Tonneau Cover Guide – Which One You Should Buy – And Why

The best tonneau cover to buy is the BAK BAKFlip MX4. But, there is a lot to consider before choosing.

In this article, I will give you all you need to know so you can make a purchasing decision with confidence, knowing you’ll get exactly what you need at a great price.

As you know, there are a lot of things to consider when shopping for a tonneau cover. The first and most important thing to consider is what you need it for. 

Here are some questions to help you figure out what type of cover will serve you best.

Do you haul large cargo frequently?

If you regularly haul cargo taller than your box, you’ll need something that opens fully and allows access to the entire box. This is possible with a soft roll-up style or a folding style, but not a one-piece. 

A soft rolling tonneau cover will easily roll up to the front of the bed and allow 100% access to the truck bed, and it won’t block your view when looking out the back window; the only downfall is that it is easy for thieves to break into.

A hard folding tonneau cover will also allow access to 100% of the bed but will stand up at the front of the truck bed and block your entire view when looking out the back window.

Which Truck Bed Cover is better Roll-up vs Tri-fold.

Will you always need a tonneau cover?

If you only need a tonneau cover for protection from the elements when traveling on a family vacation, then a soft tonneau cover would be your best option because they are less costly than other styles and are easy to remove, and won’t take up much space when stored in your garage.

How much security will you need?

If security is your main concern, then you’re going to want a hard style cover. They are made of rigid materials and are harder for thieves to break into. If you want to know more about how secure a tonneau cover is, I think you’ll like the in-depth article I wrote about the most secure tonneau covers.

How much do you want to spend?

Like anything in life, you get what you pay for. That being said, a soft tonneau cover will be less costly than a hard tonneau cover, and the painted one-piece cover will be the most expensive. If looks and security are big issues for you, you’ll most likely want to go with a one-piece hinged tonneau cover.. 

Is moisture an issue for your cargo?

Hard covers tend to offer the best seal against moisture. Soft covers may or may not supply a decent barrier to moisture, depending on the brand and construction of the cover. It’s all in how it attaches to the truck. For a more in-depth answer please read “Are tri-fold tonneau covers waterproof?”

Does appearance matter to you?

We all love our trucks, and how they look is very important to us. Choosing a truck bed cover to compliment that look is half the reason to get one. Fortunately, most brands want their products to look amazing. If it comes down to the style that suits your taste more you might have to compromise looks for function depending on your needs.

Who will install it?

Most covers are easily installed, but maybe you don’t have time or want to be sure it’s done correctly for safety and insurance reasons. It goes without saying if you plan on having a shop do the installation, it will add to the project’s cost—just something to consider.

With all that in mind, we can now look at what types of tonneau covers are on the market.

After a bit of research, I put together this list of my favorite tonneau covers for each type.