TRUCK Bed Covers In AUstin TX

Tonneau Covers Guide

Truck Bed Covers Tonneau Covers Austin TX

Truck bed covers come in numerous styles from a large variety of manufacturers. This guide provides the pros and cons of the most common tonneau covers on the market, though this list is by no means comprehensive and variations will occur between individual brands and models. For additional information, we highly recommend consulting the experts at your local truck accessories store. Have questions? Need advice? Click Request-A-Quote to have one of our automotive customization experts contact you to help guide you through this process. Note: Information is subject to change. Always consult the product manufacturer's web page for the most up-to-date and accurate information prior to making any purchase.

Why Do You Need A Bed Cover?

There are many reasons to invest in a truck bed cover, protecting cargo often being first. Here are the top reasons you should consider making the decision to purchase.

  • Prevents/deters theft of cargo
  • Protects cargo from the elements (rain, snow, sun, etc.)
  • Provides additional workspace (certain rigid-cover models)
  • Space for camping accommodations (truck caps)

Types of Bed Covers

While the following list is certainly not all-encompassing, it does represent the major categories of bed covers you may wish to compare when shopping around. Continue on to learn more about our top picks for each type of bed cover. Click a link from list below to skip directly that section.

  • Roll-Up Bed Covers (Soft)
  • Roll-Up Bed Covers (Hard)
  • Retractable Bed Covers (Manual)
  • Retractable Bed Covers (Powered)
  • Folding Bed Covers
  • One-Piece Bed Covers
  • Truck Caps / Camper Shells

Considerations

Ultimately your intended use of your vehicle/truck bed will help guide your decision as to which bed cover is most appropriate. However, the following categories are the major points to consider when selecting a bed cover. We will review each type of bed cover against each of these considerations, among others.

  • Cost
  • Difficulty of Installation
  • Profile
  • Bed Space
  • Security
  • Protection from the elements
  • Opening/closing mechanism
  • Weight of bed cover
  • Ability to support weight

Which Bed Cover Is Right For You?

Roll-Up Bed Covers (Soft)

Pros

  • Lowest cost
  • Easiest to install
  • Lowest profile (does not obstruct driver's rear view when retracted)
  • Consumes the least amount of bed space
  • Lightest option

Cons

  • Least secure. Often constructed of fabric with velcro or snap buttons on along the edges. 
  • Can't support much weight atop of the bed cover
  • Offers least protection from the elements (rain, snow, etc.)
  • Must be manually opened/closed

Recommended Brands & Models

TruXedo TruXport Roll Up Bed Cover
TruXport

TruXedo

Recommended Value Option

Features
Leather Grain Fabric
Mounts Over Top Of Bed Rails
5 Year Warranty

More Info
TruXedo Lo Pro Roll Up Bed Cover
Lo Pro

TruXedo

 Recommended Mid-Level Option

Features
Industrial Grade Leather Grain
Automatic Tension Control 
Lifetime Warranty

More Info
TruXedo Pro X15 Roll Up Bed Cover
Pro X15

TruXedo

Recommended Premium Option

Features
Superior Grade Matte Black Fabric
Automatic Tension Control
Lifetime Warranty

More Info

Roll-Up Bed Covers (Hard)

Pros

  • Lower cost (more than rolling/soft covers but generally less than all other types)
  • Easy to install
  • Low profile (does not obstruct driver's rear view when retracted)
  • Consumes very little bed space (slightly more than soft covers)
  • Light weight

Cons

  • Less secure. Often secured with velcro or snap buttons on along the edges. 
  • Less durable than most options, but may support limited weight atop the bed cover (more than soft covers, less than hard folding)
  • Offers the less protection from the elements (rain, snow, etc.) than other types
  • Must be manually opened/closed

Recommended Brands & Models

BAK Revolver X2 Truck Bed Cover
Revolver X2

BAK

Recommended Value Option

Features
Hard Aluminum Slats
Easy One-Handed Rolling Design
3 Year Warranty

More Info
TruXedo Century CT Rolling Bed Cover
Century CT

TruXedo

 Recommended Mid-Level Option

Features
Premium Matte Black Woven Fabric
Heavy-Duty Matte Black Aluminum Slats
5 Year Warranty

More Info
BAK Revolver X4 Roll Up Bed Cover
Revolver X4

BAK

Recommended Premium Option

Features
Interlocking Aluminum & Heavy Duty Vinyl
Can Hold Up To 400 Lbs
5 Year Warranty

More Info

Retractable Bed Covers (Manual)

Pros

  • Low profile (does not obstruct driver's rear view when retracted)
  • Can lock in any position
  • Great protection from the elements (rain, snow, etc.)
  • More secure than rolling/soft overs
  • Typically supports more weight atop of bed cover. May be used for additional workspace (model dependent).

Cons

  • More expensive (more than rolling/folding but less than electronic covers)
  • More complex to install (more difficult than most rolling/folding models but easier than electronic covers)
  • Heavier than most other models
  • Consumes more bed space than than roll-up (soft) bed covers or folding covers
  • Must be manually opened/closed

Recommended Brands & Models

Roll-N-Lock M-Series Truck Bed Cover
M-Series

Roll-N-Lock

Recommended Value Option

Features
Vinyl Over Aluminum
Most Compact Canister Available
3 Year Warranty

More Info
RertraxONE MX Retractable Bed Cover
RertraxONE MX

Retrax

 Recommended Mid-Level Option

Features
Rigid Polycarbonate Construction
Durable Matte Powdercoat Finish
1 Year Full / Limited Lifetime Warranty

More Info
RetraxPRO MX Retractable Bed Cover
RetraxPRO MX

Retrax

Recommended Premium Option

Features
Heavy-Duty Aluminum Slats
Durable Matte Powdercoat Finish
"Legendary Lifetime Warranty"

More Info

Retractable Bed Covers (Powered)

Pros

  • Automatically opens/closes (usually with a remote control)
  • Low profile (does not obstruct driver's rear view when retracted)
  • Can lock in any position
  • Great protection from the elements (rain, snow, etc.)
  • More secure than rolling/soft overs
  • Typically supports more weight atop of bed cover. May be used for additional workspace (model dependent).

Cons

  • More expensive (more than rolling/folding but less than electronic covers)
  • Most complex to install (requires installing tracks and wiring)
  • Heavier than most other models
  • Consumes more bed space than than roll-up (soft) bed covers or folding covers

Recommended Brands & Models

PowertraxONE MX Power Retractable Cover
PowertraxONE MX

Retrax

 Recommended Mid-Level Option

Features
Rigid Polycarbonate Construction
Durable Matte Powdercoat Finish
3 Year Full Warranty

More Info
Roll-N-Lock M-Series Truck Bed Cover
E-Series

Roll-N-Lock

Recommended Mid-Level Option

Features
Matte Black, Powder-Coated Aluminum
Compact Canister Sits Just 7 ¼” Deep
5 Year Limited Warranty

More Info
RetraxPRO MX Powered Retractable Bed Cover
PowertraxPRO MX

Retrax

Recommended Premium Option

Features
Heavy-Duty Aluminum Slats
Durable Matte Powdercoat Finish
1 Year Full / Limited Lifetime Warranty

More Info

Folding Bed Covers

Pros

  • Can lock in any position
  • Great protection from the elements (rain, snow, etc.)
  • More secure than rolling/soft overs
  • Typically supports more weight atop of bed cover. May be used for additional workspace (model dependent).
  • Moderately priced (more than rolling covers, less than retractable covers)
  • Easy to install

Cons

  • High profile. Often blocks drivers rear view when folded in fully open position.
  • Consumes more bed space than than roll-up bed covers.
  • Must be manually opened/closed
  • Generally requires no tailgate to bed opened to unlock bed cover (no key to bed cover)

Recommended Brands & Models

UnderCover Triad Folding Bed Cover
Triad

UnderCover

Recommended Value Option

Features
Aluminum Panels w/ Matte Finish
Holds Up To 600 Lbs
3 Year Warranty

More Info
BAKFlip MX4 Folding Truck Bed Cover
MX4

BAKFlip

Recommended Mid-Level Option

Features
Aluminum Panels w/ Matte Finish
Holds Up To 400 Lbs
5 Year Warranty

More Info
RetraxPRO MX Powered Retractable Bed Cover
F1

BAKFlip

Recommended Premium Option

Features
 Fiberglass Reinforced Polymer
Holds Up To 400 Lbs
5 Year Warranty

More Info

One Piece Bed Covers

Pros

  • Great protection from the elements (rain, snow, etc.)
  • More secure than rolling/soft overs
  • Typically supports more weight atop of bed cover. May be used for additional workspace (model dependent).
  • Often available in color-matched paint

Cons

  • More expensive
  • High profile when opened. Blocks drivers rear view.
  • Often prohibits transporting oversized (tall) cargo 
  • Must be manually opened/closed
  • Difficult to install
  • Heavier than most other models

Recommended Brands & Models

SE

UnderCover

Recommended Value Option

Features
Scratch Resistant ABS Composite Material
Easy To Install/Remove - Only 58 LBS
3 Yr Structure / 1 Yr Parts & Hardware Warranty
 

More Info
LUX

UnderCover

Recommended Mid-Level Option

Features
ABS Composite w/ Paint-Match
Lifetime Paint & Structure Warranty
1 Year Parts & Hardware Warranty
 

More Info
Elite LX

UnderCover

Recommended Premium Option

Features
ABS Composite w/ Paint-Match
Premium Carpet Headliner
Lifetime Paint & Structure Warranty
1 Year Parts & Hardware Warranty

More Info

Truck Caps (Camper Shells)

Pros

  • Great protection from the elements (rain, snow, etc.)
  • More secure than rolling/soft overs
  • Typically supports more weight atop of bed cover. May be used for additional workspace (model dependent).
  • Often available in color-matched paint or modern matte-black finish
  • Provides greatest amount of interior (enclosed) storage space

Cons

  • Most expensive option
  • High profile. Obstructs driver's rear view.
  • Often prohibits transporting oversized (tall) cargo
  • Difficult to install
  • Heaviest option
RSI SMARTCAP

SMARTCAP

Recommended Value Option

Features
Forged Stainless Steel
Matte-Black Automotive Paint
Gullwing Side Doors w/Slider Windows
Holds Up To 770 Lbs
3 Year Warranty

More Info
RSI SMARTCAP

SMARTCAP

Recommended Premium Option

Features
Forged Stainless Steel
Matte-Black Automotive Paint
Gullwing Side Doors w/MOLLE Panels
Holds Up To 770 Lbs
3 Year Warranty

More Info
RSI SMARTCAP

SMARTCAP

Recommended Commerciall Option

Features
Forged Stainless Steel
OE White Automotive Paint
Gullwing Side Doors w/ Slider Windows
Holds Up To 770 Lbs
3 Year Warranty

More Info

Automotive customization can be complicated. Mistakes can be costly. We highly recommend consulting an expert before purchasing or installing aftermarket accessories.

Live in Austin, Round Rock, Georgetown, Cedar Park, Leander, Lago Vista, Marble Falls or surrounding areas? We're happy to answer any questions and provide a quote. Request-A-Quote below to have one of our Automotive Customization Experts contact you.

Disclaimer: The information contained on this website is provided for your convenience only. All information is presumed to be accurate at the time of publishing. Note that significant variances may occur within each year/make/model/submodel. Automotive manufacturers frequently change and update parts and specifications. Accordingly, always consult your vehicle manufacturer and parts manufacturer for the most up-to-date information related to part's fitment and use. To the maximum extent permissible by law, Trident Motorsports shall not be held liable for any errors or omissions, including any outdated, inaccurate or misprinted information.