Truck Bed Boxes, Tonneau Covers and Cargo Bars

Year, model and bed length: the three fits that decide it

A tonneau cover is made for a particular truck and bed, so match three things: the model and year range, the bed length and any trim exclusions. Bed length is measured inside the bed from the front wall to the closed tailgate, and sizes such as 5 ft, 5.8 ft and 6.9 ft are not interchangeable. Read the exclusions in the title, which can rule out trims with a factory bed system or special rails.

A soft roll-up cover is lighter and rolls back toward the cab for access, while a hard tri-fold has rigid panels that fold in sections and resist wind and debris better. Check how the cover attaches to the rails, whether it works with a bed liner, and how it handles the tailgate. A cover keeps cargo out of sight and shelters it from most weather, but it is not a security box.

Wheel-well boxes and cargo bars: side and interior width

A bed storage box sits against a wheel well, so it is made for one side. A driver's side box does not fit the passenger side, and the shape follows the wheel well of a specific model and year range. Capacity is given in gallons and liters, for example 6.6 gallons or 25 liters, and the material, such as ABS plastic, affects weight and impact resistance. Check that the box does not block the tailgate, bed rail or tonneau cover.

Cargo bars brace loads across the bed and are adjustable between the bed walls. Measure the inside width at the height where the bar will sit, and choose a bar whose range includes it, with a rubber or padded end that grips without marking the bed. Bars hold light loads in place; they are not a substitute for tie-downs on heavy cargo.

Questions about Truck Bed Boxes, Tonneau Covers and Cargo Bars

How do I measure bed length for a tonneau cover?

Measure inside the bed along the floor from the front wall to the inside of the closed tailgate. Compare the result with the cover's stated bed length, and also check the model, year range and cab type. Short, standard and long beds differ by several inches.

Is a hard tri-fold cover better than a soft roll-up?

It depends on use. Hard covers have rigid panels that resist wind and debris, but they are heavier and bulkier to remove. Soft roll-up covers are lighter, quicker to roll back and compact when removed. Choose by how often you need full bed access and how heavy a load you carry.

Can a box made for one truck fit another?

Usually not. Wheel wells differ in shape and position between models and years, and a box molded for one truck's wheel well may leave gaps or foul the bed rails on another. Match the model, year range and side, and read any trim exclusions in the title.