Best Truck Bed Cover after Repaint?

Boogsephine · April 12, 2023

Hello all,

I have searched through the forum to try to seek the answer I am looking for but me being very particular, I either didn't find what I was looking for or overlooked some information so many apologies if this is a "repeat thread".

I purchased my 2015 Sierra Denali in June of 2020 and it came with the ARE Fiberglass locking bedcover. While it looks cool on the truck, I have hated this thing from day one for a few reasons.

It's heavy to lift (mainly when my girlfriend drives the truck to the store)
It doesn't open all the way (for when I load up rocks or mulch)
I guess after years of use, it stared rubbing the actual metal of the bed frame when opening so that part is being repainted

That being said, a family member decided to side-swipe my mailbox when they ran to the store over the weekend causing the damage pictured. I am taking off the ARE bed cover so my body man can paint where the old one rubbed off the paint all while he fixed the other blemishes on the truck.

The question of the day: what bed cover is best recommended for durability (car washes, parking outside, etc), lock-ability (leaving minor tools in the bed overnight) and the capability of folding back so I can actually use the bed for moving things (mulch, rocks, furniture, whatever..)

Below is a pic of the truck w/ the current bed cover and a pic of the lovely damage. The PIN stripes are being removed when the truck is fixed and the old cover will be removed and I'd like to get a new one put on right after it comes back from the shop (2 weeks).

Thank you in advance for any insight and apologize again for those that have replied to hundreds (sarcasm) of other threads discussing the same stuff.

Side note -- I was browsing this website to get a feel for ones that would be better than the current one.

https://tonneaucoversworld.com/v/gmc/sierra-1500/2015/

Thank you!

FYI -- anyone in the Charlotte / Asheville area need an ARE bedcover painted black? I am getting rid of it right when it comes off.

lonestardiver · April 12, 2023

I like the revolver x2/x4 covers. Unless you get up to the truck you can’t see it has a cover. It keeps most water out of the truckbed. When the tailgate is closed and locked you can’t get in unless you put a fair amount of effort into destroying it. It has aluminum bars that span the width of the bed so you can set items on top. Note that you either have it closed or open all the way. It has ties to keep it rolled up when loading or transporting tall items. While it took effort, I was able to install it myself.

https://realtruck.com/p/bak-revolver-x2-tonneau-cover/?gclsrc=aw.ds&&kpid=go_cmp-92082789_adg-22021557069_ad-466294164397_kwd-141764071733_dev-t_ext-_prd-_sig-CjwKCAjwrdmhBhBBEiwA4Hx5g3Is3JlzIhGKTcGpHmuiCBagmTv6zfvYnSA3hvJDJtxn-bOz9Edx4RoCf9cQAvD_BwE&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=Tonneau+Cover&utm_term=revolver tonneau cover&gclid=CjwKCAjwrdmhBhBBEiwA4Hx5g3Is3JlzIhGKTcGpHmuiCBagmTv6zfvYnSA3hvJDJtxn-bOz9Edx4RoCf9cQAvD_BwE

rav3 · April 12, 2023

Bed covers are always by owners likes & dislikes. I didn't like the type hard cover you have for tge very reasons you mentioned. I looked at many mfg. before choosing mine. I ended up buy a EXTANG XCEED TONNEAU COVER because of it's clean look & low profile. It had good reviews & I bought it with a price match from realtruck.com as they matched the lowest price the Amazon had. You can view all reviews on YouTube to help you choice what's right for you. Read reviews as well as some customers service stinks. Look at the warranty life too. Happy shopping

https://realtruck.com/p/extang-xceed-tonneau-cover/v/chevy/silverado-1500/2017/

Edited April 30, 2023 by rav3

MikeBMW · April 13, 2023

Again, I'll post this as my preference:

Capt Bob · April 15, 2023

I'm a Roll n Lock guy. Very easy to use. Keeps most water out. Not sure how it works in extreme cold or snow but in Fla. that's a non issue.

Grumpy Bear · April 15, 2023

I love my Lund vinyl soft rollup. 8 years old and looks great yet. Sits out 24/7/365 in Norther Illinois. I've never run it through a car wash so no input there. But pressure wash is fine. 99.8% watertight. Holds snow load. They make or made a canvas one but the neighbors has shrunk. Ops. Thief will get into anything. As long as the tailgate is locked, you'd have to cut it off to get in. About the same as a convertible.

MikeBMW · April 15, 2023

Still, being able to just touch a button to retract the cover ... best stuff ever!
Oh, and an additional bed light - did I mention that?
[See above a few posts]

UrbanRage · April 19, 2023

I had a soft roll-up one before, and it was ok in the beginning. Eventually, it stretched and slapped around a lot, and it wasn't great at keeping water out. The straw that broke the camel's back was when someone decided to slice it with a knife to see what was in the bed. I don't link the foldable cover as they block the rear window.

I have the Roll-N-Lock (https://rollnlock.com/m-series). It has survived the SC elements since 2017 (truck is not parked in a garage), it keeps 99.5% of the water out, can be locked, 6 years later and it still functions flawlessly, and besides being dirty, the vinyl cover that covers the aluminum slats shows no signs of wear.

Good luck with your decision.

Edited April 19, 2023 by UrbanRage

Capt Bob · April 20, 2023

Yep,

The electric roll up is pretty slick, I have to admit.

doropallo · April 30, 2023

On 4/12/2023 at 4:00 PM, rav3 said:

Bed covers are always by owners likes & dislikes. I didn't like the type hard cover you have for tge very reasons you mentioned. I looked at many mfg. before choosing mine. I ended up buy a EXTANG XCEED TONNEAU COVER because of it's clean look & low profile. It had good reviews & I bought it with a price match from realtruck.com as they matched the lowest price the Amazon had. You can view all reviews on YouTube to help you choice what's right for you. Read reviews as well as some customers service stinks. Look at the warranty life too. Happy shopping

https://realtruck.com/p/extang-xceed-tonneau-cover/v/chevy/silverado-1500/2017/

I have the same cover, love it. They also offer a military discount directly from Extang.

rav3 · April 30, 2023

13 minutes ago, doropallo said:

I have the same cover, love it. They also offer a military discount directly from Extang.

Boogsephine · May 6, 2023

Thanks to all for your input! I'll be making my decision this week as the truck will be out of the shop most likely on Wednesday with fresh paint on the bed.

Since the big ARE fiberglass cover is off, I may replace those plastic pieces that go along the top of the bed. What exactly are those called? The ones on the truck are a little beat up from the old bed cover and I'd like to have ones that match the freshly painted bed.

Thank you all, again!