How to Choose the Best Hard Folding Tonneau Cover

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Choosing the Best Hard Folding Tonneau Cover Summary

• Hard folding tonneau covers are typically less expensive than retractable covers but offer greater security and durability compared to soft tonneau covers.

• A hard folding tonneau cover usually costs between $600 and $1,600.

• After consulting with an industry expert and testing several tonneau covers, our product team recommends the BAKFlip G2 and Gator EFX.

Hard Tonneau Covers & Our Testing Process

When evaluating tonneau covers, we assess ease of installation and use, durability, price, and overall functionality, as these are among the essential factors when choosing a tonneau cover. During our more expanded review of the best hard tonneau covers, we used these trucks as test vehicles:

• 2013 Toyota Tacoma (Standard Cab) with a 6.0-ft., 2.0-in. bed.
• 2016 Toyota Tundra with a 5.0-ft., 7.0-in. bed.
• 2022 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab with a 5.0-ft. bed.
• 2016 Chevy Colorado with a 5.0-ft. bed.
• 2017 Toyota Tundra with a 5.0-ft., 7.0-in. bed.
• 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Trail Boss with a 5.0-ft., 8.0-in. bed.
• 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 with a 6.0-ft., 9.0-in. bed.

After installation, we tried each cover’s features and then left it on the test truck to learn how it would hold up over time. Hit the “show more” arrow if you would like to see our full testing methodology, including how we score tonneau covers.

An Expert Opinion

Our product team caught up with RealTruck Director of Marketing Chris King, who has worked on vehicles for over 25 years. An auto industry veteran, King recommends truck owners start by considering three factors when it comes to picking the best tonneau cover for their needs: cost, security, and use case.

Hard Folding Tonneau Cover Price

On average, expect to spend between $600 to $1,600 for a hard folding tonneau cover. This type of tonneau cover is often cheaper than a retractable one but more expensive than a soft roll-up tonneau cover.

Low Price	$600
Typical Price	$1,000
High Price	$1,600

If your budget is under $500, a soft rolling cover or soft tri-fold cover may be your only option. Hard tonneau covers are difficult, if not impossible, to find in this price range. However, there are affordable soft tonneau covers that don’t sacrifice quality despite a lower price point.

If price is no concern, you might consider a retractable tonneau cover with all the bells and whistles. Retractable covers can cost anywhere between $1,000 and $4,000. One of the most popular retractable covers is the Retrax EQ, which has a retail price of about $3,200.

The difference between entry-level and the more expensive hard folding tonneau covers often comes down to materials and bed access.

Materials

Hard folding tonneau covers are usually constructed using a piece of expanded foam sandwiched between two panels. In most cases, the interior panel is made of aluminum. Low-cost and mid-range hard covers typically use aluminum for the top panel as well.

More expensive hard folding tonneau covers may use a fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP). The benefit is more long-term durability against the elements.

“FRP is more dent-resistant than aluminum. If you’re parked in a driveway and a tree branch fell, the aluminum could dent or poke through the tonneau cover. FRP will be a lot more resistant to damage from tree branches or hail.” ~ RealTruck Director of Marketing Chris King.

While FRP is more durable than aluminum, FRP material isn’t as good at withstanding high-heat environments. If you live somewhere that regularly experiences extreme heat, you may be better off with an aluminum tonneau cover. Try to think about the weather conditions where you live, as that will help you pick the right type of cover.

Similarly, if you have an off-road-oriented truck, like a Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro, Ford F-150 Raptor, or Ram RHO, hard tonneau covers are designed to weather the great outdoors.

Bed Access

Tri-fold hard tonneau covers are generally more versatile than a one-piece cover that resembles a lid or shell—the UnderCover SE is a single-piece style like this. Using the UnderCover SE as an example, the pneumatic struts make the hard top cover easy to lift, but the design prevents you from really being able to access your truck bed near the cab from the side.

Unlike a one-piece option, hard tri-fold tonneau covers offer varying degrees of bed access, including full access, depending on what you are hauling.

“Your entry price point hard folding covers will only stow in the two-thirds folded position so that last panel basically won’t fold all the way forward to the cab. But outside of your entry-level covers, almost all of them fold all the way to the cab, so you have the flexibility for when you need to haul something larger. You can drive with these tonneau covers stowed in those positions, so no issues there.” ~ RealTruck Director of Marketing Chris King.

While you can drive with a hard folding cover in the fully opened position, this will obstruct the view out the back window. It’s not recommended to drive this way for an extended distance.

Some hard folding truck bed covers, like the Extang Solid Fold Toolbox 2.0, are compatible with tool boxes. Keep in mind that if you have a one-piece shell that covers the whole of your bed, it will prevent you from having a tool box.

Since tonneau covers can fold or roll open, they allow you to take advantage of bed space vertically, whereas a conventional topper would restrict you from carrying taller items.

Hard Folding Tonneau Covers & Security

A hard tonneau cover can effectively protect the contents of your truck bed in a way that a soft tonneau cover simply cannot. Soft tonneau covers can easily be accessed by tearing through the vinyl with a knife or box cutter.

“One of the biggest benefits of a hard folding tonneau cover is the security they offer. Most new trucks have locking tailgates, so if your tailgate locks and the tonneau cover is closed, the cover is also locked in place with your tailgate. If you own an older model that doesn’t have an OEM lock— whether it’s automatic or keyed—there’s a brand called Pop & Lock that you can add.” ~ RealTruck Director of Marketing Chris King.

Depending on where you park and what you keep in the bed, security may not be a factor in choosing a tonneau cover. If so, you can save money by purchasing a soft roll-up cover. Otherwise, if security is a top priority because you often haul expensive valuables, consider a hard folding tonneau cover.

Hard Folding Tonneau Cover Use Cases

Before purchasing any tonneau cover, consider how you use your truck and how you plan to use your tonneau cover. The best option may depend on how regularly you plan to remove and reattach your cover.

“Your soft folding covers can be removed from a truck in 60 seconds. If you just want a temporary solution for the occasional road trip and an open bed for the rest of the time, soft roll-ups can get out of the way completely for a trailer. Retractable covers would roll up and be out of the way for a fifth-wheel or gooseneck. A hard folding cover would also fold up against the cab and be out of the way, but if you’re towing a trailer and it’s going to be hooked up for a while, I wouldn’t recommend blocking your rear window for a long period.” ~ RealTruck Director of Marketing Chris King.

If you regularly travel with a camper or horse trailer, a hard folding tonneau cover might not be the best option. There is no concern if you tow conventionally (i.e., from the bumper), as a hard folding tonneau cover will not impact that.

Hard Folding Tonneau Cover Benefits

According to King, hard folding tonneau covers are the most popular category of covers among RealTruck customers. “The covers are well engineered, well built, and fit 99 percent of people’s use cases,” he said.

In addition to the security they provide over soft covers, hard folding tonneau covers are significantly more durable in the long run. “If properly cared for, a hard folding tonneau could last as long as your truck,” King said.

Compared to retractable covers, hard folding covers are less expensive but still offer the benefit of deterring would-be thieves by their rugged construction. Finally, a hard folding cover provides a sleek look that many find desirable.

Hard Folding Tonneau Cover Downsides

While there are not a lot of disadvantages to hard folding tonneau covers, there may be better options depending on how you use your truck. For example, hard tonneau covers take longer to remove than soft ones.

When fully opened, hard folding tonneau covers will block your rear window, eliminating your view. Although the combination of prop rods and rubber bumpers will protect your rear window and the back of your cab from damage, a soft roll-up or retractable tonneau may be a better option.

Towing is also a consideration. While hard folding tonneaus can be compatible with fifth-wheel and gooseneck applications, they are not the best choice for visibility when driving with a large trailer.

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Hard Folding Tonneau Covers Buying Guide

What Is The Best Hard Folding Tonneau Cover?

We named the BAKFlip G2 and the Gator EFX the best hard folding tonneau covers on the market in 2025.

Other highly rated covers we would consider but have not tested yet include the BAKFlip MX4 and Extang Solid Fold ALX.

Brand/Model	Cost	Material	Full Bed Access
BAKFlip G2	From $1,100	Aluminum	Yes
Gator EFX	From $600	Aluminum	No (2/3 Access)
BAKFlip MX4	From $1,300	Aluminum	Yes
Extang Solid Fold ALX	From $1,099	UV-resistant EnduraShield TPO	No (2/3 Access)

When it comes to tonneau covers, our Automoblog team members comb through DIY mechanic and auto enthusiast forums, manufacturer websites, and PDF instruction manuals from those manufacturers.

We pay attention to reviews and recommendations highlighting the quality of warranties, customer service support, build quality, materials, and overall reliability. We often look at websites like RealTruck and Amazon as a source for real-world customer reviews.

For this guide on how to pick the best hard folding tonneau cover, we recommend two from our testing: the BAKFlip G2 as the best overall option and the Gator EFX as the best budget option.

Best Hard Folding Tonneau Cover Overall: BAKFlip G2

BAKFlip G2 Fast Facts

• Cost: From $1,100.
• Style: Folding.
• Material: Aluminum.
• Warranty Length: Three years.

The BAKFlip G2 is a highly durable cover made with aircraft-grade aluminum reinforced by a powder-coated black finish, making it UV-resistant and corrosion-resistant. Ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber seals line the sides of this cover, preventing water incursion.

The tonneau cover is easy to use and can be opened to allow for full bed access. Here is how the BAKFlip G2 performed in each of our testing categories:

Review Category	Score (Out of 5.0 Stars)
Ease of Installation	4.0
Ease of Use	4.0
Durability	4.0
Overall Rating	4.0

Pros

• Easy installation.
• Made from strong materials.
• Weight tolerance of up to 300 lbs.
• Prop-up capabilities for large cargo.

Cons

• Mixed customer reviews on water intrusion.

Our Experience With The BAKFlip G2

The BAKFlip G2 performed better than average by all of our metrics. It installs quickly and sits flush with the truck bed. We like the multiple open positions, including the ability to open against the back window for complete bed access.

One thing to note is that the BAKFlip G2 requires more installation steps for trucks that lack square bed rails. Once installed, however, the G2 sits flush with the truck bed. It latches in several positions, and we found the locking mechanism was always fluid and responsive.

What Customers Are Saying About The BAKFlip G2

RealTruck Review Score: 4.5 out of 5.0 (over 1,800 reviews).

Owners regularly praise the BAKFlip G2 for its ease of installation and ease of use. Owners also say they appreciate that the cover allows for full bed access and that it looks nice when closed.

Comments about the ability of the G2 to prevent water incursion are mixed. Some say the G2 is watertight, while others say it leaks at the tailgate. In our experience, few tonneau covers will totally prevent water from entering the truck bed, especially during a thunderstorm with heavy rain (this is why many high-quality tonneau covers include drainage tubes).

It’s also worth noting that leaking can result from improper installation. If you have questions about installation, RealTruck offers customer support via live chat and by phone.

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Best Budget Hard Tonneau Cover: Gator EFX

Gator EFX Fast Facts

• Cost: From $600.
• Style: Folding.
• Material: Aluminum.
• Warranty Length: Limited lifetime.

The Gator EFX is easy on your wallet and easy to install.

Benefits include an aircraft-grade aluminum construction that allows the cover to support up to 300 lbs. of evenly distributed weight. The EFX is also coated with a dent-, scratch-, and UV-resistant polymer, which helps ensure a long service life.

Here is how the Gator EFX performed in each of our testing categories:

Review Category	Score (Out of 5.0 Stars)
Ease of Installation	4.0
Ease of Use	3.5
Durability	4.0
Overall Rating	3.8

Pros

• Affordable.
• Low-profile design.
• Durable construction.

Cons

• May leak at the tailgate, according to customer reviews.

Our Experience With The Gator EFX

While the written directions that come with the EFX aren’t very clear, the overall installation process is simple enough once you get going.

We did notice that not all of the slam latches aligned perfectly. The cover has some left and right motion once installed, and you may need to shift it from the side to ensure the locks are correctly engaged.

As mentioned above, the Gator EFX is built with aircraft-grade aluminum and features a black powder coat finish. Thick EPDM rubber seals help prevent water intrusion, but we found the rubber is so thick that the cover did not sit completely flush with the truck bed in some places. It’s not a reason to dismiss the EFX; it’s more just something to be aware of if you purchase the EFX.

What Customers Are Saying About The Gator EFX

RealTruck Review Score: 4.5 out of 5.0 (over 3,400 reviews).

According to online reviews, the Gator EFX works well for such a low-cost cover. Most find the cover easy to install and appreciate its sleek, flush appearance once the installation is complete.

However, some feel the EFX is not entirely waterproof. Similarly, those with a truck bed liner mention the EFX may not fit perfectly without first trimming back the liner.

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Other Top-Selling Hard Folding Tonneau Covers

While our Automoblog team has tested many tonneau covers, we haven’t yet had the opportunity to try the covers below. We think these may be worth considering based on manufacturer reputation, features, and customer reviews.

BAKFlip MX4

As with many folding tonneau covers, the BAKFlip MX4 can be installed at home without power tools.

It features a matte black finish and sits flush with the bed rails for an aerodynamic look. Other benefits include the five-year warranty, heavy-duty aluminum construction, and security features that should protect your gear from would-be thieves and the elements.

Truck owners choose the BAKFlip MX4 for its appearance, durability, and ease of use. According to customer reviews, the most commonly praised aspect is that it’s easy to install and fits nicely on their truck. Several reviewers also appreciate that this hard folding tonneau cover allows for full truck bed access.

Extang Solid Fold ALX

The Solid Fold ALX is an upgraded version of the Solid Fold 2.0 hard folding truck bed cover. The difference is a unique Secure Rotary Release Latching System for effortless one-handed operation. To use it, simply drop the tailgate, twist, and lift the cover—it automatically latches against the bed rails when closed.

Truck owners will likely appreciate the EnduraShield TPO panels, which are both impact and UV-resistant, coupled with an aircraft-grade aluminum frame that boasts a textured black EnduraCoat finish.

Additionally, the cover includes hinge cap seals and snap-on triple-fin perimeter seals to protect against inclement weather. When closed, the Extang Solid Fold ALX supports a remarkable load capacity of 600 lbs. when weight is evenly distributed.

According to RealTruck, installing the cover is a breeze thanks to the Jaw-Grip clamps and bolt-on rotary latch strikers, which require no tools for setup. While the cover allows for 2/3 bed access, it can also be quickly removed to provide full access to the bed.

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Best Hard Folding Tonneau Covers: Bottom Line

A good hard folding tonneau cover should be durable, open quickly, deter thieves, and allow little water incursion. In this guide, we reviewed two of the best hard folding tonneau covers:

1. Best Overall: BAKFlip G2.
2. Best Budget Option: Gator EFX.

The following covers may also be of interest to you, though we have not tested them ourselves:

1. BAKFlip MX4.
2. Extang Solid Fold ALX.

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Hard Folding Tonneau Covers FAQ