One-Piece vs Hard-Folding Tonneau Covers: Which One’s For You?

Hard tonneau covers are the clear choice for those concerned with security, durability, and longevity. The problem? There are far too many options available for you to make a snap decision on which is best. One-piece, tri-fold, hard-rolling, retractable, vinyl-covered, matte-finished, carpet-lined – the possibilities are almost endless.

To make things easier, we’ve narrowed down the selection to one-piece lifting tonneaus and hard-folding covers, since they tend to be the most popular choices. Using UnderCover’s quality selection as a case study, we break down the differences between these two tonneau styles to help you make an informed decision on your next purchase.

What is the best tonneau cover?

As stated, hard tonneau covers bring several benefits to the table – security probably chief among them. There’s no arguing that hard covers are better equipped for keeping out thieves than soft covers. It’s not impossible to pry them open. However, the act of breaking into a hard tonneau cover will draw quite a bit of attention. Constructed with metal panels or thick hard plastics, they won’t give up the goods very easily. Plus, when paired with a locking mechanism, they are virtually impossible to hack into without the use of serious equipment.

Speaking of a rigid design, it’s unlikely you’ll wear out the main components of hard tonneau covers any time soon. Instead, they’ll take years of normal wear and tear without so much as breaking a sweat. That’s not to say soft covers don’t hold their own – but the environments you subject a work or play truck to can easily tear them to shreds. Additionally, most hard tonneau covers can support several hundred pounds of evenly distributed weight on top. You won’t find that kind of strength or durability in a soft tonneau cover.

Of course, aesthetic appeal is another major factor. While soft covers do offer a smooth look, over time they can sag or ripple. This is because they are often made of canvas, polyester, or a soft vinyl. Hard covers, by comparison, retain that rigid construction that looks right at home on a capable pickup truck. With multiple finishes available – including a vinyl top that mimics a soft cover – owners can really customize how the tonneau complements the truck. For example, a textured matte finish on a tri-fold lends a rugged appearance, while a glossy painted-to-match one-piece offers a much more luxurious look.

What is a hard-folding tonneau cover?

Hard folding tonneau covers use multiple panels that gradually fold open, providing access to the truck bed. Generally, these panels open from tailgate to cab, folding down on top of one another. However, some hard-folding tonneaus offer a fold-up back panel, providing faster cab-side access.

Most hard-folding tonneaus also feature a low-profile, tri-fold design that sits nice and flush with the truck bed. Bi-fold options are available too, as are “toolbox tonneaus,” which fit behind in-bed toolboxes.

UnderCover’s Flex line of hard-folding covers are a great example of the segment. These hard-folding tonneau covers – Flex, Ultra Flex and ArmorFlex – fold entirely out of the way, providing 100% bed access.

Constructed with heavy-duty aluminum panels for strength and durability, these covers feature a simple clamp-on style installation and dual-action tailgate seal for easy operation. Because they mount flush with the trucks bed rails, they’re exceptionally water-tight. For added peace of mind, though, UnderCover equipped the bed rail mounting system with rubber seals and drain tubes to carry water away from and out of the bed, keeping gear dry and secure.

Furthermore, that low-profile design ensures even the entry-level Flex looks like original equipment. Speaking of which, the Ultra Flex and ArmorFlex bring a few extra bells and whistles to the table.

The Ultra Flex prioritizes the customer experience by featuring carpeted under-panels for a more luxurious look and integrated lighting to help you see your cargo at night. The ArmorFlex is all about durability. Heavy-duty panels are coated with a LINE-X® specialty automotive coating designed to provide advanced protection from dents and scuffs, even in the most extreme environments.

What is a one-piece tonneau cover?

Unlike a folding cover, one-piece covers open and close like a trunk lid. And, much like a trunk lid, they offer great sealed coverage. They also use hydraulic struts so operation can be done easily with one hand. Usually constructed of rugged ABS plastic (though some are made of fiberglass), one-piece covers can be had in matte or textured black finishes or can be color-matched to a vehicle’s paint color.

UnderCover offers FIVE different hard one-piece covers to choose from: the SE, Classic, Elite, Elite LX, and the LUX. Each cover features distinct styling, allowing consumers to pick the design that best matches their truck and personal taste.

The UnderCover Classic features a strong, weather-tight, and form fit ABS construction. Despite being low on bells-and-whistles, it still offers a dual-point locking system, UV-protective and scratch-resistant polymer finish, and an LED lighting system with a self-contained battery source. According to the company, the cover’s textured black finish offers “unparalleled strength at nearly half the weight of traditional fiberglass covers.”

The SE offers all the same features of the Classic, but adds unique style lines and a rear spoiler to better suit modern truck designs. The LUX kicks up the Classic even further, featuring a patented X-effect infrastructure that allows for 500 pounds of evenly distributed weight, as well as a single point locking system that controls both locking hinges and a color-match paint job.

The Elite and Elite X bump up the luxury factor. Both tonneau covers feature the X-effect infrastructure, an added handle with integrated locking mechanism, a Cargo Retriever that allows users to reach items way back in the truck bed, and an upgraded, removable LED light. The Elite X includes a premium carpet-lined underside and a color-matched paint job.

One-piece vs Hard-Folding Tonneau Covers: What’s Better?

After learning the differences between one-piece and hard-folding tonneau covers, you might think one is better for work and recreation, while the other is purely for style and security. While there’s certainly some truth to that assessment, both covers are great options for truck owners who fall anywhere along that spectrum. That’s why, when shopping, it’s important to consider what the truck’s natural habit and daily use will be.

Ultimately, we’d lean on a hard-folding cover like the Flex line when it comes to a dedicated work truck. The primary reason being that you can flip the cover completely out of the way and maintain total access to the bed. One-piece covers, by nature, limit the amount of room you have to work with, making it difficult or impossible to haul a large payload. (That’s not to say they don’t work for smaller loads or items easily kept near the tailgate.)

And while the Flex line is by no means unattractive, there’s no denying that Undercover’s one-piece covers are the real beauty queens. Streamlining the truck’s design, they look like a natural, factory-fresh fit – especially when painted to match. Plus, the carpet headliners and LED lighting of some models really complement the luxury feel on many modern trucks.

Which is better for you is heavily reliant on both your personal taste and how you use the truck.

Looking for a one-piece tonneau made for adventure? Check out UnderCover’s Ridgelander – a unique bed cover with a built-in perimeter track system for mounting all kinds of weekend-ready accessories.

Layer your Protection

Your options don’t end with a hard tonneau, though. Undercover also offers one of the best bed accessories on the market: the swing case.

These trick tool boxes mount near the tailgate, and as the name implies, swing outward for your convenience. You don’t need to open the tonneau or crawl into the bed; they simply swing out with the tailgate open.

That’s incredibly handy for storing all kinds of gear. Any small tools or equipment that you want to organize and have quick access to don’t need to be tucked under the seat or scattered across the bed. You just pop open the tailgate, and there they are. Better yet, these accessories feature twist locks and a hard ABS construction to keep them from being easy to tap into, which adds yet another layer of defense to your belongings.