TONNEAU COVERS

Which one and why?

What is the difference?

1

Soft Rolling

Some people just prefer the intuitive use of a rolling cover… a couple of pros: full truck bed access and ease of use. In general, rolling covers open from the rear and roll up to the front, like a carpet. Soft-rolling covers are designed for general family use – like keeping groceries dry and securing basic bed cargo. You can drive with the cover fully open. This full bed access is handy for hauling ATVs and other recreational vehicles. A great option in this category is the TruXedo TruXport. It features a heavy-duty hook and loop system that fastens the cover firmly along the side rails. And it opens as easy as releasing the dual triggers in the rear and securing it against the cab with the provided straps.

2

Hard Rolling

A hard-rolling cover gives you the ease of a soft-rolling cover, paired with the security of a hard top. They operate the same as a soft-rolling cover, but the top is reinforced with heavy-duty aluminum slats below the matte black vinyl top. A hard-rolling cover is a good choice for dirt bike owners. Its full bed access allows you to carry your bike to the trail, while keeping your extra gear/helmets safe and secure. The BAK Revolver X4s is a smart choice here. In spite of its rugged and sturdy construction, an innovative design allows the top to be rolled with the greatest of ease. It features a cable release on both sides that allows you to open the cover from either side.

3

Hard Folding

If you routinely need the use of your full truck bed, hard quad-folding covers are the ideal all-round choice. They offer real flexibility and great features, like full bed access when completely open and great security when closed. They are great for moving large furniture across town and securing your tools in the truck bed when you get there.

So, let’s talk about the BAKFlip MX4 … it opens fully in seconds with dual cable releases, allowing the cover to be opened from either side. It folds up vertically and is secured against the cab with prop rods for driving fully open. And the MX4 closes just as easily with slam latches that lock each section of the cover as it shuts. The versatility and good looks of the MX4 has made it the number-one selling hard cover on the market.

4

Retractable

A retractable cover is a variation of a rolling cover – but instead of it rolling on top of your truck bed, it rolls into a canister inside the bed. The top surface is usually constructed from sturdy aluminum stats that glide on ball bearings for ease of operation. A popular choice here is the Retrax Pro XR. It has a great look, and since it's all metal, it’s one of the most secure covers on the market. Plus, you can lock it in place wherever you want, depending on how much bed access you need. The ease of use of a retractable cover makes it ideal for those who need to open and close their truck bed cover frequently. The canister that stores the rolled-up cover takes up a bit of space in the bed, but on the plus side, a retractable cover is the easiest to use and maintains the clean lines of your truck.

Another nice feature is the option of a track system – slots built into the top of the side rails which allow you to install third-party racks and other accessories to carry cargo over your bed, perfect for your next adventure.

Benefits of All Truck Bed Covers

1. Weather Protection. No matter what mother nature brings; Rain, Snow, or Dust, covers keep the elements out.

2. Security. Keep your items safe and secure by closing the truck bed cover

3. Keeps Cargo In Your Truck. Covers keep your items where they belong

4. Enhanced Look. From a fine gloss to matte black there is a cover to match everyone’s needs

5. Expanded Capabilities. Take your adventures on the road by adding a rack to the track system of your truck bed cover.

6. There when you need it. With the ability to keep your items safe but with the means to access your whole truck bed when you need to haul a big load.

7. Ease of use. They roll and the fold with just a flip of the wrist.

Basic Differences

Truck bed covers can be basically split into two types: soft covers and hard covers. The material used for soft covers is an industrial-strength vinyl, which makes them seamless and lightweight. Hard covers use rigid materials, such as aluminum and offer an additional layer of security for tools and other valuables items.

Truck covers are further divided into groups based on how they open and operate. These groups are: soft rolling, hard rolling, soft folding, hard folding, retractable, and cap.