Gator Soft Roll-Up specs
| Brand | Gator |
|---|---|
| Cover type | Soft roll-up: Soft roll-up with hook-and-loop sides and spring-loaded tension control |
| Material | Vinyl on an aluminum frame |
| Lock | Locks with tailgate. Secured by the locked tailgate. |
| Security level | Level 1: soft (our grouping) |
| Bed access | 100% bed access. Rolls up to the cab for full bed access. |
| Drive with it open | Yes |
| Install | Clamp-on, no drilling, single cable pull; Gator claims under 30 minutes. |
| Load rating | Not published for this listing |
| Profile | Low profile, at or near the bed rails |
| Weather sealing | "All-weather" vinyl with a multi-tiered hook-and-loop seal (maker claim). |
| Bed racks | RealTruck's Elevate FS rack lists most inside-mount soft roll-ups as compatible; check the rack's fit guide. |
| Warranty | Limited lifetime |
| Fitment we checked | 2021–2026 Ford F-150 5'7" bed (67.2"), incl. Raptor and Lightning (part 139783 / 139785) |
| Price tier | $ Budget (under $400), about $219.99 for this fitment when checked. See Amazon for today's price. |
- Current Amazon listings call it the 'Gator Soft Roll-Up'; older listings of the same line (e.g. part 53306 for 2004–2014 F-150s) use the ETX name.
- The F-150 listing's title gives part 139783 and its details table 139785.
- Gator's maker site couldn't be read; specs are from the maker-supplied Amazon listings.
Fitments we checked
Each truck and bed is a separate Amazon listing. Prices are what Amazon showed on November 12, 2026, not live. Always confirm with the listing's fitment tool before you buy.
| Truck and bed | Notes | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Ford F-150 2021–2026, 5'7" bed | Part 139783 (our representative listing) About $219.99 when checked | Check price |
| Ford F-150 2021–2027, 8' bed | With gear straps About $271.87 when checked | Check price |
| Ram 1500 2019–2026, 5'7" bed | Part 134593 About $219.99 when checked | Check price |
| Ram 1500 2019–2026, 6'4" bed | Part 138693; not for the Multi-Function tailgate or RamBox About $269 when checked | Check price |
| Toyota Tacoma 2016–2023, 5' bed | With or without Trail Special Edition storage boxes About $219.99 when checked | Check price |
Specs are compiled from maker copy on Amazon and at the retailer etrailer, plus independent tests, and may change between production runs. Not sure of your bed? Use the bed size finder.
Gator ETX Soft Roll-Up Tonneau Cover video review
Video by A Brian Lewis Vlog on YouTube. Independent creator content, shown as a reference. It is not part of our scoring.
The Gator soft roll-up, sold for years as the Gator ETX, is the cheapest way to cover a truck bed that we can recommend: vinyl on an aluminum frame that rolls up to the cab, clamps on without drilling and carries a limited lifetime warranty. Amazon listed the 2021–2026 Ford F-150 5’7” version (part 139783) at about $220 on November 12, 2026, with 5,079 ratings averaging 4.6. We haven’t tested it ourselves; this review uses the maker-supplied listings, owner ratings and a long-term owner video. Check your bed with the bed size finder, and see all the picks in our best tonneau covers of 2026.
Who it’s for (and who should skip it)
It’s for owners who want the bed out of sight and mostly dry for the least money: daily drivers, weekend trips, groceries and luggage. Roll it up and the whole bed is open, so tall loads are never a problem.
Skip it if you leave tools or anything valuable in the bed. A hard tri-fold such as the Gator EFX costs about $330 more for the same trucks and adds lockable aluminum panels. If you want a flusher, self-tensioning soft cover, the TruXedo Lo Pro is the step up.
Security
This is a level 1 cover on our security scale: it’s secured by your locked tailgate, and the vinyl can be cut. It deters casual curiosity, not determined theft. If your tailgate doesn’t lock, fix that first.
Weather and everyday use
Gator describes all-weather vinyl, a patented multi-tiered hook-and-loop seal that “stays closed in all conditions” and a spring-loaded tension control system that keeps the edges from curling without manual adjustment (maker claims). Newer listings add GEARHOLD adjustable cargo keepers to stop gear sliding around.
We found no independent water test of this cover. Car and Driver tested a different soft roll-up, the TruXedo TruXport, and still found water inside the bed after its weather test. That’s typical of hook-and-loop soft covers, so keep anything that must stay dry in a bin. Our are tonneau covers waterproof? guide covers what helps.
Opening is quick: release, roll toward the cab and strap it. The rolled bundle sits against the bulkhead on the rails, leaving the floor clear; see the bed access calculator.
Install and fitment
Gator claims a clamp-on, no-drill install in under 30 minutes, released with a single cable pull. In his 1-year video review on a 2016 F-150, A Brian Lewis rated it 5 out of 5 as a budget option.
We checked these listings: F-150 2021–2026 5’7” (title part 139783; the details table says 139785) and 8’, Ram 1500 2019–2026 5’7” (part 134593) and 6’4” (part 138693, not for the Multi-Function tailgate or RamBox), and Tacoma 2016–2023 5’ (fits with or without Trail Special Edition storage boxes). Gator also lists versions for the Silverado, Tundra and Colorado; confirm the part with the listing’s fitment tool.
What you’ll need beyond the box
- A tailgate lock if your truck doesn’t have one; the Pop & Lock Gate Defender is universal per its listing.
- UV protection for the vinyl: 303 Aerospace Protectant, plus the 303 Tonneau & Convertible Top Cleaner for washing. Vinyl lasts longer in sun-belt states when it’s treated a few times a year.
- Cargo control: ratchet straps or a cargo net.
- A rack: RealTruck’s Elevate FS Base Rack lists most inside-mount soft roll-ups as compatible; check its fit guide.
More on the accessories page.
Reliability and warranty
Gator offers a limited lifetime warranty. The owner base is the biggest of any roll-up we track: 5,079 ratings at 4.6 on the F-150 listing and 3,746 at 4.6 on the Ram 5’7” listing. Those ratings say little about how the vinyl ages after years of sun, so the UV care below is worth the few dollars.
Bottom line
At about $220, Gator’s roll-up does exactly what most truck owners need: covers the bed, keeps it mostly dry, rolls out of the way and lasts, backed by a lifetime warranty and thousands of happy owners. It won’t stop a thief with a knife, and it won’t keep every drop out. For a budget cover, it’s our pick; see the alternatives in best budget tonneau covers, or check the price.
Accessories that pair with the Gator Soft Roll-Up
Cover care, bed racks, mats and cargo gear sold on Amazon. Most bed and floor products are vehicle-specific: the fitment shown is the listing we checked, so search the same product for your truck if yours differs.
- Bed rackRealTruck Elevate FS Base Rack (1119034)From RealTruck
A low bed rack that leaves the cover working underneath. Rated 750 lb static, 500 lb on-road and 250 lb off-road per the listing, with T-slots for bikes, kayaks and rooftop tents. Per the listing, it fits RealTruck T-slot-equipped covers (such as BAK's TS versions) and most inside-mount soft roll-ups. Standard non-TS hard covers need T-slot rails. Check RealTruck's fit guide for your exact cover.
- Bed rackTruXedo Elevate CS Rack system (1118513)From TruXedo
Telescoping 18 or 28 in uprights over a midsize bed. Per the listing, it works with most inside-mount roll-up and folding covers and carries 500 lb on-road and 250 lb off-road. Listing fitment: 2015–2025 Colorado/Canyon, 2012–2023 Ranger, 2022–2026 Maverick. TruXedo Elevate TS rails are sold separately and are required. Midsize trucks only on this listing.
- Cover care303 Aerospace Protectant, 16 ozCompatible, third-party
A UV protectant for vinyl, plastic and rubber that helps stop sun fading and cracking on vinyl covers and rubber seals. Check your cover maker's care instructions first; some makers specify their own cleaners.
- Cover care303 Tonneau & Convertible Top Cleaner, 16 ozCompatible, third-party
A rinse-clean cleaner for vinyl and fabric tops. Clean the cover before you apply a protectant.
- Bed rackYakima OverHaul HD adjustable truck bed rack (8001151)Works with any cover
Height-adjustable towers with T-slots and SKS locks, rated 500 lb on-road and 300 lb off-road per the listing, for rooftop tents, ladders and boats. The Amazon listing doesn't state tonneau-cover compatibility. Check Yakima's fit guide for your truck and cover before buying.
- Cargo managementKeeper ratcheting cargo bar, 40–70 in (05059)Works with any cover
Pins groceries and gear against the bulkhead or tailgate so nothing slides around under a closed cover. It sits below rail height, so the cover closes over it. 40–70 in span; measure between your bed walls at the height you'll use it.
- Cargo managementRhino USA ratchet straps, 1 in × 15 ft (4-pack)Works with any cover
Tie-downs for loads strapped to a bed rack, or tall cargo you haul with a roll-up or folding cover open.
- Cargo managementMigaven heavy-duty truck bed cargo net, 4 × 6 ftWorks with any cover
The fallback when a load sticks up past the rails and the cover has to stay open: a stretch net over the bed keeps loose items in.
- Cargo managementRough Country slide-out truck bed cargo tray (10209)Works with any cover
Brings small items to the tailgate so you don't have to crawl under a cover to reach the front of the bed. Rough Country says the 4 in tray fits under any bed cover. Listing fitment: Trucks with a 5'7" or longer bed (tray is 62.3 × 23.6 × 4 in). Per the listing, fits beds 5'7" or longer; 5 ft midsize beds are too short.
- Cargo managementDECKED drawer system (XR7)Works with any cover
Two bed-length lockable drawers under a flat deck rated for 2,000 lb of cargo per the listing. Under a locking cover, it turns the bed into secure tool storage. Listing fitment: 2019–current Ram 1500 (DT) 6'4" bed, not RamBox. A drawer system raises the bed floor, which cuts the height left under a cover. DECKED sells a separate model for each truck and bed length.
Compatibility checked November 2026. More in our truck bed accessories guide.
Featured in our guides
- The 8 Best Tonneau Covers of 2026: Ranked by Type, Truck and Budget
- The Best Tonneau Covers for the Ford F-150 (2021–2026): 7 Picks by Bed and Budget
- The Best Tonneau Covers for the Ram 1500 (2019–2026): 7 Picks, Plus RamBox and Split-Tailgate Fit
- The Best Roll-Up Tonneau Covers of 2026: Soft and Hard Roll-Ups Compared
