Tips on Selecting the Suitable Tonneau Covers for Trucks with Hitches

The truck bed cover (also called tonneau cover) is one of the most popular mods as it ensures the security and protection of the things you put in the truck's bed. It can be overwhelming to pick out the best one since many products are available on the market.

Here are some helpful tips to guide you in selecting the right bed cover for your truck.

Understand its purpose

One of the main reasons you may have bought your truck is because of its bed. The bed's cargo capacity allows truck owners to transport things of various weights and sizes. Whether you have a short or 8-foot-long bed, you can haul just about anything and everything.

The primary purpose of all?tonneau cover is to protect the truck bed from heat, moisture, dirt, and other elements. They also secure your items and ensure they stay intact on the truck's bed as you drive at variable speeds.

It is crucial to consider the specs and how you use your truck. However, not all covers are ideal to use, especially if you have a fifth-wheel hitch in your vehicle. It's best to choose one that will not interfere with your trailer hitch.

Select one that’s suitable for your needs

Before picking a tonneau cover for your truck, consider a few things, and assess why you want one. Although there are many choices, choose a truck bed cover based on your specific needs.

Tonneau covers are available in various styles and materials like aluminum, ABS polymer, fiberglass, canvas, or vinyl. If you want to safeguard your valuables from thieves, a hard cover with a lock may be the ideal choice. Folding or retractable covers might be your best option if you need quick access to your equipment and tools.

When shopping for a new tonneau cover, it is better to check the quality of the products. Several types come with accessories. A tonneau cover with a rack is an excellent choice if you have a kayak or a ladder. You won’t have a hard time transporting these items because they will have corresponding space and fit snugly on the rack.

Check the compatibility with the hitch

Whether you check your local auto supply store or online auto parts shop, you’ll be surprised to see a wide array of tonneau cover products.

If you have a fifth-wheel hauler with an 8-foot bed, you must check the compatibility of the cover since some hitches extend above the bed rails of the truck. For low-profile hitches, most tonneau covers are compatible such as the following:

Folding – Most folding tonneau covers are lightweight, but they are great to use even if you partially open or fold the cover. The design for folding covers will not obstruct the hitch.

Here are some folding tonneau covers you must check out:

• Undercover Flex: This product has a low-profile design that rests inside the bed rails for a sleek look. It has built-in prop-rods, which secure the cover even if you drive the truck with the cover fully open. It is great to use if you’re transporting oversized items on the truck’s bed. It is also made with rubber seals and drainage tubes to keep the water from seeping through.

• Extang Trifecta 2.0: You may have seen it on many trucks with dually wheels because this one is great for long-bed vehicles. However, for short beds, you will need to measure first to make sure it fits. This soft-folding tonneau cover is made from high-quality leather-grained fabric. It has a tarp designed with an integrated corner tuck system.

• Tonno-Pro Tri-fold: Another soft-folding vinyl-made cover that is easy to use. It takes a few minutes to install or remove the built-in clamps without any drilling or modification needed. It folds in thirds towards the front of the bed rails when stowed. It doesn't leak, so you don’t need to worry about the items you put on the truck’s bed when it suddenly rains.

Hard – Hard tonneau covers are easy to install over the truck’s bed. They provide a solid structure to ensure maximum protection against dirt, liquid, mud, and other elements.

These Undercover products are ideal for those looking for hard covers:

• Classic: The classic is designed to be aerodynamic and water-resistant. Its one-piece solid construction ensures that no water will seep through in case of sudden rain or storm. To protect and secure your valuables, it has weatherproof twist-locks that you can open with or without a key.

• LUX: Most truck bed covers are offered only in black, but this manufacturer wants truck owners to have something that would match the colors of their vehicle. The Undercover LUX kicks up a notch even further as it is available in various colors that match the truck’s paint job.

• RidgeLander: If you’re looking for a one-piece truck bed cover made for adventure, then you must check out this truck bed cover. The company has partnered with Rhino-Rack, so the RidgeLander includes standard two vortex bars and four quick-mount legs. You may adjust these accessories and move them easily along the T-slot channel on the top of the truck bed cover. You won’t have difficulty mounting your bikes because you can put them on top of the tonneau cover. Boats, campers, or trailers will be intended solely for the hitch.

You may also add other accessories that work well with these products, like the swing case. You don’t need to open the cover or crawl into the bed because the swing case is like a compact toolbox mounted near the tailgate.

Retractable – You can retract this type of cover in just a few seconds to suit any situation. If you have a more substantial load, this type of cover makes more room without a hassle. They are fastened in multiple positions along your bed rails to make room for large cargo.

Retractable tonneau covers also keep smaller gears under the cover. They are similar to a soft cover but provide the security of a hard cover. However, some retractable covers require a semi-permanent installation since they are mounted at the sides and front of the truck bed.

• PowertraxONE: This retractable tonneau cover has electrical components you must connect to the battery for short-bed trucks. Controlled by a remote key fob, it includes an automatic off feature. It is made of a durable one-piece polycarbonate cover that you can even stand on. It also has an integrated cargo light on the canister.

• Bak Vortak: You can find various truck bed covers offered by Bakflip, but this one is made of thick aluminum slats and designed with a stylish matte finish. It has an easy-to-operate cable release that retracts the cover into a spring-loaded canister. It locks with the tailgate to ensure the security of the items you put on the truck bed.

Buy a tonneau cover today

Like other areas on your vehicle, you can modify the truck bed to improve its functionality and appearance. Now that you have some recommended tonneau covers to purchase, you don't need to worry about choosing the wrong one for your rig.

To help you find the suitable tonneau cover for your tow vehicle, check out the tonneau covers offered by 4WheelOnline.

Jen's fascination with automotive starts when she was a kid because she likes cars more than dolls. Check out 4WheelOnline, one of the premier retailers of aftermarket truck parts. Get to see more automotive news and write-ups.