Buying a truck means hauling things that people with ordinary cars just can’t. A truck’s bed is it’s most prominent feature and if you want to keep its contents safe, you’re going to need a high-quality roll up tonneau cover. By adding a cover to the bed of your truck, you are adding safety and security to the already useful functionality of your vehicle. You are also adding a stylish element that can complete your truck’s look.
In this article, we are looking for the best roll up tonneau cover. These truck bed covers offer security for storing your valuable tools, equipment, camping gear, and whatever else you want to haul in the back of your truck. Keep reading to find the tonneau cover that has everything a truck owner might need.
Quick Summary
- If you need the best all around protection and an easy installation, the Gator ETX Soft Roll Up Truck Bed Tonneau Cover is your best bet. The all-inclusive kit comes with a manual tension control for an easy install. The leather grained fabric is tough and built to last for the long term.
- If you are looking for the tightest seal, perhaps if you live in a rainier climate or regularly transport sensitive materials, the MaxMate Soft Roll Up Truck Bed Tonneau Cover has the highest-quality sealing gasket. This might be best suited for trucks that are often in the rain.
- For another easy install, the Tyger Auto T1 Soft Roll Up Truck Bed Tonneau Cover requires no tools. This could be a selling point for anyone interested in convenience and ease of use in general. It ensures that the installation isn’t a bigger headache than it should be.
Who Should Get This?
- People who own trucks – If you own a bedded truck, this cover might be just what you are looking for.
- People interested in security – If you want to ensure that your belongings stay safe, a tonneau truck bed cover might be right for you.
- Those who want a stylish solution to truck security – If you are not interested in throwing a camper shell over the bed or some pieces of plywood, this product could be just what you are looking for.
How We Picked the Best Roll Up Tonneau Cover
Are you interested in a roll up tonneau cover for your truck? Here are some different things that you should consider.
Style
Most roll up tonneau covers have a sleek, clean style that lines up flush with the bed. However, there are some variances in height and integration with the rest of the truck.
The weather that your truck is generally going to be in is going to dictate the different types of leather material the cover is made of. This consideration is important if the overall look is something you worry about.
Ease of installation
You also want a tonneau cover that you get for your truck to be easy to install. An installation that is too big of a job could put your truck at risk of permanent damage.
By checking to make sure that the installation is something you are sure you can handle, you can save yourself a lot of hassle in the long run. Knowing what tools you might need will also help save time and trouble.
Protection
One of the biggest reasons to buy a cover for your truck bed is the protection that it offers. Leaving your equipment or tools exposed to the elements could mean big trouble down the line.
By checking that a tonneau cover has all the proper elements of protection, you can save your belongings from the rain or snow. This is where a high-quality sealing gasket could be something to look for in a roll up cover.
Other Factors to Consider
Security – To make sure that your tools don’t fly out of the back of your truck, a secure hold is important.
Longevity – The tonneau cover is going to be exposed to a lot of weather, so durability is a key factor.
Size – Most covers come in different sizes to fit a wide variety of truck beds on all kinds of makes and models of trucks.
Best Roll Up Tonneau Cover: Our Picks in 2020
Gator ETX Soft Roll Up Truck Bed Tonneau Cover
This tonneau cover is made in the USA, and with that comes a US based customer service team for any needs that might come up. The latching system offers complete access to the back of the truck with the cover attached, which is an important consideration if you need to get things in and out on a regular basis.
The lifetime limited warranty covers all your bases for longevity and guarantees at least ten years of consistent, hardcore use. The mounts for the cover are mounted on the inside of the bed rails which gives it a slick low profile. The truck can also be driven with cover open or closed, making it adaptable for all kinds of jobs.
Easy, one handed operation means you can open and close this cover while carrying tools or lumber. The fast, drill free installation can be done by almost anyone, making it a convenient choice.
At a Glance
- Color: Black
- Size: 5’8”, 6’6”, 6’8”
- Limited lifetime warranty
- Industrial grade vinyl
Pros
- Long lasting – This cover is made of a durable material that is in it for the long run.
- Easy to install – Most installations take less than an hour.
- High quality hardware – All of the fasteners and clamps are made in the United States and industrial grade.
Cons
- Not watertight – While the cover will protect the things in your truck bed, it is not completely watertight, so that is important to remember.
- Rail mounts can be uneven – if not installed properly, the rail mounts can be too low to latch the cover.
MaxMate Soft Roll Up Truck Bed Tonneau Cover
This truck bed tonneau cover is dual coated and made of marine-grade vinyl. The velcro seal and latch system locks at the tailgate and the tension of the cover is fully adjustable for a tight fit.
By covering up the bed of the truck, you can enhance your gas mileage by up to 13%. Since the MaxMate cover comes with a sealing gasket, you can be assured that it will be a tight fit and not add any extra drag. The aircraft grade hardware is high quality enough to offer a long life even under extremely tough conditions.
The single section cover is a much more stylish option than some of the other multi-section covers. The tension system works in tandem with the side rails to ensure that the cover is secure even at high speeds.
At a Glance
- Color: Black
- Size: 5’7”, 6’4”
- 10 year warranty
- Marine grade vinyl
Pros
- Lightweight – This cover will not add much extra weight if you are hauling big loads or towing large trailers.
- Strong – The cover is strong enough to support weight if something should fall on it or accidentally get placed on top of it.
- Price – This is one of the more affordable options of tonneau covers and the low price doesn’t reflect the quality.
Cons
- Not no-drill – Even though the installation is easy, holes will need to be cut in the truck’s bedliner.
- Not made in the USA – The cover was designed, but not manufactured in the United States.
Tyger Auto T1 Soft Roll Up Truck Bed Tonneau Cover
This truck bed tonneau cover’s 24 ounce vinyl top and powder coated aluminum hardware is of a higher quality than some of the others. Horizontal cross bars ensure that the cover is strong and reinforced when open or closed.
Boasting an installation of just thirty minutes, this cover requires no tools to be installed. Adjustable tension control allows you to get the perfect amount of bounce. With the dual coated vinyl being as strong as it is, this could be a good option for heavy duty use.
This cover is water resistant and allows very little leakage into the actual bed of the truck. An optional weather strip allows for extra waterproofing in extremely wet climates.
At a Glance
- Color: Black
- Size: 5’5”, 6’5”, 8’
- Limited warranty
- Marine grade vinyl
Pros
- Passionate company – This cover is made by a company of people who are passionate about aftermarket car parts.
- Fast Installation – The cover offers one of the fastest installations of all at under 30 minutes.
- Price – This is one of the more affordable choices of cover.
Cons
- Plastic clips – The plastic clips that hold the cover closed are not very strong.
- Takes two people to roll off – This tonneau cover requires more than one person to roll and unroll without getting tangled up.
TruXedo TruXport Soft Roll Up Truck Bed Tonneau Cover
This is one of the pricier options. That is, however, reflected in the quality and longevity of the product. The durable leather grain material is washable with soap and water and will withstand any kind of weather.
Like most of the other tonneau covers, the installation is fairly quick and simple. The state-of-the-art tension control system is adjustable to adapt to different temperatures and the shifting of the material that comes with them. The aerodynamic design sits low on the bed and offers up the smallest amount of drag.
This cover is completely water proof and is designed specifically to protect the contents of your truck from the weather. The cover can be opened and closed by one person, making it more convenient than some of the others.
At a Glance
- Color: Black
- Size: 6’6”, 8’
- 5 year warranty
- Leather grain material
Pros
- Low profile – This cover sits just 1.5 inches off the truck bed offering a sleeker look than some of the others.
- Tight fit – The material is cut and fashioned to fit perfectly and be secure on the road.
- Car wash compatible – Going through the car wash with this cover won’t ruin it.
Cons
- Price – This is the most expensive model on this list.
- Velcro wears off – The velcro that holds this cover closed tends to wear out after a few years.
Lund Genesis Roll Up Soft Roll Up Truck Bed Tonneau Cover
This cover’s leather pattern, semi gloss finish is stylish and modern looking to match the appointments on any truck. The front and rear rubber seals offer protection from water and snow and anything else that might come up off the road.
This tonneau cover’s patented latch system is secure and strong, ensuring that your tools aren’t going to go flying out of the back of the truck on the highway. It is also made in the USA and comes with a limited lifetime warranty. All of these things combined contribute to the longevity of this cover.
The installation of this cover is easier than some of the others since it comes pre-assembled. This cuts out some of the extra time that might be wasted with the assembly.
At a Glance
- Color: Black
- Size: 5’8”, 6’6”, 8’
- Limited lifetime warranty
- Leather pattern material
Pros
- Pre-Assembled – The fact that this cover comes pre-assembled is a major time saver and could make it a good option for someone not interested in a long installation.
- High quality material – The material is thick and durable and can stand up to whatever is thrown at it
- Flush fit – The edges of this cover fit perfectly and don’t hang off the edges of the truck’s bed.
Cons
- Price – This is one of the more expensive truck bed tonneau covers.
- Weak latches – The closing latches tend to break after a few years with extremely heavy use.
Conclusion
The best roll up tonneau cover can be a useful thing for anyone who is interested in keeping their cargo safe when they are out on the road in their truck. As we have seen, it can also improve gas mileage up to thirteen percent. With that kind of savings, these covers could eventually pay for themselves.
By picking a cover that fits your truck bed and your needs, you can ensure that your gear won’t be ruined by bad weather or too much sun. You are, however, going to have to think about whether or not you are comfortable drilling holes into your truck’s bedliner. If that doesn’t seem like the kind of job you would be able to do, it might be a better option to get a cover that doesn’t require any tools or drilling.
Picking a cover that matches the profile of your truck will also make a world of difference. A low profile cover is going to match better with a low profile truck and vice versa. As with any kind of aftermarket car or truck part, thinking about how that part is going to affect the overall look before you buy will make a big difference in how happy you are with the final product.
While many of these covers will offer many years of quality service, their longevity is going to depend on proper installation and proper maintenance and care. No matter how well a product is designed, if it is not cared for, it will not last very long. If you take the time to do the installation right and maintain your tonneau cover, it can protect your truck’s bed for years to come.