Everyone wants to be able to protect their vehicle from the elements, especially during the cold months. You will always come across the tri-fold tonneau covers when choosing covers, thanks to their popularity and reliability among most pickup truck owners. Purchasing the best tri-fold tonneau cover is the best way to ensure your goods are guarded. If you are struggling with security and durability for your truck bed cargo, installing a reliable tri-fold tonneau cover could be the solution. Read on.
What is a Tonneau Cover?
A tonneau cover is a soft or hardcover that goes over your truck's bed to protect your cargo from snow, rain or dirt while leaving enough room to load your gear. Most truck owners desire a tonneau cover for several reasons, and these include:
- To keep belongings safe and dry from the elements
- Extend the pickup's bed life
- Improve the truck's fuel economy
- Prevent the theft of belongings from the truck's bed
- Improve the way the truck looks
Although most tonneau covers work for all these purposes, it focuses on one aspect like security or weatherproofing more than other options. We have listed the best tri-fold tonneau covers with their pros, cons and any additional information you might need to decide.
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1. Tyger Auto T3 Soft Tri-Fold Tonneau Truck Bed Cover
Tyger Auto T3 Soft Tri-Fold Truck Bed Tonneau Cover Compatible with 2014-2018 Chevy Silverado / GMC...
- US Design Patented
- Made of dual coated 24oz marine grade vinyl, heavy duty aluminum...
- Pre-assembled horizontal crossbars offer support and conveniently...
- Easy No-Drilling installation with the provided instruction and...
- TYGER Limited Lifetime warranty! (Please measure your truck bed...
Tyger Auto T3 Soft Tri-Fold tonneau cover is among the best tonneau covers to offer you quality. Modern truck bed covers give your truck bed an extra layer of protection. It is a top-rated truck bed cover that is pre-assembled and will save time with a simple installation. The truck bed cover offers protection against dust, debris, moisture and other elements like rust, and it can also be used as a seat or a toolbox when you need access to something in the back of your truck bed.
Image Credit: Tyga Auto
The truck bed cover is equipped with pre-assembled crossbars that add strength and durability to your cover, and its stainless steel clamps will hold up against heavy rains to keep your truck bed dry. It has a limited lifetime warranty and will work for you if you shop for an affordable soft-folding tonneau cover that will last. In addition, it's among the tri-fold tonneau covers that allow a user to stay lowkey thanks to its lightweight design and will boost your fuel economy, which will help you save money.
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2. Gator ETX Tri-Fold Tonneau Cover
Gator ETX Soft Tri-Fold Truck Bed Tonneau Cover | 59201 | Fits 2009 - 2018, 2019/2020 Classic Dodge...
- Fits 2009 - 2018, 2019/2020 Classic Dodge Ram 1500/2500/3500 5'...
- 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 is among the best tri-fold tonneau covers you can own if you are looking for corrosion and scratch-resistant truck bed cover, thanks to its durable powder coat. It accommodates most trucks, including full-size pickups, extended cabs, crew cabs, and utility vehicles. In addition, the tonneau cover features an automatic tensioning system that makes opening the truck bed cover easy and quick.
Image Credit: Gator Covers
Gator ETX tonneau cover is a top-quality product made of aluminum, meaning it's durable and lightweight, including a heavy-duty lockable latch to give you plenty of security. It is a perfect choice if you want a protective and practical cover, thanks to its sleek design, and the flip-up design utilizes a hinge to create easy access opening on the back.
These tonneau covers are constructed from heavy-duty aluminum and reinforced with steel increasing their durability. Also, it has a limited lifetime warranty to ensure maximum protection for your truck bed. The tri-fold truck bed covers are versatile, and it comes in three sizes and different styles if you want another option instead of the tri-fold option.
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3. DNA Motoring Hard Tri-Fold Tonneau Cover
DNA Motoring TTC-HARD-001 Truck Bed Top Hard Solid Tri-Fold Tonneau Cover Compatible with 04-14 Ford...
- FITMENT: DNA MOTORING Hard Tri-Fold Tonneau Cover Compatible with...
- PLUG & PLAY: Easy to Install With Included Clamps. Adjustable...
- INCREASE SPEED & SAVE GAS: Increases Trucks Aerodynamics at...
- DURABLE MATERIAL: Black Powdercoated Aluminum Plating, Powerful...
- GREAT EXPERIENCE: Protect your Cargo from the Theft with this...
DNA Motoring is an obvious choice for many truck owners since most hard folding covers are often priced out of budget, and at half the price of some of the biggest names, it's a hard folding cover that performs very well. It has aluminum panels that offer the structural rigidity you need, and it's easy to install, but it doesn't look that bad. The hard truck bed cover is also not cumbersome, weighing a mere 70 lbs.
Image Credit: DNA Motoring
These tri-fold tonneau covers give the best of both worlds, and this is the hard cover's security and the handiness of a soft tonneau cover. The hard folding tonneau cover includes clamps that allow an easy fitting while its functional design will facilitate organized storage while offering weather protection to the goods.
While DNA Motoring hard folding tonneau covers are good, they are not the best as they don't block pocket holes, and this can cause some considerable issues like preventing the use of bed rails. Additionally, the quality could improve, especially when seals, which create some fitment issues.
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4. Lund Elite Tri-Fold Tonneau Cover
Sale
Lund Genesis Elite Tri-Fold Soft Folding Truck Bed Tonneau Cover | 958192 | Fits 2014 - 2018, 19...
- Fits 2014 - 2018, 19 Legacy/Limited Chevy/GMC Silverado/Sierra 5'...
- PREMIUM MATTE CANVAS | Premium twill-woven material sits on top...
- FLAWLESS FOLDING | Genesis Elite Tri-Fold unlocks via two easy to...
- LUND COMMITMENT | Extreme seal to keep bad weather out,...
- 5 MIN INSTALL | From box to truck in 5 minutes! Simply square up...
Lund Elite is among the good quality tonneau cover brands that offer the convenience of three different operations, and it's considered the easiest tonneau cover for beginners to use. It features a unique design that prevents rain from entering your can. In addition, the truck bed cover utilizes a patented rain gutter to effectively prevent water from entering the cab while it's raining.
Image Credit: Lund Elite
Lund Elite is the right cover for your SUV or truck as it's been designed with safety in mind, and it defends the entire bed against dirt, snow, creatures, rain and more. In addition, the cover is equipped with a windshield wiper system and cargo tie-downs that ensure your gear is secure, and it has an upgraded vestibule to provide extra visibility and easy, full bed access to items you will need during your journey.
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5. MOSTPLUS Tri-Fold Truck Bed Tonneau Cover
MOSTPLUS Tri-FOLD 5 FT Truck Tonneau Cover Compatible for 2015-2022 Chevy Colorado/GMC Canyon...
- 🚗 Compatible for 2015-2022 Chevy Colorado Fleetside 5'2" Bed ,...
- 🚗 Easy Installation, all required harness are included. No...
- 🚗 High Quality: Tri-Fold Truck bed is made by double sided...
- 🚗 Waterproof & UV resistant: This tonneau cover can be washed...
- 🚗 Please measure your truck bed length and make sure you have...
MOSTPLUS tri-fold tonneau cover is a sought-after and well-reviewed cover with many features where it's visually appealing and also has one of the most affordable price tags. The cover gives weather protection, increased safety, and more storage space. It prevents theft thanks to its locking system, which can be used on any SUV or truck.
Image Credit: MostPlus
Thanks to the diamond crested aluminum coating, the cover has a high-quality finish that ensures the product is rust, fade or scratch-resistant and guarantees maximum durability with time. It is the best tri-fold tonneau cover if you want a unique three-fold design that allows you to have a waterproof cover and still leave space at the back of your truck bed.
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How do Tonneau Covers Work?
A tonneau cover is installed using bed rails fixed to your truck's bed using several clips, which will prevent the need for drilling or other permanent installation methods. However, it may be challenging to do, and it may affect the resale value of your truck later.
Soft tonneau covers are sold in two different variations: folding tonneau covers and roll-up tonneau covers. A roll-up tonneau cover rolls up when it's not deployed over the length of your bed, similar to a yoga mat. These soft covers use plastic buckles and keep the cover rolled up, which can be unlatched easily when you want to cover your bed again. On the other hand, a soft-folding tonneau cover folds up in three or four sections, and although these types of soft tonneau covers may perform similarly, they offer different advantages.
Hard folding tonneau covers come in two types: single-piece and folding tonneau covers. Single-piece hard tonneau covers are not as convenient, and they have an extra benefit as they look better on some trucks. In addition, they don't have top seams that admit water.
A folding hard tonneau is easy to use, and it folds up in three or four sections like a soft folding cover, but it may not look as cool as on your pickup truck. Generally, hard tonneau covers are more durable than soft tonneau covers.
What are the Types of Tonneau Covers?
There are four different types of soft and hard pickup truck bed covers. They include:
a). Folding Tonneau Covers
These cover types are made either of a stiffened fabric or a hard material, and they fold in three or four sections. They are easy to mount but are heavy and can be challenging for one person to remove. Also, they may or may not have locks.
b). Retractable Tonneau Covers
Retractable covers roll up at the end of your bed like a window shade, and they can have a fabric or aluminum construction which you will need to install guides for them. However, they are very expensive but super convenient.
c). Hinged Tonneau Covers
Hinged covers are super secure, and depending on the taste, they can be stylish and painted to match your car. These hard lift-up covers are the oldest truck style of bed covers, and they are made of ABS and are permanently mounted to include struts to hold them open. However, some models may also be made of fiberglass, and it's likely to be heavy than the molded ABS thermoplastic.
d). Roll-Up Tonneau Covers
Roll-up covers come in both fabric and aluminum versions, and they are among the highest and most affordable options.
Factors to Consider Before Purchasing the Best Tri-Fold Tonneau Cover
1. Vehicle Compatibility
All truck bed covers are constructed for a specific vehicle, and there is no universally compatible bed cover even when the trucks have the same bed length. The body styling can cause the trucks to need different covers, so it's necessary to ensure the truck bed cover you choose matches your application's make, year, model, and exact bed size. Ensure that isn't a standard for measurements of the bed, and you may need to research your application method to verify the correct length.
2. Materials Used
The main reasons why hard covers are considered over soft roll-up covers is to improve security, durability and aesthetics. Using high-quality metals, seals, powder acting, and latches is a key to ensuring success in all the areas. Since all manufacturers claim to use the best and durable materials, it's necessary to read the real-world reviews of performance before you make a purchase.
3. Ease of Use
Some hard tonneau covers are easy to open, fold and latch than others and you will need one with the highest level of convenience. An easy lift and maneuver cover will allow you to use all its benefits and folding configurations. It's a great idea to choose a simple cover to adjust to transport different types of items if needed. The best hard folding tonneau cover is the one that makes getting to your gear happens in a few seconds with only a little difficulty.
4. Profile
The truck's bed cover may seem entirely related to aesthetics, but that is not the case. High-standing hard tonneau covers sit on top of bedsides, creating the appearance that many may prefer, but it blocks the stake pockets. If you choose to use stake pockets for bed rails or tie-downs, you will need a cover that uncovers them, choosing a low-profile tonneau cover.
Image Credit: topspeed.com