# Are Tonneau Covers Waterproof? Water Tests and Tips > Are tonneau covers waterproof? No, but some are close. What Car and Driver's water tests found for each cover type, plus seals, drain tubes and cover care. - Source: https://truckcoverguide.com/posts/are-tonneau-covers-waterproof/ - Markdown version: https://truckcoverguide.com/posts/are-tonneau-covers-waterproof.md - Last updated: 2026-11-12 --- - [Home](https://truckcoverguide.com/) - [Guides](https://truckcoverguide.com/guides/) - Are Tonneau Covers Waterproof? What Water Tests Found, and How to Keep Your Bed Dry Myth check # Are Tonneau Covers Waterproof? What Water Tests Found, and How to Keep Your Bed Dry Updated November 12, 2026 By [Truck Cover Guide Editorial Team](https://truckcoverguide.com/about/) [How we research](https://truckcoverguide.com/how-we-research/) Prices are approximate and change often, so check the current price before you buy. ## Key takeaways - No tonneau cover is fully waterproof. Car and Driver tested six types and concluded "technically, no": most are water-resistant. - The driest results were a **hinged one-piece lid** (the UnderCover SE, almost entirely weatherproof under a pressure washer) and the **BAK Revolver X4s** hard roll-up (close to weatherproof). - Retractables, tri-folds and soft roll-ups let water in at corners, tailgates and canisters in those tests. Drain tubes and good seals make the difference. - Keep water-sensitive cargo in a sealed tote, route every drain tube, clean the seals and treat vinyl and rubber with a protectant. ## Our top picks - 1![UnderCover Elite One-Piece Tonneau Cover](https://truckcoverguide.com/_astro/undercover-elite.Bx9jEVOQ_1nXsvr.webp)Driest cover type tested: keyed one-piece lid, about $1,360 for the F-150 5.5 ft[UnderCover Elite One-Piece Tonneau Cover](https://truckcoverguide.com/tonneau-covers/undercover-elite/)Hinged one-piece · ABS composite lid · Full lid opening (parked) · Keyed lock7.6**$$$**$PremiumPrice tier: Premium[Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08L44RPCJ?tag=truckcoverguide.com-20) - 2![BAK Revolver X4s Hard Roll-Up Tonneau Cover](https://truckcoverguide.com/_astro/bak-revolver-x4s.D1QA9SHs_274Nfc.webp)Close to weatherproof in Car and Driver's test: hard roll-up, about $1,500 for the F-150 5.5 ft[BAK Revolver X4s Hard Roll-Up Tonneau Cover](https://truckcoverguide.com/tonneau-covers/bak-revolver-x4s/)Hard roll-up · Aluminum slats + vinyl · 100% bed access · Locks with tailgate8.1**$$$**$PremiumPrice tier: Premium[Check price](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08WJSTCHZ?tag=truckcoverguide.com-20) - 3![BAKFlip MX4 Hard Folding Tonneau Cover](https://truckcoverguide.com/_astro/bakflip-mx4.CoOqV3JL_1Hou5h.webp)Hard folder with edge-to-edge seals and drain tubes, about $1,200 for the F-150 5.5 ft[BAKFlip MX4 Hard Folding Tonneau Cover](https://truckcoverguide.com/tonneau-covers/bakflip-mx4/)Hard folding · Aluminum panels · 100% bed access · Locks with tailgate8.2**$$$**$PremiumPrice tier: Premium[Check price](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08L44X6NZ?tag=truckcoverguide.com-20) ### On this page 7 sections - [The short answer: water-resistant, not waterproof](#the-short-answer-water-resistant-not-waterproof) - [What the tests found, by cover type](#what-the-tests-found-by-cover-type) - [Which covers we track are the driest bets?](#which-covers-we-track-are-the-driest-bets) - [Why tonneau covers leak](#why-tonneau-covers-leak) - [How to keep a covered bed dry](#how-to-keep-a-covered-bed-dry) - [What to look for when buying](#what-to-look-for-when-buying) - [FAQ](#faq) ## Before you choose - [Soft vs Hard Tonneau Covers: Which Is Worth It for Your Truck?](https://truckcoverguide.com/posts/soft-vs-hard-tonneau-covers/) - [Tri-Fold vs Roll-Up vs Retractable Tonneau Covers: Access, Security and Price](https://truckcoverguide.com/posts/tri-fold-vs-roll-up-vs-retractable/) - [How to Install a Tonneau Cover: Tools, Steps and What Each Type Needs](https://truckcoverguide.com/posts/how-to-install-a-tonneau-cover/) Covers are sold with words like “all-weather,” “water-sealed” and “leakproof,” and plenty of buyers read that as waterproof. It isn’t. The honest answer is that a good tonneau cover keeps most water out most of the time, and the type of cover matters more than the brand. This guide explains what independent water tests found, why covers leak, and how to keep a covered bed as dry as possible. We haven’t run water tests ourselves. The test results below come from Car and Driver, which tested one cover of each of six types on owners’ trucks. Maker claims are labelled as such. ## The short answer: water-resistant, not waterproof Car and Driver sprayed a set amount of water on each cover, had testers take their trucks through car washes, and checked seals from inside the bed with a high-powered flashlight looking for light (and therefore water) leaking in. Asked “are tonneau covers waterproof?”, its answer was: “technically, no. While most are water resistant, we’d be apprehensive about calling any completely waterproof.” It also noted that waterproofing a tonneau cover is “extremely challenging.” ## What the tests found, by cover type | Cover type | Cover tested by Car and Driver | Water result | | --- | --- | --- | | Hinged one-piece | UnderCover SE (2021 F-150) | Almost entirely weatherproof, even under a pressure washer | | Hard roll-up | BAK Revolver X4s (2024 Maverick) | Close: a small amount of water in the bed and along the edges | | Hard tri-fold | Worksport AL3 (2023 Silverado) | Leaked a bit at the corners | | Soft tri-fold | Worksport SC3 (2006 Dakota) | Water at the tailgate and at a clip on each side | | Soft roll-up | TruXedo TruXport (2020 Tacoma) | Some water inside; the flashlight test showed vulnerable areas | | Retractable | GatorTrax (2021 Colorado) | Leaked at cab-side corners and edges; heavy leaking from the canister without a drain tube | Two patterns stand out. First, the fewer joints a cover has, the drier it stays: a one-piece lid has one perimeter seal and an overhang, while folders have hinges and retractables have rails and a canister. Second, drains matter. The retractable’s worst leak came from water collecting in its canister, which a drain tube fixes. ## Which covers we track are the driest bets? - **[UnderCover Elite](https://truckcoverguide.com/tonneau-covers/undercover-elite/)**, a keyed one-piece ABS lid with what UnderCover calls a double seal system. It’s the sibling of the SE that Car and Driver found almost entirely weatherproof. The trade-off: nothing taller than the bed walls, and no bed racks. About $1,360 for the F-150 5.5 ft. [Check the Elite price](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08L44RPCJ?tag=truckcoverguide.com-20). - **[BAK Revolver X4s](https://truckcoverguide.com/tonneau-covers/bak-revolver-x4s/)**, the hard roll-up that came close in the tests. BAK claims its one-piece TriShield vinyl and flush side seals shed water without drain tubes. About $1,500 for the F-150 5.5 ft. [Check the X4s price](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08WJSTCHZ?tag=truckcoverguide.com-20). - **[BAKFlip MX4](https://truckcoverguide.com/tonneau-covers/bakflip-mx4/)**, a hard folder with edge-to-edge rubber seals and a built-in drainage system with drain tubes, per BAK’s specs on etrailer. Not independently water-tested that we found. About $1,200. [Check the MX4 price](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08L44X6NZ?tag=truckcoverguide.com-20). Covers we’d expect to let in more water, judging by their type and the tests above: soft roll-ups with hook-and-loop sides, soft tri-folds, and retractables if the drains aren’t routed. That doesn’t make them bad buys, just less suited to hauling things that must stay bone-dry. ## Why tonneau covers leak Water gets in at predictable places: - **The tailgate seal.** The gap between the cover’s rear edge and the tailgate is the most common leak point on folders and soft covers. Car and Driver’s SC3 leaked here. The [UnderCover Ultra Flex](https://truckcoverguide.com/tonneau-covers/undercover-ultra-flex/) uses what UnderCover calls a dual-action tailgate seal. - **The cab-end corners.** Where the side rails meet the bulkhead, water runs along the rail and drops into the bed. The retractable and the hard tri-fold in the tests leaked at the corners. - **Side seals and clips.** Hook-and-loop and clip-on seals can lift, especially where a clip creates a bump. Car and Driver found exactly that on the SC3. - **Hinges and panel joints** on folding covers. - **Canisters** on retractables, which collect water by design and need a drain. - **Installation.** Rails that aren’t square, clamps on the wrong spot or a seal that’s folded under will leak no matter how good the cover is. ## How to keep a covered bed dry ### Install it carefully Follow the install sequence exactly, square the rails before tightening the clamps, and make sure every seal sits flat. Our [how to install a tonneau cover](https://truckcoverguide.com/posts/how-to-install-a-tonneau-cover/) guide walks through the steps. After installing, test it the way Car and Driver did: run a hose over the closed cover, or sit in the closed bed on a sunny day and look for light at the edges. ### Route every drain tube Covers with drain tubes (most hard folders such as the MX4 and BAKFlip G2, and every retractable) route them through the bed’s drain holes at the front corners. Make sure they’re connected, not kinked and not blocked. Retractable canisters depend on them: etrailer’s installer had to drill through a spray-in bed liner to reach the drain holes on a RetraxONE MX, and an owner review of the RetraxPRO MX on etrailer says it isn’t watertight in heavy rain or a car wash. ### Clean the seals and protect the materials Grit on seals stops them closing and wears them out. Wash the cover and wipe the seals regularly, and treat vinyl and rubber with a protectant so they stay supple. Some makers specify their own cleaners, so check your cover’s care instructions first. | Item | Type | Fits | Buy | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Extang Tonno Tonic vinyl protectant / cleaner, 16 oz (1181)**Extang's own spray for vinyl, rubber and plastic surfaces, with a trigger bottle for quick wipe-downs. | Cover care | Pairs with Extang Trifecta 2.0, Extang Solid Fold ALX | [Check price](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KIQ68WU?tag=truckcoverguide.com-20) | | Tyger Tonneau Cover Cleaner & Protectant 2-in-1, 22 oz**Tyger's own one-step cleaner and protectant for vinyl covers, made in the USA per the listing. | Cover care | Pairs with Tyger T3 | [Check price](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07NBWCGBZ?tag=truckcoverguide.com-20) | | 303 Aerospace Protectant, 16 oz**A UV protectant for vinyl, plastic and rubber that helps stop sun fading and cracking on vinyl covers and rubber seals. | Cover care | Pairs with Gator Soft Roll-Up, TruXedo Lo Pro, Extang Trifecta 2.0, Tyger T3, BAK Revolver X4s, TruXedo Sentry CT (Check your cover maker's care instructions first; some makers specify their own cleaners.) | [Check price](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JG3OIFU?tag=truckcoverguide.com-20) | | 303 Tonneau & Convertible Top Cleaner, 16 oz**A rinse-clean cleaner for vinyl and fabric tops. Clean the cover before you apply a protectant. | Cover care | Pairs with Gator Soft Roll-Up, TruXedo Lo Pro, Extang Trifecta 2.0, Tyger T3, BAK Revolver X4s, TruXedo Sentry CT | [Check price](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0185PU376?tag=truckcoverguide.com-20) | Extang’s [Tonno Tonic](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KIQ68WU?tag=truckcoverguide.com-20) and Tyger’s [cleaner and protectant](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07NBWCGBZ?tag=truckcoverguide.com-20) are made by cover makers for their own vinyl covers; [303 Aerospace Protectant](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JG3OIFU?tag=truckcoverguide.com-20) and [303 Tonneau & Convertible Top Cleaner](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0185PU376?tag=truckcoverguide.com-20) are general-purpose options. ### Pack for some water Even the best cover in Car and Driver’s tests wasn’t completely dry. Put luggage, electronics, paper goods and anything you’d hate to see wet in a sealed tote or dry bag, and keep it off the bed floor where water collects. A rubber [bed mat](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B084J67MZR?tag=truckcoverguide.com-20) (Husky’s fits the 2015–2026 F-150 5’7” bed) raises cargo slightly and stops it sliding into puddles at the bulkhead. ### Watch the weather Heavy snow is a load as well as a leak risk. Soft covers have no load rating, and hard covers’ ratings, such as 300 lb for the Gator EFX or 400 lb for the MX4, are for evenly distributed weight. Brush heavy snow off before it melts into the seals, and see our guide to the [best tonneau cover for snow and winter](https://truckcoverguide.com/posts/best-tonneau-cover-for-snow/) for load ratings, drainage and ice tips. ## What to look for when buying - **Fewer joints:** one-piece lids and hard roll-ups did best in testing. - **A real tailgate seal**, ideally one that works with the cover open or closed. - **Drain tubes on retractables and most folders**, and a plan for getting them through your bed liner. - **Seal type:** rubber seals generally hold up better than hook-and-loop over time. - **Honest marketing:** “water-resistant” or “weather seals” is accurate; “waterproof” isn’t, per the tests above. The [cover matcher](https://truckcoverguide.com/tools/cover-matcher/#weather=dry) weights weather sealing more heavily when you choose “Cargo must stay as dry as possible,” and our [soft vs hard](https://truckcoverguide.com/posts/soft-vs-hard-tonneau-covers/) and [tri-fold vs roll-up vs retractable](https://truckcoverguide.com/posts/tri-fold-vs-roll-up-vs-retractable/) guides compare the types on sealing and everything else. Find the right part for your truck with the [bed size finder](https://truckcoverguide.com/tools/bed-size-finder/). ## Don't guess. Calculate. - [📏 Bed Size Finder](https://truckcoverguide.com/tools/bed-size-finder/): what bed length your truck has - [🎯 Cover Matcher](https://truckcoverguide.com/tools/cover-matcher/): which cover type suits you - [📐 Bed Access Calculator](https://truckcoverguide.com/tools/bed-access-calculator/): usable bed with the cover open - [📊 Compare every cover](https://truckcoverguide.com/tonneau-covers/): sortable spec table ## Frequently asked questions ### Are tonneau covers waterproof? No. Car and Driver tested six covers of different types with a water spray test, car washes and a flashlight leak check and concluded 'technically, no': most are water-resistant, and it would be apprehensive about calling any completely waterproof. Expect some water in heavy rain or a car wash with any cover. ### What is the most waterproof tonneau cover? In Car and Driver's tests, a hinged one-piece lid: its UnderCover SE was almost entirely weatherproof even under a pressure washer. The BAK Revolver X4s hard roll-up came close, with only a small amount of water in the bed. Of the covers we track, the UnderCover Elite is the one-piece option. ### Why is my tonneau cover leaking? The usual causes are seals that are dirty, folded or not fully seated; a gap at the tailgate seal; clamps installed slightly out of square; and blocked or missing drain tubes on covers that use them. On retractables, water that collects in the canister needs a drain routed through the bed floor. ### Do retractable tonneau covers leak? They're one of the harder types to keep dry. Car and Driver's GatorTrax retractable leaked at the cab-side corners and edges and poured water from its canister until a drain tube was fitted. Retrax and Roll-N-Lock covers ship with drain tubes that route through the bed's drain holes; install them. ### Can I go through a car wash with a tonneau cover? Usually, yes, but expect a little water inside, and check your cover's manual first. Car and Driver's testers ran covers through car washes as part of their water evaluation. Hand washing with a cleaner made for vinyl or the cover's material is gentler on seals. ## Sources - [Car and Driver: Best Pickup Truck Tonneau Covers of 2026, Tested](https://www.caranddriver.com/car-accessories/best-tonneau-covers-tested/) · checked 2026-11-12 — Water Resistance Test, car washes and flashlight leak checks on six covers; concluded tonneau covers are 'technically' not waterproof. The UnderCover SE was almost entirely weatherproof; the Revolver X4s 'not completely weatherproof, but it's close'; the GatorTrax retractable leaked at the corners and canister. - [etrailer: RetraxPRO MX retractable tonneau cover (RT80384)](https://www.etrailer.com/Tonneau-Cover/Retrax/RT80384.html) · checked 2026-11-12 — Foam rail seals, weather stripping and built-in drain tubes; one owner review says the cover is not watertight in heavy rain or a car wash. - [etrailer: BAKFlip MX4 for 2019+ Ram 1500 (BAK448227)](https://www.etrailer.com/Tonneau-Cover/BAK-Industries/BAK448227.html) · checked 2026-11-12 — Matte black rubber seals with a built-in drainage system (drain tubes). - [etrailer: BAK Revolver X4s for 2021–2027 F-150 5.5 ft (BAK56ZR)](https://www.etrailer.com/Tonneau-Cover/BAK-Industries/BAK56ZR.html) · checked 2026-11-12 — BAK says weather seals and beveled edges shed water without needing drain tubes. - [Amazon: UnderCover Elite for 2021–2025 Ford F-150 5'7" bed (UC2208)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08L44RPCJ?tag=truckcoverguide.com-20) · checked 2026-11-12 — Maker copy describes a double seal system that keeps out rain, sleet and snow. ## Get new guides by e-mail One short e-mail when Truck Cover Guide publishes a new guide. No spam, no sharing your address, and you can unsubscribe in one click. E-mail address New posts only · Unsubscribe anytime · [Privacy](https://truckcoverguide.com/privacy/) Our #1 pick Driest cover type tested: keyed one-piece lid, about $1,360 for the F-150 5.5 ft ![UnderCover Elite One-Piece Tonneau Cover](https://truckcoverguide.com/_astro/undercover-elite.Bx9jEVOQ_2avLtt.webp) ### [UnderCover Elite One-Piece Tonneau Cover](https://truckcoverguide.com/tonneau-covers/undercover-elite/) 7.6 - Hinged one-piece - ABS composite lid - Full lid opening (parked) - High security Owners who want a keyed, nearly weatherproof lid and never haul anything taller than the bed walls. $$$$ Premium Price tier: Premium F-150 5.5 ft listing on Amazon [Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08L44RPCJ?tag=truckcoverguide.com-20)[Read the full review](https://truckcoverguide.com/tonneau-covers/undercover-elite/) [📏 Which bed do you have? Make, model, year and cab in; bed length out, from the maker's spec sheet.](https://truckcoverguide.com/tools/bed-size-finder/)[🎯 Roll-up, fold or retractable? Match a cover type to your security, access and budget in 30 seconds.](https://truckcoverguide.com/tools/cover-matcher/) ## Keep reading [Head-to-head ### Soft vs Hard Tonneau Covers: Which Is Worth It for Your Truck? Soft vs hard tonneau covers compared on security, weather sealing, bed access, load rating, weight and price, with the covers we'd buy on each side. Updated Nov 12, 2026](https://truckcoverguide.com/posts/soft-vs-hard-tonneau-covers/)[Head-to-head ### Tri-Fold vs Roll-Up vs Retractable Tonneau Covers: Access, Security and Price Tri-fold vs roll-up vs retractable tonneau covers compared: how much bed each leaves usable, how each locks, weather sealing, install and the price ranges. Updated Nov 12, 2026](https://truckcoverguide.com/posts/tri-fold-vs-roll-up-vs-retractable/)[Install guide ### How to Install a Tonneau Cover: Tools, Steps and What Each Type Needs How to install a tonneau cover: the tools, the clamp-on steps most covers share, and what roll-ups, folders and retractables need, with real install times. Updated Nov 12, 2026](https://truckcoverguide.com/posts/how-to-install-a-tonneau-cover/) Driest cover type tested: keyed one-piece lid, about $1,360 for the F-150 5.5 ft UnderCover Elite $$$$ Premium Price tier: Premium [Check price](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08L44RPCJ?tag=truckcoverguide.com-20)