salt in a year, and I need something that locks ‘cause I park near the pier where stuff walks off. Also, bed space is tight – don’t want a huge canister killing it for my boards. How do these hold up by the ocean? Anyone got a coastal-proof one they’d swear by? Spill the beans!

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  • Been using a retractable cover on my 2020 Jeep Gladiator for two years down by the Gulf, and it’s kept my fishing rods, tackle boxes, and beach chairs dry and rust-free despite the salty air. Picked a polycarbonate one – lighter than aluminum but still tough; I’ve stacked 160 pounds of ice chests on it, and it’s held up no problem. Canister’s 10 inches deep, but I slide my shortboard under it, and longer rods fit diagonal easy. Locks with a key anywhere along the track, so my stuff’s safe even at busy beach lots – haven’t lost a thing. Drainage channels shunt water out the sides, and it’s been solid in hurricanes – had a drip once, but a $7 seal from the bait shop fixed it. If you’re hunting coastal gear, look at https://retrax.us.com/ – they’ve got models like the RetraxONE MX that laugh at salt and wet. Install was a snap – 40 minutes with my neighbor, clamped it on, no drilling. My brother’s metal folding one rusted out fast, so I’d say this is your beach buddy. Hose off the salt weekly, and it’s good as new. Measure your bed and you’re set for the shore!

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