A truck bed cover is a great truck accessory for security, and among its many types is the roll-up cover. A roll-up tonneau cover is popular in the market, mainly because it’s a great choice for people who are new to truck bed covers. For better security, you can get the hard cover type.
If you’re interested in learning more about this type, continue reading. In this article, you’ll learn everything about a hard roll-up tonneau cover. This includes things that make it different from a soft one, as well as its pros and cons. This way, you can make better-informed decisions when buying a cover for your truck.
What Are Hard Roll-Up Truck Bed Covers?
Roll-up covers, in general, are one of the softer types of truck bed covers among the many. They also come in two different types: hard roll-up covers and soft ones. Hard roll-up covers or hard rolling covers are tonneau covers that easily roll up above the bed. It has a flexible construction that enables it to be rolled up without a problem.
Unlike soft roll-ups, hard roll-ups have vinyl material on top and aluminum slats under to provide more support and security. Moreover, most hard covers use hook-and-loop seals to keep elements out of bed and have latches at the tailgate. Most of them use velcros on the sides as well to secure the cover in place. However, these specific features may vary depending on the manufacturer.
Pros of Hard Roll-Up Tonneau Covers
Hard roll-up covers are one of the most popular styles and types in the market. This is because it offers the following benefits:
Lightweight
Despite being a hard cover, hard roll-ups are more lightweight than most other covers, like retractables and folding ones. Compared to others, they’re easier to lift and move around in the truck bed. If you need to access the bed or the cargo on the bed, you can easily roll it up and back down once done without straining your body or exerting much effort.
Improved Security
There’s a common fear among truck owners that thieves can easily cut through soft covers. Since hard roll-ups are made of a combination of vinyl and aluminum slats, this concern is lessened. The heavy-duty aluminum slats add a layer of protection in keeping your belongings safe. They make the cover tear-resistant, so you don’t have to worry about your cargo going missing.
Additionally, they offer enough weather protection to your belongings as well. Whether it’s rain, snow, or dust, the cover can keep the elements out of the truck bed.
Low-Profile Design
Roll-up covers have low-profile designs that lay flush with the truck bed rails. With such a design, a hard roll-up can add a sleek and aerodynamic appearance to your truck.
Moreover, since roll-ups are thinner and use smaller frames, the cover in your truck will block less of your view out the rear window. It would also look more like a cohesive truck part and not an add-on.
Affordable
Hard roll-up covers have more affordable prices than other hard types of covers. This may be because they’re made of relatively cheaper materials like vinyl and aluminum slats, which are easier to manufacture and lighter to pack and ship.
More Durable
Soft roll-ups are only made of vinyl, like most soft-type covers, while hard roll-ups have aluminum slats. The slats, bonded with vinyl, make a hard roll-up a more durable choice among the cheaper options in the market. It can support lightweight on top without getting damaged.
Cargo-Friendly
If you’re carrying tall or awkwardly shaped items in your truck bed, you can simply roll a hard roll-up cover up to the bulkhead and tie it down. With this, it would be easier to transport any size and shape of items using the back of your truck.
Easy to Install and Store
If you want a cover that’s easy to install by yourself, a hard roll-up cover would be a good option. There’s no need for drilling, and you can install it even when alone and with simple hand tools. Most of them even come pre-assembled, so you only need to attach it to your truck once you receive it.
At the same time, it would also be easy to remove it from your truck. Because of its compactness and lightweight features, it’s also easier to store away when not needed.
Cons of Hard Roll-Up Tonneau Covers
Given these amazing benefits, hard roll-up covers still come with some disadvantages:
Takes Time to Open and Close
Manual effort is required to open and close a hard roll-up cover. This is mainly because most of them use velcro or snaps along the sides of the cover. This takes time to hand seal and unseal when you need to access your bed and cargo, compared to using other types like retractable covers that you can use a remote control to open and close.
Less Sturdy and Durable than Other Hard Covers
Hard roll-up covers are not as stiff and robust as other hard covers like folding, retractable, and one-piece covers. It’s because they’re just layers of vinyl and aluminum slats. They can’t support a lot of weight on top and are vulnerable to sagging when there’s too much rain or snow on top.
Obstructed View When Opened
There’s a chance that your rearview can be blocked by the hard roll-up when it’s rolled up. This is because some models get bulky when completely opened and rolled up. Although it doesn’t completely block the view, it can cover up some parts.
Unavailable for Older Trucks
There are hard roll-up covers that don't support or fit older or vintage truck models. Compared to new and modern trucks, there aren’t as many available hard roll-up covers for older trucks. This can be a huge disadvantage if your truck has a model before the 2000s.
Conclusion
Hard roll-up tonneau covers stand out as an excellent choice for uncomplicated and effective truck bed protection. They are user-friendly, easy to set up, accommodate cargo well, feature sleek low-profile designs, provide security, and, notably, come at a budget-friendly price. While they do have some drawbacks, their advantages far surpass any shortcomings.
If you want to look at some great product options, you can check out our hard rollup cover collection. We offer high-quality covers from top brands for almost all truck models!