Overwhelmed by tonneau covers

I am in the market for a tonneau cover for my third gen Tundra, but I have become overwhelmed by all the different styles, options, and brands. I am looking for suggestions. I have listed my requirements below to help narrow the field.

I need to open the tailgate several times a day to grab work materials out of plastic totes. Every now and then I might have a need to open the cover. I don’t want a cover that involves reseting it every time i open the tailgate.

Not worried about security, as much of items are not something a thief would want to steal.

I would like to keep the cost under $600, but could be convinced to go up to a $1000. I understand my options are limited to soft covers and a few hard covers.

Any help or suggestions are appreciated.

 

I’ve really liked Access original roll up . You can open and shut the tailgate without lifting the cover and if you ever need the full bed it just rolls up .

 

I’ve had (3) soft roll-ups all Truxedo lo-pro and Tru-x-port and now i have the Truxedo SentryCT. If you can swing the cash definitely get a SentryCT.
If I had at least a 6.5’ft bed I’d probably look into the RetraxOneXR it is even more $$$ but you can add things to it with the built in rails.
I was going to get that before I decided on the SentryCT but the canister that sits inside the bed takes up a lot of space.

 

I have done a ton of research and I do not mess around when it comes to do the details. The last 3 runners up were roll and lock, pace Edwards, and retrax. I am going with Retrax because the details of every inch cannot be beaten by the others and it comes with a lifetime warranty. I am putting a rack up top in the track system so I want to make sure it can handle a load. Trust me it's worth the spend. I geeked out trying to figure out what was best. Just went to 3 different locations today to test them all.

 

Get the best you can that will take a rack or get a hard shell that will never leak. Or get a Diamondback. None of these fit your budget. It’s still my advice.

on a side note, I cut my hard tonneau to allow my tailgate to open with it closed. But that’s a luxury and risk first gens can get away with. I would not do that on a new top.

 

That is the best option. You chose wisely.

 

Gator roll up. Cheap and simple as only needed once in awhile. If you keep a soft cover closed, it will likely get cut open because they don't know what might be inside. My advice is only close when you need to keep cargo dry and can keep an eye on it. Going into the store, parking overnight, going in for dinner, roll it up a bit. Need things to stay dry while the cover is partly open, lay a drop cloth in the cab and move them in. Or I guess you can be lazy and just order a new cover only for around $150 each time some idiot can't resist. Another option for you might be a toolbox or boxes. I just recently purchased two 60" bedrail topper boxes for my truck which in my opinion is the best way to have both secure storage and quick easy access. Keeps the bed empty as well. Lastly, you can also maybe get by with another project of mine which is a second story bed floor with storage totes underneath and a pole with a hook to retrieve them. Cheap, secure with a locking tailgate, dry, still have empty bed as bed rail has extended height from the bedrail boxes and in my case a headache rack. However, in time and between the boxes I will have a swing in wall/window up front and a swing in/out wall/window over the tailgate. Then a simple frame up top for my roll up tonneau cover to keep cargo dry during transport and a softopper to camp in with the ability to stand up inside it. Basically, I am saying there are numerous options depending on how you use or will use the truck. Good luck with your decision!