Best tonneau cover option if not permanently installed?

[ilikebike]

Hello all,

I'm looking at some tonneau covers for my Maverick but I don't really like the look of them and don't want it installed all the time. I would only really use it on road trips where we may have some luggage in the back or something else we would want to keep secure and free from inclement weather.

What are the best options for covers that will need to be installed and uninstalled a few times a year? My first inclination is to go the soft rollup route since it's the cheapest and will fit the bill, but looking at the install options for these it seems these are also the biggest pain to install and remove, usually clamped to the underside of the bed and secured with bolts. I'd love something that can be installed and taken down by hand instead of needing tools to install.

Any suggestions?

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[SloopJB]

I bought an undercover ultra flex Hard Tri-Fold. It is pricey, but real truck.com gives 10% off foe MTC members. I was impressed by their simple rail and connector system. If price is the defining constraint, then this is not the way to go. YouTube install videos are available. They use a “slam latch” system that I really like.

https://realtruck.com/p/undercover-ultra-flex-tonneau-cover/v/ford/maverick/2024/

good luck with your install, whatever you purchase.

 

[EchoPear]

I’m going to be getting a Softopper most likely that I can leave folded down when not needed.

Most covers can stay rolled up at the end of the bed and mostly out of the way when you don’t want them unless it’s a tri fold

 

[imboden013]

Hello all,

I'm looking at some tonneau covers for my Maverick but I don't really like the look of them and don't want it installed all the time. I would only really use it on road trips where we may have some luggage in the back or something else we would want to keep secure and free from inclement weather.

What are the best options for covers that will need to be installed and uninstalled a few times a year? My first inclination is to go the soft rollup route since it's the cheapest and will fit the bill, but looking at the install options for these it seems these are also the biggest pain to install and remove, usually clamped to the underside of the bed and secured with bolts. I'd love something that can be installed and taken down by hand instead of needing tools to install.

Any suggestions?

I installed an inexpensive soft roll up on mine only tool required is two Allen wrenches. Problem is they leak and if you take them off you’ve got the side rails to deal with. I usually just roll mine up and use the two attached straps to fasten it next to cab. It was a “tiptop” that I bought on eBay for about $150. I’ve had $1500 covers and they leaked so I wanted something cheap that just keeps stuff out of sight. If I need to keep it dry I’ll put it in a plastic tote. Cover I have fastens down with 6 Allen head bolts.

 

[PlantMan]

Gator SFX trifold cover from realtruck.com. No permanently attached hardware. 4 connection points. The second time you need to remove it, it will take only a minute or two. Popular tonneau option here on MTC. Cost should be around $225 with MTC discount. Free shipping.

 

[Edge Haley]

Gator SFX trifold cover from realtruck.com. No permanently attached hardware. 4 connection points. The second time you need to remove it, it will take only a minute or two. Popular tonneau option here on MTC. Cost should be around $225 with MTC discount. Free shipping.

Ditto
Same Gator TriFold - $217 on black friday sale. 20,000 miles and has never leaked a drop into the bed....Takes 10-15 minutes to take off or put back on....Only negative is it takes up about 6" of bed space when folded up by rear window. I'd buy it again!!!

 

[fossil]

Tyger T3 $239, comes with it's own storage bag

 

[JP4AZ]

These lower cost tri-fold hard covers are hard to beat for the price:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/355370819530
I personally have a soft tri-fold, but I like the tri-fold because they can be completely removed in less than a minute and they have NO SIDE RAILS to contend with. The plan all along is to get one when they become inexpensive....They were $400+ last year.

 

[Gschaef]

Soft roll ups are very easy to install or take off and you only need a tool to tighten or loosen the bolt clamps. Hard roll ups are easy as well with hand tightened clamps but take a little more time because you need to be a bit more exact when lining them up. I have had both and don't think the difference is that much.

If you plan to use it infrequently you can easily get by with a soft roll up or fold up. One thing to consider is security. If you plan to take road trips with suitcases and or other personal possessions in the bed, the hard cover offers much more security. Soft covers can be cut and roll ups can even be pried open on the sides where velcro is used for the seal. Hard covers are usually aluminum or fiberglass and form a much tighter seal and offer much stronger protection. Just something to consider.

 

[TNFurb]

If you’re ok with leaving the side rails on all the time, the Truxedo proX 15 has easy connect and disconnect for the rolled up canvas part. Just slide a lever on each side and it lifts right off. But again, the side rails stay on. They are connected with 3 clamps on each side. Pretty easy to install but does require a wrench to tighten.

 

[pickupdude]

rough country soft trifold is super easy and they make a pretty well priced hard trifold too.

 

[ilikebike]

If you’re ok with leaving the side rails on all the time, the Truxedo proX 15 has easy connect and disconnect for the rolled up canvas part. Just slide a lever on each side and it lifts right off. But again, the side rails stay on. They are connected with 3 clamps on each side. Pretty easy to install but does require a wrench to tighten.

That’s my main contention. I do not want the side rails on all the time, I’m going to remove the thing completely and stash it in the garage when not in use. Also not looking to spend several hundred on a trifold when it’s gonna see max two weeks of use per year.

My ideal cover would be a soft roll up with quick release clamps for the side rails but those seems to be reserved for the hard tri folds for some reason.

Edit: I’m probably just overthinking it. It’s really not a big deal to take 10 minutes before a trip and put on some rails with my tools at home. Any roll up or soft trifold should work.

 

[TacoTanium]

Looks like the soft roll is your best choice if you plan to add & remove entire thing when you need to use it. Lightest, easiest, fastest, and least tooling to install from what I see so far. For it's size, it's probably easiest to store it too when it's not installed.

 

[Snowbird]

Tyger T3 $239, comes with it's own storage bag

I have this one and would recommend it. For your stated needs, I think this and the other soft tri fold style suggestions are your best choice. They do not require any tools to remove or install.

 

[Hipshot]

FeeTUO Soft Tri-Fold Tonneau Cover Truck Bed for 2022-2024 Maverick 4' 6" Bed (54.4")
I bought this last January from Amazon, $169.00 at that time with free shipping. They also had a roll up for $166.00. I am somewhat disabled and it took me 15 minutes to install the first time but that was because all the hardware had to be installed on the cover, no tools necessary. Since then I can remove and install in less than 2 minutes. A word of caution, Buy some good weather-stripping and seal the tailgate area where it contacts at the edges. I take my Mav to the drive through car wash a couple times a week and seldom have any water intrusion, a drop or two at most. No problem wit highway speeds. After one year I am very happy.

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