When it comes to tough ‘n’ rugged machinery built to last and carry heavy loads, a sturdy pick-up truck is about as good as it gets. This impressive four-wheeler can transport people, cattle, construction materials, you name it! It will get you from point A to point B come hell or high water, and protect your cargo with its massive body throughout your journey.
However…
Pick-up trucks have a shortcoming or two, and it mostly boils down to weather. Even though they can plow through any rough terrain thanks to their bulky tires and durable suspension, they tend to underperform when it comes to keeping your cargo from getting soaking wet when it rains.
Unless, that is, you’ve equipped your faithful four-wheeler with a rain ‘n’ snow resistant tonneau cover! In this review, we’ll share five of the best models of this useful contraption so you can choose the perfect one for your particular needs.
Top 3 Retractable Tonneau Cover Brands Compared
| Brand & Product Line | Overall Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|
| #1. Gator Covers – GatorTrax Line
|
||
| #2. Retrax – Retrax PRO Line
|
||
| #3. BAK – Vortrak
|
What is a Retractable Tonneau Cover?
The best retractable tonneau cover fits many types of pickup trucks. You can place them over the back of your pickup truck to prevent any items from falling out as well as to improve your safety. These covers are designed to easily slide open and shut whenever you need access. You can purchase these covers in an array of materials to suit you whether they are soft or hard. You can even customize the cover via a manual or remote-controlled operation depending on your preference.
The benefits of Retractable Tonneau Covers
Protects Your Cargo Against the Weather– This one is a no-brainer. If you put a cover over a bunch of hardware, you can bet it will be well-protected in rough weather conditions! This invention protects your belongings in snow and rain, so you needn’t panic and head outside to clear everything out.
A Matter of Style– Nowadays, manufacturers go out of their way to make their tonneau covers aesthetically appealing! If you choose to equip yourself with one, you can add a couple of points to the ‘looks scale’ of your beloved pick-up truck. When looking at pictures of these covers, you may have noticed how they transform your truck’s appearance. These covers provide a sophisticated, trendy, and cool appearance which provides a positive change in your vehicle’s style.
Saves Your Car’s Metal Bed– The cargo bed of a pickup truck is a particularly sensitive part of its construction, so any type of cover that protects it would undoubtedly be a plus.
Improves Gas Mileage (reportedly)– Some companies claim that their retractable tonneau covers actually improve your mileage. Even though the scientific community is doubtful of this statement, if it is indeed the case, it could be a significant asset in the long run (don’t get your hopes up just yet, though; plenty of research needs to be done until this is proven).
Anti-Robbery Contraption– If you own a pickup truck, you’ve likely purchased one to store items in the back, but if it’s not covered, anyone can steal your belongings. Your precious cargo can be a target of thieves if left unprotected. Therefore, a tonneau cover can be an excellent solution to discourage them from even trying to pry open your car bed!
Conceals Sensitive Loads– If you happen to have a lot of confidential or otherwise sensitive cargo in the back of your pickup truck, one of these covers can hide it so that no one knows what’s inside (Disclaimer: don’t use it for illegal activities, because the police WILL find out).
Easy Installation– Compared to other covers, a retractable design offers a semi-permanent installation so you can easily remove it should you want to. These covers are also easy to add to your pickup truck, which is great for novices, and they won’t damage your vehicle. Unlike other covers, retractable designs use durable materials such as vinyl and powder-coated aluminum to last a long time. However, we suggest researching the manufacturer’s name so you end up with a high-quality purchase that won’t easily break.
Top 3 Retractable Tonneau Covers and Brands Compared
Now, without further ado, let’s dive straight into the top five best retractable tonneau cover reviews! We wrote these retractable tonneau cover reviews based off of customer opinions and the materials used in each product. Take a look at our findings and share your thoughts in the comments.
1. Gator Covers – GatorTrax Retractable Tonneau Truck Bed Cover
Available For These Full Size – Half Ton Models
Also Available For These Mid Size Models
Coming from a company with a rather reptilian-sounding name of ‘Gator Covers’, this retractable tonneau cover is a sleek-looking piece of waterproof protection with some excellent durability-related properties. Although it’s one of the cheapest covers, the Gator Retractable Tonneau Cover is durable and well built. Designed with powder-coated aluminum, this cover is strong and features a textured material so water can easily slide off of it. It also presents itself in a slim design so that it doesn’t limit your space under the truck bed.
This company offers a wide range of styles for multiple truck makes and models. The cover itself is made of Lexan, a notoriously tough material that can survive a nuclear blast. It slides back and forth and can easily lock into a single position of your choice. In total, there are five intermittent locking options with latch stops so you can easily access your cargo. It’s made in the USA, as well.
Pros:
- The cover slides on sealed ball bearings
- Comes with a limited lifetime warranty
- The ball bearings won’t freeze in cold weather
Cons:
- Can be difficult to install
2. Retrax Retractable Truck Bed Cover
Available For These Full Size – Half Ton Models
Also Available For These Mid Size Models
Sturdy and elegant, the Retractable Truck Bed Cover 10461 by Retrax can be a great solution for an owner of a pick-up truck in need of a reliable tonneau cover.
The manufacturers have made it their priority to make this model as lowkey as possible so that it does not attract attention or mess up the style of your truck. The great news about this model is that it’s UV protected and requires practically zero maintenance. As is the case with the cover described above, this one can also be locked in a single position.
This roll-n-lock tonneau cover features a waterproof lock so you can easily unlock and close it no matter the weather. The rails perfectly align so you can smoothly open and close this cover without any problems.
If you’d prefer even easier access to your belongings, Retrax also sells a remote-control retractable tonneau cover for an even smoother transition.
Pros:
- Easy to open and close thanks to its ball bearings
- Reportedly improves your mileage up to 10%
- The cover itself features a special UV layer for protection
Cons:
- People have reported light gaps, but this could be due to improper installation
3. BAK Vortrak Retractable Tonneau Cover
Available For These Full Size – Half Ton Models
As a product made by one of the most prominent companies producing outdoor-related equipment, the BAK Vortrak Tonneau Cover represents an excellent solution for people who demand simplicity and easy installation.
This model’s comprised of multiple aluminum slats that are connected to form an inconspicuous solid surface. This hard tonneau cover is built to last and is constructed with ½” aluminum, which its rails are also partly made of as well.
The Teflon material enables these slats to move back and forth smoothly, even in rough weather conditions. Also, there’s a locking mechanism in place if you want to wedge your cover for loading or unloading of cargo, for example.
Operating and installing this cover is easy. Simply use the attached straps to quickly pull off the cover to access your belongings. All in all, this cover offers a sleek and modern look, while remaining incredibly practical and durable enough to last for years.
Pros:
- Comes with a 2-year warranty
- Easy to set up and pack
- Can be locked in multiple positions for convenience
Cons:
- Some customers have reported faulty cable releases
- It may let in some water if in heavy rain
- Only for mid-sized trucks
A Wrap-Up of the Best Retractable Tonneau Covers
Having read the reviews, you’ve likely noticed that some of the covers are made exclusively for one or several car models. Therefore, pay close attention to the specifications for each cover as you don’t want to end up with a contraption that you can’t even fit on your car.
Look into the difference between a rollback retractable tonneau cover, a soft top, and hinged versions as these all have different appearances and objectives. Also, bear in mind the locking mechanisms, including how many it offers and how easy these are to operate in a rush.
Other than that, each of the above tonneau covers displayed are unique in their own way and relatively robust. Whichever one you opt for, in the end, you won’t make a mistake (unless you mismatch your car model and the cover, that is)! May you have a hassle-free purchase, and cheers!