Pickups trucks, as versatile as they are, still need some accessories and upgrades to protect them and enhance their functionality. For instance, truck beds offer a space you can use to transport things, big or small. But, it wouldn’t be ideal to leave it and the cargo exposed to the elements and to the eyes of thieves. That’s what truck bed covers are made for. Truck covers offer one of the best protection for the bed and cargo.
But since it may be hard to choose the right one for your truck, we’ve made this guide to help you. In this article, we’ll discuss all the important factors you need to consider when choosing a cover. We’ll also list down the best truck covers in the market. This way, you can make informed decisions when it comes to finding the perfect fit for your needs.
Key Factors to Consider When Choosing the Right Truck Cover
There are hundreds of truck bed covers available in the market. For you to narrow down your options and choose the best one that fits your needs, make sure to consider the following factors:
Security
The most important thing is to check if the cover provides the best security for your bed and cargo. Ideally, the cover should seal the corners and sides of the truck bed. Some may even come with a drainage system that can direct the water away from it.
For maximum protection, make sure that the cover has a good security lock. Go for one that has an excellent security mechanism. This is to ensure that no unauthorized person can easily access the bed and your cargo.
Durability
To ensure that the cover can properly protect the bed and cargo for a long time, it’s crucial that it has a durable quality. Manufacturers make covers from different materials, each of them with their own pros and cons. Some of the most common materials include aluminum, vinyl, and fiberglass.
Whatever your needs and driving conditions are, choose one that can withstand the elements and wouldn’t get damaged easily. If you prefer, you can also get one that can support heavy loads on top of it for extra cargo space if needed.
Ease of Installation
If you plan to install the cover by yourself, you need to check the ease of installation of your preferred cover. Some bed covers are harder to install than others. For instance, hard truck bed covers are usually heavy and large, making it difficult to install alone. Soft covers, on the other hand, are lighter and can be installed without help from others.
7 Best Truck Covers for Your Truck in 2023
There are different types of covers you can get: roll-up, retractable, folding, snap-on, and one-piece. To help you decide which you’d prefer and which suits best your truck’s needs, here are the best bed covers for trucks in the market:
Best Soft Folding Cover: Tyger Auto T3 Tri-Fold Truck Bed Cover
The Tyger Auto T3 Soft Tri-Fold cover is a folding bed cover that folds in three, which means it has three panels. It has a clean, sleek look and its sturdiness comes from its dual-coated marine-grade vinyl panels. Two of the panels fold up and out of the way so you can use it with ease. It’s also easy to install and would only take more than a few minutes to do so, even by yourself.
Why We Picked It
- Easy to install
- Affordable
- Easily folds out of the way
- Comes with a secured tailgate lock
- Durable vinyl material
Best Hard Folding Cover: Gator EFX Hard Tri-Fold Tonneau Cover
If you want a sturdier and more durable folding type of cover, the Gator EFX tri-fold cover is the best option to go. It’s one of the most popular tonneau covers and is also one of the most preferred types in the market. This cover has a solid aluminum construction and a convenient tri-fold design, giving it a sleek look that can enhance your truck’s appearance.
Its panels have a polymer coating on top, making it durable and resistant to dents, scratches, and heat. It’s easy to use and it automatically latches when closed without the need to open your tailgate.
Why We Picked It
- Easy toolless installation
- Durable and convenient design
- Automatic locking mechanism
- Stylish low-profile look
- Comes with an integrated water management system
Best Soft Roll-up Cover: TruXedo TruXport Bed Cover
If you’re looking for an entry-level cover that’s easy to use, a good soft rolling cover like the TruXedo Truxport is a good option. It has aluminum side rails that make sure it’s supported and taut. It’s made of leather-grade soft vinyl that not only gives an iconic appearance but also allows it to withstand rain and other elements.
Additionally, it features an easy-to-use locking mechanism and has pre-tension controls to ensure a secure fit to your truck bed.
Why We Picked It
- Easy to install
- Sleek and aesthetic design
- Lightweight
- Affordable
- Scratch and weather-resistant
Best Hard Roll-up Cover: BAK Revolver X4s Roll-Up Cover
For a heavy-duty roll-up cover, you can never go wrong with BAK’s Revolver X4s. It has interlocking aluminum slats that can support up to 400 lbs of evenly distributed weight. It also has a black marine-grade vinyl overlay with an easy-to-use latch mechanism at the tailgate, giving you easy access and security to the bed.
Why We Picked It
- Easy-to-use lock
- 400 lbs load capacity
- Sleek marine-grade vinyl overlay
- Durable aluminum alloy slats
Best Retractable Cover: RetraxONE MX Retractable Truck Cover
For a more versatile option, you can go for one of the best retractable covers – the RetraxOne MX. This has a hybrid design that’s solid when closed and retracts and rolls up into a small box when opened. This allows you to gain easy access to the bed and it doesn’t obstruct the driver’s rear view even when fully retracted. It features a polycarbonate construction and has an integrated rear lock mechanism for ultimate security.
Why We Picked It
- Easily retracts
- Can be manually locked in any position
- Can support up to 200 lbs on top
- Easy to install
- Sleek, streamlined look
Best One-Piece Cover: UnderCover Elite LX Truck Bed Cover
If you want the best security solution, you can never go wrong with the UnderCover Elite LX cover. It’s popular for its weather resistance and extreme durability. This solid-hinged truck cover is made of polycarbonate with aluminum reinforcements, making it sturdy and strong. It’s resistant to corrosion, extreme temperatures, and impacts. The best part is you can get this in a finish that matches the color of your truck for an enhanced overall look.
Why We Picked It
- Extremely durable construction
- Color-match options
- Corrosion-proof
- Can support up to 250 lbs on top
- Comes with a battery LED light kit inside
Best Snap-On Cover: Lund Genesis Snap Tonneau Cover
Although this is the oldest type of cover, it’s popular for being the most lightweight and least expensive. The Lund Genesis Snap-On cover features a low-profile design. It’s made of marine-grade vinyl fabric with a leather pattern and comes with a semi-gloss black finish. If you want the most affordable entry-level cover, this is a good option.
Why We Picked It
- Affordable
- Easy to install and use
- Sleek black finish
- Low-profile design
Conclusion
The best way to protect your truck bed and improve its functionality is by getting the right truck bed cover. With a cover, the bed and cargo are secured from any external harm, like thievery and extreme weather conditions. To choose the right cover for your truck, make sure to prioritize the security, durability, and ease of installation factors. If you have a preferred type of cover, check the list above for the best products.
For more product options, you can always check out our truck cover collection. We offer all types of covers from high-quality brands that come with different features to accommodate every truck owner’s needs.