Pickup trucks are a special breed of vehicles that can easily cope with tough terrain and transport heavy loads to hard-to-reach places, where ordinary cars can’t go.  As rugged as these fuel-guzzlin’ and cargo-carryin’ machines are, however, they also have a weak spot- their back part is exposed to bad weather and maybe also torrential rains of horror(if you’re unlucky enough to drive in such conditions)!

Luckily for the folks who call themselves proud owners of pickup trucks, there is an easy solution to this problem. With the help of tough sci-fi-looking panes called tonneau covers, you can protect your precious cargo AND beautify your truck! (well, to a degree at least) That’s right!- within this list, you’ll find five different models of a special kind of this illustrious invention- the roll-up tonneau cover.

Editor’s Recommendation: Top Roll Up Truck Covers

Before we begin…

A short guide on what to pay attention to when buying a roll-up tonneau cover:

The Model of the Truck– Since most of the roll-up tonneau covers are model-specific (meaning, they fit only one car), it’s important to check if you’re buying the right version before you actually seal the deal. Also, make sure that the dimensions of the cover fit your truck bed, as sometimes you can get the car model right, but then fail to notice that you’ve got a longer (or shorter) truck bed!

Ease of Installation– If you hate to make holes in your pickup truck, or otherwise hurt it in order to fit an accessory, do try to find a tonneau cover that is easy to install! Mostly, the versions of this convenient contraption that require no drilling, feature a clamp-on system, so perhaps one of these will do the trick for you.

The Material used for the Cover– Nowadays, tonneau covers are made out of a variety of materials. Also, the weaving techniques tend to differ between manufacturers. If you’re after longevity, some sort of military-grade vinyl will usually do the trick. (If the cover is UV-resistant as well, that’s certainly a plus)

The Fastening Mechanism– When it comes to the roll-up type of tonneau cover, more often than not, the cover itself is fastened by means of a Velcro tape. This makes the installation simple and you can put it on and off easily without having to putter about with screws and bolts!(If you do choose to buy a model that utilizes this fastening system, make sure it says ‘industrial-strength’ in its description)

So here’s the lot:

1. Truxedo – 245901 TruXport Truck Bed Cover 09-17 Dodge Ram

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Sporting a sleek design and a rather budget-friendly retail price, the Truxedo Truck Bed Cover can be a perfect solution for a person in need of a simple tonneau cover that gets the job done.

Possibly one of the biggest selling points of this particular model would be the fact that it’s fairly easy to install. The process itself requires no drilling or otherwise hurting your beloved vehicle. What’s more, the manufacturers claim that it can be completed in less than 20 minutes! Once you’ve fitted the clamp-on railings properly, all you need to do is place the tonneau cover itself, and its ‘Velcroed’ flipside will do its magic!

Pros:

  • The installation requires no modification to your car
  • Can be quickly deployed thanks to its dual-latch system
  • The cover is secured with the help of the industrial-strength Velcro

Cons:

  • Exclusive to Dodge Ram
  • It tends to get dirty quite easily

[su_button url=”https://www.amazon.com/Truxedo-245901-TruXport-Truck-Cover/dp/B002EOZFQ4?tag=globalgarage03-20″ target=”blank” background=”#FF4900″ size=”8″ center=”yes” icon=”icon: share-square-o” rel=”nofollow”]See On Amazon[/su_button]

2. Gator Covers – Gator Roll Up Tonneau Truck Bed Cover

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Coming from a company that specializes in all kinds of covers for cars and SUV’s, this Gator Roll-Up tonneau cover is a stylish contraption that can greatly enhance the looks of your Chevy Silverado! (and also protect your belongings in the back)

It’s fairly easy to set up thanks to a clamp system similar to that of the Truxedo’s model above, and the cover itself is made out of vinyl. For longevity and additional strength, this coating has been doubled, as well. Also, this product has been made in the USA and comes with a 1-year warranty.

Pros:

  • Made out of tough double-layered vinyl
  • Comes with a 1-year warranty
  • Adjustable tension control

Cons:

  • Can’t be paired up with a toolbox
  • Limited to Chevy Silverado GMC Sierra

[su_button url=”https://www.amazon.com/Gator-Tonneau-2014-2018-Silverado-Sierra/dp/B013USWL1O?tag=globalgarage03-20″ target=”blank” background=”#FF4900″ size=”8″ center=”yes” icon=”icon: share-square-o” rel=”nofollow”]See On Amazon[/su_button]

3. Truxedo – 246901 TruXport Truck Bed Cover 

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The second Truxedo entry on this list comes in the shape of the 246901 model, and it’s also targeted at owners of Dodge Ram pickup trucks. Although they’re mostly similar, they differ in some aspects, including the weight. (this one is a bit heavier)

For this model, the folks at Truxedo installed the same system of clamps for securing the tonneau as they have on their 245901 model. This has proven to be quite effective as it means you won’t be able to do any drilling or otherwise modifying your car in order to set this thing up. What’s different about 246901, though, would be the dual paddle latches. They enable you to fasten the cover to the bed and can be conveniently accessed from both sides of the vehicle.

Pros:

  • The cover is secured using the industrial-strength Velcro tape
  • Features an easy-to-use dual paddle latch system
  • Manually-operated tension control knob

Cons:

  • The latches can sometimes pop open unexpectedly
  • Only works with Dodge Ram models

[su_button url=”https://www.amazon.com/Truxedo-246901-TruXport-Truck-Cover/dp/B002EOXIEA?tag=globalgarage03-20″ target=”blank” background=”#FF4900″ size=”8″ center=”yes” icon=”icon: share-square-o” rel=”nofollow”]See On Amazon[/su_button]

4. Lund – 96893 Genesis Elite Roll Up Tonneau Cover

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Boasting a simple design and a relatively lightweight construction, the Genesis Elite Roll Up Tonneau Cover from the Lund company represents a convenient, low-maintenance solution that requires little to no effort to install.

When it comes to the material that this cover’s been made out of, it’s a specialized ‘breed’ of twill weaved fabric. According to the manufacturers themselves, it’s water-resistant, and it easily copes with mold, dirt and even UV rays! What’s more, if it does get dirty, during a heavy storm, for example, you can simply rinse it with water et voila!- your tonneau cover will be as clean as a whistle. (no chemical cleaning solutions needed)

Pros:

  • Dirt, water, and UV-resistant
  • The manufacturers claim it reduces drag and, therefore, improves fuel economy
  • Made out of special twill weave material

Cons:

  • You can’t fit it on trucks with factory rail caps (unless you cut them off, that is)
  • The plastic clips tend to break after a while

[su_button url=”https://www.amazon.com/Lund-96893-Genesis-Roll-Up-Tonneau/dp/B00BX8SNP2?tag=globalgarage03-20″ target=”blank” background=”#FF4900″ size=”8″ center=”yes” icon=”icon: share-square-o” rel=”nofollow”]See On Amazon[/su_button]

5. Tyger Auto – RoLock Low Profile Roll-Up Truck Bed Tonneau Cover

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Thanks to its heavy duty design and an easy installation, the Tyger Auto’s RoLock Low Profile Roll-Up Truck Bed Tonneau Cover has become a favorite among the Dodge Ram owners.

The setup process itself requires no modifications to your car, and it can be completed quite fast, thanks to the instructions provided by the Tyger Auto folks. Also, you get all the hardware necessary, so you won’t need to buy additional bolts ‘n’ nuts in order to fit it. The best part is- the whole deal is covered by a hefty limited lifetime warranty!

Pros:

  • The installation requires no drilling or otherwise meddling with the design of your car
  • Comes with pre-assembled horizontal crossbars
  • The cover itself is made out of double-layered 24oz marine grade vinyl

Cons:

  • The paint job on the rails can sometimes appear a bit dodgy
  • You still need to drill holes if you have a car with over-the-bedrail bed liner

[su_button url=”https://www.amazon.com/Tyger-Auto-TG-BC2D2064-2009-2018-Fleetside/dp/B012BVGF1I?tag=globalgarage03-20″ target=”blank” background=”#FF4900″ size=”8″ center=”yes” icon=”icon: share-square-o” rel=”nofollow”]See On Amazon[/su_button]

In conclusion…

Best Roll-Up Tonneau Cover – The Final Words

In the rather narrow niche of tonneau covers for pickup trucks, the roll-up models seem to fare pretty well and hold their ground against their ‘retractable’ counterparts. They’re typically easy to install, and also to use later on. It’s no wonder people love them so much, really.

Within this list, you’ve seen 5 different models of the magnificent truck tools, and each of them can be a great solution in their own way. Hopefully, you’ve managed to find the one that suits your pickup truck-coverin’ needs perfectly. Good luck with your purchase and cheers!