How Much Weight Can a Tonneau Cover Hold?
Before buying a tonneau cover for your pickup truck, many owners will consider its length, waterproofness, and safety, but often overlook an important issue: the weight-bearing capacity of the tonneau cover, especially for drivers who usually need to transport goods and explorers who like to go out. A tonneau cover can protect everything in your truck bed very well. When the truck bed is full, you have to consider using the surface space of your tonneau cover to help you complete this transportation task or outdoor adventure.
How much weight can a tonneau cover bear? Most soft tonneau covers have a weight-bearing capacity between 15 and 50 pounds, while hard tonneau covers can have a weight-bearing capacity of up to 300 pounds or even higher.
In this article, we will introduce the weight-bearing capacity of tonneau covers, including the factors that affect the weight-bearing capacity and the performance of different types of tonneau covers. Whether buying a tonneau cover for the first time or looking to replace an existing product, this information will help you make the best decision!
Types affect the load-bearing capacity of tonneau cover
According to the type of tonneau cover, we can divide the cover into "hard" and "soft".
Hard tonneau cover
Hard tonneau covers are made from aluminum, fiberglass, or ABS plastic. These materials offer excellent durability and load-bearing capacity. Most hard tonneau covers can handle up to 300 pounds of evenly distributed weight. The weight they can handle varies depending on the material and thickness. Some heavy-duty models can handle loads up to 500 pounds. They are perfect for car owners who need to store heavy equipment or luggage on top of the cover. In addition to their strength, hard tonneau covers also offer great security features like lockable latches, making it difficult for thieves to steal your cargo.
Soft tonneau cover
Soft tonneau covers are made of materials like vinyl or canvas and have a much lower weight capacity. Most soft tonneau covers can only support no more than 15 to 100 pounds. They are just a layer of fabric that will sag under pressure, and too much pressure can tear it. They are not designed to carry heavy loads. They are good for casual use, such as protecting a truck bed from rain or debris.
Materials affect the load-bearing capacity of tonneau cover
Materials are the key factor in determining the load-bearing capacity of a product. The following are three common materials used to make tonneau covers:
Vinyl
Vinyl tonneau covers are lightweight and flexible. They are easy to roll up or fold. They have limited weight-bearing capacity. The vinyl tonneau cover cannot bear heavy objects. It can only handle light objects such as snow or leaves. This material easily stretches or tears under excessive weight. Standard vinyl covers can withstand 15-50 pounds of weight before they show signs of strain.
Aluminum
Aluminum has higher strength and durability than vinyl. They are used for rigid, folding, or retractable covers. Aluminum tonneau covers can support up to 300 pounds or more, depending on the design. Aluminum is the most common material used to make tonneau covers.
FRP
FRP is a hybrid material that combines the lightweight properties of plastic with the strength of fiberglass. FRP covers can support moderate to heavy loads, typically between 400 and 500 pounds. FRP is more resistant to dents and scratches than aluminum, and it can better withstand extreme temperatures. Studies have shown that FRP can resist deformation even under pressures of up to 450 pounds.
Designs affect the load-bearing capacity of tonneau cover
Roll-up tonneau cover
Roll-up tonneau covers have the lowest load-bearing capacity. They are made of soft materials such as vinyl or fabric. When you use it to completely cover the truck bed, it is hollow in the middle without any hard material, so it cannot support heavy objects. Its advantage is that it allows full access to the truck bed. In most cases, roll-up tonneau covers can only support smaller loads, about 50 pounds or less. This makes them more suitable for weatherproofing rather than supporting heavy objects. Now, there are also hard roll-up tonneau covers, which add aluminum strips to the original basis, which increases the load-bearing capacity of the roll-up cover up to 400 pounds.
Folding tonneau cover
Folding tonneau covers are sturdier than roll-up tonneas and come in both hard and soft versions. Hard folding covers are made of materials such as aluminum or fiberglass and can support up to 300 to 500 pounds on the top. Soft tonneau covers support less weight and is made of a fabric covering over an aluminum frame. If you can distribute the weight cleverly over the aluminum frame, it can support about 50 to 100 pounds.
Retractable tonneau cover
Compared to roll-up tonneau covers and folding tonneau covers, retractable tonneau covers have a higher load-bearing capacity. They are made of aluminum or polycarbonate and can usually withstand 150 to 500 pounds of weight. The strength of the material and the sliding mechanism determine the maximum load it can bear. We do not recommend placing heavy objects on the surface of the retractable cover frequently, which is likely to damage its surface and cause it to no longer slide smoothly.
One-piece tonneau cover
One-piece tonneau covers are made of heavy-duty materials like fiberglass and have the highest weight-bearing capacity, supporting up to 500 pounds or more. These covers are sturdy and will not collapse or retract, making them perfect for those who need to carry heavy items on top of the cover. They offer excellent protection and strength, making them a top choice for weight-bearing purposes.
The load-bearing capacity of the 8 most popular tonneau covers
BAKFlip F1 Tonneau Cover
The BAKFlip F1 tonneau cover is made of FRP, which has excellent toughness and durability. It can withstand up to 400 pounds of evenly distributed weight and can easily load snow, light cargo, or tools placed on it. It protects your truck bed from potential damage while maintaining a stylish design.
BAKFlip MX4 Tonneau Cover
The BAKFlip MX4 tonneau cover offers an aluminum panel that can support approximately 400 pounds and has an inset design that makes it blend in perfectly with the truck. The aluminum panel provides excellent protection against dents and scuffs, while the matte finish resists UV rays, scratches, and fingerprints.
Undercover SE One-Piece Tonneau Cover
The Undercover One-piece tonneau cover is made of ABS composite material and has a load-bearing capacity of approximately 500 lbs. The one-piece design means that it has no extra structure that affects the load, which maximizes its load capacity.
GatorTrax retractable tonneau cover
The GatorTrax retractable tonneau cover is known for its sturdy, lightweight construction. It has a weight capacity of 300 lbs. While slightly lower than some competitors, its unique design allows for easy access into the truck bed.
MOSTPLUS FRP hard folding tonneau cover
The MOSTPLUS FRP hard tonneau cover can support up to 350 pounds. The strength of this cover comes from the high-quality fiberglass material, which provides a solid protective layer for the truck bed. If you need to stand on the tonneau cover, it will be able to support your weight with ease.
Bak Revolver X4s hard roll up tonneau cover
The Bak Revolver X4s hard roll-up has a 400 lb. weight capacity. Its aluminum slats and vinyl surface provide a balance between ease of use and strength. The roll-up feature allows for quick access to the cargo box while maintaining durability and protection for heavy loads.
TYGER T3 soft tri-fold tonneau cover
The TYGER T3 is a soft cover with a lower weight capacity compared to hard covers, up to 100 lbs. It is designed for simple protection and is not suitable for users who need to carry heavy objects on top.
ACCESS soft roll-up tonneau cover
ACCESS soft roll-up tonneau coverA lightweight cover. It can only withstand a load of 50 pounds. This makes it ideal for users who need full access to the truck bed and do not need heavy load capacity. It is a practical protection, for example, to protect the truck bed from weather.
Conclusion
Imagine you are going off-road or moving, and you have a tonneau cover that can bear enough weight. You put your bike, kayak or skis on your cover, and your travel immediately reaches the next level. Finally, according to how you plan to use the tonneau cover, choose the one that suits you and avoid unnecessary waste.
