You probably purchased a truck, in part, for the amount of space you get in the bed. Trucks are obviously more practical than cars for transporting large or bulky items. But one concern with an open truck bed is security. Suppose you don’t have the time to move all your stuff out of the truck, and you need to leave it somewhere overnight. You don’t want everything out in the open, right? For your peace of mind and the safety of your things, a truck bed cover is a great option.
A truck bed cover also gives you more enclosed storage space if you want to keep your gear clean and dry. The best truck bed covers will keep whatever you’re hauling out of the elements. We’ve rounded up some of the best truck bed covers to get you started.
What To Look For When Purchasing A Truck Bed Cover
When you are looking at truck bed covers, the word “tonneau” will come up. Tonneau refers to any soft or hard covering that protects the bed of a truck. Soft coverings are lighter weight and often easier to fold or roll-up. Hard coverings are more secure but tend to be a bit bulkier and are not as convenient to remove or store.
Additionally, you will have the choice of a few different types of truck bed covers including soft-folding, hard-folding, and roll-up. In making your selection, a few things to think about include security and durability. Depending on your use case, you may want a secure, weather-proof hardcover that remains on your truck bed all the time. Or you might be fine with a lighter weight soft-folding cover that is easier to fold up or remove.
Whatever style truck bed cover you purchase, always make sure it fits your specific make and model of truck, and be sure to order the correct size to fit your truck beds.
Hard Folding Truck Bed Covers
The appeal with hard folding covers is durability, sturdiness, and security. Hardcovers are secure and not easily ripped or torn. Another plus is that solid covers won’t make any kind of flapping noise. Hard folding covers are significantly more expensive than the other two types of covers — but if you’re looking for added security for your cargo, it might be worth the extra money. Hard folding covers still have a clean, sleek appearance, although some might be more raised or noticeable than other soft or roll-up covers.
Soft-Folding Truck Bed Covers
The look of a soft-folding cover is very similar to a roll-up. It is usually sleek and low to the truck bed, giving it a sporty look. The cover will usually have a folding system, such as a tri-fold. One disadvantage of this type of cover is the tear-resistant material is not ideal for hauling sharp or bulky items. If you are on a budget, you can often get a high-quality soft-folding cover for a moderate price.
Roll-Up Truck Bed Covers
Roll-up covers are similar to the soft-folding kind, with a rolling feature instead of a folding feature to access the truck bed. The roll-up function makes it easy to get in and out of the truck bed, and they are typically quick and easy to install.
