Tonneau covers

I had an UnderCover hard tonneau in 3 trucks. It was an awesome cover that was light weight, I could walk on it, and kept the bed dry. 

Rolling hard top/hard top are the better options for security and water resistance. Most trucks have drainage holes in the front corners and the tailgates look water tight across the bottom but aren’t. So, if true water tight is what you’re after, consider sealing those spots. You can also build a short platform to keep belongings off the floor. Consider more weatherstripping/caulking if you want really water tight. The stuff included does pretty good but not great. Also, get covers for the stake bed pockets if your truck has them. 

Rolling hard tops are very secure.  There are a few cons though. They tend to be the most expensive of the options. They also take up a lot of room at the front of the truck bed. You can’t load a bike and use the front of the bed as your wheel chock because the tire will hit the cover. You need a spacer of some sort. 

The folding tonneau covers(usually a trifold) are a little less secure but still pretty good. Their downfall for bike loading is they store vertically above the truck bed which blocks the rear window while driving. Some of these are also fairly thick and act like insulation so it can keep the bed a little cooler. 

I have a soft, hand rolling type on my truck. It rolls small enough to be out of the way when I have bikes loaded. You can’t open the latching mechanism without dropping the tailgate. Someone could very easily tear it with a car key though, never mind a knife. It more of “Out of sight, out of mind” than actually secure. 

I've used them all and I've found that a simple roll up vynil one works about the best and takes up no room.....never had water issues with the vynil ones.....Truxedo is the brand I use from my dealer......not bad at keeping dust out also..... I believe from experience that simple is better....

It does pretty good. It has rails that clamp onto the top rails of the truck bed. There is Velcro on the attached rail and on the tonneau cover that keeps it snug while driving. I live in the Denver area which is pretty dry but when it rains hard or has melting snow on the roads I do get a little water in the bed. I believe that’s from the bottom of the tailgate when driving though, not the tonneau. I don’t have the pockets covered either so those are other possible entry points. Plus, I have not tried to add extra weatherstripping. I don’t usually store stuff in the bed so it’s not really an issue. If there is water expected the stuff that needs to stay dry goes in the cab. I love the soft, rolling tonneau but I bought it specifically to be able to load bikes and stay out of the way. I also tow a gooseneck on a regular basis. If security was my main priority I would have gone with the rolling hard top. 

I have a few buddies that have gone with the bed rug under the all different styles of tonneaus to keep skis and snowboards from getting damaged bouncing around in the bed. They’ve gone to pretty decent lengths to keep beds water resistant. As a whole they do good but usually about once a year they get some water in there and have to pull bed rugs out and let them dry for a couple days.  I think if you go with the attitude that it’s still a truck bed and it might get some moisture you’ll be in a better spot than expecting to get it completely water proof. I think the only ones that do that really well are the one pieced, hinged tonneaus. 

I really like the Truxedo pro x15. About as low profile as a soft roll up gets and the Velcro isn’t the fuzzy stuff that craps out in a couple years. 

I have a taco. They leak at the bed front to side panel gap. Use foam or whatever to seal. I have a soft tonneau and things are dry in there. 

So far I have tried:

Bakflip 

Undercover (on two trucks)

Old-school soft tonneau, but with Velcro, instead of the old screw-on snaps.

While in place, the Undercover was by far the best. Most secure, virtually waterproof, and can walk on it. Minuses are two-person on/off and storage, as well as limited ability to leave it on but carry cargo that doesn’t fit underneath. Mine did come with hooks to hang it on the garage wall, but you still need enough open wall to do so.

The old soft tonneau was ok. Fairly waterproof. Not very secure. Velcro eventually stops holding and edges start rolling up in use, leading to water/air intrusion and cruddy looks. Easy one person R/R and storage.

I currently have a bakflip. Decent hybrid of strengths (one person R/R is possible although not easy, limited space occupied in garage when off). Mine hasn’t been especially waterproof. The brackets for the struts to hold it folded for cargo are flimsy. Also, I’d swear it’s gotten heavier over time, almost like it’s filled the honeycomb design with water. Could be wrong though. 

I will probably go with an undercover on my next truck.
 

To fit in around here, you need a fiber glass one with a sound system under it with about 1000 watts pumping out your favorite Mexican jams, so everyone within a half mile radius can enjoy it.

i have a Bakflip and it's just ok.

pros:  easy install, easy operation, keeps about 98% of the water out in a storm or car wash, good security

cons: the "hinge" material sucks, i'm on my 2nd replacement from factory, don't keep all the water out no matter what, blocks the view out the rear window when flipped all the way open.

further info on the hinges, the rubber material they use doesn't hold up.  not only do they eventually crack and break apart, but if it's open and you're on a dirt-road or high vibration, the hinge material and gaskets slide out and are a complete bitch to put back in. 

my money will be on a different manufacturer the next go-round.  luckily Baflip warrantee and customer service is great.

🤣

I agree with peelout. Pretty much had the same experience. 

I have had a lot of them over the years and just last month bought one for my latest truck. 
I opted for a brand called X-cover. It’s a hard top folding unit that is strong enough to stand on. Easy install - maybe 30 minutes by myself. I like the latching system more than some of the tops I’ve had in the past. 

It looks like it will keep the water out, but since I’m 30 miles from you I’m sure you know we haven’t had much of a test lately. I got it off of Amazon  

Never needed one but I see these often enough to be interested.

https://diamondbackcovers.com/pages/compare-covers

Retrax will leak and you lose some box capacity. Ask me how I know.

Agree, the rollup's are so much less hassle and do just fine with water/dust. Only reason to go hard top is if security is your primary concern

Have had hard top and roll top.  I like the roll top so much better and gives me whole access to my bed.

 I wanted something that is out of the way when fully open.

I looked at a bunch of different ones and decided on the Pro X15.  Very high quality and the canvas material seems to be way more durable than vinyl. Looks a lot nicer as well IMO. The warranty is solid too.

Wife wants us to put one on our Colorado.

What do you have to do to haul a bike?

That looks great!!

I just saw this now. I work with truck accessories daily. I was going to lean you far away from the Bakflip Rev covers. They have constant problems. From felt falling off, to weatherstrips ripping off, to rail teeth braking. Then biggest most-common issue...the latches not catching so the wind lifts up the back of the cover, slams it back down onto the rail or bed side rail and dents it badly. The whole system needs to be replaced. 

Glad you went with a soft roll up. Sure its not as secure as a hard top. But I hate all hard top tonneau covers.