Selecting a truck bed cover is a decision owners should not take lightly. Bed covers are a crucial accessory that can protect cargo from the weather and potential theft. But with so many varieties available, asking some key questions helps eliminate some options so you can focus on the right tonneau cover for your pickup truck. Here are five questions to consider while you’re shopping.
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Understanding your primary use for the bed cover is essential in determining the type that best suits your needs. Security might be your top priority if you regularly transport valuable supplies or tools for work. For this, a hard tonneau cover with a locking mechanism would offer the highest level of protection for gear that fits underneath the cover. On the other hand, roll-up or retractable truck bed covers can be more suitable if you often haul oversized cargo such as furniture or large equipment. The ease of rolling up the cover when hauling taller loads is a benefit when compared to tri-fold tonneau covers. But beware — simple vinyl or nylon covers will conceal the bed’s contents but not offer much protection from a would-be thief or vandal’s knife.
Bed covers come in a wide range of prices, from budget-friendly vinyl covers that roll up to premium hardtop models with advanced features. Knowing your budget when you start shopping will help narrow your options. It’s just as easy to overspend as it is to fall into the temptation of settling for the cheapest option. Balance cost with quality and durability. Investing in a higher-quality bed cover may save you money in the long run by providing better protection and longevity.
Don’t overlook the appearance of your new tonneau cover. Sure, it needs to be functional and practical, but a bed cover plays a big part in your truck’s overall look. Choose a cover that complements the design and style of your truck, whether it’s a mid-size pickup or a full-size dually. You might choose a sleek, low-profile look or select a rugged, off-road style. Many bed cover manufacturers offer a variety of colors and finishes to match your truck’s exterior.
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Your search for the right truck bed cover should also evaluate any maintenance requirements for each option. Some covers may require regular cleaning, conditioning, and maintenance to ensure optimal performance and long useful life. Others may be virtually maintenance-free. Also, consider the installation process. Determine if you’re comfortable and capable of installing the cover or if you’ll need a professional to do the work. Complex installations or custom-fit covers may require professional installation, adding to the overall cost.
Evaluate any additional features or accessories that may enhance the functionality and convenience of your bed cover. For example, if you frequently transport tall or bulky items, a bed cover with a built-in rack system or compatibility with aftermarket racks could be beneficial. Similarly, if you live in an area prone to inclement weather, consider truck bed covers with weatherproof seals and drainage systems to keep water out of the bed.
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Adding a bed cover protects your valuable cargo, and the accessory might also increase your truck’s value when it’s time to sell or trade for a new pickup. Consider these questions to help you choose a tonneau cover for your truck bed. Your needs, budget, and preferences can guide your informed decision to protect your cargo and give your truck a clean look. Shop around and choose wisely to find the right combination of security, style, cost, and convenience that’s right for you.
To begin, we’re kicking things off with the tri-fold tonneau cover–the most well-known member of the folding tonneau cover family. Tri-fold tonneau covers are offered in two primary sub-styles: hard and soft. Hard covers feature three heavy-duty panels manufactured from impact-resistant polycarbonate, composite plastic, or aluminum. Alternatively, soft covers consist of panels constructed from marine-grade vinyl or canvas stretched over a rigid aluminum frame.
In either sub-style, each panel is adjoined to the next by a pair of hinges, allowing the rearmost panel to fold onto the middle and the middle onto the frontmost, thus exposing your pickup’s cargo area. While most soft tri-fold covers expose a maximum ⅔ of the bed, several hard tri-fold covers feature an additional set of hinges at your pickup’s bulkhead, thus allowing the cover to pivot against the rear window for complete bed access. Hard tri-fold covers also feature rubber bumpers to prevent damage to the rear window and cab in the upright position, as well as integrated prop rods to prevent the cover from collapsing while driving. Respectively, soft tri-fold covers feature nylon straps to secure the cover in the ⅔ open position while driving.
Hard and soft tri-fold covers can vary significantly in price, depending on the cover's construction. Soft tri-fold bed covers typically inhabit the bottom end of the tonneau cover market, ranging between $150 and $300. However, hard tri-fold covers fall into the mid-range price point, typically starting around $400 and reaching upwards of $1,000 at the higher end.
Soft covers are relatively affordable
Stylish low-profile designs
Simple installation
Weather-resistant
Intuitive operation
Can be pricey (hard covers)
Some models limit cargo access
Soft covers are less secure
Next, let’s take a look at our challenger: the roll-up tonneau cover. Like tri-fold tonneau covers, roll-up bed covers are offered in two distinct sub-styles: hard and soft. While both styles typically feature a marine-grade vinyl or canvas outer shell, hard roll-up covers include an interlocking aluminum, polycarbonate, or composite slat system for additional reinforcement; soft roll-up covers rely exclusively on the soft outer shell for protection.
Both sub-styles operate similarly, featuring latches at the base of the rails (near the tailgate) and roll-up operation; release the latches and roll the cover toward the bulkhead whenever you need access to your pickup’s full cargo area. Both sub-styles include premium nylon straps to fasten the cover in the rolled position when transporting oversized cargo like furniture, appliances, etc.
Hard and soft roll-up bed covers, like tri-fold covers, can vary significantly in price. While soft roll-up bed covers tend to make up the bottom end of the bed cover market (between $250 and $400), hard roll-up bed covers fill out the mid–high range ($800-$).
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Soft covers are relatively affordable
Offer uninhibited bed access
Sleek, low-profile designs
Weather-resistant
Intuitive operation
Can be expensive (hard covers)
Soft covers are prone to cuts, tears, and punctures
Now that we have a basic understanding of what constitutes roll-up and folding tonneau covers, let’s take a closer look at each cover's performance across some essential categories.
On occasion, you may be tempted to load some cargo onto your truck’s tonneau cover when unloading or traveling short distances. While some covers can handle a substantial amount of weight, others are best left unloaded.
Roll-up tonneau cover weight limits are entirely determined by the construction of the cover. For instance, it isn’t advised for a soft roll-up tonneau cover to carry over 15–30 pounds evenly distributed, let alone in one spot. Exceeding this limit can result in serious structural damage. On the other hand, hard roll-up tonneau covers can typically carry between 200–400 pounds evenly distributed, or 50–100 in a single location.
Tri-Fold tonneau covers come in at similar weight limits to roll-up tonneau covers, also dependent on the style of tonneau cover in question. Soft tri-fold tonneau covers max out around 20–30 pounds, considering the nature of the canvas or vinyl outer shell. Any higher may damage the cover. However, hard tri-fold tonneau covers can support approximately 400 lbs evenly distributed, allowing them to easily handle lumber, snowboards, skis, and other gear.
Security is one of the key factors of a tonneau cover, ensuring your valuables are guarded against potential thieves. Let’s see which style offers the best protection against theft.
Like weight, a tonneau cover's security depends on its construction. For example, soft roll-up tonneau covers are less secure than hard roll-up covers due to the soft outer shell. Even when paired with a locking tailgate, it only takes a thief with a sharp blade slicing through the outer shell to gain access to your cargo.
Hard roll-up tonneau covers are far more secure, featuring cut, impact, and puncture-resistant aluminum, polycarbonate, or composite interlocking slats. While finding a key-lockable roll-up hard tonneau cover is rare, most feature rolling lock rails that secure the sides of the cover to the bed. Your cargo will be safe and secure beneath a hard roll-up tonneau cover, especially when paired with a locking tailgate.
Tri-fold tonneau covers also vary significantly in security. Soft tri-fold covers are theft-deterring rather than theft preventative due to their soft vinyl or canvas shell. Like soft roll-up covers, a pocket knife or box cutter can cut through soft tri-fold covers. However, hard tri-fold covers are far more secure. Though they aren’t typically equipped with locks, the integrated slam latches secure the cover in place. With the tailgate locked, your cargo in the bed is safer than in the cab.
While some pickup owners keep their tonneau covers installed year-round, others may take them on and off numerous times throughout the year. As a result, it’s essential to weigh the difficulty of installing each tonneau cover style.
Roll-up tonneau covers are typically quick and easy to install, featuring clamp-on, no-drill side rails. Once you install the side rails, secure the cover to them, align the latches, and you’re good to go.
Tri-Fold tonneau covers also offer a simple and intuitive installation on most applications. Soft tri-fold covers often feature quick-release tool-free clamps, allowing you to install and remove the cover in seconds without requiring any tools.
Besides theft protection, weather-resistance is one of the primary benefits of installing a tonneau cover. Whether caught in a rainstorm or giving your pickup a quick wash, tonneau covers prevent damage from excess water intrusion; but how do roll-up and tri-fold covers stack up against one another?
Roll-up tonneau covers feature excellent weather resistance in both hard and soft sub-styles. Hard roll-up tonneau covers feature four-sided rubber or water-resistant foam seals, including the bulkhead and tailgate. When closed, the cover thoroughly protects your cargo from moisture.
Soft roll-up tonneau covers feature four-sided seals as well; however, the side rails are sealed to the bedsides with foam-rubber strips, while angled hook-and-loop strips keep the cover sealed against the rails. Rubberized bulkhead and tailgate seals keep moisture from penetrating the front or rear of the cover, keeping your valuables dry.
Tri-fold tonneau covers are also highly weather-resistant in both hard and soft configurations. Hard tri-fold covers feature moisture-proofing between every panel, while bulkhead and tailgate seals keep moisture from penetrating the front or rear of the bed. The cover’s side rails feature EPDM rubber seals to prevent water intrusion; however, if any water happens to sneak past the seals, integrated rain channels and drain tubes redirect it outside of the bed.
Soft tri-fold covers typically feature integrated foam-rubber seals at all four sides, preventing moisture instruction.
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