4 Best Hard Tonneau Covers for Dodge Ram 1500
You’d think that choosing your truck model is the end of fit, but even after you’ve settled on the Dodge Ram 1500, you still have work to do!
In fact, the post-purchase upgrades are in many ways more essential than the truck itself. You’ll need to get bed liners, floor liners, and toolboxes. And let’s not forget air intakes and tuners, and maybe step bars.
Well, put all of those aside for now because the tonneau cover remains the most vital aftermarket upgrade. Without it, your cargo will be out in the open.
If you landed on this page, you probably have a rugged Dodge Ram 1500 in your garage waiting to ride. Well, don’t let it sit much longer; here’s your guide to the best hard tonneau cover for Dodge Ram 1500.
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- Super durable aluminum and marine-grade vinyl construction
- No assembly design with EZ clamp system
- Best balance of price and quality
- Super low profile makes a stylish design
- Can drive with it partially open (3 options)
- 3 Year Warranty
- Provides access to 100% of truck bed
- Matte-finished aluminum panels
- Open and close the tailgate without lifting cover
Best Dodge Ram 1500 Hard Tonneau Covers
There are various tonneau covers on the market for the Dodge Ram 1500, but these are the best four options, in our opinion. Scroll through them and choose the best one for your preference.
1. Tonno Pro Hard Fold, Hard Folding Truck Bed Tonneau Cover
The Case for the Tonno Pro
If you’re looking for a hard tonneau cover that’ll withstand harsh conditions, and are following the process in our guide to choosing a tonneau cover, you definitely want to think hard about the Tonno Pro. It’s one of the most durable covers on the market, thanks to its aluminum and marine-grade vinyl construction. You’ll have to inflict a lot of abuse to see the tiniest dent on this fellow.
The impact-resistant design will protect your cargo from virtually anything. You’ll be able to park the truck anywhere without fearing something might hit the cover. It was explicitly made to withstand hits.
For extra protection, the cover has a sturdy underbody that’s made entirely of aluminum. It’s also supported by beams and sub-panels for further safety.
Are you still not convinced? Maybe you’d want to take a look at some of the accessories you’ll get with the purchase. The Tonno Pro comes with a tailgate seal, gloves, a compact LED light, and a cover cleaner. You’d hardly need to buy anything else after you buy it.
If you’re worried about installation, the Tonno Pro features a no-assembly design. It doesn’t need drilling or any handy skills. You’ll be able to attach it to the truck and have it ready in under ten minutes. All you have to do is undo the lock handles and fold it forward.
Features
- Folding design
- Tailgate lock
- 350-pound weight capacity
- Lightweight design (Lighter than 70 pounds)
✔️ Pros
- No drilling required for assembly
- Durable construction with aluminum and dual-coated marine-grade vinyl
- Excellent value for money
❌ Cons
- The corners may flap at high speeds.
The Tonno Pro is one of the most rigid tonneau covers you’ll find for the Dodge Ram 1500. For the price it comes with, we’d say it’s quite the bargain, considering all the accessories that come with it. That’s why it also make our list of the best budget truck bed covers.
That said, the corners don’t sit flat, so they may flap when you ride at high speeds. If that’s not a problem for you, then it’s a pretty solid choice.
2. BAK BAKFlip MX4 Hard Folding Truck Bed Tonneau Cover
The Case for the BAKFlip
If you don’t mind paying more than you’d typically pay for a tonneau cover, the BAKFlip offers unrivaled functionality and protection. Its trifold design is supported by aluminum panels for durability. Besides, its installation is easier than ever with its clamp-on design.
The assembly isn’t hard per se, but you may need someone to help you with the positioning. Plus, the cover isn’t exactly lightweight, so you may need an extra pair of hands for carrying it.
The cover is made of aircraft-grade aluminum. You’d have to make a lot of effort to scratch or dent it. On top of that, it’s lined with a rubber seal for protection against all kinds of damage.
What’s even better is the integrated drain system within the cover. The drains run along the cover’s edge, eliminating the risk of leaks into the bed. Needless to say, this makes the cover suitable for extreme winter conditions, including heavy rainfall.
It’s worth noting, though, that the cover isn’t waterproof. It just reduces the risk of leaks.
The tri-fold design allows you instant access to the bed whenever you need it. You can uncover a small section if you don’t need the whole bed, which adds to the convenience. In addition, it can be opened without opening the tailgate for easier access.
If you want to fold the cover entirely, you can safely do it, thanks to the safety buckles that keep it in place.
Features
- Safety buckles
- Integrated draining system
- UV-damage protection
- 400-pound weight capacity
✔️ Pros
- Drains included for usage in heavy rain
- Flush-fit to avoid flapping
- Matte finish for a sleek, rugged look
❌ Cons
- On the expensive side of the market
The BAKFlip is one of the best tonneau covers on the market in terms of convenience. It’s easy to assemble, fold, and use. Besides, it’s highly durable. The only major downside to the BAKFlip is its high price, but all BAK products are on the expensive side of the market. Plus, you’ll get reasonable value in return.
3. UnderCover Flex Hard Folding Truck Bed Tonneau Cover
The Case for the UnderCover
If you have a new Dodge RAM 1500—a 2019–2021 model—, the UnderCover is a solid option to consider. It features a tri-fold design that lets you ride with the tonneau cover open, partially open, or fully closed.
For further convenience, when you open the cover, it props upright on its dual rods, so it doesn’t rest on the cab’s back. This way, you can drive with the cover fully open without fearing it’d fall on the truck’s back. It also means you can have 100% bed access whenever you need it, which is more than I can say for most similar tonneau covers.
The cover’s folds are attached by panels, which are made of FRP composite. The material is lightweight and durable. Not to mention, it shows impressive impact resistance—it has a lower chance of denting than aluminum.
The cover latches onto the truck with dual aluminum panels. You can open them by releasing the pulling cables on the vehicle’s sides. There’s also a double-action seal that lets you close the tailgate without having to open the tonneau cover.
For easy access. You can open the cover from both sides of your Dodge, thanks to the slam latches on each side.
The cover has a glossy finish. If you prefer matte, you can look at the Ultra Flex or Armor Flex versions of the same cover. Additionally, its design fits flush to the bed, preventing flapping and noise.
For weather resistance, the UnderCover Flex is fully equipped with drain tubes that get rid of rainwater outside. That way, the cargo in your bed stays protected from water, and you can ride comfortably under the rain.
Features
- Integrated drain tubes
- Dual propping rods
- Slam latches on both sides
- FRP composite panels
✔️ Pros
- Full bed access anytime you need
- Drain tubes included for heavy rainfall
- Highly durable construction
❌ Cons
- Some users reported the bed rails aren’t correctly angled.
The UnderCover Flex is overall highly durable and functional. It has multiple convenient features, and it’s generally easy to use. However, many users reported it’s a bit challenging to install because it fiddles. If you intend to buy it, you may want to consider getting someone to help you assemble it.
4. BAK Revolver X2 Hard Rolling Truck Bed Tonneau Cover
The Case for the BAK Revolver
The BAK Revolver is the only hard tonneau cover on our list with a rolling design. It’s incredibly convenient, with its one-handed operation and sturdy rotational lock rails. It allows you full bed access whenever you need it, and it’s one of the easiest covers to use.
The Revolver is made of separate panels, each made of aluminum and coated with vinyl for weather resistance. To roll the cover back, all you have to do is release the latch. When you’re done rolling, you can secure the cover in its place using Velcro on its top. This way, you can have any section of the bed open whenever you like.
There’s an integrated tailgate in the cover to secure it in place when closed. You won’t have to suffer any flapping while you’re riding at high speeds. When closed, the cover can handle up to 400 pounds of distributed weight, which is pretty decent considering the price.
For your convenience, you can open the Revolver from both sides of your Dodge Ram. All you have to do is to pull the cable, and the automatic slam latches will release the cover.
Features
- Patented rotational lock system
- One-handed operation
- Aluminum construction with vinyl coating
- 400-pound capacity
✔️ Pros
- Easy to open and close
- Vinyl coating for weather resistance
- Easy to install and latch onto the tailgate
❌ Cons
- On the expensive side of the market
The BAK Revolver is by far the most expensive tonneau cover on our list. However, that’s only because it features unrivaled functionality and durability. Its rotational locking system will stay intact for years, regardless of the surrounding conditions.
Things to Consider When Buying a Hard Tonneau Cover for Dodge Ram 1500
Here’s everything you need to consider when choosing a hard tonneau cover for your Dodge Ram 1500.
Budget
Hard tonneau covers are generally the most expensive type of tonneau cover. So if your budget is less than $500, you’d be better off with a soft tri fold bed cover, like the Tyger Auto T3. You won’t find hardcovers in this range, and if you do, they probably won’t be durable enough to last. You can get a pretty decent hardcover around $1000.
If your budget can handle it, though, there are some solid options that cost more than $1000. You’ll see advanced locking mechanisms, retractable designs, and one-piece covers. Generally, a $500—$1000 is more than enough to get a good hard cover.
Easy Opening Mechanism
You don’t need a tonneau cover that’ll leave you hanging until it opens. The opening mechanism should be fast and easy to use. It should also be easy to close the cover once again when you’re done.
The best opening mechanism on our list belongs to the BAK Revolver X2. It opens rapidly so that you can have access to your bed in mere seconds.
Bed Access
Some covers offer full bed access at all times, but others may only open for half of the bed. If you’re hauling heavy cargo, you’ll need enough access to the bed without the cover blocking it. Even when you are just using it for something as simple as keeping luggage dry in your truck bed, it’s still easier to unload at the airport when you can easily access the bed.
In this case, you may want to consider a tri-fold design that props up, such as the UnderCover Flex.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long will my tonneau cover last?
Most covers on our list have warranties ranging from three to five years, which means they can hold out for plenty of years to come. It depends on many other factors, though, such as the construction material and the mechanism.
Rolling mechanisms are known for their high durability, and of course, one-piece covers are highly durable as well.
Can I install the cover on my own?
You may be able to install it on your own if it’s easy to assemble. However, it may be too heavy for you to lift it alone. In this case, you’ll need an extra pair of hands to help you. Additionally, some covers need help for positioning.
You don’t want to lift the cover and then find that it doesn’t sit flush against the bed. It’s easier to have someone help.
But generally, most tonneau covers can be installed alone if you have enough time. Some covers also come pre-assembled, so they’re easier than ever to install on your own.
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👉 Read More: Best Hard Tonneau Covers for Toyota Tacoma | Best Hard Tonneau Covers for Ford F-150s | Best Hard Tonneau Covers for Chevy Silverado
All of the hard tonneau covers on our list are solid and sturdy, but we believe the BAK Revolver X2 may be the best option in terms of durability and convenience. It opens and closes in an instant, and it’s pretty easy to install.
Besides, its locking mechanism is highly durable. You don’t have to worry about the panels going loose or becoming flimsy. The high-quality construction is to speak of. It’s the perfect fit for your Dodge Ram 1500!
Cover Image: Mike Mareen / Shutterstock
