Photo: Roll up pickup truck bed covers
Owning a pickup truck means you can easily transport items that do not fit in a car. However, a truck with an open bed exposes whatever you are transporting hence putting them on the radar of unwanted eyes, like those of thieves. Therefore, you may need to check the best truck bed covers for your pickup truck.
A truck bed cover will not only keep your cargo from being seen by thieves but will also keep them safe from water in case it rains, dust, and excess sunlight. Truck bed covers are also known as tonneau covers and are available in different makes. Protecting your equipment as you transport them is probably one of your worries.
Therefore, in this article, you will read about the various types of tonneau covers, including the soft and hard brands. After reading this article, you will have found the best tonneau cover to keep the items in your truck bed secured. Read on to find the most suitable cover for your pickup.
1. Tyger Auto T1 Soft Roll Up Truck Bed Tonneau
Tyger Auto T1 Soft Roll Up Truck Bed Tonneau Cover Compatible with 2015-2022 Ford F-150 | Styleside...
- Cover appears a little short : Make sure side rails are...
- Comes with dual coated 24oz marine grade vinyl top, heavy duty...
- Seals with Velcro strip on the sides and secures with latch lock...
- Easy No-Drilling installation with the provided instruction and...
- TYGER Limited Lifetime warranty! (Please measure your truck bed...
If your truck is the 2015-2021 model of Ford F and you need a bed for the truck, Tyger Auto T1 is a perfect fit. It is a 5.5' bed. This tonneau cover comes with a dual-coated 24oz tear-resistant vinyl top and clamps and side rails coated with aluminum powder.
It has built-in horizontal crossbars that provide support when the cover is lying flat. These crossbars roll up with the cover when you need to access the truck bed, allowing you to access the whole bed or a small space.
This tonneau seals with a velcro strip at the sides, and at the tailgate, it secures firmly with a latch locking system. This cover remains tight and wrinkle-free due to the adjustable tension system on the end of the side rails, adding to its durability as it tends to make materials more prone to tear.
This bed tonneau cover installation is easy because it does not require any drilling; however, you will cut small holes to secure the clamps for a vehicle equipped with an over-the-bedrail bed liner. For under-the-bedrail liners, it works well without modification. Tyger offers a limited lifetime warranty, and returns are acceptable; however, if you happen to order the wrong size of the truck bed, you will be responsible for the return shipping cost.
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2. Gator ETX Soft Tri-Fold Truck Bed Tonneau Cover
Gator ETX Soft Tri-Fold Truck Bed Tonneau Cover | 59110 | Fits 2014 - 2018, 2019 Ltd/Lgcy Chevy/GMC...
- Fits 2014 - 2018, 2019 Ltd/Lgcy Chevy/GMC Silverado/Sierra 1500...
- FAST & EASY NO-TOOL INSTALL | The Gator ETX Tri-Fold can be...
- ELIMINATE THE ELEMENTS | This cover’s heavy-duty aluminum...
- SIMPLE OPERATIONS | To open the cover, simply fold the panels...
- SLEEK & DURABLE DESIGN | The Gator ETX mounts on top of your...
Gator ETX soft tri-fold tonneau cover is made in the USA and fits Chevy, GMC Silverado, Sierra 1500 6'7" bed, the models of 2014-2018. Its frame comprises heavy-duty aluminum, tear-resistant vinyl, and a superior perimeter for maximum strength and durability.
It also ensures rain, dust, snow, and hail are sealed off seal off, ensuring your goods are safe and well protected in all weather conditions. Installation of this tonneau truck cover is easy and takes only a few minutes; it only clampers the rails and does not require drilling.
The clamps are easy to use, and you can easily adjust them to fit your truck bed rail, whether or not it has liners. Gator soft-folding tonneau is easy to operate; to access the truck bed, you only need to fold the panel towards the cab and use the buckling system to secure it. I
f you need to transport large cargo, you can open your cover in 2, 3 positions conveniently and load your truck, or you can easily roll it up for full bed access. Gator ETX tri-fold cover keeps a low profile as it provides optimum security and protection for your cargo.
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3. TruXedo Lo Pro Soft Up Truck Bed Tonneau Cover
TruXedo Lo Pro Soft Roll Up Truck Bed Tonneau Cover | 545901 | Fits 2009 - 2018, 2019-20 Classic...
- Fits 2009 - 2018, 2019-20 Classic Dodge Ram 1500 5' 7" Bed...
- AMERICA’S #1 CHOICE | The best-selling roll-up truck bed cover...
- SIGNATURE LOW PROFILE DESIGN | Sitting only 3/4” above the...
- NO DRILL INSTALLATION | Fully install this roll-up truck bed...
- WE'VE GOT YOU COVERED | Lo Pro is backed by a lifetime, no hassle...
TruXedo Lo Pro bed tonneau cover is an American model that fits a 5'7" truck bed. It is made with tear-resistant, leather-grained vinyl, which provides weather resistance, and it comes with aluminum bows designed to take a heavy snow load, which makes it functional even in snowy weather. This soft tonneau cover keeps a low profile, as it only takes 3/4" above the truck bed, which makes it concealed.
It easily mounts inside the rails of the truck bed, hence providing access to the pocket holes for use with additional accessories. Installation is easy and fast. All you need to do is clamp the rails and attach the cover. You don't need any tools to do that.
LoPro offers a lifetime warranty, so you can use your roll-up tonneau cover with confidence because you are covered. It is easy to use because you will require only a single finger to open the cover with a single trigger latch. It also features a quick-release system which allows for the easy total removal of the truck bed cover. The TruXedo signature design lets the cover maintain a tight fit even in extreme temperatures.
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4. BAK BAKFlip G2 Hard Folding Truck Bed Tonneau Cover
BAK BAKFlip G2 Hard Folding Truck Bed Tonneau Cover | 226327 | Fits 2015 - 2020 Ford F-150 6' 7" Bed...
- Fits 2015 - 2020 Ford F-150 6' 7" Bed (78.9")
- 100% BED ACCESS | The low-profile BAKFlip G2 hard folding cover...
- ENHANCED SECURITY | This cover features durable aluminum panels...
- ENHANCED FUNCTIONALITY | The G2’s prop rods hold the cover...
- WE’VE GOT YOUR BAK | Make your purchase with confidence. The...
This BAKFlip hard folding tonneau cover fits the 2015-2020 Ford with a 6'7" truck bed, and it is available in different sizes for different sizes of truck beds. It has aluminum panels and an automatic latching system which enhances security and ensures your goods are protected from harsh weather conditions.
With this tonneau cover, you can drive when it is fully closed, folded, or flipped up without in such a way that your third brake light remains uncovered. It means you can even carry large cargo without uninstalling it, as it gives you full truck bed access.
The prop rods hold this hard folding tonneau cover in an upright position when it is open and securely stow away when the cover is either partially or fully closed. The company provides a 2-year warranty for their cover so that you can purchase and use it with confidence.
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5. MaxMate Soft Tri-Fold Truck Bed Tonneau Cover
MaxMate Soft Tri-Fold Truck Bed Tonneau Cover Compatible with 2005-2015 Toyota Tacoma | Fleetside 5'...
- US Design Patented
- Cover is dual-coated and made out of heavy duty 24oz....
- pre-assembled horizontal crossbars offer support and conveniently...
- Easy no drilling installation with instruction and mounting...
- 10-YEAR NO-HASSLE WARRANTY FOR US CUSTOMERS!
This soft tri-fold tonneau cover is compatible with the 2005-2015 Toyota Tacoma, fleetside 5' bed and is designed ad patented in the US. It is made with heavy-duty marine-grade vinyl, and the frames are made with metal aluminum, while the clamps are made from stainless steel for easy installation and make them last longer.
Installing it is easy and does not require any drilling. It also works well with the under-the-bed trail Bedliner without modification. However, if your truck features an over-the-bedrail liner, you will need to cut small holes on it to secure the clamps for proper installation. The company offers a ten-year hassle-free warrant.
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Factors to Consider When Buying the Best Truck Bed Covers
We have helped you narrow down your search for the best truck bed covers to make it easy for you to find one that fits your pickup well. If you have already decided on the model you will buy, you may need to consider the following factors before purchasing. The best tonneau covers have favorable features that make them more convenient. Therefore, as you plan to buy that truck bed cover, you may need to consider the following factors.
a). Type of the Truck Bed Cover
Tonneau covers are available in various types, and they include;
(i). Folding Covers
Folding covers are the most popular, and they are relatively affordable and quick to install and uninstall. You can decide to buy either soft-folding tonneau covers or hard folding tonneau covers, depending on what you want. Both options are available, and you can easily get them in stores.
(ii). Roll-up Covers
Roll-up tonneau covers are the cheapest and are slim; hence occupy less space when you roll them up on the truck. Soft roll-up tonneau covers are not very secure, and because of the materials used to make them, they can easily be cut. However, they work well even when covered in dust as they don't have mechanical moving parts.
(iii). Retractable Tonneau Covers
Retractable covers can roll up into tight spaces. They are great for saving space and can disappear almost completely when they retract. However, their main drawback is that they are very vulnerable to dirt as they are dependent on mechanical rails and greased slides to function.
b). Fitting
If you need a tonneau cover, you must ensure that it fits your truck. The sizes vary depending on the brands; therefore, check the manufacturer's guide to ensure that you order a truck bed cover that fits perfectly. Tonneau covers that fit well will ensure your cargo is protected well in the truck bed and make installation easy for you. Ensuring you order a fitting tonneau cover will save you the hassle of returning it, saving you both time and money.
c). Weather Protection
The best truck bed covers offer protection from harsh weather. You should prioritize this feature to ensure your cargo is protected from the sun, which may damage them. A good tonneau cover should also offer protection from rain, snow, and hail to keep your items safe and dry. The locking mechanism should also be of high quality to avoid leakages that may lead to damage. Of importance is to install your tonneau cover properly to make sure you don't leave any spaces for water to leak through.
d). Maintenance of the Tonneau Cover
Best tonneau covers come with low maintenance; this also helps cut costs, making it less of a liability. Some tonneau covers have the option of cleaning with soap and water, making them very easy and cheap to keep clean. Keep this in mind when looking for the best truck bed covers to make your work easier once you have bought the cover.
e). Ease of Installation
Generally, it would be best if you did not spend hours installing a tonneau; rather, it should only take a few minutes of your time. Some tonneau covers are difficult to install and take a lot of time and require tools, making it a real hassle. The soft roll-up truck tonneau covers are easier to install and take less time. Therefore they would be a great choice if you are looking for a pickup truck cover that is easy to install.
f). Weight
Consider getting a lightweight cover for our truck's bed. Heavyweight covers are hard to manage, while the light ones are more manageable as they fold easily and are more affordable. Therefore, before buying a truck's bed cover, ensure that it will not give you trouble because of its weight. Consider buying one whose weight is not much.
I know you are in search of a good tonneau cover. There are different brands which you can choose from, at different sizes and prices. Whichever make you choose, all you need is to be sure that it will serve its purpose well without inconveniencing you.