Whether it’s your 1999 1st gen Chevy Silverado or your brand new 2021 High Country, they all have one thing in common, a truck owner that cares about their truck and wants to protect it and anything inside of it.
I was trying to think of a type of truck owner that wouldn’t benefit from a tonneau cover, and the only person that came to mind was my grandfather who could genuinely not care less about protecting his truck bed or anything in it.
Other than him and people like him, a tonneau cover is one of those essential accessories for your Chevrolet Silverado that will become invaluable down the road.
Our Best Tonneau Covers For A Chevy Silverado
- BAK BAKFlip G2 Hard Folding Truck Bed Tonneau Cover (Our Top Pick)
- MaxMate Soft Roll Up Truck Bed Tonneau Cover (Best Budget)
- BAK Revolver X4 Hard Rolling Truck Bed Tonneau Cover (Best High End)
- Gator ETX Soft Roll Up Truck Bed Tonneau Cover
- TruXedo TruXport Soft Roll Up Truck Bed Tonneau Cover
What Are Tonneau Covers?
Tonneau covers are an essential piece of equipment for your pickup truck. They even pre-date pickup trucks altogether. Click here for some information on the history of the tonneau cover.
A tonneau cover is a hard or soft canvas that extends over the truck bed in order to protect it from both the weather and potential thieves.
You can find a tonneau cover for just about any year, make, and model of truck, and they come in an enormous variety of designs and different types.
What Are The Different Types Of Tonneau Covers?
Small idiosyncrasies and design differences differentiate one tonneau cover from the next, but in general there are 3 main types of tonneau covers available on Amazon.
These 3 main types of tonneau covers are folding tonneau covers, roll-up tonneau covers, and retractable tonneau covers.
Let’s take a quick look at each of these to give you a general idea of what they are and how they work.
Folding Tonneau Covers
Folding tonneau covers are made from either a hard or soft material, and most of the time they come pre-assembled with a tri-fold configuration.
These design factors make them the simplest of the 3, and they are normally very simple to install and use.
The downside to many tri-fold tonneau covers is that they only give the truck owner â…” bed access unless they are removed completely.
Roll-Up Tonneau Covers
Roll-up tonneau covers are right in the middle of the 3 in terms of simplicity of design and installation.
A roll-up cover rolls on a frame into a compact roll to expose 100% of the truck bed.
These covers usually have multiple pieces, so they have more installation steps than a folding cover.
Retractable Tonneau Covers
Retractable tonneau covers are the most complex, and usually more expensive, but they also provide some of the best features.
Retractable tonneau covers are similar to roll-up covers, but they retract along a frame and bearings into a roll that is housed in a canister that sits against the truck cab and below the bed rails.
These covers have the most involved installation process, but they can provide some pretty cool features like opening with the push of a button.
How Does A Tonneau Cover Work?
A tonneau cover works in many different ways as you can see in the above section, but they all have a general operating and design principal.
An aluminum or fiberglass frame makes up the skeleton of the tonneau cover.
A soft vinyl or hard aluminum creates the canvas that sits on the frame.
A series of clamps, latches, bearings, straps, and other fasteners keep the tonneau cover attached to the truck bed.
Another assortment of hinges, rails, or other items allows the cover to fold, roll, or retract.
This all works together with a combination of seals to create a tonneau cover that protects the truck bed from the elements and can be opened in a matter of seconds.
What Do You Look For In The Best Tonneau Covers?
When I’m looking for the best tonneau cover for myself, I look for a cover that will fit my needs and specific uses. This is what every truck owner should do.
When comparing similar tonneau covers, there are a few main factors that will determine if one is of higher quality than another.
These factors are materials used, installation requirements, functionality/ease-of-use, and weather resistance.
Let’s take a quick look at how each of these affects the quality of the tonneau cover.
Materials
Look for heavy-duty and quality materials such as aircraft-grade aluminum, marine-grade vinyl, and stainless steel clamps.
This will give you some indication as to the durability of the tonneau cover is how long it might last.
Installation Requirements
Installation requirements are somewhat of a personal preference, but if you’re looking at almost identical tonneau covers then an easier installation could be a deciding factor.
Easier installation also shows that the manufacturer put more thought into their design process, so it has the potential to be a better product.
Functionality/Ease-Of-Use
You will want the most functionality and ease-of-use for your price point. This can be in the form of easy opening and closing, full bed access, and as many features as possible.
Weather Resistance
Last and probably most important is the cover’s ability to resist any weather conditions.
Automotive grade perimeter seals, tailgate seals, and corner caps are things to look for as well as high-quality latches. Combine these items with good materials, and you will have a good indication as to how the tonneau cover will fare in most weather conditions.
Tonneau Cover Fitment
Although this list of tonneau covers provides links to models for Chevy Silverados, these manufacturers make the exact same models for almost all other trucks.
These exact tonneau covers can be purchased for a GMC Sierra, Toyota Tundra, Toyota Tacoma, Dodge Ram 1500, Ford F-150, and most other mid and compact pickup trucks.
The main thing to look for is what type of bed and bed size you have because newer trucks now have multiple bed options along with multiple bed sizes.
For example, Chevy has a new CarbonPro bed that is an all carbon fiber bed and bed liner, and many tonneau covers either have specific models for these or won’t fit them at all.
Best Tonneau Covers For A Chevy Silverado Reviewed
1. BAK BAKFlip G2 Hard Folding Truck Bed Tonneau Cover (Our Top Pick)
Not all tonneau covers are created equal, and the BAKFlip G2 hard folding tonneau cover is perfect proof of that.
Constructed with durable aluminum panels, an automatic latching system, and a dual action tailgate seal, this cover has all the features and tough materials to outlast any competitors.
This cover is similar to the BAKFlip MX4, but it comes in at a slightly lower price point. It also has a glossy finish instead of a matte finish, and it’s rated at 300lbs instead of 400lbs.Â
Pros
- 100% bed access
- Durable construction
Cons
- 2 year warranty
Buy The BAK BAKFlip G2 Hard Folding Truck Bed Tonneau Cover On Amazon
2. MaxMate Soft Roll Up Truck Bed Tonneau Cover (Best Budget)
If you’re looking for basic truck bed protection without breaking the bank, the MaxMate soft roll-up tonneau cover is the place to look.
It’s built tough with horizontal crossbars, marine-grade vinyl, aircraft-grade aluminum side rails, and stainless steel clamps.
It also seals along the bed rails with velcro and has a latch with a tension control system at the tailgate, so it provides good security and sealing.
Pros
- 100% bed access
- 10 year warranty
- Inexpensive
Cons
- More in depth installation
Buy The MaxMate Soft Roll Up Truck Bed Tonneau Cover On Amazon
3. BAK Revolver X4 Hard Rolling Truck Bed Tonneau Cover (Best High End)
Coming back to BAK, the Revolver X4 is a step above the G2.
Made in the USA, the Revolver X4 is constructed with matte-finished black vinyl over a sheet of durable aluminum slats which, together, can withstand up to 400lbs.
It also has a low-profile design and sits between the bed rails for full aerodynamic benefit to improve your fuel economy while also looking great at the same time.
Note: This cover is identical to the BAK Revolver X2, they just have different finishes. Â
Pros
- 100% bed access
- Durable construction
- 5 year warranty
Cons
- Expensive
Buy The BAK Revolver X4 Hard Rolling Truck Bed Tonneau Cover On Amazon
4. Gator ETX Soft Roll Up Truck Bed Tonneau Cover
The Gator ETX soft roll up cover is a great budget friendly tonneau cover.
It’s constructed with leather-grain vinyl and an aluminum frame, and it sits between the bed rails with a low-profile design for increased gas mileage.
It also has easy operation as it can be opened with one hand from the driver’s side giving you full bed access in a matter of seconds.
Pros
- 100% bed access
- Inexpensive
- Lifetime warranty
Cons
- More in depth installation
Buy The Gator ETX Soft Roll Up Truck Bed Tonneau Cover On Amazon
5. TruXedo TruXport Soft Roll Up Truck Bed Tonneau Cover
Lastly, the TruXedo TruXport soft roll up is a great cover that is essentially equal to the Gator ETX.
It’s equipped with high quality leather-embossed vinyl, a durable aluminum frame and crossbars, and manually adjustable tension control.
This cover sit’s above the bed rails, so it comes down to personal preference on looks between this tonneau cover and the Gator ETX
Pros
- 100% bed access
- Inexpensive
Cons
- More in depth installation
Buy The TruXedo TruXport Soft Roll Up Truck Bed Tonneau Cover On Amazon
Final Thoughts On Tonneau Covers For A Chevy Silverado
Whether you’re hauling large items or a few boxes here and there, one of the tonneau covers in this buyer’s guide is sure to help you do the job.
Make sure you’re looking for the right materials that you know will stand the test of time, and look for the functions and features that will be the most beneficial for your specific needs.