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Photography by Richard Giordano Have you ever looked at a truck and wondered how people use them for trips, or carrying around cargo with that open bed? While the open bed nature is what makes a truck so versatile, it's also a security risk, as it leaves your precious cargo open for ripe pickings. Even if you're in a super safe area, there's also the question of weather and environmental factors. Whatever you keep there will be exposed to sun, rain, wind, snow, dust, and bird droppings, to name a few. There are a few aftermarket add-ons that can cover your truck bed, including hard and soft solutions with varying degrees of weather protection and security. This article looks at tonneau covers, particularly tri-fold bed covers, of which you can find a great range at 4 Wheel Parts. You can also find advice on how to pick a tonneau cover, and we will be talking about tri-fold tonneau covers here. Furthermore, you can keep your truck bed in great condition with truck bed liners and mats, as well as maintain your tonneau cover in pristine order with a range of cleaning products for the purpose. If security is your concern, we've got you covered too. What Are Tri Fold Tonneau Covers? As the name suggests, a tri-fold tonneau cover folds into three parts or segments. They are superbly versatile, as you can expose either one or two thirds of the bed, or the entire bed. This means that you don't need to disturb cargo that's packed further in the bed, or expose it to the elements when what you're looking for is right by the tailgate. Tri-fold tonneau covers are relatively lightweight and easy to install too. They offer more versatility than roll-up tonneau covers, less complexity than retractable tonneau covers, and are relatively light weight when compared to hinged tonneau covers.  What To Look For In A Tonneau Cover Not all tonneau covers are made equal. We've compiled a few things to look out for when choosing a tonneau cover. For starters, you should ensure that it's compatible with your truck, or made for it. Truck beds vary widely in dimensions, and you can't just purchase any old tonneau cover and expect it to fit. Either verify that it's made for your vehicle, or at the very least, ensure that the bed length it's rated for is a match for your truck's bed, as some tonneau covers can be adjusted via hand-tightened clamps and thus offer some leeway. Check the manufacturer's credentials. If it's a renowned brand such as Smittybilt, Rough Country, Rugged Ridge, WeatherTech, Bestop, or similar, you're already halfway there. However, if it's an unknown brand and doesn't seem to offer much information via a search on a reputable website, you should be wary, no matter how reasonably priced it appears. After sales service is important too, that's why you should always purchase your off-road parts from a reputed vendor, such as 4 Wheel Parts, where you are covered by a warranty, as well as expert advice and assistance. Read reviews. How easy is a tonneau cover to install, operate, and detach? Does it support a wide variety of trucks? Will it cause any damage to the paintwork or bed liner? How does it fare after a year or two of sun and weather exposure, as well as moderate folding and unfolding? These are important factors to consider, and there will usually be user reviews once you've identified the exact model number. 
Best Affordable Tri Fold Tonneau Covers At 4 Wheel Parts, there are over twenty options that sneak in under the $300 price bracket, which is no mean feat, given that you can find tonneau covers for over five times as much.
Smittybilt Smart Cover Soft Folding Tonneau Cover Let's have a look at the Smittybilt Smart Cover Soft Folding Tonneau Cover. This is a tri fold tonneau cover that comes in at just $279.99. It's claimed to take just three minutes to install, and is made from vinyl with an aircraft-grade aluminum frame for durability. It boasts all-weather sealing, and comes with a cargo net thrown in too.
Rough Country Soft Tri-Fold Tonneau Cover Rough Country offers the Rough Country Soft Tri Fold Tonneau Cover that sneaks in cheaper than the Smittybilt, costing just $269.95. It's got a lightweight 6061 aluminum frame and black finish vinyl cover. It's said to be easy to install and remove, and comes fully assembled in the box. All weather seals are claimed to keep rain out, and a safety strap is included.
Ram 1500 Rough Country Tonneau Cover If you drive a Dodge RAM 1500, Rough Country has a model specific offering that sneaks in at just $259.95. The Rough Country Soft Tri Fold Tonneau Cover – RC44307550 is easily on or off in three minutes, and boasts the same construction and features as the previous one we've talked about. You can drive with the tonneau cover open or closed, and it has a tailgate lock for added security. Note that it's not compatible with split tailgate RAM 1500 models, and is rated for a 5' 7" bed.
Bestop EZ Fold Soft Folding Tonneau Cover We know that we set the budget at $300, but if you're willing to sneak above it a bit, you can purchase something from Bestop, such as this Bestop EZ Fold Soft Folding Tonneau Cover. Installation is a bit more intensive, requiring half an hour or so of work, and it offers low profile hinges, reinforced corner construction, strong aluminum bows, and integrated buckle straps to secure the folded tonneau to the cab rail.
Why Choose 4 Wheel Parts What's so great about 4 Wheel Parts? For starters, you can either purchase from the comfort of your home, and their six distribution centers scattered around the country will ensure speedy doorstep delivery, or you could drive down to the nearest store. With over 90 stores scattered nationwide, chances are one may be closer than you think. There's a super price-matching guarantee, as well as highly rated customer service.
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