How-to: Picking the Perfect Ram 1500 Bed Cover
Finding the right bed cap–and keeping your truck safe from thieves and Mother Nature–is easier than you think thanks to American Trucks.
If we were to conduct a scientific poll asking truck owners what their very first mod was, odds are the overwhelming majority would say some sort of bed cover. After all, most of us buy trucks so that we can utilize that large space in the rear, and having a cover allows us to store things in the truck’s bed even in inclement weather.
There’s just one problem associated with choosing a bed cover Since there are so many options out there these days, picking the right one feels like a daunting task. But thankfully, American Trucks‘ newest video makes this important decision so much easier for Ram 1500 owners.
The clip is hosted by Adam Maqboul, who breaks down the many options out there in the aftermarket to five of the most popular Ram bed covers. He then highlights the pros and cons of each. The lineup runs the entire gamut of choices, including a soft roll-up, hard roll-up, hard tri-fold, retractable bed cover, and a large hinge shell tonneau cover.
There are really two things you want to look at when shopping for bed covers: protection from the elements, and theft protection.
Naturally, our host begins by talking about the the traditional, basic, and affordable soft roll-up cover. “With the TruXedo TruXport soft roll-up tonneau, we have a nice fade resistant vinyl fabric throughout, nice aluminum side rails on the inside to give it some added support, and it’s got a very simple latching system, one that disconnects on the passenger and driver side,” explains Maqboul.
As our host points out, there are really two things you want to look at when shopping for bed covers: protection from the elements, and theft protection. The soft roll-up cover does a great job of keeping the elements out, thanks to its weatherstripping and tight fit. As far as theft protection goes, well, not so much. All it takes is a knife to gain access, as our host painfully demonstrates. On the bright side, the soft roll-up is very affordable, with a price tag of around $300.
The next step up solves that little security issue, however. “The TruXedo Sentry hard roll-up tonneau cover is taking that soft roll-up tonneau cover to the next level, adding a lot more protection,” says the host. “Being a hard roll-up tonneau cover, it is using a leather grained matte black textured vinyl pressure bonded to black aluminum sub-panels underneath. That adds that layer of hard protection while still keeping it completely safe, and all the cargo safe underneath of it from all weather and theft.” Of course, you’ll pay for this extra protection. To the tune of around $900.
Our third option is one of the most popular ones on the market: the hard tri-fold. “Now, the cool thing about the BAK Industries BAKFlip FiberMax tri-fold tonneau cover is that it’s really the best of both worlds when it comes to protection from the outside elements,” says Maqboul. “It’s got really good weatherstripping all around the edges, it’s got what you need to protect everything you’ve got underneath of it. It’s also a very effective tonneau cover for theft protection.” Stronger than the hard roll-up, the tri-fold costs about the same with a price tag around $900.
Next up, Maqboul moves on over to a retractable cover. “Now, the retractable one we have here is the Pace Edwards JackRabbit retractable tonneau.” This particular cover has a locking mechanism for extra security and cannot be cut into.” But it does have a couple of drawbacks for Ram owners. “Number one: Because it is a more intricate system, it does require a little bit more effort in time in the install,” he points out. “Con number two: Because it’s retractable, it uses a canister, which does take up some space in the bed.” It also costs around $1,200. But if you’re a Ram owner looking for a very secure option, this seems like a great choice.
The last option for the new Ram is the UnderCover Elite hinged tonneau, which “is also made of a high density ABS plastic,” he says. “Moisture, water, and any other elements will not make their way inside the bed. At the tailgate side, there is an incorporated locking system to make sure that when it is locked, [no one is] breaking into this guy. Hinge covers usually go for $1,000 or more. But if you want something premium, you definitely know you’re getting it with a hinge styling.”
Each bed cover in this comparison test obviously has its pros and cons. But thanks to this comprehensive clip, choosing one is a lot easier. Then, you can move on to more “important” mods on your Ram, like lift kits and wheels and tires!
Photos: American Trucks
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