A tonneau cover is an important accessory for any pickup truck owner. It helps protect cargo in the truck bed from weather and theft. Truxedo is a popular brand of tonneau covers. Their covers are known for convenient features like easy installation and folding.
But what if you need to fold the tonneau cover when there is cargo inside the truck bed? Is this possible with a Truxedo tonneau cover?
What Is A Tonneau Cover?
A tonneau cover is a protective cover for the truck bed. It is made from vinyl, aluminum, fiberglass, or other materials. The cover attaches to the sides of the truck bed.
Tonneau covers have many benefits:
- They protect cargo from rain, snow, dust, and UV rays.
- They provide extra security by hiding what is in the truck bed.
- They improve gas mileage by making the truck more aerodynamic.
Tonneau covers come in different styles:
- Roll-up – These roll up like a window shade to allow full access to the truck bed.
- Folding – These fold in sections to allow partial or full access to the bed.
- Retractable – These roll up into a canister at the front of the bed for full access.
- Hinged – These are made of hard panels that fold open for access.
Why Choose A Truxedo Tonneau Cover?
Truxedo makes high-quality tonneau covers known for their convenient features. Some benefits of Truxedo covers include:
- Easy to use – Truxedo covers fold up or roll up quickly with an easy trigger latch system. This allows fast access to the full truck bed whenever needed.
- Low profile design – Truxedo covers sit close to the truck bed, improving aerodynamics. This can increase fuel mileage.
- Durable materials – Truxedo uses heavy-duty vinyl that is tear resistant. It stands up to weather and cargo wear and tear.
- Secures cargo – The cover locks down tightly over the bed to prevent theft. But unlocking it takes just seconds when needed.
Other nice features – Truxedo covers have sleek designs, padded undersides to protect the truck, and come in different colors.
Can You Fold a Truxedo Cover With Cargo Inside?
The good news is yes, you can fold a Truxedo tonneau cover with cargo inside the truck bed!
Truxedo covers are designed for easy folding and securing, even when loaded with gear. Here are some key points:
- The trigger latch system allows the cover to be rolled or folded closed smoothly and quickly. You don’t have to remove cargo first.
- The hinged joints and padded underside help the cover fold over safely, even with bulky items underneath.
- Folding the cover over cargo secures it in place during transport. The cargo has less chance of shifting around.
- Most Truxedo covers can support several hundred pounds evenly distributed when folded. But always check weight limits.
- Make sure cargo isn’t stacked too high before folding. Cargo needs to clear the cover so it can close fully.
- With roll-up covers, the rolling action helps tighten the cover over cargo. Just roll firmly when closing.
So in most cases, go ahead and fold that Truxedo cover over a loaded truck bed! Just be mindful of what’s inside when closing it up.
Tips for Folding a Loaded Truxedo Cover
Folding a Truxedo cover while loaded does take a little care. Follow these tips for best results:
1. Inspect the Inside First
- Take a look at what’s loaded before folding. Make sure cargo is arranged neatly and not stacked too high.
- Ensure nothing will obstruct the cover from closing fully. Remove or reposition items if needed.
2. Close It Carefully
- When folding or rolling the cover closed, go slowly. Watch to ensure cargo clears and does not get pinched or twisted.
- Apply steady, firm pressure when closing to keep the cover tight over the load. But don’t force it if cargo is obstructing.
3. Consider Weight Distribution
- Try to spread heavy items evenly across the truck bed before closing the cover. This prevents too much pressure on one spot.
- For heavier loads near the cover sides/hinges, open the cover wider before folding. This reduces tension on the joints.
4. Check under the Cover
- After closing the cover, do a final check that it lies flat and that cargo underneath is staying put. Reopen and adjust if needed.
- Make sure the cover is locked and secured before driving. Cargo should not shift around under a tightly closed Truxedo.
5. Respect Weight Limits
- Know the weight limit of your specific Truxedo cover to avoid overloading it when folded. Excess weight can damage the joints.
- For heavyweight cargo, a solid tonneau cover may be better than a fabric Truxedo cover. Or remove the cover entirely.
Are All Truxedo Covers the Same for Folding?
Truxedo makes several popular tonneau cover models. The main options are:
Truxedo Lo Pro Tonneau Cover
- This soft roll-up cover features reinforced vinyl and aircraft-grade aluminum.
- The low-profile design sits close to the truck bed.
- It rolls up easily from the rear with the trigger latch system.
- The Lo Pro can be rolled up over lightweight cargo, but it has a lower weight capacity than other models when folded.
Truxedo TruXport Tonneau Cover
- This is an affordable soft roll-up cover made of heavy-duty vinyl.
- It uses a cord system to tighten the vinyl over the bed when closed.
- The TruXport can be rolled over cargo, but bulky items require more effort.
Truxedo Sentry CT Tonneau Cover
- This is a hard folding cover made of industrial-strength aluminum panels.
- It folds in sections via aircraft-grade hinges for partial or full access.
- The Sentry CT can easily fold over cargo thanks to its sturdy panel construction.
Truxedo Deuce Tonneau Cover
- This soft hinged cover provides the benefits of both folding and roll-up styles.
- It folds open in sections, then conveniently rolls up at the cab for full bed access.
- The Deuce securely contains cargo even when folded down quickly using the trigger latch.
So in summary:
- Roll-up covers are best for lighter cargo, while hard folding covers can handle heavier loads when closed.
- The Deuce model offers the versatile convenience of both roll-up and folding functions.
- Check your owner’s manual for weight limits and folding instructions specific to your Truxedo model.
Special Case: The Truxedo Sentry CT Dual Cover
One special exception is the Truxedo Sentry CT Dual cover system. This consists of a Sentry CT hard cover over a Lo Pro soft roll-up cover.
With the Sentry CT folded open, the Lo Pro provides a second barrier over the bed. But…
- Only the Sentry CT panels should be folded closed over cargo.
- The Lo Pro underneath should not be rolled closed with cargo inside. Doing so can damage the roll-up cover.
So with a Sentry CT Dual, fold the top cover panels closed over cargo. But leave the bottom Lo Pro cover open to avoid issues.
Helpful Tips for Loading Cargo under a Truxedo
Here are some extra tips to make hauling cargo under your Truxedo cover easier and safer:
- Make sure cargo sits below the cover rails for proper clearance. Don’t stack items too high.
- Use truck bed dividers or tie-downs to secure the load and prevent shifting.
- Place soft items like blankets under the cover edges to prevent rubbing or scratching.
- For oversized loads, remove the tonneau cover entirely and transport it separately.
- Open the cover fully at stops to check on cargo instead of lifting the folded cover.
- Clean the vinyl often to avoid debris, dirt, and moisture getting under the cover.
- Don’t overload the cover. Check the manual for weight limits and distribution guidance.
- Install a truck bed liner first for maximum scratch protection from cargo.
Following these tips will allow you to get the most out of your Truxedo cover and truck bed space!
In Conclusion
The good news for Truxedo tonneau cover owners is that their covers are designed for easy folding and securing, even with cargo still loaded in the truck bed.
Most Truxedo models allow you to conveniently fold or roll the cover closed over your gear for protection during transport. Just be sure to do it carefully by inspecting the load, watching for obstructions, and distributing weight evenly. Hard covers like the Sentry CT can handle heavier cargo when folded.
So go ahead and use your Truxedo cover to securely contain your cargo, even if you need to close it on the fly. Just follow the manufacturer’s instructions for your specific model. With proper care, a Truxedo tonneau adds protection and versatility to your truck bed without getting in the way of your adventures.