Best Hard Folding Tri-Fold Tonneau Covers: Increase the Protection in Your Truck Bed

Over the years, our collective crew of merry misfits have put our hands on just about every type of car part and accessory known to modern science—and ancient mystical majiks, too. And in that process, we've developed keen eyes on what's going to work and what isn't. We didn't get a chance to put our hands on every hard-folding tonneau cover in this list, but we have experience with all of the brands in one way or another through other tonneaus across the years.

That said, as new products come out or quality changes, we reserve the right to change our minds and change this list as we see fit.

It's hard to argue that any hard folding tonneau cover is better than the Bakflip MX4. The decision to crown it with the title of Best Overall is primarily based on the ability to uncover the entire bed as needed. Unlike many others, all panels can lift up and out of the way, eliminating the need to remove the cover altogether to transport large cargo, and that's still something of a game-changer there is to like, though. It's also made from aluminum to provide the best mix of weight savings and security and is backed by a 5-year warranty.

As for the downsides, it is one of the costliest options out there. Despite that, there are far too many reports of quality control issues to ignore.

There's no question that hard folding covers are often priced out of budget for truck owners, which is why DNA Motoring is an obvious candidate for many. At roughly half the price of the bigger name brands, it's a hard folding cover that does many things well. The aluminum panels offer the structural rigidity you demand, it's easy to install and doesn't look half bad. And no, it's not overly cumbersome with a weight of just 70 lbs.

While it's good, it's certainly not the best. It does block the stake pocket holes, which can prevent the use of bed rails and other accessories. Also, the seals could be better, as some fitment issues can arise. 

BAK is back at it, but this time the BAKflip G2. This is an affordable alternative for those who want the legendary function without going too high in price. This cover features three panels, all of which can be flipped up to provide access to the entire bed. It does not impede the stake pockets, and the low-profile design provides that sleek look many truck owners desire. Of course, it is backed with a 5-year warranty to provide peace of mind when investing a considerable amount of money in a tonneau cover.

Unfortunately, a few manufacturer defects have been reported and, like many others, you may need to opt for your own weatherstripping seals when testing for water tightness.

RAM owners that prefer the OE will have no other choice than to roll with Mopar. Obviously, the fit and finish is going to be ideal for RAM trucks, but that's not all that's good about this setup. This hard-folding cover is designed to leave the stake pockets wide open and will flip out of the way to expose the entire bed. It's also very easy to install, with no drilling required, and the use of aluminum makes for a lightweight package that won't bog that Hemi down.

As for the drawbacks, the premium price tag is something that will drive many RAM owners elsewhere. That said, it is limited to solely RAM trucks and its limited application coverage does hold it back from ranking any higher.

Extang is one of the leading names in this industry, so it's no surprise to see the Solid Fold 2.0 as a top pick. Ease of installation is something many appreciate about this cover, but that hardly separates it from any of the other top offerings. That said, it's the versatility that makes it stand out. This cover can come in configurations that allow the use of toolboxes, racks, and more. A solid 3-year warranty also backs it to protect you from anything that may have gone wrong during production. 

Unfortunately, the use of accessories mounted to the front of the bed is all it will work with. This cover does block the stake pocket holes.

If you don't want a hot tub cover on the bed of your truck, the Lomax is one of the best options out there. It's designed to sit flush with the bedsides to provide that sleek look many truck owners need. That also allows it to leave the stake pockets wide open, making it a practical choice for work trucks, if nothing else. The quality is among the best, which is to be expected from Access, and a standard 3-year warranty backs it. 

If you’re looking for the best of the best, our top choice is the BAKFlip MX4. The convenience, warranty, and practicality are just hard to beat. However, the DNA Motoring Hard Tri-Fold Tonneau Cover is clearly the choice for budget-minded truck owners.

All truck bed covers are constructed with a particular vehicle in mind. There is no universally compatible bed cover. Even when trucks have the same bed length, their body styling can cause them to require different covers. It's essential to make sure a cover is an exact match to your application's year, make, and model, as well as the specific bed size. Keep in mind that there is no standard when it comes to measurements of the bed, and you may want to research the method your application uses to verify proper length. 

Some hard tonneau covers are easier to open, latch, and fold than others — and you want one that allows you the highest level of convenience. A cover that’s easy to lift and maneuver will make you more likely to use all of its benefits and folding configurations. It’s also a good idea to find a cover that’s simple to adjust if needed to carry different types of items. The best hard folding tonneau covers are those that make getting to your gear happen in just seconds, with little difficulty.

The reasons to consider hard covers over soft covers are improved durability, security, and aesthetics. The use of high-quality metals, powder coating, seals, and latches are all key to a cover's success in these areas. Since all manufacturers will claim to use nothing but the best, it's necessary to read reviews for real-world evaluations of performance before purchasing.

The profile may seem like it's related purely to aesthetics, but that's certainly not the case. High-standing hard tonneau covers often sit on top of the bedsides. This can create the appearance many prefer, but it does block the stake pockets. If you intend to use the stake pockets for tie-downs or bedside rails, you will need to select a cover that uncovers them, which generally means opting for a low-profile tonneau cover.

If you're buying a hard folding tonneau cover, you can expect to pay at least $500. Very few exist in that price range, though, and you're more likely to spend $800-$900. Going for the best offerings on the market can inflate the price well beyond that point, as some of the premier covers in this segment bring in $1500 or better.

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