waterproof truck cover

Are Tonneau Covers Waterproof? 

Truck-bed manufactures are hesitant to claim their tonneau covers are completely waterproof. They prefer terms like water-resistant, water-repellent, or watertight, and there are two reasons for this. They either know their tonneau covers won’t do the job, or they don’t want to disappoint customers when a stray droplet finds its way in the truck bed. There is a huge difference in these scenarios! But don’t worry, we have more info about a waterproof tonneau cover.

Is your prospective tonneau cover a low-performing product, or are the manufacturers overly cautious and exceedingly honest? How can you tell the difference between a tonneau cover that is truly vulnerable to the elements, versus one that might possibly let some water in if it encountered a tropical cyclone?

Heavy Duty Water Resistant Tonneau Covers 

Unless you’re planning to submerge your entire truck in a lake, a completely water-proof cover is probably overkill. It’s not a submarine, it’s a truck! 

However, that doesn’t mean you should write off the importance of water resistant features. There are a ton of models out there that boast good water resistance, like the BAKFlip MX4, Gator SFX Tri-Fold, 

RetraxPro MX, and TruXedo TruXport. Others, like UnderCover Elite LX and UnderCover SE, say that being watertight is key.

Before you take the plunge, pay special attention to the following: 

• The truck bed seal, not just the finish 
• The versatility of the truck bed cover, not just its water resistant qualities 
• The strength of the truck bed cover, since water (including snow) can put a lot of pressure on a truck bed cover 

Ultimate Protection from the Elements

Renegade Covers provide a water-shedding design and a water-tight rubber seal at every possible juncture. Since this trifold hard tonneau cover overlaps the bed rails, it boasts a continuous seal. 

While it’s theoretically possible that some extreme scenarios might allow water to get through a Renegade Cover, this isn’t something the Renegade Tribe has reported about their experience.

If you want to bolster your Renegade Cover even further, check out How to Waterproof a Tonneau Cover. This post highlights some great products, like truXedo’s truXseal and Storystore’s Self-Adhesive Foam Insulation Tape. 

For further instruction on waterproofing your truck bed, watch this:

Best Weather-Proof Tonneau Cover

Renegade has the cover you need, if you want a reliable seal and finish. Plus, being a heavy-duty trifold, aluminum cover, the options are limitless for using it. This is the strongest truck bed cover on the market, boasting 2,000 pounds of load-bearing power. 

But will it keep every last drop of water out in every scenario? It’s pretty darn close. Be ready to take on life’s storms with Renegade. Order yours today.

Foam Seal Tape

Self-adhesive Black PVC Foam Tape 1/2 inch thick x 1/2 inch wide x 25 ft. long roll. Acrylic adhesive on one side.
Recommended use: Creating a better water seal for the cover, tailgate, bulk head, and anywhere else you see sunlight in the truck bed

$16.00

Shop now

Water vs. Truck Bed Cover

In your search for how to waterproof tonneau cover, you’ve seen other terms like water-resistant, weather-tight, water-repellant, and more. But it starts to seem like brands are trying to trick you into purchasing a low-performing product. When it comes to a tonneau cover, is it waterproof or bust?

While a waterproof truck bed cover might seem like the ultimate goal, this would simply mean it’s possible to submerge it. Unless you’re not planning on going deep sea diving in your truck, this feature is pretty irrelevant. So what type of protection from the weather is appropriate for your truck bed cover? 

What’s the Difference? 

At first, a cover that is water-repellant might seem just right. After all, this brings to mind a finish that will cause water to bead on it. Before you get too excited, consider this: truck bed covers that claim to be water-repellant may have a special finish, with no special attention paid to the seal at all. This leaves whatever you’re transporting vulnerable to falling rain or splashing mud. 

Wanting to protect bounty, you might be inclined to overcorrect, looking for a product that’s watertight. However, this is a feature focused on ensuring no water could get in (or out). It’s almost too focused on the seal, potential neglecting the durability of the cover itself. 

This brings up the idea of weathertight truck bed covers. While this may sound promising, it is simply highlighting their ability to withstand the pressure of rain and wind. But how much pressure? They never really get around to saying. What’s more, despite having “tight” in common with watertight, something that is weathertight does not have a watertight seal. 

This leaves us with water-resistant, which, in the case of Renegade, describes the tonneau cover’s finish and its seal. Here, water is generally unable to get in, but it’s not a 100% guarantee. When it comes to the Renegade Cover, let us say this: While some small leaks are possible in theory, our users do not report noticing it happening in practice. But still, we want to be honest with you! Our tonneau cover is about 90% there. If that’s not enough for you, don’t fret, we have some ideas for how to make up that last 10%.

How to Waterproof a Tonneau Cover

As you’ll see in the video review below, in intense environments, like a pressurized car wash, water may get in at each of the corners of the truck bed; even so, this is only a few drops. We recommend storing any items that are particularly sensitive away from the corners. 

The other place that may leave your truck bed vulnerable is not due to the cover, but the gap where the tailgate meets the bed on the bottom. Adding a gasket sealer here is a great way to keep water and dust from getting into to your truck bed.

A product we love is called truXedo’s truXseal. Not only is it easy to install, but it works with all makes and models of trucks. 

Another good option is Storystore’s Self-Adhesive Foam Insulation Tape. Most people just call it weatherstripping, and are used to seeing it around windows or doors. But this product in particular is made of the same material as a surfer’s wetsuit, Neoprene.

Renegade Tonneau Cover or Bust 

At the end of the day, we aren’t going to come out and say the Renegade Cover is perfect, or that it will keep every last drop of water out in every scenario…but it’s pretty darn close. So if you’re looking for an aluminum water-resistant tonneau cover that’s simple to install and highly durable, your search is complete. 

The Renegade Cover can also carry up to 2,000 pounds on top, while protecting whatever you store below, making it one of the most versatile covers on the market. Plus, with a tri-fold design, you can easily access your truck bed without exposing it to the elements.

With Renegade, you’ll find the ultimate tonneau cover, and one that’s ready to take on life’s storms. Plus, thanks to the L-Track system on Renegade’s Tonneau Cover, you will be able to mount most any kind of truck bed accessory to it. So order your cover today, and get back to planning your next great adventure.