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tonneau cover on a truck during rain

Are Tonneau Covers Waterproof?

Introduction

One of the reasons to purchase a tonneau cover is to protect the cargo from rain and snow because the bed covers are water-resistant and protect your cargo from most of the water during rainstorms. But the question we frequently get from our customers is, are tonneau bed covers really waterproof?  

The answer is that when the tonneau bed cover is properly installed, it will protect your truck's bed from most of the water. But no tonneau cover can keep your truck bed 100% dry in rain showers. However, a standard bed cover can stop water leakage to protect your cargo and protect it from damage.

Toyota Extrang Trifecta Tonneau cover

Difference between Waterproof and Water-resistant tonneau covers

It's a big truth that no tonneau cover can keep your truck bed dry 100% in rain. Due to this, the waterproof tonneau covers are only considered to be partially waterproof.

Tonneau covers are considered to be water-resistant. During rainfall, they will protect your cargo from much water.

If your bed cover has weather gaskets, the damage risk to your cargo becomes extremely low. The water resistance level is different for all covers; it varies among truck bed covers.

The level of water resistance is different for all bed covers. Let's look into different water-resistant bed cover and their water-resistance capacity.

Most Water-Resistant Tonneau Cover

Hinged Tonneau Covers

If you are looking for the most water-resistant bed cover, hinged ones are for you. This cover comes in a single piece and is made of ABS plastic or fiberglass. It overlaps the bed rails and tailgate, thus securing your truck's bed from water leakage.

The only exposed part is the rear hinge, which may allow a small amount of water.

Great Water-Resistant Tonneau Covers

Retractable Tonneau Covers

Retractable truck bed tonneau covers offer high resistance against water and excess moisture.

Retractable bed covers are best in class. These covers have a patent design, are scratch-resistant, and retract seamlessly without trapping dust.

These bed covers have a low-profile design and are built with heavy-duty aluminum slats and dependable seals to protect your cargo from getting wet.

These covers have some important features which make them more waterproof:

  • Heavy duty Aluminum slats
  • Low profile design
  • Lockable design for added security
  • Dust and waterproof design
  • The compact storage canister
  • Works better than hard folding covers

Retrax Retractable Tonneau Cover for Ford

Hard Roll-Up Tonneau Covers

Hard roll-up bed covers are built with hard aluminium slats with a vinyl or woven fabric overlay. These covers offer excellent security and protection for your cargo, and due to their cutting-edge design, hard roll-up covers have better water resistance and are easy to operate.

Truck owners love such bed covers.

BAK Hard Fold tonneau Cover View from Tailgate

Soft Roll-Up Tonneau Covers

Soft roll-up bed covers are lightweight and very easy to install. The roll-up design completely covers the truck's bed and doesn't expose hinges for water to seep in.

Soft bed covers are made of marine-grade vinyl with heavy-duty support rods to cover the bed's width. This design not only protects your cargo but offers great resistance against water.

Tri-Fold Tonneau Covers Waterproof

Tri-fold tonneau covers are made from steel or a super hard material. Tri-fold bed covers are one of the most expensive on the market. But even the most expensive tri-fold covers can leak. If you use a hard body tri-fold tonneau cover with at least three fully encased segments that will never leak water.  

Extrang Soft Fold Toyota Tonneau Cover

Good Water-Resistant Tonneau Covers

Hard- Folding Tonneau Covers

Mostly, hard-folding covers are constructed from aluminium panels, and some are made from fibreglass and hardened plastic.

Due to its vinyl lining, these covers have great water resistance and are constructed using interlocking aluminum panels. Hard folding bed covers can resist water but do not match the hinged tonneau covers.

Soft-Fold Tonneau Covers

Soft-folding covers have the same design as the hard folds. The difference is that they are made with an aluminum frame and a canvas or vinyl tarp. These can be easily installed or removed.

These covers are easiest to install and sit on top of the truck's bed rails, thus exposing them to water leakage from the sides.

Its water resistance is low compared to Hinge Tonneau covers. During a rainy season, water can seep in from the sides of your truck.

Their water resistance capacity is lower than others.

Ford Retrax Tonneau Cover Sideview

How to waterproof a tonneau cover?

As discussed above, tonneau covers are not perfectly waterproof because water slithers from various gaps and places inside the covers, which you need to realize.

A good tonneau cover will keep most water from entering your truck's bed. Mostly, the design of a tonneau cover will prescribe the amount of water resistance you can predict. Various hard and soft tonneau covers are available in the market to examine their water resistance capacity. 

However, you can increase the water resistance level by purchasing high-quality covers. Besides the snap covers, soft folding and soft and hard roll-up covers are also best for keeping your goods safe from water.

Bak flip hard folding tonneau cover

Ways to make tonneau covers even more water-resistant

There are many ways to enhance the water resistance level of your truck bed cover. Tonneau covers are made with seals or rubbers to stop water from entering your truck bed, but there are better solutions.

So, here we will jump to some solutions that will boost your truck's water resistance and keep your truck bed water-free.

Bed seal kits

By installing bed and seal kits, you can solve this issue permanently because installing such kits means you have purchased almost everything you need, ranging from foam blocks to seals. Still, if any water makes its way, you should use a drainage panel to resolve this issue.

Extra seals utilization

Sometimes, you need to install some extra seals if the magnitude of water leaking is low. You can buy the seal of the ideal size from a nearby hardware store, which depends on your tonneau cover. You can make sure that you purchase the correct one or not.

Insulation of water pipe

Water pipes are easily accessible, and their insulation is one of the most low-cost methods of preventing water leakage. You need to fit them whenever water enters, usually a gap. It is mostly needed if water is entering the bed from gaps.

It's important to install the tonneau cover properly, according to the instructions. Make sure to install all the parts that come with your tonneau covers. You will need these parts for proper installation because they make tonneau covers more water-resistant.

Water Resistant Seals: These are used to fill gap areas, and these can stick along the sides of the tonneau. So remember to install them carefully.

Drain Tubes: These tubes help channel water away from the bed rails.

Take all of the steps if you want to get the most out of tonneau.

Other Benefits of a Tonneau Cover

  • Tonneau bed cover prevents your goods or cargo from rain, wind, and snow.
  • It keeps heat and dangerous UV rays off your gear.
  • It stops dirt and dust from getting in your truck bed.
  • It stops a potential thief and discourages prying eyes.
Jeep Gladiator Tonneau cover in liftstyle view
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