The Pros & Cons of a Tri-Fold Tonneau Cover

As you can imagine, we love trucks, and we love finding new ways to get more out of our workhorses.

One of the first accessories that people think about when upgrading their vehicle is something to cover up the bed like a tonneau, canopy, or camper top.

Whether it’s to keep out sticky-fingered passers-by, keep your load secure on the freeway, or they’re trying to find a solution to keep that load of lumber out of the rain, a truck bed cover makes perfect sense.

However, not every cover is created equal. With that in mind, we’re going to dig into the pros and cons of the famous tri-fold tonneau cover. Afterward, you’ll have a better idea of the type of truck bed cover you need for your vehicle. 

Types of Tri-Fold Tonneau Covers

Folding pickup bed covers come in two categories: 

• Hard folding tonneau cover 
• Soft folding tonneau cover

A hard tri-fold tonneau cover is generally made from durable materials and has a rigid frame compared to a soft tri-fold bed cover, but these come at the expense of cost and weight. 

Hard folding tonneau covers are praised for their rugged performance. Unlike soft covers, many tri-fold hard tonneau covers can protect your load from above and support a small load on top. This weight-bearing feature is due to the tonneau’s interior fiberglass, aluminum, or plastic paneling. However, this means that accessibility and maneuverability are restricted during their use. 

While both hard and soft folding truck bed covers are typically equipped with a vinyl fabric material as outer protection, they are generally designed to be tear-resistant. This layer of protection adds some modest security to having either tri-fold truck bed cover but a hard folding bed cover provides vastly more security than a soft cover. Any cover that has a vinyl surface needs to be well cared for as the vinyl will degrade over time.

Tri-Fold Tonneau Cover Pros

Any form of cover over your truck bed is generally enough to deter nosy people from eyeballing your tools or fishing rods. The primary reasons people will consider a tri-fold tonneau cover include:

Additional Security

A hardcover tri-fold can secure your cargo, making it hard for thieves to get their hands on your goods. 

While not as secure as a hardcover, a softcover does provide an additional layer of security and is better than leaving your items exposed to the world. Most thefts are crimes of opportunity. Don’t let your exposed bed make your rig an easy target!  

In addition to enhancing security, it also better secures your cargo. This is important as unsecured loads cause millions of dollars of property damage and thousands of injuries annually. A tri-fold tonneau also streamlines the process of cargo coverage. After all, who wants to fiddle with tangled spider nets and flapping tarps? 

Protection from the Elements

Any form of tonneau will act as a shield from rain, hail, sleet, snow, UV rays, and even strong winds. This is important because trucks are often used to haul goods that these weather conditions could ruin. All tri-fold and retractable covers offer great flexibility for hauling and security, but they are not waterproof. They require some common sense when packing, putting items like tools or electronics into totes for extra protection. That’s the straight answer, and don’t believe a company that tells you otherwise.

Appearance

Some owners just like the look of a truck bed with a tri-fold tonneau cover. While the majority are matte black, it is possible to find one with a different finish. 

Tri-Fold Tonneau Cover Cons

For every benefit that a tri-fold tonneau cover provides, a truck owner must keep in mind that there will be trade-offs. 

Limited Access to Your Truck Bed

One of the drawbacks of having a tri-fold is that most of them won’t allow you full access to your cargo space. 

To secure a tri-fold tonneau cover to your truck, the last panel is usually mounted in a fixed position.

For tri-folds that allow the last panel to flip up and rest against the cabin, the wind from driving will cause them to beat against the window even if secured down and, what’s more, they block your rear-view.

Appearance

While this is also an advantage for some, other truck owners may not appreciate that a tri-fold tonneau cover doesn’t provide a flush look. As they sit a few inches above the truck bed, they create a new silhouette for the truck body after installation. There are many different types available, but they are also often faced with a vinyl or bumpy plastic-looking finish that isn’t as attractive as some solid aluminum alternatives.

Installation and Removal

Tri-fold hard tonneau covers can be challenging to install and remove. Anytime you need full access to your cargo space, you will have to go through a disassembly process. They also utilize the truck’s side rails, removing the ability to use other accessories, such as a rack. 

While some covers will come ready-to-fit, others will require tools, skills, and assembly, and yet others will need the aid of a professional. 

Bubbling

Many owners claim to have experienced a circular indentation forming, which eventually turns into bubbles. 

Aside from the hit to aesthetics, bubbling also compromises the tri-fold tonneau cover’s integrity, reducing its ability to protect your belongings adequately.  

Leaking

Another significant concern that users report is the cases of tri-folds leaking. Whether it’s because the seals are constructed from velcro or poorly affixed to the side rails, leaking is a frequent complaint. 

Tri-Fold Tonneau Cover Alternatives

While many truck owners might consider purchasing hard or soft tri-fold tonneau covers, there are easier, sturdier, and more reliable options.

For instance, Peragon offers a bed cover that retracts with minimal effort and can be removed completely with ease. This allows you access to the entirety of your truck bed, all without having to deal with the cumbersome panels of a tri-fold cover. 

The Peragon cover is constructed entirely from aircraft-grade aluminum with a sleek satin black powder-coat finish that matches the quality of your truck. It won’t fade or degrade over time and provides the maximum level of security for your bed cargo.

If you find yourself hauling furniture, you can remove our Quick-Release bed covers in less than 30 seconds with no tools. Whether you are working, playing, or heading home with a bed full of groceries, our covers have you covered.

We take pride in delivering unparalleled customer service and believe that every truck should have the best protection. That’s why we sell quality-made, durable truck bed covers that not only protect your cargo but are easy-to-use.  Plus, our product is made in the U.S.A. and factory direct, allowing us to control both product and service. 

Contact us today to learn more or shop our line of pickup truck covers to start the process of transforming our truck.