A pickup truck is a great vehicle to have when you want to transport and carry things from one place to another. It has a huge bed on its back that can accommodate a number of things depending upon its capacity.
However, everything kept here remains exposed to the outside atmosphere. As a result, things stored on the bed can get dirty or damaged during movement.
We have picked out the 7 best hard folding tonneau cover in terms of their features and qualities based on our extensive research. Each has its own style and perk, so carefully read our review section to find out!
Table of Contents
How Do Tonneau Covers Work?
Tonneau covers are designed in a special manner so that they can cover up the entire top portion of the bed of a pickup truck. The way in which you can use this item and set it up is provided below:
Measure the Truck Bed
To do this, you will need a tape measure. With the help of the tape, measure the length and width of the truck bed starting at the inner side of the bulk head moving towards the inside of the pick up box.
Set up the Cover
After purchasing a tonneau cover that matches the measurements of your truck bed, put the cover rails on the inside of the bed on both sides. Use clamps to fix the rails in place. Finally, secure the cover properly by making use of bolts.
Lock the Cover
A lot of brands offer an automatic latch feature with their hard covers. These latches secure the cover in place by itself when it is properly installed. If the automatic system is not provided, follow the instruction manual of your purchased product to know how to lock it manually.
Ready for Use
Once you have followed the above steps, the cover can be unfolded to load the truck bed and folded once its down. This helps to shield the things kept on the bed from thieves and external damage. It also protects the materials kept on the truck bed from bad weather and dirt.
7 Best Hard Folding Tonneau Cover Reviews
Since we have already explained what a tonneau is used for, we won’t make you wait any longer. You will find a comprehensive review of our 7 top picks below:
1. Gator EFX Hard Tri-Fold Truck Bed Tonneau Cover
If you are looking for a hard tonneau cover for your Ford truck, then you have come to the right place. The first pick on our list from Gator is perfectly suitable for 2015-2020 Ford F-150 models having a bed of 5 ft. 5 inches.
In fact, the protection provided by this cover is very strong and reliable. It is made up of heavy-duty aluminum, which is provided with the mechanism of automatic locking when closed. The panel is also provided with a coat of a black powder that makes the panel resistant to scratches and UV rays.
In addition to being durable and long-lasting, this tonneau is also provided with a low profile design that does not create an overbearing look of your truck. It sits right on top of the bed and is mounted on the inside of the bed rails creating a subtle look that does not make it too noticeable.
Moreover, the cover is extremely easy to install and takes only 30 minutes. No additional tools are needed for doing this job.
Pros
- Very easy to install
- Resistant to water, dust, and snow
- Subtle design which is not too overbearing
- Durable
Cons
- Cover tends to flap while driving at a high speed
- Noisy when truck moves too fast
2. MaxMate Low Profile Soft Roll Up Truck Bed Tonneau Cover for 2009-2019
This easily foldable truck bed cover from Max Mate is the perfect solution towards protecting all the things kept at the back of your truck. Moreover, this model is specifically meant to cover the specifications to be a 2009-2019 Dodge Ram 1500 tonneau cover.
It can fit a bed having the dimensions of 5 ft. 7 inches. Its design is completely unique and under a patent, which makes it a product worth investing in.
The main construction material of this cover is heavy-duty marine-grade vinyl, which weighs about 24 oz. it is also equipped with horizontal crossbars that come as an accessory with the tonneau and provide support when the cover is lying flat.
In order to mount it on the truck bed, you can use the stainless steel clamps provided with it for proper mounting. The roll-up tonneau cover can easily be wrapped by rolling to pick up anything you need from the bed. And its rails are sealed with aluminum, which ensures a better grade of protection.
Pros
- Equipped with a latch lock system on its tailgate
- Cover is fully wrinkly free
- Easy to install
- Can be rolled easily
Cons
- Might contain some gap to let water in if not adjusted properly
- The latch system tends to malfunction
3. BAK BAKFlip MX4 Hard Folding Truck Bed Tonneau Cover
If you are curious about the best rated hard folding tonneau covers for a Silverado or a Sierra truck, then look no further. BAK Bakflip brings forth a high-quality hardcover that is easily foldable.
It is specifically suitable for a 2019-20 model of GM Silverado and Sierra 1500 truck. Therefore, it can fit a bed having a size of 5 ft. 8 inches. Its body is made of durable aluminum panels that give your items on the bed maximum protection.
The panel also locks itself automatically when the cover is placed properly on the bed. And when the tonneau gets closed fully, the materials on your bed are protected with its locked tailgate.
On top of this, a matte finish coating is provided over the aluminum panel protecting it from scratches and marks. It also enables protection against damage from UV rays.
Pros
- Cover can be locked in either partially closed or fully closed position
- Made of aluminum
- Protected against UV rays
- Very easy to install
Cons
- Unimpressive packaging
- Holes on the cover are drilled at the wrong angle
4. Tonno Pro Hard Fold, Hard Folding Truck Bed Tonneau Cover
The hardcover folding tonneau from Tonno is a great product suitable for Ford trucks. But keep in mind that it is only compatible with the 2015-2020 models of Ford F-150.
But it has a dimension of 5 ft. 5 inches, so any other vehicle having the same bed size can make use of this cover. The cover is extremely long-lasting and made of strong aluminum panels. Also, the panel is coated with a marine-grade vinyl overlay.
Due to such a durable construction, the cover can withstand tough weather. It also has the ability to endure weights up to 350 pounds. Moreover, installing it is quite simple. All you need to do is follow the instructions on the manual, and you will be done in 10 minutes.
The cover comes with pre-assembled rail clamps, which makes the procedure of installation even easier. In addition, it requires no drilling to fit this tonneau.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Does not require drilling
- Long-lasting and strong
- Protects cargo against bad weather
Cons
- Hinges are not properly designed
- Water might leak is due to the imperfect hinges
5. Undercover Flex Hard Folding Truck Bed Tonneau Cover
Most of the tonneau covers that we have mentioned till now were only meant for Ford and Silverado trucks. But the fifth pick on our list takes note of the other models including the Sierra brand and the Chevrolet model from Silverado.
The Undercover Flex Hardcover tonneau is specifically compatible with the 19-20 model of Chevrolet and GMC Sierra 1500. Therefore, it is quite big and can fit on a bed measuring 6 ft. 6 inches.
In order to allow you complete access to the cargo in the bed, the cover can be driven under three different positions, namely closed, partially closed and fully open.
Moreover, it can be folded in its upright position with the help of its dual prop rods. This prevents it from lying flat on the rear of the cab. The cover comes in a glossy black color that gives it a subtle and low profile appearance. As a result, the truck’s bed looks natural.
Not only this, but its edges are also fully sealed to prevent any sort of water leakage.
Pros
- Made of aluminum
- Tailgate can be shut without lifting the cover
- Attractive design
- Allows bed access in three different forms
Cons
- Does not work well in snowy environments
- Unstable
6. Lyon cover 5.5ft 67.1 inches Hard Tri-Fold Truck pickup Bed for 2015-2019 Ford F150 Tonneau Cover
While purchasing this hardcover from Lyon, keep in mind that it does not work well with truck models having factory utility track system and roll bars. Despite this, it is still one of the best hardtop tri-fold tonneau covers.
It is suited for Ford trucks under the model F150. And it can fit a bed having the specifications of 5.5 ft 67.1 inches. The best part about having this cover is, it is equipped with an LED lamp that allows you to check your cargo in the dark.
This bed cover is of premium and high quality and works well against rainy weather. It protects the bed from water leakages, and its exterior is completely waterproof. In addition, it is also resistant to snow and truck.
The material of the cover is treated with electrophoretic to make it resistant to rust and corrosion. Therefore, this product is a highly durable and worthy investment.
Pros
- Easy installation process
- Drilling is not required
- Lightweight
- Contains an LED lamp
Cons
- The size mentioned on the packaging is a bit less than the actual product
- Instruction manual does not contain proper guidelines
7. Deebior 1pc 5Ft(59.8″-60.5″) Hard Tri Fold Truck Bed Tonneau Cover
Another unique product on this list comes from Deebior and is meant to fit on Toyota trucks specifically under the model Tacoma. Its featured size is about 5 ft. 60.5 inches and therefore cannot fit with a bed having specifications any different.
Moreover, before purchasing this cover, make sure to check whether your truck has a factory utility track system or a roll bar. It fits with the first type and is incompatible with the latter.
This is a tri-fold tonneau cover and made of aluminum. It can endure tough weather and is resistant to water and dust. The cover is also equipped with an LED lamp that allows you to access your cargo even when you are driving in the dark.
Moreover, the load-bearing capacity of this tonneau is about 350 pounds, which makes it quite durable and long-lasting.
Pros
- Easy to use
- LED lamp provided
- Extremely durable
- Made of aluminum
Cons
- Vague instruction manual provided
- Water tends to leak when not fixed properly
What to Look for Before Buying?
Knowing which one is a good hard folding tonneau cover can be difficult to know at first glance. Especially if you are someone who has never used one before, you might venture out into this unknown territory with no prior knowledge of what makes a good tonneau cover.
To save you from this uncertainty, we have picked out the factors that you need to look for to make a great deal and not regret it later.
Satisfies Your Requirements
Make sure that the cover you are purchasing meets your needs. For example, if you are looking for something that can protect your belongings stored at the bed from snow, you must get a cover that is capable of providing protection against it.
On the other hand, some covers are not very good with water and might let water sip through its gaps. You might not want to purchase this type if you leave in a rain prone area.
Provides Adequate Safety
Make sure that the tonneau cover you are going for is strong enough and covers your valuable cargo properly against thieves. It should also provide proper ventilation not to spoil some of the items.
Resistant to All Types of Weather
Some tonneau covers are made for excitement lovers and work as an all in one item. If you are someone who frequently likes to travel or go camping, you should purchase a cover that can endure different types of weather, starting from rain, snow, storms, heat, and so on.
It should also be able to protect the cargo stored on your bed from dust accumulation.
Easy to Access
It is important to own a tonneau cover that can be opened both partially and fully. This provides you better accessibility, and you are able to check the items without completely opening up the cover.
Simple Installation Process
Wasting a lot of time behind installing a tonneau cover can be exhausting. There are plenty of covers available out there that can be installed within minutes and does not require any additional tools. Usually, these can also be removed easily. Go for the ones that offer this ability.
Subtle and Low Profile
A tonneau cover that has an overbearing profile that does not compliment your truck at all will look tacky. So look for something that matches the appearance of your truck.
What Are Some Well Known Tonneau Cover Brands?
Due to the nature of consumer behavior, only the products that are of the best quality gain popularity among the user base. Therefore, some well-known brands that have earned much fame due to their extraordinary service include Lyon, Tonno, Max Mate, UnderCover, and so on.
In fact, most of the brands mentioned on this list are quite famous and of good quality. Besides the ones included in our top 7 picks, brands like Tyger, TruXedo, and American Tonneau Company are also well-known.
In case you like products that are exclusively made in the USA, you should look for where the product is made before buying it. Some well-known US manufacturers are Lund and the American Tonneau Company.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What procedure do I need to follow in order to measure my truck bed before buying the cover?
Ans: In order to measure the specifications of your truck bed, you will require a tape measure. Using this instrument, you will have to quantify the length of the bed by starting from the inside of the bulkhead and ending towards the inside of the pick-up box.
Q: What is the standard installation procedure to fit Tonneau Covers?
Ans: At first, you will have to place the cover rails on the inside of the bed on both sides. These rails can be secured with the help of clamps. The next step is to tighten the cover and properly cover the bed with it by using bolts.
Q: What are the most crucial parts of a Tonneau Cover?
Ans: A tonneau cover needs to have its side rails, bolt,s, and clamps in order for it to get installed properly. So if these three parts are not in the best condition, you might face difficulties to install the cover.
Q: What are some of the best hardcover folding tonneau covers?
Ans: The top 7 picks mentioned on this list are very reliable and good for use. Besides these, some other well-known brands are Tyger, TruXedo, etc.
Q: How should I lock my tonneau cover?
Ans: Different brands follow a different locking mechanism. Some have automatic latch features while others require some particular tools for installation. Follow the instruction manual provided with your cover in order to know which method it follows.
Final Words
Knowing which the most suitable tonneau cover for your truck is can be difficult when you are inexperienced in this field. So to make things easier for you, we have listed down the 7 best hard folding tonneau cover for your convenience. We hope that the list will be helpful to you and you won’t be left disappointed.
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