Ram 1500 Tonneau Covers: Overview Guide

Roll-up tonneau covers are probably the most common types you’ll find on other Rams out there in the wild. The reason for this is they add protection at a minimal cost. These tonneau covers are typically made from vinyl material. This large piece of material stretches over the length of the bed and is usually given extra support with the use of bars to add tension.

They are supported by retention devices along the outer edge of the bed. Something such as snaps or a hook and loop system is typical. The major drawback is they can’t provide much support and may cave in under heavy loads.

So if you live in an area where snow tends to build up, you’re going to have to get out in the cold and push the snow off to prevent it from buckling. They make up for it when rolled up though.

You won’t sacrifice bed space when storing the cover, and you can continue to store large cargo in the bed of your truck as needed. 

Soft Roll-Up Tonneau Covers Pros

• Affordable
• Bed completely open when rolled up

Soft Roll-Up Tonneau Covers Cons

• Lack of support when under load
• Slow rate of operation
• Slow installation and removal

If rigidity is of concern but you still want to maintain the free range of a wide-open bed when your tonneau cover is rolled up, there is a solution. Roll up tonneau covers can come with a classic vinyl topping backed by a rigid series of aluminum panels underneath.

This allows them to offer way more support than the traditional roll up cover. Similar to soft roll ups, these covers are secured into place along the rails.The added stiffness will certainly allow you to roll these types both onto the bed and into storage much quicker.

Hard Roll-Up Tonneau Covers Pros

• Superior support
• Large area of access left intact

Hard Roll-Up Tonneau Covers Cons

• High price
• Slow installation and removal

Tri-fold tonneau covers are a step up over soft roll up covers when it comes to support, but still below that of a solid cover. These types of covers fold up in three parts to allowing for one to quickly free up bed space.

They are still fairly affordable and their ease of installation and operation are as easy as you would want it to be. The con is they usually take up a considerable amount of bed space even when completely folded up.

Soft Tri-Fold Tonneau Covers Pros

• Affordable
• Easy to use 
• Easy installation and removal

Soft Tri-Fold Tonneau Covers Cons

• Lack of available bed space when folded all the way
• Lack of support when under load

Hard tri-folds maximize on support while still remaining below the cost of a high-end, hard roll-up tonneau cover. They follow the same operation and installation procedure as their soft counterpart.

There are wide ranges of variants available in hard tri-folds. They can flip from back to front or even front to back. This versatility allows you to configure your available space as needed, but will still take up a set amount of space when folded up.

Hard Tri-Fold Tonneau Covers Pros

• Highly supportive
• Wide range of variations available
• Easy to use
• Easy installation and removal

Hard Tri-Fold Tonneau Covers Cons

• High price
• Lack of available bed space even when completely folded up

Hinged tonneau covers are very similar to tri-fold covers but are built with an additional panel. Naturally, when this cover is completely folded up it offers maximum available bed space; this isn’t because of the smaller panels though. 

They can actually fold up against the rear window of the truck. The price can be higher in comparison to other types of covers, but their easy installation and flexibility are truly a dream come true. 

Hinged Tonneau Covers Pros

• Maximum versatility
• Easy installation and removal
• Easy to use

Hinged Tonneau Covers Cons

• High price
• Limited offerings

We all know most trucks that require access to the bed are work trucks. Work truck toolboxes are a must, and you may be wondering how this impacts your options when you’re out shopping around for a tonneau cover. Well, you’re not out of luck. 

Custom fitted tonneau covers tailored to compensate for enough room for a toolbox are readily available. Generally, tri-folds and roll ups, both soft and solid, are what you’ll find in this category. 

You won’t have to be too concerned with the width of the box unless you have something very large; in that case be sure to get the exact measurement to ensure a proper fit. Most toolbox tonneau covers work by providing a seal that can accommodate a range of toolboxes.