For those truck owners who use a tarp and rope to keep your stuff from blowing out, I can relate. I've even upgraded to a web-style netting for long-distance hauling, but I still find my gear occasionally soaked when an unexpected rain catches my uncovered load. But that's just part of the game, right?
Actually, it doesn't have to be.
Manufacturers have made it really simple, easy and convenient so you never have to go back to rope and tarp'n again. Not sure where to start? We can help. Included in this roundup are some of the best bed cover manufacturers out there.
UnderCover's SE Smooth
New from UnderCover Truck Bed Covers, the SE Smooth cover comes in a finish that is ready to be painted to match the color of your truck. Made from the same ABS composite material as the Classic UnderCover, the SE Smooth gives you all the strength, durability and ease of removal, but with a new look. The SE Smooth cover is custom fit to each truck model and molded over precision tools to produce some of the most consistent, highest quality covers available. The locking is comprised of a "wrap over tailgate" design, which locks the tailgate whenever the cover is down and locked. The lock is stainless steel and requires no adjustments or maintenance other that periodic lubrication. There are no cables or rotary latches that require adjustments. This assures reliable functionality in even the most rigorous situations.
All of the UnderCover Truck Bed Covers are proudly made in the USA. For more information, visit www.undercoverinfo.com, or call 866-900-8800.
A.R.E. Offers LSII Series
A.R.E.'s LSII Series is the ultimate in custom-fitted hard tonneau covers for today's pickups. Featuring truck-specific styling and premium components, the fiberglass tonneau cover is equipped with an exclusive Lift Assist gas strut system, making it easy to open and close while providing secure, watertight storage in the truck bed.
The LSII tonneau cover features an automotive-grade, painted palm-grip handle that blends with the LSII body for a sleek appearance. An easy twist of 
the wrist easily unlatches the tonneau. A key lock is standard on the LSII, but A.R.E. also offers optional equipment including a battery-operated dome light, sport wing and remote keyless entry system.
A.R.E tonneau covers are painted to match the owner's truck using the exact OEM paint code for a high-quality appearance. Lids and their painted finishes are backed with a limited lifetime warranty for the life of the pickup truck they are originally installed on.
A.R.E. began manufacturing aluminum frame truck caps in 1969 and has become a leading manufacturer of fiberglass truck caps and hard tonneau covers. For more information, visit www.4are.com.
Access' Lorado Cover
The Access Lorado Rollup Cover is a sleek, lower profile version of the original Access Cover. The low profile angled rails provide a streamlined design with all the same must-have features of the Access cover like all-aluminum construction, roll-up bars and bows and UV-resistant double-coated vinyl fabric. The tarp stays flexible in any weather, even 40 degrees below zero, which means easy opening and closing. The Access Lorado cover also keeps your cargo secure and protected with its automatic latching system and manual slide lock. The exclusive XT-Dial Tension adjuster lets you set cover tension with the turn of a dial, no tools needed.
Works with most bed rails, bed caps, tailgate protectors, under-the-rail bed liners and tie-downs, and the 1 1/2-inch hook and loop means there are no snaps or debris-catching tracks to get in the way. Premium storage straps secure the rolled up cover and prevent it from rubbing against the cab, while the AutoLatch automatically locks it when the cover is closed-just pull to open. A Premium Cover Limited Warranty warrants all covers to be free from defects in material and workmanship.
For more information, visit www.accesscover.net or call 816-452-3663.
TruXedo's Lo Pro QT
Since 2000, TruXedo has been an industry leader with the new and innovative tonneau cover concepts that emphasize style, quality, durability and functionality.
The TruXedo Lo Pro QT among the best-selling roll-up tonneau covers in North America. With easy clamp-on side rails and pre-assembled quick attach cover system, the Lo Pro QT installs in minutes. The Lo Pro QT has a sleek low profile design with unique features including an industrial strength fastening system, automatic tension control to maintain a perfect fit at all times and bows that conveniently roll-up with the cover for easy storage. The Lo Pro QT comes with a lifetime warranty which covers everything, even the fabric, and it improves gas mileage up to 10 percent.
TruXedo is committed to servicing its customers by offering the highest quality engineered products, world-class customer service and the best warranties in the industry. Contact them at 877-878-9336 or www.truxedo.com.
BAK Industries' Tonneau Cover & Toll Box
If you need to get the most out of your truck at affordable prices, you should look into the new BAK Flip hard folding tonneau cover and the BAK Box toll box. This tonneau cover design is truly innovative in the way the cover folds all the way forward to give you complete, 100 percent access to the entire truck bed. Locking rods will hold the cover open to load the entire bed and be able to drive safely at highway speeds.
Perfect for fifth wheel trailers, motorcycles, contractors and for anyone with an active lifestyle, the BAK Flip folds out of the way in seconds to let you do your business without interference.
BAK Box is the perfect addition for your BAK Flip to get you organized. The BAK Box fits under the BAK Flip cover at the front and stores over 400 pounds of tools, hardware and equipment. The BAK Box is unlike any other tool box because when you need more space in your bed for loading, the BAK Box will fold out of the way to give back more space to fit large objects. Find more information and local dealers at www.bakliner.com or call 818-365-9000.
Roll-N-Lock's Tonneau Cover
The famous Roll-N-Lock retractable hard tonneau cover offers pickup truck owners tremendous convenience and trusted cargo security. The rigid Roll-NLock tonneau retracts quickly and easily into a small canister at the front of the bed, yet slides out into the fully closedand- covered position with the pull of one hand on a convenient strap. When closed, the Roll-N-Lock tonneau locks both the tonneau and the bed of the pickup truck. The Roll-N-Lock tonneau can be opened all the way, or stopped at two convenient midway points. The basis strength of the Roll-N-Lock tonneau can be traced to its interlocking aluminum slats, which are covered with super-heavy duty vinyl for attractive appearance and incredible durability. The Roll-N-Lock tonneau is available in both manual "M-Series" and electrically-operated "E-Series" versions (E-Series includes a convenient remote control unit). For more information, visit www.rollnlock.com or call 800-952-7655.
Extang's Solid Fold
Extang brags its new Solid Fold can be installed or removed in seconds, making it one of the fastest installations of any hard tonneau cover in the industry. The tonneau is completely self-contained, which means no assembly, no tools, no spare parts, and best of all, no headache. Revolutionary built-in features provide this secure no-nonsense installation.
The Solid Fold tonneau cover is ultra strong, yet lightweight. It is made from an aircraft-grade aluminum alloy frame and honeycomb core construction. The entire tonneau weighs approximately 50 pounds, yet is rugged and strong enough to support an average sized four-wheeler.
A unique hinge design integrates engineered channels to keep water out. Hinges are consistent with the framework, and made of the same durable aluminum alloy.
Finally, SpeedKlamps provide instant access to the truck bed. Tail section SpeedKlamps operate with spring-action technology for instant fasten and release. All clamps conveniently stow away within the rail when not in use. For more information, visit www.extang.com or call 800-877-2588.
Yukon Trail
Yukon Trail is the one source for both hand-laid fiberglass and soft-vinyl tonneau covers. As a factory direct provider located in Ontario, Calif., Yukon Trail is the only hand laid (HL) fiberglass manufacturer in the industry.
Hand laid fiberglass means best quality and lightweight durability in all weather conditions. HL Fiberglass promises a "customer contour fit" for all the trucks that America drives.
There are two HL Fiberglass styles to choose from: Texture Finish and Smooth Primered Finish in stain black. The Smooth Finish HL Fiberglass comes with an extra coating. The Primered Finish can be installed as is or custom painted for the best showroom quality shine and color match.
Yukon Trail cover lineup consists of the Hidden Snap and Tri-Fold. All materials are high quality commercial grade.
Visit them at www.yukontrail.blazonco.com or call 877-441-6999.
Pace Edwards' Bedlocker Electric
Pace Edwards, the industry innovator in retractable tonneaus, now provides a powerful way to add flexibility and security to any pickup truck by offering a rugged, reliable motorized drive system for its top-of-the-line retractable bedcover, the Bedlocker Electric. The Bedlocker Electric provides the security and convenience contractors need for valuable tools, supplies and raw materials. It turns any pickup bed into a secure delivery vehicle for route salespeople. It makes any truck a secure vault for hunting gear or fishing tackle. Simply put, it makes any pickup safer, more flexible and more valuable.
The Bedlocker Electric does its remarkable job using narrow, heavy-gauge aluminum panels that interlock to form a hard deck over the truck bed that is far more durable than any soft vinyl or plastic cover. That hard deck can be rolled up into a compact canister whenever and wherever the wide-open spaces of the truck bed are needed, using the Bedlocker Electric's reliable motorized drive and wireless remote control. The Bedlocker Electric is available for virtually every truck on the road today at truck accessories retailers throughout the United States and Canada. For more information on the full Pace Edwards product line, visit www.pace-edwards.com or call 888-640-5902.