The mid-size truck market is exploding, and the accessories available for them are growing too.
The Chevrolet Colorado is no exception. You are beginning to see many more Chevy Colorados on the road, and with it you see increased customization.
One of the most noticeable accessories you’ll see is a nice tonneau cover on your Chevy Colorado, protecting either the 5’ or 6’ truck bed.
Our Best Tonneau Covers For A Chevy Colorado
- Gator FX Hard Quad-Fold Truck Bed Tonneau Cover (Our Top Pick)
- MaxMate Soft Tri-Fold Truck Bed Tonneau Cover (Best Budget)
- BAK BAKFlip G2 Hard Folding Truck Bed Tonneau Cover (Best High End)
- Gator EFX Hard Tri-Fold Truck Bed Tonneau Cover
- Tyger Auto Black Top T3 Soft Tri-Fold Truck Tonneau Cover
What Are Tonneau Covers?
Tonneau covers are an excellent solution for protecting every bit of the cargo space in your Chevy Colorado or GMC Canyon.
A tonneau cover comes in many different types and varieties, but their goal is the same, to protect your truck bed from all weather conditions and possible thieves.
What Are The Different Types Of Tonneau Covers?
The 3 most common tonneau covers available on Amazon are folding tonneau covers, roll-up tonneau covers, and retractable tonneau covers.
All 3 types have different advantages and disadvantages along with a wide variety of designs, but let’s take a look at the basics of each type.
Folding Tonneau Covers
Folding tonneau covers come in either a tri-fold or quad-fold configuration, and they are usually made from a soft vinyl or hard aluminum.
The cover works by folding from the tailgate over itself multiple times in order to expose the truck bed. They are simple and effective.
Folding tonneau covers have the largest range of costs out of the 3 types, ranging from $200 to over $1000.
Roll-Up Tonneau Covers
Roll-up tonneau covers are almost always made from a soft vinyl with great durability such as marine-grade vinyl.
A soft roll-up cover usually consists of an aluminum frame that sits on top of the bed rails and a vinyl cover that rolls along the frame to expose the truck bed.
The major advantages of a roll-up tonneau cover is that they usually allow for full bed access and have a low price point.
Retractable Tonneau Covers
Retractable tonneau covers are similar to a rollup tonneau cover, but the cover rolls up into a concealed canister that sits below the bed rails.
Retractable tonneau covers can be made from a hard or soft material, and they usually come at a higher price point.
The main advantages of a retractable tonneau cover are their ease-of-use and their low profile design.
How Does A Tonneau Cover Work?
A tonneau cover works by using a combination of clamps, latches, seals, and a covering material such as vinyl or aluminum panels.
Some covers come in multiple pieces. These covers usually have an aluminum frame that is clamped onto the bed rails, and a cover attaches to the frame in different ways such as with velcro or latches.
Other covers come in a one-piece design such as a tri-fold tonneau cover. These have a frame and cover combined and have an easy installation process.
What Do You Look For In The Best Tonneau Covers?
It will come down to the individual truck owner’s wants and needs when deciding what will make a good tonneau cover for their Chevy Colorado, but a few factors set aside all good tonneau covers from bad tonneau covers.
These factors are what materials are used in the tonneau cover’s construction, installation requirements, functionality/ease-of-use, and weather resistance.
Materials that are important to look for are marine-grade vinyl, aircraft-grade aluminum, and stainless steel clamps. A combination of all of these materials will ensure the tonneau cover you are purchasing is built to last.
Easy installation and not having to drill holes in your new Chevy Colorado are both great advantages. It helps to have your tonneau cover ownership begin headache and hassle free.
It’s nice to have a tonneau cover that was built for everyday use. Good functionality such as easy opening, easy closing, and automatic latching are all good things to look for.
Lastly, superior weather resistance is an obvious advantage. Things such as a water management system, dual-action tailgate seal, corner caps, and premium automotive seals all help to ensure your truck bed will be safe through all the seasons.
Best Tonneau Covers For A Chevy Colorado Reviewed
1. Gator FX Hard Quad-Fold Truck Bed Tonneau Cover (Our Top Pick)
The Gator FX hard-fold tonneau cover is Gator’s premium option for Chevy Colorado tonneau covers.
Its aircraft-grade aluminum panels have a matte black powder-coat finish to resist scuffs and scratches.
The quad-fold design gives the truck owner full bed access along with full access to the side rails, all while having a nice low-profile look.
This tonneau cover is a high quality cover that would be a perfect fit for either the 5’ or 6’ truck bed on your Chevy Colorado.
Pros
- Full bed access
- Heavy duty construction
- 4 year warranty
Cons
- Possible install issues w/ plastic bedliner
Buy The Gator FX Hard Quad-Fold Truck Bed Tonneau Cover On Amazon
2. MaxMate Soft Tri-Fold Truck Bed Tonneau Cover (Best Budget)
The MaxMate soft tri-fold cover is a great simple cover that will meet all your basic weather protection needs.
Similar to a Tonno Pro Tonno Fold, this cover is made with tear-resistant vinyl and heavy-duty horizontal crossbars for premium support.
This cover also comes in a one-piece design for easy installation, installing in about 5 minutes.
The cover fits on both 5’ and 6’ beds, but it probably has more compatibility with a 6’ bed as the cover only allows for ⅔ bed access.
Pros
- Easy installation
- Inexpensive
- Lifetime warranty
Cons
- â…” bed access
Buy The MaxMate Soft Tri-Fold Truck Bed Tonneau Cover On Amazon
3. BAK BAKFlip G2 Hard Folding Truck Bed Tonneau Cover (Best High End)
Made in the USA, the BAK BAKFlip G2 hard folding cover is a premium tonneau cover. It is BAK’s quad-fold version of the BAKFlip MX4.Â
BAK makes top of the line truck accessories, and the G2 is no exception. It has durable aluminum panels, an automatic latching system, a dual-action tailgate seal, and an easy opening latch.
Pair this with its one-piece design and easy installation, and you can’t go wrong with this American tonneau cover.
Pros
- High quality construction
- Full bed access
- Easy installation
Cons
- Expensive
Buy The BAK BAKFlip G2 Hard Folding Truck Bed Tonneau Cover On Amazon
4. Gator EFX Hard Tri-Fold Truck Bed Tonneau Cover
The Gator EFX, not to be confused with the Gator ETX, is Gator’s premium option for a hard tri-fold tonneau cover.Â
This tonneau cover would be identical to #1 on our list if it was a quad-fold, so you’re essentially trading bed access for a lower price point.
While this cover has everything you could want like heavy-duty aluminum panels, an automatic latching system, and premium perimeter sealing, it is probably more ideal for the 6’ bed on your Chevy Colorado because of the bed access.
Pros
- High quality construction
- 3 year warranty
Cons
- â…” bed access
Buy The Gator EFX Hard Tri-Fold Truck Bed Tonneau Cover On Amazon
5. Tyger Auto Black Top T3 Soft Tri-Fold Truck Tonneau Cover
The Tyger Auto T3 soft tri-fold tonneau cover is a great simple tonneau cover, similar to a Extang Trifecta.Â
It is made with an aircraft-grade aluminum frame and dual coated marine-grade vinyl, so it’s sure to survive in all seasons.
Add in an easy installation in under 5 minutes, and you have yourself a premium tonneau cover for a low price.
Pros
- Easy installation
- Inexpensive
Cons
- â…” bed access
Buy The Tyger Auto Black Top T3 Soft Tri-Fold Truck Tonneau Cover On Amazon
Final Thoughts On Tonneau Covers For A Chevy Colorado
Buying a tonneau cover for a Chevy Colorado or GMC Canyon can be a lot different than buying one for something like a Chevy Silverado.
The different bed sizes and probably the different uses of the pickup truck will play a large part in deciding which tonneau cover is right for you.
Combine this buying guide with your thoughts on what you will be using your Chevy Colorado for, and the right choice should jump out at you.
