Best Roll-Up Tonneau Covers: Add Extra Protection to Your Truck Bed

Unfortunately, one of the best things about it is also the worst. It's a big, wide-open cavity that's perfect for storing tools, gear, furniture, and even other vehicles in. Unfortunately, anything that's back there is exposed to everything the truck is. If you want to add protection but want to keep the bed completely accessible, a roll-up tonneau cover is the way to go.

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The Drive aggregates reviews and research from all over the internet to figure out which products are worth buying. We also put out shopping guides to help you understand how to assess the value of these things on your own. Knowledge is horsepower!

The TruXedo TruXport takes the pick for Best Overall for several reasons. This line of covers is one of the most affordable on the market, which is something the average truck owner is definitely going to appreciate. It's not just some cheap piece of vinyl, though. It offers excellent protection from the elements, installs with ease, and the fit and finish certainly won't drag your prized truck down in style points. It's also backed by a solid 5-year warranty to offer peace of mind to the owner.

It's certainly not the most refined piece of equipment. Issues with alignment during installation can drive owners of some models nuts. As could the exceptionally tight fit in some cases, making it worth reading the reviews to ensure it's a good choice for your exact truck.

The aesthetic appeal of Gator's ETX alone makes it worthy of your consideration. It's no one-trick pony, though. The low-profile design offers the practical advantage of leaving the stake pockets exposed, allowing you to make use of them for tie-downs and bedside rails as necessary. It also sits at an economical price point that's sure to win over many truck owners. Despite that, it still has exceptional protection against the elements and is backed by a limited lifetime warranty, making it a clear choice for the Best Value award.

Managing editor Jonathon Klein has put this specific tonneau cover to good use and loves it. You can read up more on his experience with the tonneau cover here.

The BAK Revolver X4s is the clear choice if you want max security from a roll-up tonneau cover. Underneath the tasteful vinyl layering lies a sheet of aluminum panels. While aluminum isn't the hardest metal, it's certainly not something thieves can slash through with any old knife in seconds. Pairing it with a locking tailgate means anything in the bed is going to take serious effort to access. It also leaves the stake pocket holes wide open, rolls neatly to the cabin, and is backed by a solid 5-year guarantee.

The obvious drawback is the price, as this cover costs nearly five times as much as the average rolling tonneau. Also, it seems that the rubber seals are something of a problem area, and the cover will leak once the adhesive separates.

Lund's Genesis Elite is the way to go if you're looking for something low-maintenance. Unlike most covers, this does not feature the same vinyl material that requires special care to maintain. Instead, it uses a premium matte canvas that's a lot more resilient and simple to care for. That said, it is still a Lund cover, which means you're getting the best in terms of quality, and the cover is weatherproof. Throw in the lifetime guarantee, and this cover is hard to ignore.

This is on the expensive side of soft covers, which will inspire truck owners to look elsewhere. Also, there are enough complaints about fitment issues to make it worth reading reviews to ensure it's going to fit the exact make and model you're working with.

Extang’s Revolution soft tonneau cover is a prime example of what makes the name such a titan in this segment. The quality is standard-setting, and this tonneau is sure to endure anything a soft cover should and then some. The flush, low-profile fit looks better than OE and is an obvious draw for any application. Beyond that, installation is simple and headache free, as is that Latch and Go operation.

As for the downsides, the cost is going to scare a few potential customers away, as there are more affordable but equally as solid options out there. Furthermore, the presence of quality control issues, despite that high price, is what keeps it from the top of this list. .

For the money, the TruXedo Truxport Soft Cover is hard to beat. It's simple, built well, protected with a warranty, and affordable. However, the Gator ETX Soft Roll Up Tonneau Cover is not a bad way to go if you need something more economical. What's your pick? be sure to reach out and tell us what you think the best roll-up cover is!  

What if you're not ready to jump on a tonneau cover just because a few have been recommended to you? That's a good thing. You should want to know more about these types of covers ad what your options are. That's exactly what the following sections are here for. They highlight key features as well as some things you certainly need to know before you spend the time and money that goes into popping one of these bad boys in place. Don't worry. It's a lot less complicated than I'm making it sound.

Soft covers are the most common and most basic version out there. However, there's a little more going on than simply stretching a piece of vinyl over the bed of your truck. These are set in place with the use of a metal frame that bolts to the bed. The frame extends down the bedsides and is paired with either a hook-and-loop system or snaps to anchor the vinyl in place. Underneath the vinyl are metal bows to provide structural support that keeps the cover from distorting and coming undone when forces are encountered. These are a go-to option due to their cost-effective nature and ease of use, but they don't offer the best security as they are primarily a simple piece of fabric that's not going to stop much other than the weather.

Hard rolling tonneau covers are the clear choice when security and support are necessary. Rather than the primary material being a simple layer of vinyl and fabric, a layer of metal or plastic plates rest underneath. These sheets are narrow and able to fold over each other so that the cover can roll out of the way just like their vinyl counterparts. Using these harder materials is great for keeping snow and other threats from collapsing the cover, but they can also keep thieves out. These can be very expensive, though, and you will need a locking tailgate to get the most out of them.

The first detail you need to sort out is whether or not the tonneau cover actually fits the truck. This seems like a relatively easy detail to sort out, but it can be more complicated than you originally imagined. That's because truck manufacturers don't necessarily stick to a standard with sizing. Cabin sizes don't always determine bed size, and measurements can be taken in several ways. Your best bet is to read into the exact make and model of your truck to find out how to measure your bed and go from there. A year-make-model search can simplify the ordeal, but even then, you may need to take measurements to be sure.

It always helps to stick with top brands, especially in the case of tonneau covers when prices are pretty level across all manufacturers. That said, you still want to do a little bit of homework on any you're considering. Make sure to sort out who's using quality vinyl, how well-made the latches are, and which frames hold up the best. Keep in mind that the elements you're regularly exposed to will play a big role in which models are best suited to your truck.

In most cases, roll-up tonneau covers feature hook-and-loop systems down the rails to keep the vinyl in place. There are, however, many that still use snap buttons to get the job done. Which is better will ultimately come down to personal preference. Hook-and-loop is generally easier to install, and they do a fine job of securing the cover. However, some prefer the positive engagement of the snaps, and you should hash out this detail if you're partial to one over the other.

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