How we made this guide: picks and specs come from our catalog and fitment data, owner quotes come from verified reviews and the guide was drafted with AI help, then checked and edited by Trevor Hall.
The best hard roll-up tonneau cover for most trucks is the BAK Revolver X4s (from $1,399.99), with the TruXedo Sentry (from $1,199.99) the least expensive hard roll-up we carry. Both hide interlocking aluminum slats under a vinyl skin, both carry 400 lb spread over the closed cover and both lock to their rails along the bed. Like every roll-up, they secure the bed only when the tailgate is locked.
If you want a rack on top, buy the BAK Revolver X4 TS from $1,549.99. If you want a keyed cover that coils into a canister instead of rolling up, the Roll-N-Lock M-Series starts at $1,699.99 and the all-aluminum A-Series at $1,577.43. In our range the five true hard roll-ups run from about $1,200 to $1,700, depending on your truck and bed. Nothing in this guide is a soft roll-up; for those, see our roll-up tonneau cover guide.
Quick picks
- Best overall: BAK Revolver X4s. Locking rails the length of the bed, a 400 lb rating, 5 years of coverage and a part for all 18 truck lines we cover.
- Best for racks: BAK Revolver X4 TS. Built-in T-slot rails on both sides.
- Best hard roll-up for less: TruXedo Sentry. Same slat idea, lower starting price, 3-year warranty.
- Best canvas finish: TruXedo Sentry CT. Canvas skin and a longer warranty than the Sentry.
- Best keyed cover: Roll-N-Lock M-Series. Own key, three open positions, 4.5 from 149 owner ratings.
Good for / Not for
- Good for: locking work gear behind a locked tailgate, opening the full bed, keeping the rear window clear and fitting around a fifth-wheel hitch.
- Not for: watertight cargo, heavy loads on a Roll-N-Lock deck or buyers who need to spend under $1,000.
| Pick | From | Deck | Profile | Lock | Sealing | Load rating | Bed access | Warranty | Fits (of 18 truck lines) | Owner rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall: BAK Revolver X4s | $1,399.99 | Aluminum slats under TriShield 70-grade vinyl | Nearly flush | Locking rails, slam latches, BAK Level 3 | Flush side seals, bulkhead seal | 400 lb | 100% | 5 years | 18 | 4.5 (250) |
| Lower-priced Revolver: BAK Revolver X2 | $1,299.99 | Aluminum slats under DualShield 60-grade vinyl | Nearly flush | Locking rails, slam latches | Flush side seals, bulkhead seal | 400 lb | 100% | 3 years | 18 | 4.5 (159) |
| Best for racks: BAK Revolver X4 TS | $1,549.99 | Aluminum slats under TriShield 70-grade vinyl, T-slot rails | Nearly flush | Locking rails, slam latches | Side and tailgate seals, integrated drainage | 400 lb | 100%, drivable open | 5 years | 16 | 4.6 (172) |
| Hard roll-up for less: TruXedo Sentry | $1,199.99 | Aluminum slats under leather-grain vinyl | Low | TruXedo level 2, up to 6 catches | Rail seals; bulkhead seal on some trucks | 400 lb | 100% | 3 years | 18 | None on file |
| Canvas finish: TruXedo Sentry CT | $1,299.99 | Aluminum slats under canvas | Low | TruXedo level 2, up to 6 catches | Rail seals; bulkhead seal on some trucks | 400 lb | 100% | 5 years | 18 | None on file |
| Keyed cover: Roll-N-Lock M-Series | $1,699.99 | Vinyl over aluminum slats | Flush deck, canister in the bed | Keyed twist latch | Channels and drain tubes | None published | Three positions | 3 years limited | 18 | 4.5 (149) |
| All-aluminum deck: Roll-N-Lock A-Series | $1,577.43 | Dual-layer aluminum slats | Flush deck, canister in the bed | Keyed twist latch | Channels and two drain tubes | None published | Three positions | 3 years limited | 5 | 4.4 (47) |
| With rails: Roll-N-Lock M-Series XT | $1,849.99 | Vinyl over aluminum slats, MaxTrak T-slot rails | Flush deck, canister in the bed | Keyed twist latch | Channels and two drain tubes | None published | Three positions | 3 years limited | 17 | 3.9 (42) |
Warranty is the other number to compare: 5 years on the X4s, X4 TS and Sentry CT, 3 years on the X2 and the Sentry and 3 years limited on all three Roll-N-Lock covers. The Roll-N-Lock rows show the reviews of that series, and the TruXedo rows show none because we have no TruXedo hard roll-up reviews on file.
How hard roll-up tonneau covers work
A hard roll-up is a flexible deck of interlocking aluminum slats, wrapped in one sheet of vinyl or canvas, that rides in two side rails. The rails clamp to the inside lip of your bed rails, so on the BAK covers nothing is drilled. Unlatch the rear end with the tailgate down and the deck travels forward onto a spool at the bulkhead. The full bed opens, and the rear window and any cab-mounted camera keep their view, something a folding cover standing at the cab cannot offer.
The slats separate a hard roll-up from a soft one, which is vinyl stretched over thin bows and held by tension. A slatted surface carries weight and resists a blade in a way vinyl alone does not, and in our range that is also what you pay for: soft roll-ups start far below the entry-level hard one. The trade is a cover that is heavier to lift and install, as one X2 owner put it:
“2 people will make this install much easier. It's a quality cover, meaning it's also heavy.”
BAK Revolver X2 owner · 4 out of 5 stars
Where Roll-N-Lock fits, and how we class it
You will see Roll-N-Lock in searches for "hard rolling tonneau cover", so it belongs here. We sell it as a retractable cover, and that is how we class it. A Revolver winds onto a spool at the bulkhead and rides above the bed rails when open. A Roll-N-Lock deck retracts into a canister in the front of the bed, which Roll-N-Lock publishes at 7.25 inches deep. That is roughly an eighth of the floor on a short bed and under a tenth on an 8-foot bed.
The Revolver keeps the floor clear; the Roll-N-Lock gives up a strip of it for a key lock and three stopping positions. For the canister style across brands, our retractable tonneau cover guide covers Retrax and Pace Edwards, and tri-fold vs roll-up sets rolling against folding.
How we picked
We looked at every hard roll-up series in our catalog: three from BAK and two from TruXedo, plus the three Roll-N-Lock series that people shop against them. We read each spec sheet, installation sheet, warranty and fit note. We did not install or test these covers ourselves.
The owner side comes from reviews on file: 159 for the Revolver X2, 200 for the X4s, 172 for the X4 TS, 149 for the M-Series, 47 for the A-Series and 42 for the XT. TruXedo has none, so we lean on its own specifications. Any count of owner problems here is a keyword count across those reviews, not a failure rate, and we read the examples before using a number.
Best overall: BAK Revolver X4s
Best overall
BAK Revolver X4s Hard Roll-Up Tonneau Cover
From $1,399.99 · Full-length locking rails and a 400 lb rating on all 18 truck lines we cover.
One sheet of TriShield 70-grade vinyl covers the slat deck, BAK's rotational locking rails take hold along the entire bed and slam latches close it automatically. BAK rates the security at Level 3, and lists the cover as compatible with most fifth-wheel hitch setups. Owners who mention noise describe its absence: one reports zero rattle at highway speed, another says it does not rumble or flap in the wind.
BAK gives it 5 years, it fits all 18 truck lines we cover and owners rate it 4.5 from 250 ratings, 149 of them five stars. Owners praise the ease of opening, especially on a lifted truck, and one found it stays put in wind that lifted his old soft cover:
“I had an OEM soft roll up cover previously on the gladiator but the wind would lift it up in the middle and pull it out from the truck bed. I switched over to the BAK revolver X4s and definitely don't have that problem anymore.”
BAK Revolver X4s owner · 5 out of 5 stars
The complaints are narrow. Water and arrival damage lead: 18 of the 200 X4s reviews on file use the word leak, mostly at the tailgate edge, and 22 mention damaged or broken parts. One critical owner described chips in the bed rail powder coat.
“Love the sleek look, how quick and simple it is to roll/unroll the cover. Only reason its not 5*'s is the water that leaks in around the tailgate.”
BAK Revolver X4s owner · 4 out of 5 stars
Pros
- Rails lock the cover shut over the whole bed
- Rated for 400 lb spread over the closed cover
- Open cover leaves the rear window and camera view alone
- 5 years of coverage, and a part for all 18 truck lines
Cons
- Owners find drips near the tailgate corners
- Reviews criticize the small plastic rail end caps
- Starts above the X2 and the Sentry
- Protects the bed only while the tailgate stays locked
Skip it if you run a crossover toolbox or stand tall gear against the front of the bed, since the rolled cover sits at the top of the bulkhead. Skip it too if your priority is the smallest outlay on a hard cover; the Sentry below starts lower.
Best for racks: BAK Revolver X4 TS
Best for racks
BAK Revolver X4 TS Hard Roll-Up Tonneau Cover
From $1,549.99 · Integrated T-slot rails carry crossbars, baskets and carriers on top of the closed cover.
Think of the X4 TS as the X4s with a rack built into the rails. T-slot rails on both sides accept crossbars, baskets, bike and kayak carriers and roof-top tents, sold separately. It is drivable open, the 400 lb rating applies to the closed cover spread evenly and the rack maker's rating decides what the crossbars carry. BAK puts the install at 30 to 60 minutes with basic hand tools and no drilling, and coverage runs 5 years.
It fits 16 of our 18 truck lines; the Honda Ridgeline and the Jeep Gladiator are the two without it. Owners give it the highest average of the three Revolvers, 4.6 from 172 ratings. Sealing is mixed as on the X4s: 15 of 172 reviews use the word leak.
“Pretty good waterproofness for parking outside in Seattle - some water gets in at the tailgate but other than that it seems bone dry. No leaking from the sides or water running along the underside of the cover.”
BAK Revolver X4 TS owner · 5 out of 5 stars
The more useful warning concerns the vinyl: one owner found small round holes after a few months, a single report, and a vinyl repair kit fixed it.
“This is my second Bak Rolling cover. I like most everything about it but I am finding the vinyl covering material inferior and susceptible to punctures. I think it is just road rocks bouncing off it and they leave little holes.”
BAK Revolver X4 TS owner · 4 out of 5 stars
Pros
- Integrated T-slot rails for racks and carriers
- Drivable open, and the rolled cover sits tight to the cab
- 30 to 60 minute clamp-on install
- 4.6 average from 172 ratings
Cons
- Costs more than the X4s for the same cover
- Does not fit the Ridgeline or the Gladiator
- Owners report water at the tailgate and end-cap problems
- One owner reports punctures in the vinyl
“I installed my new cover and the flimsy little plastic cover on the end is bad!”
BAK Revolver X4 TS owner · 3 out of 5 stars
On a 2025 Nissan Frontier, check the part number and bed length before you order: one owner of that truck found a gap at the tailgate with the rails set against the cab.
“I like the design of the cover, unfortunately it doesn’t fit the 25 Nissan Frontier correctly.”
BAK Revolver X4 TS owner · 2 out of 5 stars
Skip it if you will never mount anything on the cover. The X4s is the same cover without the rails and costs less.
Lower-priced Revolver: BAK Revolver X2
Lower-priced Revolver
BAK Revolver X2 Hard Roll-Up Tonneau Cover
From $1,299.99 · The same locking-rail design under DualShield 60-grade vinyl, for less than the X4s.
The X2 uses the X4s design: slats, rotational locking rails and slam latches. The skin is DualShield 60-grade vinyl rather than TriShield 70-grade, and the spec sheet gives no Level 3 rating. It carries the same 400 lb, fits all 18 truck lines and starts below the X4s.
Owners rate it 4.5 from 159 ratings, with 94 five-star ratings, and are warm about the rolling action but split on fit: one needed small shims, and an 8-foot-bed owner on a 2024 GMC 3500 reported water at the tailgate. Sixteen of 159 reviews mention a leak and 23 mention broken or damaged parts; the examples we read include a small plastic corner piece that arrived broken and was replaced.
“This is my second roll up from this company absolutely love them no leaking and great security.”
BAK Revolver X2 owner · 5 out of 5 stars
One critical owner found the cover would not roll out flat, and a replacement began to do the same.
“After a couple of weeks I found the cover would not roll out flat after rolling it up to open it. Seems the metal slats under the cover were not aligning when the cover was unrolled.”
BAK Revolver X2 owner · 2 out of 5 stars
Pros
- Locking rails along both sides, same 400 lb rating as the X4s
- Starts below the X4s and fits all 18 truck lines
- Rolled cover stores at the bulkhead, rear window clear
- Compatible with most fifth-wheel hitch setups
Cons
- Skin and spec are a step below the X4s
- 3-year warranty, two years shorter than the X4s
- Broken or missing small parts appear in reviews
- Some owners report water at the tailgate and a tricky alignment
- Heavy to lift, so a second person helps
Skip it if your budget stretches to the X4s. The X4s has the heavier-grade vinyl and the Level 3 rating.
Hard roll-up for less: TruXedo Sentry
Hard roll-up for less
TruXedo Sentry Hard Roll-Up Tonneau Cover
From $1,199.99 · The least expensive hard roll-up we carry, with a TruXedo level 2 lock and a 3-year warranty.
The Sentry is TruXedo's lower-priced hard roll-up. A slatted aluminum deck sits under leather-grain vinyl, the rails hold the cover with TruXedo's level 2 locking system and up to six catches engage as you close it. It carries 400 lb spread over the closed cover, covers the full bed length and fits all 18 truck lines. The warranty is 3 years.
We have no owner reviews for the Sentry, so what we can say comes from TruXedo's own documents. Its lock uses a tension cable and self-engaging catches rather than BAK's rotating rails, and like the Revolver it is secure only when the tailgate is locked.
Pros
- Starts lower than any Revolver or Roll-N-Lock cover
- 400 lb rating and full bed access
- TruXedo level 2 lock with up to six catches
- Fits all 18 truck lines
Cons
- 3-year warranty, shorter than the Revolver X4s
- No owner reviews on file to check it against
- Vinyl skin scuffs more easily than the canvas Sentry CT
- Bulkhead seal only on some trucks
Skip it if you want a written track record behind your purchase. The Revolver X4s has 250 owner ratings behind it.
Canvas finish: TruXedo Sentry CT
Canvas finish
TruXedo Sentry CT Hard Roll-Up Tonneau Cover
From $1,299.99 · The Sentry deck with a canvas skin and a longer warranty.
The Sentry CT keeps the Sentry's slatted deck, 400 lb rating and level 2 lock with up to six latches. What changes is the skin and the term. TruXedo wraps the CT in RTxTechWeave canvas, which shrugs off scuffs and nicks better than vinyl, and the warranty stretches to 5 years. It fits the same 18 truck lines.
The same caveat applies: no owner reviews on file. The maker's own video shows the slats and the roll to the cab.
Pros
- Canvas skin resists scuffs better than vinyl
- 5-year warranty, two years longer than the Sentry
- Same 400 lb rating and level 2 lock
- Fits all 18 truck lines
Cons
- Costs more than the Sentry
- No owner reviews on file to check it against
- Lock still depends on a locked tailgate
Skip it if the cover rarely meets anything sharper than rain. The Sentry gives you the same deck for less, and the Revolver X4s has the reviews.
Best keyed cover: Roll-N-Lock M-Series
Best keyed cover
Roll-N-Lock M-Series Retractable Tonneau Cover
From $1,699.99 · Vinyl over aluminum slats, a key lock and three open positions, in a canister design.
Most shoppers who say "Roll-N-Lock" mean the M-Series. Industrial-grade vinyl sits over aluminum slats, and the deck retracts into the canister with ratchet latches at three positions. A keyed twist latch secures it, tied to the tailgate through a built-in extrusion, and Roll-N-Lock publishes no load rating. The warranty is 3 years limited, it fits all 18 truck lines and owners rate it 4.5 from 149 ratings.
The lock behaves differently from a Revolver. One owner confirmed on a Ridgeline that the cover locks to the tailgate, so the cover has to be unlocked before the tailgate will open. Two of the 149 reviews mention the lock, and one owner reports it is sometimes hard to lock and has unlocked itself and retracted.
“So you do have to unlock/open the cover first, then open the tailgate. A bit of an inconvenience at times but it's minor. But you can open/close the cover without opening the tailgate.”
Roll-N-Lock M-Series owner · 5 out of 5 stars
“Installed in an hour and a half with no problems. Excellent product, fit perfectly. This is my second Roll-N-Lock, the first one is 13 years old and still works great.”
Roll-N-Lock M-Series owner · 5 out of 5 stars
On water, only 4 of the 149 reviews use the word leak, but one owner who spray-washed the truck got water in the bed.
“I've washed the truck a couple of times since I put the cover on and with just spraying the hose on the bed of the truck around the cover I get water inside the bed. We had rain and I also had water in the bed after that.”
Roll-N-Lock M-Series owner · 2 out of 5 stars
Pros
- Own key lock plus a tailgate-locking extrusion
- Stops at three positions, not just open or closed
- Fits all 18 truck lines
- 4.5 from 149 owner ratings
Cons
- The canister takes 7.25 inches of the bed floor
- No published load rating
- Damaged or bent parts come up in 14 reviews, and one owner needed two people and two hours to install it
- Not waterproof; the warranty excludes water intrusion
Skip it if you need every inch of the bed floor, or if you plan to stack or strap gear on the closed deck. A Revolver rated at 400 lb is the safer pick for loads on top.
Roll-N-Lock M-Series vs A-Series
All-aluminum deck
Roll-N-Lock A-Series Retractable Tonneau Cover
From $1,577.43 · Dual-layer aluminum slats with a powder-coat finish and no vinyl top.
The only change is the deck: the A-Series swaps the M-Series vinyl for dual-layer aluminum in matte black powder coat. The canister, ratchet, keyed latch, channels and 3-year limited warranty are the same.
Two things differ for a buyer. Fit: the A-Series fits five of our truck lines, the Silverado 1500, Sierra 1500, Ram 1500, Ford Ranger and Ford Super Duty, while the M-Series fits all 18. Price: on those five trucks the A-Series starts below the M-Series. On a Silverado 1500 the A starts at $1,577.43 and the M at $1,699.99. On a Ram 1500 the A starts at $1,662.70 and the M at $1,699.99.
| M-Series | A-Series | |
|---|---|---|
| Deck | Vinyl over aluminum slats | Dual-layer aluminum slats, matte black powder coat |
| Lock | Keyed twist latch | Keyed twist latch |
| Warranty | 3 years limited | 3 years limited |
| Truck lines fitted | 18 | 5 |
| Owner rating | 4.5 (149) | 4.4 (47) |
| Reviews that use the word leak | 4 of 149 | 1 of 47 |
| Reviews that mention damage or broken parts | 14 of 149 | 5 of 47 |
| Reviews that mention the install | 6 of 149 | 0 of 47 |
Read that table as a keyword count, not a scorecard. The A-Series has a third as many reviews, so one more complaint moves its share more. Neither deck is a clear winner on leaks, and mentions of damage appear in roughly the same share of each. Three A-Series complaints have no match in the M-Series reviews: one owner shimmed the cover about an inch and a half to make it fit, another found the lock very hard to turn even after lubricant, and a third, who liked how it worked, saw the powder coat bubble on the end piece near the tailgate after 18 months.
“I have had zero issues with the way the cover works but I would expect the powder coat to last longer than 18 months. It started bubbling off the end piece that meets the tail gate.”
Roll-N-Lock A-Series owner · 3 out of 5 stars
The praise is for the look of the aluminum deck:
“I would consider this to be a top-of-the-line bed lid. For that, I expected to pay a premium price. There are many choices out there but if you want a strong, nice-looking roll type lid, pay the money and get the best. Not disappointed.”
Roll-N-Lock A-Series owner · 5 out of 5 stars
Our read: pick the A-Series if your truck is one of the five and you want no vinyl to discolor; otherwise pick the M-Series. A wider look at the range is on our Roll-N-Lock collection page.
With rails: Roll-N-Lock M-Series XT
With rails
Roll-N-Lock M-Series XT Retractable Tonneau Cover
From $1,849.99 · The M-Series with MaxTrak T-slot rails along both sides for racks and carriers.
The XT is the M-Series with rails, and the closest Roll-N-Lock match to the Revolver X4 TS. Both side rails are MaxTrak extrusions with a continuous T-slot along the top for racks and carriers. The deck, lock, canister, three-position ratchet and 3-year limited warranty are the M-Series. It fits 17 of our 18 truck lines, all but the Honda Ridgeline, and starts higher than the M and the A.
Owner ratings are the weakest here: 3.9 from 42 ratings. Five of the 42 reviews mention fit, and one owner had a drop-in bed liner trimmed. The install draws complaints too, from lacking instructions to a one-hour job that took four.
“I used to write installation instructions as part of my job. I found the instructions for this product lacking in many ways. There were pieces loose in the box that there were no instructions for. A one- hour or less project turned into about 4 hours.”
Roll-N-Lock M-Series XT owner · 2 out of 5 stars
“It only took about an hour to install, is well constructed and a good overall value. Love the roll and lock feature!”
Roll-N-Lock M-Series XT owner · 5 out of 5 stars
One XT owner also reports that the cover will not stay locked part way open.
Pros
- MaxTrak T-slot rails for racks and carriers
- Keyed lock and three open positions
- Fits 17 of 18 truck lines
Cons
- 3.9 average from 42 ratings, the lowest of the covers here
- Install trouble and fit problems with bed liners in reviews
- One owner reports the deck will not hold a part-open position
- Starts higher than the M-Series and A-Series
- Canister still takes 7.25 inches of bed floor
Skip it if you want a rack-ready roll-up with the strongest owner record. The Revolver X4 TS has 172 ratings at 4.6 and fits 16 truck lines.
Security: every roll-up needs a locked tailgate
A roll-up cover is only as secure as a locked tailgate. BAK calls the X4s Level 3, yet its release cord can be reached when the tailgate is down. On the Revolver and Sentry, a thief who gets the tailgate open reaches the release. The Roll-N-Lock key turns a twist latch that locks the deck into its extrusion at the tailgate end, but the cover does not lock the tailgate itself, so keep the factory tailgate lock in use too. Treat the tailgate lock as part of every cover here.
Aluminum slats stop a quick knife cut from giving access, which a soft roll-up cannot say, though vinyl and canvas still show wear. For loads, the Revolver and Sentry covers are rated 400 lb spread evenly over the closed cover. Roll-N-Lock publishes no rating for the M-Series, A-Series or XT, so do not plan to stack or strap gear on a Roll-N-Lock deck. If you want a one-piece lid that locks the tailgate itself, that is a different cover type; see our types of truck bed covers guide.
Water: what owners report
None of these covers is watertight, and none of the makers say so. Plan for some moisture at the tailgate edge on a Revolver and at the rail edges on a Roll-N-Lock, whose warranty excludes water intrusion.
The word leak appears in 16 of 159 X2 reviews, 18 of 200 X4s reviews and 15 of 172 X4 TS reviews, roughly 9 to 10 percent of each, and some of those say the cover does not leak. On the Roll-N-Lock side it appears in 4 of 149 M-Series, 1 of 47 A-Series and 3 of 42 XT reviews. Treat those as hints, not leak rates. A bed mat and seated drain tubes reduce the effect, and anything that must stay dry belongs in a sealed bin; our waterproof tonneau cover guide compares the watertight options, and our car wash guide explains what to expect from a spray down.
Install time and what to expect
The Revolver covers clamp to the factory bed rails with no drilling. BAK rates the X4 TS at 30 to 60 minutes and the X4s at about an hour, though owners report longer: the covers are heavy, a second person helps with lifting and alignment, and 11 X4s reviews mention the install, with some finding it harder than expected. Roll-N-Lock covers also need two people for the canister. Read your part's install sheet first, check that all hardware is in the box and use our tonneau cover install guide for general steps. For measuring, see how to measure your truck bed.
Common problems and fixes
| Symptom | Where it shows up | What to try |
|---|---|---|
| Water at the tailgate edge | X2, X4s and X4 TS reviews | Re-seat the cover against the bulkhead, check that the foam strips are in place and add a tailgate seal kit |
| Broken or missing end caps and corner pieces | X2, X4s and X4 TS reviews | Check the box on delivery and ask for the parts the same week |
| Gap between cover and tailgate | X4s on a 2014 Tacoma, X4 TS on a 2025 Frontier | Confirm the part number for your year and bed before ordering |
| Cover will not open in ice | Roll-N-Lock M-Series, Revolver reviews | Clear the ice and snow before opening; do not force the rails |
| Lock hard to turn | Roll-N-Lock A-Series review | Lubricate the lock; one owner reported lubricants did not help |
| Bed liner in the way | Roll-N-Lock M-Series XT reviews | Check liner fit before buying |
Hard roll-up versus other cover types
In our range, soft roll-ups and soft folding covers both start below $500, while hard roll-ups start near $1,200. You gain a rigid surface, locking rails and a rating on the closed cover; you give up a lower outlay and, on the Revolver, a cover one person can fit alone.
Against hard folding covers, the roll-up wins on rear visibility. On price the two overlap: hard folders in our range start lower at $899.99 and run past $2,000 at the top. Our hard folding tonneau cover guide compares those. Against retractables from Retrax and Pace Edwards, the roll-up stores the cover at the cab instead of a canister, and most Retrax models lock at any point along their track. Our hard tonneau cover roundup compares every hard type, and soft vs hard tonneau covers covers the first decision. Browse our retractable tonneau covers for the canister style.
Which one should you buy?
| If you want... | Buy | Why |
|---|---|---|
| The strongest owner record on a hard roll-up | BAK Revolver X4s | 250 ratings at 4.5 and a 5-year warranty |
| A rack on top | BAK Revolver X4 TS or Roll-N-Lock M-Series XT | Built-in T-slot rails; the X4 TS has 172 ratings at 4.6 |
| The lowest starting price on a hard roll-up | TruXedo Sentry | 400 lb rating and level 2 lock, but no owner reviews on file |
| A scuff-resistant skin | TruXedo Sentry CT | Canvas finish and 5-year warranty |
| A key lock and a stop at any of three positions | Roll-N-Lock M-Series | Own key, ratchet positions, 4.5 from 149 ratings |
| An all-aluminum deck on a Silverado, Sierra, Ram 1500, Ranger or Super Duty | Roll-N-Lock A-Series | Powder-coated aluminum and a lower starting price than the M |
Care and lifespan
Wash the vinyl or canvas with mild soap and a soft brush and keep debris out of the rails and drain tubes; leaves and grit are the usual reason a deck gets stiff. An M-Series owner wrote that tight rolling eased after he lubricated the tracks.
Ice is the winter risk on any rail. Clear snow and ice before opening, do not force a stuck deck and, before a freezing-rain night, take what you need for the morning out of the bed.
Frequently asked questions
Are hard roll-up tonneau covers good?
Yes, for owners who want a locking cover that opens the whole bed and keeps the rear window clear. The BAK Revolver X4s holds a 4.5 average from 250 ratings and the X4 TS a 4.6 from 172. The drawbacks are price, some water at the tailgate edge and the need for a locked tailgate.
What are the best retractable truck bed covers according to reviews?
Among the retractables in this guide, the Roll-N-Lock M-Series has the most reviews, 4.5 from 149. Retrax and Pace Edwards covers are in our best retractable tonneau cover guide, where the RetraxONE MX and RetraxPRO MX lead on owner ratings.
Can you drive with a hard roll-up open?
BAK lists the X4 TS as drivable open, and the X2 and X4s are driven rolled up once the bulkhead straps are done up. Roll-N-Lock covers latch at three positions, so you can drive part way open at one of them. Never drive with a roll-up loose or half unrolled.
Does a hard roll-up fit a fifth-wheel hitch?
BAK lists the Revolver X2, X4s and X4 TS as compatible with most fifth-wheel hitch setups, because the rolled cover stores at the bulkhead rather than standing above the bed. Check hitch room on your own truck before you order.
Are Roll-N-Lock covers waterproof?
No. Roll-N-Lock does not call them waterproof, and its warranty excludes water intrusion. Some owners report water in the bed after rain or a hose wash.
What is the difference between the Roll-N-Lock M-Series and A-Series?
The M-Series has a vinyl top over aluminum slats and fits all 18 truck lines we cover. The A-Series has an all-aluminum deck in matte black powder coat and fits five. Lock, canister and warranty match.
Find a hard roll-up that fits your truck