2017 SR5 4x4 Bed Tonneau Cover or Cap

I'm new to the world of Tundras and am having a hard time determining what type of cover would be best for my bed. I'm looking for something lockable - either a Tonneau or a shell. Anyone have a recommendation to which is better, what brand, and where I can look to get a used one? I'm moving from Tampa, FL to Alaska in June...so I'm needing/hoping to find something in the next couple of months.

 

I’m no help on where to get one but have had several tonneau covers over the years and now a Leer topper (I believe it’s a 100R). My favorite tonneau was the Bakflip, and of the roll-up covers I like the Truxedo Lo Pro QT. Depends on what you need exactly and want to spend, but I prefer my topper to everything else.

 

Tonneau vs shell it really comes down to what you want to carry. I had a shell on my last truck and while it was very useful (just toss everything in the back and lock it), i hated driving with it at night. Tinted truck window + tinted shell windows and I could not see anything out the back.

I have a retractable cover on my '16 crewmax and I love it. I can close the cover and lock the tailgate and everything is secure. It is not 100% waterproof but it has not been an issue if the harsh California winters. The cover I have has tracks and I have a rack across the bed for carrying bikes and other gear (works great when towing my trailer).

 

Alaska...

Lots or snow...

Shell imho

 

I've been leaning more tworads the cover vice cap for those exact reasons. How often/much does it leak? Any recommendations on a good one that isn't going to break the bank?

 

I have a shell and absolutely love it never thought I would like it but we go boating all the time and it comes in very handy. The shell also looks really good on a CrewMax.

 

My cover leaks a little at the corners. I have a Bedrug bed mat and this helps keep things from sitting in any water that gets in.

I've heard retractable covers are less watertight than the trifold covers. I needed to put Yakima racks across the bed (above the cover) so a retractable worked best for me.

With the freezing temps in Alaska I would be concerned that a retractable cover would freeze up and you would not be able to open it. A trifold cover like BAK or Extang would probably be better in the cold. I prefer the ridged covers over the soft ones since they offer a bit more security (you can't just cut them with a knife).

There are also solid covers from companies like diamondback and undercover that I've heard good things about.

A hard Trifold cover are around $800-$900 (more for the the diamondback). The soft folding covers are a lot less The solid covers seem start at around $1000.

 

SR5SHARK,
Thanks for info. I hadn't thought about it leaking...figured it was tight enough to prevent water ingress. How well do the tri-fold keep water from entering the bed?

 

I have a tri-fold (Extang Solidfold 2.0) with the Voodoo bars that are made for tonneau. It will leak a bit in the rain, I could probably run some trim down the side but it doesn't bother me enough to take action.

It was pretty easy to install, and once you've done it once you can remove/install in about 5 minutes if need be. My only complaint would be the tonneau has flimsy feeling hardware towards the tailgate, and I don't think it would take a ton of work to pry it open to steal stuff. But there was no drilling, trimming, no relocating of the rail system, so overall I'm happy with it. Looks practically OEM too, they've done a nice job with aesthetics.