One of the reasons for owning a truck is just how much space you have. You can load it up with everything you need for work, going on vacation, moving house, or pretty much whatever you like.
But, one of the problems is that anything can get in the truck bed. One of the things that needs to be kept out most is water, especially if you live somewhere with high levels of rain and don’t park in a garage. Having your truck bed fill up with rain, especially overnight, can be irritating.
There are also other things that can end up in the Tonneau bed, such as falling leaves, snow, or even small animals.
To keep things out, and also keep anything you want to leave in there safe, a roll up tonneau cover is one of the best options. Of course, you can always throw a tarp or something over the top, but this is difficult, isn’t secure, and still won’t guarantee that water won’t get in.
So, to help you choose a roll up Tonneau cover that will fit your truck, we’ve compiled a list of the best.
OUR TOP PICK
One feature that varies amongst roll up Tonneau covers is side rails. Some roll up Tonneau covers simply sit on top of the truck bed and clip into place, whereas others have metal frames that are clamped on to the sides of the bed and then the cover itself is attached to this, usually with velcro.
To ensure complete coverage, this Tonneau cover has rails around the edge that easily clamp onto the sides of the truck bed.
When the cover is then rolled up to access the bed, the frame remains in place. This makes it super easy to roll up the Tonneau cover and gives you the peace of mind that the entire bed, and everything in it, is protected and (literally) covered.
For easy access to the truck bed, this roll up Tonneau cover also features straps to keep the cover in place when it is rolled up.
This means that the cover will be completely out of the way as you load and unload your truck, and saves you the annoyance of having to regularly push it up and out of the way.
Pros
- Available in multiple sizes
- Available in multiple styles
- Secure and easy to install clamp on rails
- Truck bed cannot be accessed without opening the tailgate
Cons
- Although not expensive, there are cheaper options available
EDITORS CHOICE
Specifications at a glance:
- Sizes Available: 6’ 4” x 2’ 3”
- Color: Black
- Material: Dual-Coated Vinyl with aluminum frame
- Heavy-Duty
- Weather-Proof
- Tear-Resistant
Weather-proof, waterproof, and tear resistant, this roll up Tonneau cover is heavy duty and will protect your truck bed and anything in it. The smooth design will lie flush against the bed and make sure nothing can get in.
Although it is a heavy duty product, it is easy to install and to roll up. With easy to release metal clamps to lock it in place, the Tyger Auto TG-BC3D1011 is a tri-fold Tonneau cover and so can easily be folded up or laid out.
It is also easy to install and doesn’t require you to drill any holes into your truck as it simply clicks into place.
Although not the cheapest option listed here, this is still a relatively affordable price and you get a smooth and sleek product for your money.
Pros
- Heavy duty but lightweight
- Weatherproof
- Sleek, flush design
- Easy to install
Cons
- Only available in one size (other roll up Tonneau covers are available from this brand)
BEST VALUE
Specifications at a glance:
- Sizes Available: 5’ 6”/6’ 6”/8’
- Color: Black
- Material: Leather Grain
TruXedo is a well-known and reliable brand when it comes to Tonneau covers. This TruXport soft roll up Tonneau cover is simple and easy to use and will take up only a small amount of space when rolled up.
The leather grain material is soft but durable and will be able to withstand a lot of weather conditions. The material is thin but still watertight and tough, it’s the best of both worlds as you don’t have to compromise quality or space.
Although one of the more expensive options, its durability and ease of use makes this a great roll up Tonneau cover. One of the best aspects of this cover is how easy it is to open and close. Once you have added the easy to install winch, you simply turn the handle to roll up or roll out the cover before clamping it down.
This cover sits on top of the truck bed and so braces against the truck itself to remain steady and hold its shape and place.
Pros
- Multiple sizes available
- Multiple styles available
- Easy to install
- Controlled by a winch
Cons
- Expensive
RUNNER UP
Specifications at a glance:
- Sizes Available: 5’ 2”/5’ 5”/6’/6’ 4”/6’6”
- Material: Vinyl
- Aluminum side rails
- Secured with velcro
Made from marine-grade vinyl, this roll up Tonneau cover is an affordable option for something so durable.
This Tonneau cover features strong aluminum side rails to which the cover is attached by velcro for stable and secure coverage. The side rails are easy to install and no drilling is required.
They are held in place by strong stainless steel clamps and the cover also features a tension system that can be adjusted to ensure the vinyl cover remains tight, secure, and wrinkle free. There is also an extra level of security as there is a latch lock system at the tailgate.
Although this roll up Tonneau cover is available for multiple vehicles of different makes and models, the range is limited. Obviously, this isn’t a problem if it fits your truck, but can be frustrating as it is a great cover and there is also no tool that you can use to check if it will fit.
Pros
- Available in multiple sizes
- Affordable
- Marine-grade vinyl
- Secured to an aluminum frame
Cons
- Compatible with a limited number of vehicles
RUNNER UP
Specifications at a glance:
- Sizes Available: 5’ 8”/6’ 5”/6’ 6”/8’
- Styles Available: Soft Roll Up/Hard Tri-Fold/Soft Tri-Fold
- Colors/Finishes Available: Premium Matte Canvas/Leather Embossed Vinyl
Available in several styles, finishes, and sizes, this roll up tonneau cover is a great choice if you are looking for something specific for your vehicle.
It is, however, very expensive compared to most covers, including the majority of the options on this list.
This cover does provide sleek, flush coverage and is easy to install and use. It provides protection against bad weather and can be easily tightened.
Pros
- Available in multiple finishes
- Available in multiples sizes
- Available in multiple styles
Cons
- Fits a limited number of vehicles
- Expensive
Best Roll Up Tonneau Cover Buying Guide
Buying a cover for your tonneau is a great idea. It will keep your truck bed clean and dry and is an investment that will save you hours of cleaning. It will also mean you can travel with more precious or expensive items, as you will have a strong, waterproof cover to protect them.
To help you out a bit more, here’s our guide to choosing the best roll up tonneau cover for your truck.
Getting the Right Fit
This might seem obvious, but it’s worth stating anyway: you need a cover that fits your truck. There are a lot of different shapes and sizes to choose from and just because the cover is the same size as your truck bed, doesn’t mean that it will automatically fit.
Certain covers will only fit certain makes and models. Most of the options on this list have a useful tool at the top of the screen that will allow you to input the year, make, and model of your vehicle to ensure you won’t accidentally waste your money on something that doesn’t fit.
Choosing the Right Material
There are many different materials for tonneau covers so it’s important to choose exactly the kind that will work best for your needs. These materials include vinyl, fiberglass, canvas, aluminum, and ABS polymer.
- Vinyl is one of the most common materials used for tonneau covers and there are good reasons for this. Vinyl is a great material is you need something weatherproof and really heavy-duty.
- Fiberglass tonneau covers are available in many different colors that can match your truck. But, fiberglass tonneau covers cannot be rolled up and are not as easy lift and are bulkier. Roll up tonneau covers are a much more lightweight and easy to use option.
- Canvas is a good lightweight option and can be easily rolled up and used. Canvas tonneau covers are not as common and although they are durable and can provide some protection against water, they cannot be guaranteed as waterproof.
- Aluminum is a good option as the material is heavy duty and water-resistant. Although they are metal, they can still be rolled up and are easy to use.
- ABS polymer tonneau covers are very lightweight but still very durable and strong.
Roll Up Tonneau Covers
Although other styles of tonneau covers are available, having a roll up cover is great for ease of use and saving space as they can be easily stored when not in use.
Roll up tonneau covers can be either soft or hard and the biggest difference between the two is the strength. Although soft covers can hold a lot of weight, hard covers will of course hold more.
So, if you need protection against something like snow, a hard cover might be a good idea. Hard roll up covers are a good balance between the ease of a soft roll up cover and a hard non-roll up cover.
Soft covers are still great and will be easier to roll up and take up less space once they are rolled. Soft covers are usually also cheaper, but the fact that they are easier to remove does make them more susceptible to thieves.
It’s much easier to quiety roll up a soft cover or cut into it. Hard covers provide more protection, so if you want something with a bit more security, a hard roll up cover is a good idea.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are tonneau covers waterproof?
Generally, yes. One of the main reasons for buying a tonneau cover is to keep the truck bed and anything in it dry. Tonneau covers are also weatherproof and can withstand snow and other extreme weather conditions.
Can you lock a tonneau cover?
Although tonneau covers are secure and will lock into place, that doesn’t mean they can be locked with a code or a padlock.
Can tonneau covers go through a car wash?
Yes and no. As most roll up tonneau covers are weather or waterproof, they should generally be fine going through a car wash. There may be a little leakage if the wash is particularly intense, but this is unlikely. Generally, it depends on the material of the cover.
That being said, try and avoid any wax going on the cover as they can leave a film on the cover and potentially damage it.
Can tonneau covers save gas?
Yes. As the tonneau cover will stop any air going into the truck bed, it will help to reduce aerodynamic drag and can improve mileage by up to 10%. So this is another great reason to invest in a tonneau cover.