How to Choose a Truck Bed Cover | RealTruck

23 Jun.,2025

 

How to Choose a Truck Bed Cover | RealTruck

Overview of Truck Bed Covers

Early s touring automobiles had a barrel-shaped rear section that was called the tonneau, which is French for barrel or cask. A removable cover was designed to protect that area from rain and the elements; thus, the name tonneau cover.

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The term was revived years later, when it came to be applied to pickup truck bed covers. In the 80’s, soft covers that snapped on became all the rage, they did the job, but were hard to use.

Fast forward to today. Tonneau covers have come a long way since those unwieldy snap versions. Innovations in design and materials have paved the way for a whole new generation of truck bed covers. Keeping pace with the truck manufacturers use of aluminum and advanced compositing techniques, current gen covers are now simple to use while offering far superior security and weather protection. And with numerous modern designs available, from matte black to paint matched, there are enough choices to meet everyone’s unique tastes. 

Truth is: a pickup is just not complete without a truck bed cover – and we should know. RealTruck is America's number one seller of truck bed covers, and a leader in truck accessories. That makes it pretty safe to say that we are the authority in this field.

We offer an impressive selection of covers for just about every make and model out there. Choices include  soft rolling,  hard rolling,  soft folding,  hard folding,  retractable,  one-piece lid, and cap. Whew. So which cover is right for you? It depends on how you use your truck and what you carry in your truck bed. Let RealTruck be your guide on the road to find the perfect truck bed cover.

And by the way, if you think you can’t have a tonneau cover and quick full bed access at the same time, you would be mistaken, my friend.

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Benefits of All Truck Bed Covers

1. Weather Protection. No matter what mother nature brings; Rain, Snow, or Dust, covers keep the elements out. 

2. Security. Keep your items safe and secure by closing the truck bed cover

3. Keeps Cargo In Your Truck. Covers keep your items where they belong

4. Enhanced Look. From a fine gloss to matte black there is a cover to match everyone’s needs

5. Expanded Capabilities. Take your adventures on the road by adding a rack to the track system of your truck bed cover.

6. There when you need it. With the ability to keep your items safe but with the means to access your whole truck bed when you need to haul a big load.

7. Ease of use. They roll and the fold with just a flip of the wrist.

Hard Folding

If you routinely need the use of your full truck bed, hard quad-folding covers are the ideal all-round choice. They offer real flexibility and great features, like full bed access when completely open and great security when closed. They are great for moving large furniture across town and securing your tools in the truck bed when you get there.

So, let’s talk about the  BAKFlip MX4 … it opens fully in seconds with dual cable releases, allowing the cover to be opened from either side. It folds up vertically and is secured against the cab with prop rods for driving fully open. And the MX4 closes just as easily with slam latches that lock each section of the cover as it shuts. The versatility and good looks of the MX4 has made it the number-one selling hard cover on the market. Installation requires just a couple of tools and takes about twenty minutes.

Retractable Cover

A  retractable cover is a variation of a rolling cover – but instead of it rolling on top of your truck bed, it rolls into a canister inside the bed. The top surface is usually constructed from sturdy aluminum stats that glide on ball bearings for ease of operation. A popular choice here is the  Retrax Pro XR. It has a great look, and since it's all metal, it’s one of the most secure covers on the market. Plus, you can lock it in place wherever you want, depending on how much bed access you need. The ease of use of a retractable cover makes it ideal for those who need to open and close their truck bed cover frequently. The canister that stores the rolled-up cover takes up a bit of space in the bed, but on the plus side, a retractable cover is the easiest to use and maintains the clean lines of your truck.

Another nice feature is the option of a track system – slots built into the top of the side rails which allow you to install third-party racks and other accessories to carry cargo over your bed, perfect for your next adventure. Installation for the Retrax Pro XR takes about thirty minutes with two people.

Are you interested in learning more about Tri Folding Tonneau Cover? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!

Hard Vs. Soft Trifold Tonneau Cover - Tacoma World

Hey All,
Just picked up my white Sport DBCAB and I'm looking for some advice/experiences with the hard tonneau covers vs the soft trifold ones like the Extang Trifecta?
Is there benefits or downfalls to either one besides price? Thanks!
Soft is often cheaper and lighter, but also potentially less durable and very easily defeated if someone wants to get in there.

Hard is usually more expensive, heavier, and typically less easily defeated.

Both will hide stuff from prying eyes, but if the thieves are sitting in the parking lot and see you put potentially valuable stuff in there before walking off...

Which is best for you depends a lot on your usage and needs. Something you'll use once in a while vs something that's on there and rarely would be removed would be a good starting spot.
Had a soft trifold on my '09. Have a hard on (huh huh) my '17. Have only had the hard trifold one installed for 48 hours, but I like the looks of it better already. Can't speak to functionality yet.
I'll keep that in mind when mine starts looking like crap. (Was leaning towards a Undercover SE or Elite) Never heard that before. I have the TruXedo Lo Pro Qt though. I do see soft tri-folds on trucks around here that look like they have never seen any love.
My factory hard folding (Extang) is great. You can pick them up reasonably cheap on here used. A little water seeps in on the sides, but not much. If you want a waterproof tonneau, go with a solid fiberglass one.
I needed some type of "trunk" since I didn't get an access cab and actually drive people around.... I'm planning on buying a cap, but needed something to get me by until I can afford one. I got the Gator Trifold. It works pretty good and was $250. It's a little less secure, but I think most are easily defeated. This will keep the weather off of luggage and camping gear.
Soft: Cheaper
Hard: More secure

Other than that, they're identical. I had a soft tri-fold on my old truck of 7 yrs and I've got a hard tri-fold on the new truck. Soft held up just fine thru New England winters and everything else. Expecting the hard to do the same.
Here's how to look for a $200 soft tri-fold cover and end up buying a $700 hard tri-fold cover. (I have a 5 foot bed). Fair Warning!!!
Step by step instructions:
I looked at the cheaper soft tri folds first. Around $225.
Noticed the $300 options had slightly better material.
Found an OEM knockoff hard cover for $489. Sweet!!!
Noticed Amazon had the BakFlip G2 on sale for $721.
Before I knew it I ordered a $700 cover!

Here's a link to some pics of my G2. No regrets!
Let’s see dem Silver Tacos!!! | Page 298 | Tacoma World
Originally wanted a soft bed cover but a lot of my co workers convinced me otherwise especially since I was going to be parked outside 80% of the time. Im pretty sure mine is a gator one, trifold and its fairly flat when opened. Its sits in the side of the truck bed and is clamped down rather than installed in the bed rail itself. Had to return and exchange the first one I got because I wouldnt be able to use my Rocky Mount for the bike otherwise

This is the one. I believe I bought it about $100 or more less back then

https://tonneaucoversworld.com/p/gator-tailback-tonneau-cover/v/toyota/tacoma//
I have a soft. Has some holes. Whatever.

Easy on off solo - i don't leave it on 100% of the time.

Hard is easier to put bikes into using a fork mount can be drilled into the frameworks. I think some soft ones can too, in theory.

Depends what you need. I don't know how heavy hards are but probably cumbersome. But taking it on and off solo is a me thing, might not be a you thing.
I originally purchased the BAK Revolver X4S rollup hard cover, it came to me with a few broken ribs. It took over a month for BAK to provide me the RA to return it and to receive the refund. I really wanted this cover as it fit all my needs, but had such a difficult time with BAK, I just decided to get a plain soft rollup Truxedo one. It fits great and like it.