Suggestions for tonneau covers

Hi Guys,

Looking to get a tonneau cover. This is my first Tacoma so wanted to get suggestions from you guys.

 

Depends what you want.
Do you want to have a bed rack and a roof top tent? Maybe get like a revolver by BAK.
Do you need something with a hard top? If not, there are plenty of cheaper options that are more like $200 than $1000. Might be able to get a deal for memorial day btw.

Personally I went with a trifold hard tonneau and installed the OEM tailgate lock so when I lock my truck, the bed is locked with whatever is in it.
Everyone's got different needs. I need to be able to fold it up and haul stuff. I like having the bed locked for when I go skiing.

 

Not cheap but after researching most every tonneau cover I could find out there, I settled on a Retrax. It had everything I wanted in a cover:

- hard side - all aluminum
- rolls away out of site with ease
- can easily retract it or expand it from either position with the hard handle on the drivers side








Again not cheap but 100% worth it from my perspective. Super smooth operation, and can easily take my own weight standing on it.
This being the Pro Retrax it also has grooves along each rail that support bed trusses as well, including the UpTop bed truss I intend on going with.

 

I prefer a fully-removable hard tri-fold because it provides maximum flexibility and security. I went with the Extang Solid-fold 2.0 because it was relatively easy to install, and once installed I can take it off in 60 seconds and put it back on in less than 5 minutes. Folded and removed, I can carry it - which also matters.

You get what you pay for, and I think the $800 I paid 6 1/2 years ago for mine has been very well worth it. There's details about mine in my build thread (click on the pic in my sig) and sorry about the rambling.

We have a lot of tonneau-related threads in the 3rd-gen section, so it might be easier to search through them (ignoring the arguments and shitposts) for the details you're looking for.

Welcome to TW, and good luck in your research!

 

I have a Bak Flip F1 I'm debating selling. Works great and I love the looks and security when the tailgate is locked. It just doesn't work with the Yakima bed rack I have from a previous vehicle (Nissan Titan).

 

My truck came in with the OEM trifold, which has exceeded my expectations in several ways:
-competitively priced including installation
-high quality material doesn’t show dirt and is easy to be maintain
-relatively water tight. I have not plugged any holes or gaps and after parking in, and driving through an inch of rain, the bed was dry enough to load cardboard cartons. I think having a bed mat helps with water draining out.

Bottom line- If I were to “order” a new Taco, I would order the OEM tonneau without hesitation.

 

The best thing you can do is to just start off with going to google and searching for tonneau covers for toyota tacoma. And also as others have said, there are many different types of tonneau covers, from the mundane to hard builtinslide and retractor cover. The first cover I had, on my old 96 tacoma, wasn't lockable and it literally had a set of tracks that mounted on the sides and tailgate, and the cover attached much like that on a zip lock plastic bag. It was actually quite nice but again, there was no security as anyone could walk up and access inside. When I got my 3rd generation tacoma, I had learned from that, and got a trifold hard top. It provides security and i got one with a soft cover on top of it, so when it is in the covered position, it looks like one solid piece, when in actuality, it is a trifold. And with the lockable tailgate, it provides security to whatever you have inside. And the prices vary a LOT, so again, spend some time looking online. I got mine for just over $400 including tax. Shipping was free. That is another thing, again, there are plenty out there, and so, look for those that provide free shipping, and if you buy from somewhere not like Amazon or ebay, you may not even have to pay sales tax either.

 

I had an Access on mine that was good. Then I put on KB Voodoo Hi-Rise bars and talked to a worker at KB and he said the cheap Tyger off Amazon worked decent with their bars and he was right. For the money ($200) its a good product. It looks cheaper than the Access because it is, but works fine.

 

I recently order a rough country hard tri-fold based on what I need, price point, and positive reviews.

 

Find someone selling an OEM cover near you. If you are lucky, you can find a takeoff that is pretty much brand new. They are rock solid and built like a damn tank. I bet you could stand on it and not hurt it. Removal when needed is very easy and one person can do it, but I will admit that it is a bit on the heavy side.

 

Lomax tri fold.

 

Went with the Bak Revolver X4s because it was working with the RCI bed rack (and tonneau adapters). Solid, good looking and doesn’t take any cargo space when rolled up.

Also went with the OEM tailgate lock. When the cover is closed, everything is locked at the push of a button.

 

I wanted the oem tonneau cover when i ordered my truck, so it came with it. Its been good so far. 99% watertight. I've placed a good size room a/c on top of the cover till popping the tailgate...i actually think you can stand on it without it breaking. Only issue its fairly heavy for its size.

 

I didn't think I'd want one, but mine was optioned with it and I actually ended up liking it.

Like you said it's mostly watertight (I left a hi-vis vest in the corner against the tailgate and it got damp, while the cardboard boxes up front stayed dry) and heavier than I thought it'd be.

It's definitely well built, I was expecting some chintzy OEM crap but it certainly isn't.

 

I went with the DiamondBack smooth finish. Expensive but so be it. On the other end of the spectrum the canvas Extang Signature 2.0 tri-fold ($450) is also a good cover just not very secure. I've used those on several trucks and they function well if you don't need to secure stuff. I actually bought one for my Tacoma but decided to go DiamondBack instead. Lots of options out there. TonneauCoversWorld.com has practically everything available.

 

I'm just looking for something low profile. No bed rack or roof tent. i just need something to cover up the luggage or golf bags when I drive the truck on trips.

 

That is one of my top choices.

 

Put a Gator brand from Amazon on the Tundra, mounts using the bed rails system and is rock solid with no leaks so far.

Very low profile which was a must and secure enough with the tailgate locked.

 

Thanks for all the suggestions. I am looking for something low profile to provide security for luggage when going on trips. I will not have any bed racks of roof tents. Just debating if I should go retractable or tri fold. I really want the retractable cover but have read it takes away some storage space.

 

Looks good. Nice and simple.