Best Budget Tonneau Covers

What Features Matter Most When Looking for the Best Budget Tonneau Covers

You bought a truck so you could use it, not let the bed sit empty, right? We thought so. And we’re also guessing that getting expensive tools stolen out of your bed isn’t on your to-do list today. Thank goodness for tonneau covers. Now, you could always splurge for the absolute best fiberglass tonneau cover. You know, those high-tech electric styles and those fancy one-piece hydraulic designs. But that would cost as much as your mortgage payment and the four streaming services your home can’t live without. We have another suggestion. Some surprisingly cheap tonneau covers will more than withstand the test of time while keeping threats — both foreign and domestic — out of your cargo. Before we get to our recommendations, let’s talk about the ideal best tonneau cover, which features are must-haves and which are nice-to-haves, as well as how to ensure the perfect fit for your truck.

How Do You Know a Tonneau Cover Will Fit?

The key to a solid and secure tonneau cover is making sure it provides complete coverage for your truck bed. While a universal fit is fine for accessories like car seat covers and floor mats, you definitely want a custom fit for your tonneau cover. Any gaps in the corners — or a sliver of space between the cover and the side of your truck — and the whole purpose is defeated. To ensure a perfect fit for your tonneau cover, be sure to enter your precise vehicle information. Any reputable source will ask for your truck’s year, make, and model. Once your vendor knows which truck you have, they can tailor the search results to your needs. Your tonneau cover will arrive in the exact dimensions you need, and a beautiful love affair of security and convenience will begin.

What is the Difference Between Soft and Hard Bed Covers?

The first choice you make when narrowing your tonneau cover options is soft or hard cover. This decision often comes down to your personalized needs and desired price point. In other words, hard covers aren’t always better even though they often cost more. Soft covers can also serve most – if not all – of your needs. Here is a brief breakdown of each type of tonneau cover and when you might want them.

Which Features are Really Worth Investing In?

You’ll find a slew of feature options on any soft or hard cover tonneau cover. If you aren’t looking to spend an arm, leg, and fuel injector’s worth of money, you need to know which features are worth spending money on. Take our advice. After all, after decades in the business, we’ve learned a thing or two. When every dime counts, you want to put them all toward the features that actually keep your truck bed safe and dry. That’s the bare minimum of what a tonneau cover is for, right? Here are some common features of affordable tonneau covers that are worth your investment.

Which Features are Nice but Not Necessary?

As with any purchase, some things are “must-haves” and some are “wants.” Sure, you might want a bullet-proof tonneau with two locks and an alarm system — but it may not be in the budget. You can splurge for one or two wishlist features if the spirit moves you, but you can still get an excellent tonneau cover without any of them at all.

How Do You Choose an Opening Style?

So, you’re leaning toward either soft or hard tonneau covers. Before you make the final call, consider how you want the cover to open. Do you prefer dual hinges on either side or do you have something else in mind? Perhaps something… electrified? You have a lot of options. Some fold up at both ends, others have a single hinge at the top of the truck bed. Still others are made of fabric and can be rolled up and tucked away in just a few seconds. Here are some ways to choose which type is right for you, especially when you’re keeping an eye on your wallet.

AmericanTrucks: Our 3 Best Budget Tonneau Cover Recommendations

On the hunt for a cheap tri-fold tonneau cover but don’t know where to start? Need a new retractable option that doesn’t cost more than your mortgage? Let us put our decades of experience to good use to help narrow it down for you. These bed covers are all custom-fit to your specific year, make, and model from some of the top names in the tonneau cover world. Here are our top picks for the best affordable tonneau covers available today.

1. TruXedo TruXport Roll-Up Tonneau Cover

   A quality roll-up cover for half the price of a hard cover, this vinyl tonneau cover keeps your truck bed dry in almost any conditions and can quickly be stored out of the way for total access to your cargo bed. It installs with no-drill clamps in just a few minutes, and this budget tonneau cover has a dual latch system — meaning you can open the cover from either side of the truck bed.

2. TonnoPro Hard Tri Fold Tonneau Cover

   This cover combines a strong vinyl top with a durable aluminum frame. It folds, and then folds, and then folds a third time until it lays neatly behind your truck cab without blocking your visibility. As long as you have a locking tailgate, the cover will remain secure when the gate is closed. It’s a fine budget option for keeping rain, sleet, and your nosy neighbor Dave the heck out of your cargo. You’ve been called out, Dave.

3. AmericanTrucks SELECT Retractable Tonneau Cover

   It might not fit everyone’s definition of “cheap,” but you’ll be equipped for anything with this heavy-duty hard cover. From aluminum slats to a hard-sided roll-in canister, this weather-resistant design looks sleek and is built to last. Retractable tonneau covers are a little on the spendier side because of the materials used, but you also get an intermittent locking system and a tethered hand release for easy opening and closing. The best part? The aerodynamic design could even improve your MPGs.

So, are you ready to add a new affordable tonneau cover to your truck bed? Be sure to check out all the other options on AmericanTrucks for your specific truck. And remember, each of our tonneau covers is covered by our Lowest Price Guarantee. If you find a better deal on the same tonneau cover within the first year, we will refund you the difference plus $1. Because we like you. And we’re committed to not letting a few dollars stand between friends.