Truck bed covers, commonly known as tonneau covers, serve a vital role in enhancing the functionality and security of your truck. They provide protection against the elements, keep your cargo secure, and improve fuel efficiency by reducing aerodynamic drag. Besides being a functional upgrade, tonneau covers simply make the truck look better by adding a clean straight style to finish off the rear of the vehicle.
When it comes to selecting the perfect tonneau cover, buyers often find themselves stuck between a hard spot and a soft place. That is just a pun on words, but the reality is there are a ton of options when it comes to truck bed covers.
The main categories include Hard Folding, Hard Roll-Up, Soft Folding, Soft Roll-Up, Retractable, and One-Piece covers. There are Truck Caps too which is a whole other conversation for another day.
Why Are There So Many Different Types Of Bed Covers?
Because every truck owner is unique and their vehicle’s functional purpose varies, there is no one-size-fits-all and does-it-all truck bed cover.
A retracting tonneau cover may offer many of the same features and benefits as a non-mechanical rolling cover. But they come with many more moving parts and a premium-sized price tag. Additionally, if bed space is a primary concern, the retracting canister mechanism eats up some of that valuable cargo area and requires some lubrication maintenance to ensure smooth operation over time.
Alternatively, one-piece hinging covers might fall in the same price range, but they don't provide partial bed access. While retracting tonneau covers and one-piece hinged covers offer similar benefits, one style may provide a different balance of features over the other.
Pros & Cons of Rolling vs Folding Tonneau Covers
This guide will delve into the pros and cons of rolling and folding tonneau covers to help you make an informed decision. As a point of clarification and for the purpose of this article, when we say "rolling," we're referring to both soft and hard roll-up covers, but not the mechanical retractable roll-up-into-a-canister cover.
When looking at rolling vs folding tonneau covers, it's essential to consider various factors, including ease of use, price, security, and versatility. Price varies throughout both configurations and depends mostly on material, construction, and the available features. You can be assured that there are affordable and premium-priced options for both rolling and folding tonneau covers.
Rolling Tonneau Covers
Rolling tonneau covers, available in both soft and hard configurations, offer a sleek and streamlined appearance, making them a popular choice among truck owners. Here are some key pros and cons:
Rolling Tonneau Cover Pros
Easy Installation: Many rolling covers can be installed without drilling, making them ideal for DIY enthusiasts.
Partial Bed Access: Rolling covers can be conveniently rolled up, providing access to a portion of the truck bed while keeping the rest covered and secure.
Brands like TruXedo and Extang offer a variety of rolling covers with features such as easy-to-use latch systems and weather-resistant materials.
Rolling Tonneau Cover Cons
- Soft rolling covers are prone to cuts, tears, and punctures.
- Hard rolling covers can be expensive.
- Limited Security. While rolling covers provide some level of protection, they may not be as secure as hard folding covers, making them more susceptible to theft.
- A rolling cover could be somewhat cumbersome to roll up or deploy. This may be dependent on the particular unit and if it was poorly installed.
- A rolling cover may require more time, effort, and coordination to roll up.
Folding Tonneau Covers
Folding tonneau covers, typically made of hard materials like aluminum or fiberglass, offer enhanced security and durability. Additionally, some hard folding tonneau covers are popular for the ability to haul cargo on top of the bed cover. Check out these pros and cons:
Folding Tonneau Cover Pros:
Enhanced Security: Hard folding covers provide superior security compared to rolling covers, thanks to their rigid construction and locking mechanisms.
Full Bed Access: Folding covers can be easily folded up, allowing for complete access to the truck bed when needed.
Brands like UnderCover and BAK Industries offer rugged folding covers designed to withstand harsh weather conditions and heavy use.
Folding Tonneau Cover Cons:
- Installation Complexity. Some folding covers may require more involved installation procedures, including drilling and mounting brackets, which can be challenging for inexperienced users.
- Reduced Visibility. When folded up, these covers may block a portion of the view out the rear window.
- Hard folding covers can be pricey.
- Some models limit cargo access.
- Soft folding covers are less secure.
Consider Personalization When Comparing Rolling vs Folding Tonneau Covers
Beyond the basic functionality of rolling and folding tonneau covers, there are some other bells and whistles to consider. Aftermarket product design and manufacturing has come a long way, and today’s truck owners have options aplenty. That includes the opportunity to further upgrade truck bed covers with certain additional features, materials, and finishes.
For example, the UnderCover ArmorFlex is a hard, tri-folding cover that ramps up durability by adding a premium-grade LINE-X® coating to its already heavy-duty panels. The result is a rugged tonneau cover that offers superior protection against dents, dings, and extreme environments – great for daily drivers that double as work trucks.
As for everyday truck owners on-the-go, Extang’s Trifecta ALX is affordable, stylish, and above all – incredibly easy to operate. The brand’s Secure Rotary Release Latching System features a simple twist-and-lift motion, so you can open the cover with one hand. When finished, simply drop the tonneau panels back into place; Extang’s automatic latching feature secures on closure.
Other innovations seen on today’s tonneau covers include features like the BAK MX4’s dual-action tailgate seal, which lets you shut the cover with the tailgate in either the open or closed position; tonneau-friendly cargo bed boxes like TruXedo’s TonneauMate; and sleek, paint-to-match panels like those found on the A.R.E. Fusion Tonneau Cover.
Finding The Perfect Truck Bed Cover
In conclusion, choosing between rolling vs folding tonneau covers ultimately depends on your individual requirements and preferences. Whether you prioritize ease of use, cost, ease of installation, security, or versatility, there's a tonneau cover out there to suit your needs.
As you explore the options available on Parts Via, consider the pros and cons outlined in this guide and don't forget to personalize your choice with additional features as you desire.