There are many different designs of tonneau covers, ranging from simple foldable ones to more sophisticated retractable models, with a wide range in price. Besides protecting from rain, snow, wind, and sunlight, tonneau covers also keep prying eyes at bay.
It may be more physically secure under a hard tonneau, which is typically made from aluminum or composite materials. When you have the best hard roll-up tonneau cover installed, you get the best of both worlds.
It will be hard and surprisingly durable; it will roll up so you can access your bed with ease. The covers will offer more protection but may be more expensive than soft tonneau covers. Depending on its version to fit specific truck-bed designs, each model is priced differently.
What Is A Hard Roll Up Tonneau Cover?
Your truck bed will be more secure with hard roll-up tonneau covers than your cab with soft roll-up covers. The tonneau rolls over the bulkhead of your truck and is secured with storage straps so that your bed is easy to access than with other hard tonneau covers.
A hard roll-up tonneau cover is made of aluminum slats covered in vinyl. It can hold up to 400 pounds evenly distributed on top.
Top 5 Best Hard Roll Up Tonneau Cover
Now that you know what we are talking about, it’s time to look at some of the best hard rolling tonneau covers on the market.
1. BAK Revolver X4 Hard Rolling Truck Bed Tonneau Cover
Featuring all of the great features of the Revolver X2, the Revolver X4 has a new matte black vinyl top and a premium vinyl body. The cover functions like a roll-up tonneau cover, but without Velcro or snaps. The result is a cleaner, flush-fitting profile.
BAK’s Rotational Locking Rails provide the Revolver X4 with the ultimate level of security. When the cover is fully closed, this unique feature automatically locks the aluminum slats into the mounting rails on the side. The tailgate will then be locked completely to secure the truck bed.
Full bed access is possible with the Revolver X4. To haul larger items, it simply rolls out of the way to the front of the bed. The cover is secured in an open position with buckle straps, allowing the driver to see into the rearview mirror while driving. Water and debris cannot enter the truck bed due to the one-piece design.
Aluminum slats with vinyl overlay are used to construct this bed. Both the left and right-side rails of the bed have automatic slam latches that secure the cover to the rear rail. All you have to do is pull the release cable on each side to lift the cover. The cover is sealed against the bed caps by weather-resistant seals running the length of it.
Key Features
- While driving, the straps keep the cover open
- It is capable of holding 400 pounds evenly distributed
- Slam latches automatically operate from either side
- Mechanics that rotate to lock the rail
2. TruXedo Sentry Hard Rolling Truck Bed Tonneau Cover
TruXedo’s Sentry tonneau cover features aluminum slats interlocked together for added protection. An industrial-grade vinyl cover is pressure-bonded to the aluminum slats. Besides being UV-resistant, the vinyl has a leather-grain finish.
A matte black finish is applied to the aluminum slats to create a clean, blacked-out look. Roll the cover upwards and the truck bed is easily accessible. It functions like a soft roll-up cover. The cover is secured by straps while in use.
It has slam latches on either side of the bed that allows the cover to open and lock when closed. An additional security latch is located near the center of the truck bed for additional strength and security. This cover helps to keep debris out and water out with its industrial-grade hook and loop fasteners.
Sentry can be installed without drilling, so it’s easy to install. This self-leveling design reduces installation time and ensures a more accurate layout with the low-profile rails. Rails are easily mounted without special equipment, and they sit inside your truck bed so that stake pockets are always accessible.
Key Features
- Straps secure cover in open position during driving
- No tools needed to remove the cover
- Both sides of the cover have an additional security latch
- Easily operate from either side with slam latches
3. Rugged Ridge 13550.23 Armis Hard Rolling Bed Cover
With Rugged Ridge’s Armis Hard Rolling Bed Cover, you can enjoy both the security and smooth appearance of a hardcover. An aluminum frame is covered with thick woven fabric to prevent stains and punctures.
An integrated rollout mechanism allows you to easily access the entire bed and a quick-release mechanism enables you to remove it completely in minutes for true 100 percent bed access. This feature allows true, 100% full-bed access in seconds without the use of tools. Only one finger is required to open the trigger latch.
A stylish matte-black appearance is provided by the durable, superior-grade woven fabric. The fabric’s intrinsic dirt resistance allows it to stay cleaner for longer. The fabric’s flush mounting allows it to retain its clean appearance. The system can be used with or without Jeep Trail Rail Cargo.
Jeep Gladiator owners can choose from a variety of soft or hardcovers, including roll-ups and folding styles, from Rugged Ridge Armis Gladiator Bed Covers. From bumpers to lift kits, wheels to interior accessories, floor liners & more for varying Jeep models, Rugged Ridge is your number one source for Jeep parts and accessories.
Key Features
- The cover has a lock at the center and back for additional security
- Easy to remove without tools for full access to your bed in minutes
- The appearance is sleek and low-profile
- Covered with heavy-duty fabric and made up of interconnected aluminum slats
4. BAK Revolver X2 Hard Rolling Truck Bed Tonneau Cover
Roll-up tonneau covers can be convenient, but Velcro and snaps are not required for the Revolver X2. As a result, it is simple to use and provides a flush fit to the surface. As easy as lining up the rails and tightening down the clamps, the Revolver X2 installs in a jiffy.
When closed, the cover can be automatically secured to the truck bed thanks to the Rotational Locking Rails. If the tailgate is locked, the truck bed is fully secured. You can access the full bed without taking the cover off by rolling it up to the cab.
Using the two buckle straps at the front of the bed, the cover may be secured open while driving by inserting stakes through the holes in the bed. This ensures that the rear-view mirror is not obscured as you drive. Slam latches, an easy-to-use feature, lock on the rear mounting rails of the truck bed to provide a secure and convenient fit.
By pulling the cable from either side of the bed, the cover will unlock, enabling it to be rolled up. To prevent water from penetrating the aluminum slats, the Revolver X2 has a vinyl surface. To guard against the elements, weather-resistant seals are installed on the bed rails to create a tight seal.
Key Features
- Seals the bulkhead with integrated bulkhead seals
- System for replacing felt caps
- Corner caps at the rear for a more refined appearance
- A smooth flat design for side rail seals
5. Gator HR1 Hard Roll-Up
Gator HR1 is a roll-up truck bed cover constructed from aluminum slats. It provides sturdy bed protection by locking the slats together into a barrier. The cover is equipped with an additional slam latch allowing it to be locked in place at all times when closed.
Due to the roll-up lid feature of the HR1, the cover can be easily rolled up from 100-100% of the truck bed in seconds. Applied to the aluminum slats is a soft vinyl top that has been made of industrial-grade vinyl. With its leather-grain appearance and UV protection, this vinyl is a great addition to any outdoor space.
By covering the aluminum slats with vinyl, the overlay adds extra weatherproofing to prevent water from leaking through. During driving, the bed cover is kept out of the way by straps located at the front of the bed.
Having dual latches makes it possible for the cover to be opened from either side of the truck bed and closed with a commercial-grade hook and loop fastener that secures the sides along the bed rails. The cover features a quick-release feature so that it can be removed without tools if rolling it up to the cab is not enough.
Roll-up covers offer the convenience of a telescopic cover while aluminum hardcovers guarantee security. With the no-drilling clamp-on rails, installing the HR1 is very simple and will keep it level throughout.
Key Features
- Super easy to install
- Very strong yet as low profile as you could get
- Watertight
- A flush top
Best Hard Roll Up Tonneau Cover Buyer’s Guide
There is nothing better than a hard barrier for protection. Hard roll-up covers, which are made of plastics or lightweight metals such as aluminum, serve as a good compromise between the practicality of soft fabrics and the protection that hard bed covers provide.
In addition to the benefits and security they provide, installing the roll-up tonneau cover comes with some difficulties. Hard rolling covers require more space when retracted, so the length of the bed will be reduced when everything is set up.
In some designs, there are also support rails that serve as bed rails for ease of rolling up. Alignability is vital to making sure everything slides smoothly.
There is a tendency for soft covers to be better in quality and to come with extra security features. A hardcover, on the other hand, is likely to be on the lower end of this range, so it is less likely to be outfitted with convenient features that enhance truck cover convenience and security.
Retracting Mechanism
They have a rolling design, which makes them unique. With rolling covers, you can open and close them quickly, and they take up less space than panel and single-body designs.
Although the design of the rolling cover will determine how easily it can be used and how much space it will take up in the bed, the ultimate cost will be determined by how convenient it is.
While basic soft covers can be rolled up tightly, hardcovers require more space for metal panels to be housed separately in the bed.
Cover Surface
The exterior surface of a truck bed cover needs to be durable enough to resist damage from the cold and the elements and theft attempts in order to truly protect the truck bed. It is especially important to choose the right material in this regard.
The lower quality of some basic materials may not offer as much weather protection, and they may also not last as long. When it comes to weatherproofing, soft materials, such as vinyl fabric, perform well, but if you want the best protection from robbers, hard material is the way to go.
Installation
Using roll-up truck covers is a simple process once everything is set up. Unfortunately, mounting it can prove challenging. Using basic clamps and fasteners, soft covers can be installed in just a few minutes. The challenge with hard models is that there are so many pieces that need to be mounted, aligned, and secured.
Extra Safety Features
Manufacturers of truck covers use different methods for securing their covers when they are closed. Covers are usually just clamped or Velcroed to the edge of the bed at their most basic level. In terms of theft protection, this design doesn’t provide much.
Other covers are designed so they cannot be opened when the tailgate is closed, and the tailgate is locked. They have simple locks you can open with a key. Generally, these are the safer choice for preserving the peace of mind of your truck when left unattended.
Final Words
If you want your hardcover to be the most weatherproof, buy one with a drainage system or add some additional proofing.
Simply installing weatherstripping on the truck bed will help stop moisture from entering the bed. The best hard roll up tonneau cover does more than just add an extra layer of protection to your truck bed.
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