Most Common Types of Tonneau Covers Explained

April 12, 2022December 5, 2023 The Mechanic Doctor

Finding the right tonneau cover involves focusing on several factors, including how easy to use the cover is, the amount of security it provides, the price, and many more. However, one thing that, by far, is the most important factor, will be our topic for discussion today.

Yes, we will be exploring the most common types of tonneau cover, share what’s good and bad about each, and give the information you need before deciding on one particular type.

Let’s jump into It!

Types Of Tonneau Cover & Their Uses

There are of course more than just these many truck bed covers types, but we focused on the common and more popular categories. Let’s find out what’s the good and bad sides of each of these tonneau cover types one by one.

1. Retractable Tonneau Cover – Allows Preferable Exposure of Bed With Ample Security

A retractable cover is one of the categories of tonneau cover that can retract itself. As well as towards the truck bed. It can be either soft or hard type.

And people who focus on getting a good amount of protection for the truck bed love this type, specifically, the hard ones are better at giving ample security compared to the soft type.

One of the major great things about retractable tonneau cover is that you can have a part of the bed exposed, and it’s up to you which part exactly. And that just makes it easier for carrying items that could be of varying sizes. You can open the large cargo consisting area when using this type of tonneau cover.

The only problem is that it will take quite a bit of bed space.

2. Folding Tonneau Cover – Perfect for Loading Different Sized Items at Once

This one is probably the most popular tie of the tonneau cover to exist. And it is due to the availability of various designs. You can work with a trifold design when using a folding tonneau cover. And there’s also the flexibility of using the bifold design for two places folding.

There is a style with this type that even gives you the flexibility of folding in more than 3 places. You can find both hard and soft categories with this type. Of course, the best material for tonneau cover is considered the hard one. And so, truck bed hardcovers will give better protection.

Because you can fold parts or parts with this cover type, accessing a certain area of the bed is simpler. And that just makes carrying different-sized objects easier. It could be a bulky awkward-shaped item.

Or even the small-sized ones. You can expose the bulkier ones without having to expose the small cargo-loaded areas.

Fold covers however sit over the rail. Which look-wise is not favorable to many out there.

3. Hinged Tonneau Cover – Great in Terms of Visuals Too

The mechanism with a hinged tongue cover includes no folding nor retracting action. Instead, this is the type that will require a push for opening up. Again, you can find both hard and soft variants with this type. It is also one of the solid one-piece tonneau cover categories.

Many truck owners don’t enjoy the sight of folded or retract covers. I prefer the hinged style for visual attractiveness. There is no division into pieces. And so, the overall look of the vehicle is cleaner as well as classier. And if you use matching colors to paint the covers, it just further appeals to the whole vibe.

The issue with the hinged tonneau cover is that you cannot carry awkward shape or size items in it. The cargo must be beneath the lid, inside. And that could be seen as a limitation for those who are used to carrying varying sizes and shapes.

4. Snap Tonneau Cover – Any Type Of Cargo Friendly Option

The snap type of tonneau cover comes with a specific clamp mechanism for attaching to the frame of the vehicle or truck bed. Again, you can get both hard and soft variants with this style of tonneau cover.

This one is also great for accessing a certain part of the truck as the unclamping mechanism allows that. And so, you can carry any height or size of cargo with your vehicle using the snap tonneau cover type.

Protection benefits are also there. Just one problem that we feel makes a tonneau cover slightly disappointing, is that it’s not super simple to install and the steel area is a bit confusing sometimes.

5. Roll Up Tonneau Cover – Access to More Truck Bed Options

Also known as the rolling tonneau cover, this category of covers can roll up to itself. And it’s similar to how a mat would work. Here too you can find both hard and soft types of covers.

The price of the soft roll-up covers is less expensive compared to the hard ones. But with the hard roll-up tonneau cover will be able to secure better and that justifies the price.

The roll-up design is perfect for anyone who needs more truck bed options. There’s no fold or panel limitation surrounding you with this type. You can go with any preferable extension for exposing the truck bed. And it can be from the truck’s open end to the bulkhead. As a result, this type is one of the most versatile types of tonneau cover.

The drawback with this type, on the other hand, is about maintaining tautness. There can be sagginess and movement if you by mistake get the wrong length cover. Also, with passing time, weather-caused degradation is much quicker with roll-up types.

6. Electric Tonneau Cover – Easy Opening/Closing Mechanism

The name already suggests that this type of tonneau cover runs through electricity powering. And there’s an inbuilt mechanism that allows the opening or closing of the cover. You will find a button for triggering the mechanism.

Retracting to a distance is possible with the brake provided. And you can even find models that provide illumination facilities to use during nighttime. The provided remote module should give the flexibility of using the light.

This tonneau cover type is super convenient to use and the best part is you have to do nothing apart from using the provided remote. Less work and more operation are what this type provides. And it gives the most benefits of other tongue cover types.

But be ready to put more effort into maintaining the electric type of tonneau cover. Also, to install it, you will need the help of another person as it’s hard to do alone.

7. Tool Box Tonneau Cover – With the Convenience of a Handy Tool Box

And the final type of tonneau cover is called the toolbox tonneau cover. From the name itself you can tell that this one comes with an integrated toolbox. So, it is one of the more popular options that truck owners love.

There’s hardly any other type of tonneau cover that comes with the compatibility of the toolbox. You can enjoy all the benefits of a truck bed cover along with having a handy toolbox.

However, this type is quite bulky, so you will find it hard to remove compared to all the other types.

Frequently Asked Questions?

What is the most secure tonneau cover?

The strongest tonneau cover that provides the most security would be the one-piece painted ones. And this is because there are anti-theft design locks that come with it. You can access the tailgate only by unlocking the cover and that just adds another layer of protection.

Can you use a tonneau cover with a bed liner?

Most of the tonneau cover categories allow using spray-on and under-the-rail liners for bed without trouble. However, with the retractable type, you need to trim the liner at the bulkhead. Also, an over-the-rail bed liner will require spending more effort as well as time.

Do tonneau covers save gas?

There can be a 6% drag reduction on gross by using a tonneau cover. This drag reduction helps with increasing overall fuel efficiency. And though it’s not a lot, there are still some gas-saving benefits to know about.

How much should I spend on a tonneau cover?

It will depend on how premium the cover is as well as the features accompanying it. However, for soft covers, you may need to spend between 100 to 500 dollars, however for hard tonnage covers, expect a cost between 500 t0 2000 dollars.

Wrapping Up

Now that was all common types of tonneau cover you should know about. Apart from the category, you also need to pay attention to a few other factors which are:

Ample weather protection to fight different climate-relevant effects.
Good protection provides the ability to keep items safe.
No movement of the cargo.
A decent look at the overall vehicle.
The ability to expand in need.
Able to handle light, medium, or heavy-duty cargo depending on your need.

And so on…

You want to check some tonneau cover reviews, find more in-depth about the important factors and think carefully about all the necessary aspects that you look for in a tonneau cover. Hopefully, you will make a wise investment in getting one of these crucial pickup truck accessories.