Tonneau Cover Types Explained: Roll Up, Folding, Retractable and Hard Lid

Why the type matters more than the brand

Almost every tonneau cover sold today is well built. What decides whether you like yours is the type, because the type sets bed access, security, rail height and how the cover behaves when you need the bed empty. Pick the type first, then the brand.

Soft roll up

A vinyl sheet over aluminum or composite bows that unrolls to the tailgate and secures with hook and loop or with a clamp rail. This is the least expensive type and the lightest. It rolls fully to the cab in under a minute and leaves the bed completely open, which is the single best thing about it.

The trade off is security and sealing. A soft cover keeps weather off and cargo out of sight, but a determined person gets through vinyl with a knife. Water resistance is good, not waterproof, and vinyl stiffens in deep cold.

Buy this if you park in a driveway, want the bed open often, and care most about price and weight.

Tri fold and hard folding

Three panels hinged together that fold forward toward the cab. Soft tri folds use vinyl over a frame. Hard folding covers use aluminum or fiberglass reinforced panels.

Hard folding is the volume seller for a reason. It gives you real security, a genuine weather seal on the better models, and you can open just the tailgate third or fold the whole cover forward. Most panels also remove in minutes with hand tools.

The trade off is that the folded stack sits six to nine inches above the rails at the cab, which blocks the rear window and takes up bed length. Panel seams are also where water eventually finds a way in as the seals age.

Retractable

Interlocking aluminum slats that retract into a sealed canister at the front of the bed, like a rolltop desk. Retractable covers open to any position you want and lock at intervals, so you can take half the bed or all of it without removing anything or storing a panel.

Security is the best in the category, and sealing is excellent because the slats ride in a drain channel that routes water out the back. The cover disappears when open, so the rear window stays clear.

You pay for it twice. Retractables cost the most, and the canister eats eight to twelve inches of bed length permanently. The track also needs cleaning and lubrication twice a year.

One piece hard lid

A single fiberglass or aluminum lid on gas struts that lifts like a trunk. Painted lids color match the truck and look better than anything else in the category. Security and sealing are excellent.

The catch is bed access. You cannot open a one piece lid under a low garage ceiling, and hauling anything tall means removing the lid, a two person job. Painted lids also need your factory paint code.

What to measure and check before you order

• Bed length, measured inside the bed from the bulkhead to the closed tailgate. Do not use the trim name.
• Whether you have a factory cargo rail system. It changes clamping and sometimes requires an adapter kit.
• A spray in bed liner, which can affect clamp fit at the rails.
• A multi position or step tailgate, which changes rear seal geometry.

The short recommendation

Lowest cost and frequent open bed use: soft roll up. Best all around balance of price, security and access: hard folding. Best security and sealing with the cleanest look and no storage problem: retractable. Best appearance and a permanently covered bed: one piece hard lid.

If you are between two types, pick the one that matches your worst day, not your average one. Email us the year, make, model and bed length and we will confirm the part number before you buy.