Introduction

You may not realize this, but tonneau covers and truck bed covers are not the same thing. This confuses even long-time pickup truck owners, which is understandable. After all, the differences between the two are fairly minute. That being said, they are large enough to warrant some degree of discussion, especially if you’re trying to decide which type of pickup truck bed cover to purchase.

The real allure of truck bed covers is that they are far more affordable than tonneau covers. Buf if your interested in a hard tonneau cover, then check out our top 5 list of best hard tonneau covers here.

A quality truck bed cover will be just as effective as a tonneau cover when it comes to protecting your luggage from the wind and rain. In fact, there are a few truck bed covers out there that provide even better protection from the elements than most tonneau covers; the challenge is finding them.

Below, you will find some of the best truck bed covers on the market. Each is the product of a dedicated team of expert designers and all have a plethora of positive reviews and loyal devotees. One will likely suit your needs better than others, so pay careful attention to make sure you don’t miss out on your ideal truck bed cover.

Top 5 Pickup Truck Bed Covers

Ranking	Image	Product	Overall Rating
1. Read The Full Review		Tyger Auto TRI-FOLD Truck Bed Cover	(4.8 / 5) View Now On Amazon
2. Read The Full Review		MaxMate Roll Up Truck Bed Cover	(4.8 / 5) View Now On Amazon
3. Read The Full Review		Gator Tri-Fold Truck Bed Cover	(4.6 / 5) View Now On Amazon
4. Read The Full Review		Lund 95073 Genesis Tri-Fold Tonneau Cover	(4.4 / 5) View Now On Amazon
5. Read The Full Review		Tonno Pro Tonno Fold 42-302 TRI-FOLD Truck Bed Cover	(4 / 5) View Now On Amazon

 

Tyger Auto Tri-Fold Truck Bed Cover

 

Consumer Ratings (4.8 / 5)

We’ve always been a little bit uncomfortable about the way Tyger Auto spells its name. Swapping the I for a Y like that just doesn’t seem right. Issues with branding aside, the Tri-Fold Truck Bed Cover is incredibly impressive and is proof Tyger Auto knows how to put something really special together.

 

Features

• LED lights
• Pre-assembled crossbar
• Heavy-duty front clamps
• Easy No-Drilling installation with the provided instruction
• Made of dual coated 24oz marine grade vinyl
• Heavy duty aluminum powder coated frames
• Comes with stainless steel clamps

 

Pros

Tyger Auto promises that the Tri-Fold Truck Bed Cover will increase your fuel mileage by reducing aerodynamic drag while you drive. To just what extent it will do that is disputable, but Tyger Auto itself claims that you will save 12% of what you’re currently spending on gas.

Tyger Auto offers a limited lifetime warranty with each purchase of the Tri-Fold Truck Bed Cover, so you’ll always be covered should a problem arise. A lot of brands offer similar warranties but make it difficult to avail of them. Tyger Auto, however, prides itself on its willingness to provide repairs and replacements.

 

Cons

The Tyger Auto Tri-Fold Truck Bed Cover is supposed to be easy to install and, when you know what you’re doing, it is. The problem is that the instruction manual provided by the manufacturer is not nearly as clear as it needs to be.

 

What Consumers Say about the Tyger Tri-Fold Truck Bed Covers

• Really impressed with how it fits on my Dodge Ram. I live in Seattle where we get tons of different weather, and of course a ton of rain. My bed stays dry.
• I cannot believe the price on this cover. I installed it in under 10 minutes, it fits tight as a drum, the vinyl feels like truly high quality material, the edge stitching is straight and nicely done.
• Fit and finish is perfect on this cover. I have it on an 06 Ram 1500 long bed.
• I absolutely like this cover. I debated on which type to get and ultimately decided on this tri-fold over the other types offered.
• For the price you can’t beat this cover. I’m leaning towards a nice fiberglass topper but won’t be able to afford it this year. With this cover I was looking for an affordable way to keep my truck bed a dry storage place while I save up for my topper.

 

Summary

When the worst thing you can say about a product is that its manufacturer’s name is kind of silly, you can be sure that it’s a good product. The Tyger Auto Tri-Fold Truck Bed Cover is among the best truck bed covers on the market and won’t push your budget to its limits. If you want an inexpensive truck bed cover but aren’t willing to sacrifice the neat features that come along with high-end models, this is the way to go.

View Tyger Truck Bed Covers on Amazon

 

MaxMate Roll-Up Truck Bed Cover

 

Consumer Ratings (4.8 / 5)

If your decision to go with a truck bed cover rather than a tonneau cover is motivated by price alone, you’re going to want to pay careful attention to the MaxMate Roll-Up Truck Bed Cover. It’s admittedly pretty basic and doesn’t offer much more than the typical features, but it does what it is supposed to do and it does it well. In fact, it could be argued that the lack of any extravagant features on the Roll-Up Truck Bed Cover allowed the MaxMate design team to be more focused on the features it did include.

 

Features

• Weight of 25.9 pounds
• Heavy-duty aluminum side rails
• Over-the-bedrail bed liner
• No-Hassle 10 year warranty!
• Easy No-Drilling installation with the provided instruction
• Seals with Velcro strip on the sides and secures with latch lock system at the tailgate

 

Pros

MaxMate offers a 10-year warranty with every purchase of the Roll-Up Truck Bed Cover and will even provide you with a replacement if you accidentally order the wrong size (although you’ll be expected to cover the shipping costs in such a situation).

Again, if your main aim is to save as much money as possible, the MaxMate Roll-Up Truck Bed Cover is the truck bed cover for you. It generally sells for just under $170, which makes it the cheapest product on this list.

 

Cons

The MaxMate Roll-Up Truck Bed Cover is relatively easy to install, but that doesn’t mean it’s quick to install. While attaching it to your flatbed isn’t a complicated task, it will take you half an hour or so.

 

What Consumers Say about the MaxMate Roll Up Bed Covers

• Easy to install. Was able to have the cover installed in about an hour by myself. It seals very good to the truck bed.
• It has gone through some very heavy rain storms in California this winter, and the inside bed of the truck has stayed totally dry, which is one thing I was worried about. Recommend it without hesitation.
• Fits my 2003 Silverado LT Z71 perfectly and looks great! They forgot to send the instructions and warranty card but I figured it out after 15 minutes of fiddling with it and was done in 30 minutes total.
• I ordered this to use for a 1,000 mile move to a different State, expecting it to be a rudimentary solution that would only be better slightly better than using a tarp to keep things dry. I was pleasantly surprised by the quality and it was a perfect fit for my 2004 GMC Sierra 1500.
• Excellent value for the money! Took longer than I thought to install but wasn’t bad when once I figured out the front. Looks great too! I would buy it again.

 

Summary

Inexpensive without being cheap, the MaxMate Roll-Up Truck Bed Cover will provide you and your luggage with ultimate protection against the elements. Its low price, combined with its impressive 10-year warranty, will spare you both overspending and false economy.

View MaxMate Truck Bed Covers on Amazon

 

Gator Covers Tri-Fold Truck Bed Cover

 

Consumer Ratings (4.6 / 5)

Gator Covers deals exclusively in the manufacturing and retailing of truck bed and tonneau covers, so its offerings feature a level of detail not commonly achieved by most of its competitors. The brand’s Tri-Fold Truck Bed Cover is its finest truck bed cover by a significant margin and more than holds its own against Gator Covers tonneau covers.

 

Features

• Weight of 30 pounds
• Aluminum frame
• Tool Free Installation and Includes Tailgate Seal
• Sits on top of bed rail to help keep water out of your bed
• Made in the USA – Limited Lifetime Warranty

 

Pros

The Tri-Fold Truck Bed Cover is composed of only the finest materials, including tear-resistant vinyl that is guaranteed to hold up under all sorts of pressure and strain.

For American pickup truck drivers, the Gator Tri-Fold Truck Bed Cover has the added appeal of being designed and manufactured in the USA. When you purchase this truck bed cover, you are stimulating the US economy and aiding American workers just like yourself.

 

Cons

There aren’t many who have purchased the Gator Covers Tri-Fold Truck Bed Cover who have anything bad to say about it. Those who do, however, complain that the vinyl can be pretty noisy and flap in the wind when driving at anything above an average speed.

 

What Consumers Say about the Gator Tri-Fold Bed Cover

• Love this cover, extremely light weight, very easy to put on/take off, keeps the bed dry!
• We bought this cover because we were going on aroad trip. It flaps alittle bit in the middle and its not completely flat in the middle. I’m not sure if that’s how its supposed to be…. but other than that I love it. Its water proof too.
• Ordered this because we had to haul a bunk bed a few states away in winter where snow and rain were a definite possibility. This came super fast and was easy to install. It fit our double cab Silverado perfectly. Easy to fold up, too. No trace of moisture got in our load! So far, very happy with the purchase.
• This truck bed cover is a QUALITY, SUPERB product! Fit my husbands 2017 Chevrolet Silverado Texas Edition. DURABLE, SNUG, PERFECT FIT, and COMPLETELY WATERPROOF!
• This is a good, not great product. I guess for the price, I shouldn’t expect too much? The vinyl is more than adequate for a soft tonneau cover and the aluminum structure is also decent enough to do the job.

 

Summary

With only minor faults and a whole lot of pros, the Gator Covers Tri-Fold Truck Bed Cover is up there with the best on the market. In many ways, it’s closer to a tonneau cover than a truck bed cover, and can only be differentiated as the latter by its price tag.

View Gator Truck Bed Covers on Amazon

 

Lund Genesis Tri-Fold Truck Bed Cover

 

Consumer Ratings (4.4 / 5)

Lund has long been recognized as one of the premiere manufacturers of tonneau covers and truck bed covers in the world, a reputation of which it is more than deserving. The good folks on the Lund design team pay careful attention to every truck cover they produce and almost every offering they have given us has been worthy of a place on this list.

It is the Lund Genesis Tri-Fold Truck Bed Cover, however, that is deserving of the most attention. This is a testament to Lund’s ability to adapt and innovate as the years go by and is a great option if you want a premium quality truck bed cover for the price of a budget alternative.

 

Features

• Custom fit
• Made in the USA
• Limited lifetime warranty on frame and cover
• Heavy-duty bows and rails
• Tri-fold opening allows easy access to cargo
• Comes completely assembled and installs in under five minute
• Made of double-sided; tear resistant fabric with black leather-look finish for superior strength

 

Pros

Installing a truck bed cover can be a surprisingly challenging task if you’ve never done it before, especially if the cover in question requires assembly when you take it out of the box. Thankfully, that won’t be a problem with the Lund Genesis Tri-Fold Truck Bed Cover. This truck bed cover comes pre-assembled, which means it can be attached to your vehicle’s flatbed in just a matter of minutes.

Despite its low price, the Lund Genesis Tri-Fold Truck Bed Cover is composed of only the finest materials. Its exterior, for example, boasts double-sided high-quality vinyl to reduce the risk of the tarp tearing or fracturing under pressure.

 

Cons

The Lund Genesis Tri-Fold Truck Bed Cover fits a little too loose to the frame, which means it tends to flap in the wind when you’re driving. This creates a surprising amount of noise and can be more than a little distracting, so if you value your peace and quiet while you drive, you should consider taking your search for the best truck bed cover for you elsewhere.

 

What Consumers Say about the Lund Tri-Fold Truck Bed Cover

• I just installed this on a new (for me) Ford F150. I had one on an older truck of mine for the past 8 years and loved it. My new truck came with a spotless $500 Truxedo cover which I immediately sold (for more than the cost of the Lund) and replaced with this one.
• I’m in my bed countless times every day, and the tri-fold is the ONLY way to go. With the really slick latching design, this one pops off in a minute if you need the full bed space, and can be reinstalled just as quickly.
• I was looking for a rolling or folding cover that was easy to remove to allow for large loads. This cover can be removed by one person in 30 seconds. the leading edge is attached under the bed rails using a cam lever style handle.
• Fits perfect on my 2013 F-150 FX4 extended cab. I have owned it for 8 months now and no leaks. Great for the price.

 

Summary

It’s rare to see a quality truck bed cover from a recognized brand such as Lund selling for so little, so if you’re hoping to save a bit of money you should cling on to the Genesis Tri-Fold Truck Bed Cover and never let it go. The double-sided vinyl of which it is composed makes it almost impervious to external force while its specially designed fit causes snow and rainfall to roll right off it, so you won’t have to worry about your gear getting drenched when driving in bad weather.

View more Details of Lund Truck Bed Covers on Amazon

 

Tonno Pro Fold Black Tri-Fold Truck Cover

 

Consumer Ratings (4 / 5)

If you conducted any research on truck bed covers before coming to this article, you’ve most likely heard of Tonno Pro. For those who haven’t, Tonno Pro is another brand that deals exclusively in the designing and manufacturing of tonneau covers and during the time it has been in business it has managed to establish itself as a giant in the industry. The Tonno Pro Fold Black Tri-Fold Truck Cover furthers the brand’s legacy of excellence.

 

Features

• 6063 aluminum black powder coated frame
• Weight of 34 pounds
• Watertight rubber seal
• Limited Lifetime Warranty
• Double sided tear-resistant marine grade vinyl
• Black textured finish is the highest standard in the industry
• Easy installation in 10 minutes or less with no drilling required

 

Pros

The folks at Tonno Pro designed the Fold Black Tri-Fold Truck Cover to be as compact as possible, giving it a space-saving feature not offered by most truck bed covers. This cover can be handily folded and stored inside your vehicle when not in use.

Over the years, Tonno Pro has developed a reputation for generosity which is furthered by the Fold Black Tri-Fold Truck Cover. When you purchase this truck bed cover, you will be rewarded with a variety of free gifts including a TonnoTorch detachable LED bed light and a pair of Pro Gloves.

 

Cons

The Tonno Pro Fold Black Tri-Fold Truck Cover is the most expensive product on this list. Selling for almost $300, it makes you wonder if those free gifts really are free.

 

What Consumers Say about the Tonno Pro Tri-Fold Bed Cover

• For this price it’s a 5 star, it’s well built and looks great while protecting my stuff from wind and weather.
• It is very durable and heavy duty. I not a strong woman and I am able to easily open and close it from the side of the truck bed. My husband installed it quickly.
• Much better than I thought. I am very happy and recommend it often. Bed stays DRY! And I mean Dry. I never would have believed it. It’s easy to put on and off in about 3 minutes.
• I’ve had this cover for about 8 or 9 months now. I really like it. It’s very easy to take on and off the truck by one person. The front clamps have thumb knobs that hold it on.
• I had this same brand on my last truck and it lasted 12 years, I highly recommend this truck bed cover.

 

Summary

It would be easy to cross the Tonno Pro Fold Black Tri-Fold Truck Cover off your shopping list because of its high price, but it deserves a fair hearing before you eliminate it from competition. For the near $300 Tonno Pro asks you to spend on its product, you get a truck bed cover that could rival any tonneau cover when it comes to securing your luggage and protecting it from threats. Of all the truck bed covers on this list, the Tonno Pro Fold Black Tri-Fold Truck Cover will provide the greatest protection from thieves and curious children. 

More Details for Tonno Bed Covers on Amazon

 

Final Word

Settling on the right truck bed cover can be pretty difficult, but you can be certain that any of the models featured on this top 5 list will give you everything you need and more to protect your flatbed and its contents.

For thrifty truckers, the MaxMate Roll-Up Truck Bed Cover offers all basic truck bed cover features and, when properly maintained, will last you for tens of thousands of miles. On the other end of the price spectrum, there is the Tonno Pro Fold Black Tri-Fold Truck Cover, which will set you back a bit more, but will it’ll give you the peace of mind that only the absolute best can provide. Our advice is to go for the middle ground if you’re on a budget.

Something like the Lund Genesis Tri-Fold Truck Bed Cover will protect your gear from all likely threats for a fraction of the cost of the Tonno Pro alternative. It may not last you quite as long, but it will leave you with an some extra money in your pocket. It’s really your choice which one is best for you.