Find the Differences Between Soft-Roll Up and Soft Tri-Fold Truck Bed Covers

So you want a soft truck bed cover but aren’t quite sure what type you need? The two most popular soft covers are roll-up and tri-fold tonneau covers. There are snap covers, but those are kind of a pain compared to these other two. Walking around the whole truck bed snapping or unsnapping the cover isn’t so bad, unless it’s raining, snowing, really cold or really hot outside. The others take less than half the time a snap cover takes. That’s why most tonneau cover manufacturer’s don’t even make them anymore.

What’s The Difference Between Folding Tonneau Covers and Roll Up Tonneau Covers?

Both of these bed covers are installed on rails. The rails are attached to your bed with easy to use clamps. Full installation doesn’t take more than 20 minutes for either style. A roll up tonneau cover sits either inside the edges or on top of the bed.  Top mount models will cover your stake pocket holes. So will all soft folding truck bed covers. With the flush fit, roll up covers, you can still use bed accessories (tie downs, ladder racks, etc.) that need the stake holes and it won’t affect the roll up cover operation at all. The tri-fold tonneau cover sits on top of the bed and covers all of the stake pocket holes. You can’t use this bed cover with any other bed accessories without taking it off. A roll up bed cover can stay on your truck bed at all times. When you don’t need it, it rolls up snug against the cab and can be secured there completely out of the way. A tri-fold cover either has to be removed and stored somewhere safe while you aren’t using it, or it “stacks” up covering roughly the front 1/3 of your truck bed. You can still haul cargo under it, but a motorcycle/quad/ATV is out of the question without removing it.

How To Use A Tri-Fold Tonneau Cover

A Tri-Fold tonneau cover uses built-in clamps and rails for the initial installation. The clamps are easy to put on your truck and will hold for years. For daily use, the roll up tonneau cover is easy to use in most situations. Unlatch the cover at the tailgate and fold the cover towards the cab. Once you reach the cab, unlatch the cover from the bed and pick it up. You’ll need a safe place to store it while you aren’t using it. Depending on what you are hauling in the bed, you may have room to store it in the bed with your cargo, just make sure it’s secured from blowing out while driving.  This cover takes a few minutes longer to use than a roll up cover. To use the cover again, sit it back near the cab, secure it underneath the cover to the rails and unfold it towards the tailgate. Reclamp the rear and you’re ready to go.

How To Use A Roll-Up Tonneau Cover

Installation for a roll-up tonneau cover consists of some clamps for the rails. They’re easy to install and just as easy to take off. Once your roll-up bed cover is installed the first time, you won’t need to remove any of the clamps unless you want to completely uninstall the cover. Daily use of a roll-up bed cover is simple. If you want to use your open truck bed, just unlatch the cover near the tailgate and roll the cover towards your cab as you walk down the side of the truck. Secure the roll up cover at the cab with the built in straps and you’re done. The cover sits on the front edge of your truck bed and is out of the way of anything in the bed. If you want to cover the bed again, just roll the cover back over the bed as you walk towards the tailgate and secure the latch. Then walk down both sides of the truck sealing the Velcro with the heel of your hand. You’re done.

What Kind Of Truck Bed Cover Do You Need?

Think about what you use your truck for on a daily basis. If you want a bed cover that’ll keep your cargo safe and secure, but you also need to use your entire bed a lot, go for a roll-up tonneau cover. It’ll be easier to work with than a tri-fold. If you want to secure your cargo under a bed cover and you hardly ever need to use your whole bed, a tri-fold tonneau cover can work perfectly. If you have any questions or need to know more about these tonneau covers, give us a call, send an email, comment or come by one of our 4 Wheel Parts locations. We’ll help you figure out what’s best for you and your truck.