Best Ford Ranger Tonneau and Bed Covers

Updated on Jan 26, 2024

Pickups are the auto market's most versatile vehicles, especially modern midsize offerings, like the award-winning 5th-generation Ford Ranger! With a spacious cab, a powerful yet fuel-efficient EcoBoost power plant, sedan-like ride quality, and a rugged T6 chassis, what’s not to like?

And don’t forget about the bed! The Ranger’s 5–6-foot bed is spacious enough for most consumers, though it suffers from the same shortcomings as other pickups on the market: a lack of cargo coverage.

Fortunately, comprehensive bed protection is only a couple of clicks away! We offer a massive inventory of tonneau covers, ranging from cost-effective soft covers to pricey, secure hard covers. If you’re unsure which style, brand, or model is right for your Ranger, you’re in the right place!

In this guide, our experts rank the top five tonneau covers for the Ford Ranger. Along the way, we compare and contrast the various bed cover styles on the market, highlighting key features and characteristics. But first, let’s discuss the key benefits of installing a tonneau cover on your pickup.

Bed Cover Benefits

So, why should you spend your hard-earned funds on a tonneau cover in the first place? Tonneau covers offer several benefits, though security and weather resistance are the most commonly cited.

Though security varies depending on a tonneau cover’s style and choice of materials, most can be considered theft-resistant or, at the least, theft deterrent. These products shield any valuables in your Ranger’s bed from view, preventing would-be thieves from peering into and stealing from an unattended truck.

Nearly every tonneau cover on the market protects your cargo against the elements. Manufacturers factor moisture and dust resistance into every tonneau cover, whether a rigid hard cover or a marine-grade vinyl soft cover.

Aside from protection, tonneau covers offer sleek, low-profile aesthetics, exceptional aerodynamics, and more! So the real question isn’t why should you install a tonneau cover, but why wouldn’t you?

Bed Cover Styles

Bed covers come in several form factors and constructions, offering different aesthetics, functionality, and operation. Which is best for you? Let’s dig into the top-selling styles on RealTruck and the characteristics that set each apart.

Hard Folding: These tonneau covers are a solid variety, constructed using 2–4 (typically three) aluminum or fiberglass-reinforced polycarbonate (FRP) top panels joined by hinges. This style offers exceptional security, durability, and styling.
Roll-Up: Roll-Up tonneau covers feature a soft, pliable canvas or vinyl tarp that stretches over the bed, offering exceptional weather resistance and moderate theft deterrence. Roll-up tonneau covers may or may not feature laminated aluminum/polycarbonate slats, which bolster rigidity and theft resistance.
Soft Folding: These soft vinyl or canvas bed covers feature rigid, hinged aluminum frames, allowing you to fold the cover toward the bulkhead for approximately ⅔ bed access. Though not exceptionally secure, this style is typically lightweight and cost-effective.
Retractable: These covers feature an interlocking-slat design, typically constructed from polycarbonate, aluminum, or composite plastic. The cover rolls into a compact aluminum canister at the bulkhead, either manually or via an electric motor, and offers nearly full bed access. Retractable covers are highly secure and durable, though they're typically the priciest option, especially power-retractable models.
One-Piece: Secure, hard-shelled tonneau covers featuring a rigid, one-piece ABS plastic or fiberglass construction. This bed cover style utilizes clamshell-style operation with hinges at the bulkhead, allowing the cover to pivot upwards for rear bed access. Though secure and weather-resistant, one-piece bed covers are typically expensive. They also offer limited cargo access, requiring removal to load oversized cargo.

For additional information, check out our guide on the Best Tonneau Covers of 2024!

Best Ford Ranger Bed Covers

With a thorough understanding of bed cover styles and benefits, let’s turn our attention to the main topic of this guide: our expert’s top tonneau covers! While styles and price points may vary, each bed cover in this section offers exceptional quality and durability.

Gator EFX Hard Fold Tonneau Cover

Our expert’s first recommendation is a trust hard fold tonneau cover from the experts at Gator: the EFX. This premium tri-fold tonneau cover features durable aircraft-grade aluminum construction with a corrosion-resistant black powder coat finish, offering outstanding strength and longevity. The aluminum-panel construction is so durable that Gator rates it to withstand 300 pounds!

This bed cover features an ultra-low profile, sitting nearly flush with your Ranger’s bed rails. When folded toward the bulkhead, the Gator EFX allows ⅔ bed access to transport oversized items. Integrated retaining straps secure the cover in the open position, preventing the panels from unfolding or shifting while driving.

If water intrusion is a concern, don’t worry! This cover features EPDM rubber hinges and perimeter seals, keeping moisture out and your cargo safe and dry!

Gator is a RealTruck brand. When you order the EFX Hard Fold Tonneau Cover or any other Gator product, you’re dealing directly with the manufacturer. We proudly manufacture every Gator EFX in the USA and include a limited 3-year warranty, ensuring years of reliable service.

Features:

Aircraft-grade aluminum construction
Sleek black powder coat finish
Heavy-duty EPDM rubber hinges
Up to 300-lb. load capacity (evenly distributed)
Unobtrusive flush-mount design
Offers ⅔ bed access for transporting oversized cargo
Convenient retaining straps lock the cover into the ⅔ position
EPDM rubber seals and drain tubes prevent water intrusion
Simple, no-drill installation
USA-made
3-year warranty

TruXedo TruXport Tonneau Cover

Up next is the TruXedo TruXport: a cost-effective soft-rolling tonneau cover offering comprehensive weather resistance and moderate theft deterrence. This premium bed cover features a marine-grade vinyl tarp stretched over a rigid yet lightweight aluminum frame.

Operating the TruXedo TruXport is simple and intuitive; just release the rear latches and roll the soft vinyl cover tightly toward the bulkhead! With the cover rolled and secured with the included straps, you have full access to your Ranger’s bed!

Other features include automatic tension control, simple clamp-on installation, and a 5-year warranty against material and manufacturing defects!

TruXedo is a RealTruck brand. When you order a TruXport Tonneau Cover or any other TruXedo product from us, you’re dealing directly with the manufacturer. That means no unnecessary price markups or middlemen.

Features:

Marine-grade vinyl cover
Heavy-duty aluminum frame
Pre-set tension controls keep the cover taught in any season
Alloy support rods prevent sagging
Easy-to-use dual paddle latches
1.5-inch tall, top-mount design
Simple installation
5-year warranty

BAKFlip G2 Tonneau Cover

BAK Industries is a renowned tonneau cover manufacturer specializing in high-end bed covers for numerous applications, including your Ranger! The BAKFlip G2 is no exception, serving as the tri-fold tonneau cover offering.

The BAKFlip G2 features a rugged hard-fold construction featuring aluminum-skinned, solid-core panels for unmatched strength. With its durable design, this cover can support up to 300 pounds!

Other features include an innovative dual-action tailgate seal, simple clamp-on installation, and an ultra-low profile.

BAK Industries is a RealTruck brand. When you order the BAKFlip G2 Tonneau Cover or any other BAK product, you’re dealing directly with the manufacturer. We back each BAKFlip G2 with a limited 3-year warranty, ensuring years of reliable service.

Features:

Durable, solid-core panels with aluminum skins
Sleek, low-profile design
Automatic latching panels
3rd brake light visibility
New dual-action tailgate seal on select applications
100% truck bed access
Easy, clamp-on installation
300 lbs. weight capacity (evenly distributed)
BAKBox 2 compatible
3-year warranty

Gator SRX Roll-Up Tonneau Cover

Next, we have another budget-minded offering from Gator. The SRX is a durable and intuitive roll-up tonneau cover, offering sleek aesthetics, simple roll-up operation, moderate theft deterrence, and comprehensive weather protection.

This tonneau cover utilizes a marine-grade vinyl tarp, guarding your valuables against rain, dust, and debris. This cover also blocks the visibility of your Ranger’s cargo area, deterring the prying eyes of would-be thieves.

Operating the cover is simple: release the heavy-duty rear trigger latches and roll the cover toward the bulkhead, aluminum bow supports, and all! With the cover rolled against the bulkhead and secured by the integrated nylon straps, you’ll have full access to your Ranger’s bed!

Other notable features include automatic tension control, an ultra-low profile, and Gator’s "Love It or Swap It" guarantee, allowing you to exchange your existing Gator cover with another model within 30 days of purchase.

Features:

Intuitive roll-up operation
Heavy-duty marine-grade vinyl tarp
Rigid yet lightweight side rail bows
Black, leather-grained finish
Ultra low-profile
Offers complete bed access
Nylon straps secure the cover in the open position while driving
Heavy-duty rear trigger latches
Adjustable tension control keeps the tarp taught in all climates
Simple, no-drill installation
Gator "Love It or Swap It" guarantee
Limited lifetime warranty on the frame, 10-year on the tarp

BAK Revolver X2 Tonneau Cover

Last on the list is the BAK Revolver X2: an innovative, hard roll-up tonneau cover featuring a soft vinyl tarp vulcanized to interlocking aluminum slats. Unlike cut-susceptible soft roll-up tonneau covers, the BAK Revolver X2 is impact, cut, and theft-resistant, thanks to its aluminum supports. The Revolver X2 is also fitted with weather-resistant side, tailgate, and bulkhead seals to prevent moisture and dirt intrusion, keeping your valuables clean and dry.

Operating the cover is similar to any soft roll-up bed cover; simply release the rear slam latches and roll the cover toward the bulkhead. Once you reach the rear window, secure the cover with its integrated safety straps for full bed access, even while driving! Closing the cover is just as easy, and with the cover latched and tailgate locked, cargo in the bed is safer than if it were locked in the cab.

Features: