Best Dodge Dakota Tonneau Covers & Bed Covers

Buyer’s Guide

Alright, that concludes my review of the top-three bed covers for the Dodge Dakota truck. High-rated, best-selling, and tested by millions of drivers around the world, they are quite reliable and worth the investment. But what if they don’t have any of these covers at your local spot? What if you need protection for the tonneau right now and can’t wait? With the help of this guide, you’ll learn all the ins and outs of picking the right cover on your own!

#1: Perfect Fitment = Easy Installation

The first thing to look for is a bed cover that was designed, built, and tested for your truck. And by saying “your”, I don’t only mean Dakota. To ensure ideal compatibility, it needs to fit the exact make, model, and year. The bed size is also a very important factor. For example, if you own a 2010 Dakota truck with a 5.3 fit bed, that’s exactly what it should say in the specifications of the tonneau cover.

Thus, the installation process will be very simple, straightforward, and won’t involve any drilling or cutting. If you’re still a bit intimidated by the whole installation routine, look for a pre-assembled cover that includes all the necessary hardware. With fitment out of the way, see that the cover is user-friendly and easy to operate. The finest rolling covers can be opened and closed with a single hand – even a kid will be able to use them.

#2: Premium Build/Material Quality for Longevity

If it’s a soft cover, it should be crafted from leather-grained fabric or vinyl. Heavy-duty vinyl (24 oz.) is what most experts are calling the best material for this. Marine-grade, and tear-resistant, it can handle long commutes in the harshest weather conditions. Next, we’ve got hard covers. Most market-leading units are crafted from aluminum for extra sturdiness and protection not only against the weather but also thieves.

As for the rails, clams, and the frame, aluminum and stainless steel are the most reliable choice. Some cheaper covers feature plastic instead. However, no matter how strong plastic might be, it will never match these materials in durability and longevity. Besides, metal and fabric are much easier to keep in good shape. All you’ll need is a couple of rags or a water hose.

#3: Weather Protection Comes Next

What are you gonna do when it starts to rain in the middle of the road, and you’ve got tons of sensitive cargo in the bed? Use a tonneau cover, of course! Make sure that it’s 100% weatherproof, though; otherwise, water will find a way through and ruin the goods. Yes, resistance against water (rain, snow) should be the #1 concern. For that, look for “watertight” or “perimeter seals” in the specs.

Protection against UV rays is also very important. The sun can slowly, but steadily ruin the bed when you’re driving around with no cargo. And if the cover is strong against dust, pollen, and debris as well, you can trust it with your Dakota truck. Mud and dirt aren’t a very big “threat”, as they only reach the bed when you participate in mud wars/racing or drive through uncharted territory with heaps of dirt.

#4: Security Mechanism against Thieves

The last thing to consider is how secure the cover is against folks that try to steal whatever you’re carrying in the bed. Ok, just remember that hard covers are more secure than soft ones. Plus, always go for folding covers (and not rolling) if you put anti-theft protection first. As for the mechanism, a key + lock system has proven to be the most effective solution. Once the thieves see it, best believe they won’t attempt anything.

A locking tailgate is another decent option. In most cases, it’s the only line of defense, because it’s paired to a rotary latch, a pull-cable, or a latch clamp. And, these are the least effective solutions. But, with the help of a locking tailgate, they will scare away most bad guys from getting their hands on the cargo.

How to Use Tonneau Cover

Well, there’s nothing hard about this. Bed covers are specifically designed, built, and tested to be a hassle-free experience for the driver. The number one purpose of a cover is to protect the cargo from natural elements. Rain, snow, and dirt are the biggest “nightmare” of any truck bed. Dust, pollen, and UV rays can also cause you lots of trouble. Another big pro is brick-strong protection against thieves.

You’ll get the best possible anti-theft security with a hard folding cover and a reliable locking system (like a lock + a key or a locking tailgate). So, how do you use a tonneau cover? The installation process is quick and straightforward. It will take +/- one hour. First, you gotta install the side rails; the clamps come next. Once these parts are in place, make sure to tighten them up.

Then, grab the cover and, well, put it on. If it’s a hard or a retractable cover, it would be wise to ask a friend for help, as the slats/plates can be rather heavy. Now, there are two types of covers. To open a roll-up cover, you gotta do just that – roll it all the way up to the bulkhead. To close it, use the straps (every roll-up cover has them). To secure the cover, use the latching mechanism (very simple).

Folding covers, in turn, fold into three or four panels. This is important: some folding covers block the furthest end of the bed and prevent full access to your cargo. That’s why you gotta make sure it says “100% tonneau access” in the specifications. This isn’t a problem with rolling or retractable covers, though. Retractable covers have another big advantage – they can be locked at any position.

That makes it much easier to use the cover and to adjust it to your liking. Last, but not least, bed cover maintenance is as simple as it’s quick. If you have a couple of rags/scrubs to spare, and some water, that’ll be enough to clean it from all the dirt and grime. So, that’s how you use a tonneau cover!

Does the Tonneau Cover Improve Fuel Efficiency?

The short answer – yes, it does. While it won’t improve the air filtration/flow or make the exhaust get rid of toxic fumes more efficiently, it can still give you a boost in fuel economy. As long as it creates a tight seal with the bed and doesn’t have any “poking” parts (like bed rails or a gigantic cargo management system) it will aid in gas savings. To get maximum gains, go with a tonneau cover with a low-profile design.

It will help Dakota improve in aerodynamics, which, in turn, will result in a higher MPG (miles per gallon) ratio. Are you familiar with the term “aerodynamic drag”? It’s a force that opposes an object’s motion on planet Earth. That force is applied by air. So, when the truck is moving down the road, it has to overcome air resistance. This is why airplanes, sports cars, and Formula 1 bolides are so fast: they minimize friction with the air.

That’s exactly what a bed cover does: it reduces aerodynamic drag by, well, covering the bed. How big of a boost will you get, though, and, most importantly, will it be worth it? Yes, it will! While you won’t see any game-changing improvements, expect a +/- 8% increase. With regular covers, the boost will be 4-5%. That’s why I want you to buy a low-profile unit.

The average American truck owner drives 15K miles a year. An aerodynamic cover will save you 180-230 US dollars in 12 months (and about $100 if it features a standard design). That’s actually all there is to know about this. Some experts claim that soft rolling covers are more fuel-efficient, because they’re lightweight (as opposed to retractable and hard folding ones), but that won’t make a significant difference.

Again, it’s all about minimizing aerodynamic drag and any tonneau cover with a low-profile design will give you that. Another thing you can do is switch the factory tailgate for a mesh one. This has proven to improve the MPG ratio even further, giving you a 3-4% boost in fuel efficiency. As we just learned, that adds up to a pretty decent amount of money in the long run.

How to Fit Ladder Racks With a Tonneau Cover

If you’re a construction worker, an independent electrician, a roofing contractor, or just someone that works with a ladder, racks will be the perfect investment for you. These come in a pair and mount on top of a truck’s bed. The racks don’t interfere with the tailgate or the bed area. You can still put stuff in the tonneau and carry that ladder around. But what if you also have a bed cover? Can these two accessories co-exist together?

Is there a way to make them work and not have to remove the cover when using the ladder racks, and vice versa? Yes, there is, and the easiest way to ensure compatibility is to look for racks that fit tonneau covers – it’s as simple as that. If the specs claim fitment won’t be a problem, then you won’t have to worry about the cover, be it a soft, hard, rolling, or folding one. A folding cover might interfere with the uprights, though.

And remember not to buy a hinged cover (unless you already have one), as it won’t leave any space on the rails for the racks. And, go with a rack set that’s easy to remove and adjust. A decent-quality rack can carry not only ladders, but also bars, beams, rods, snowboards, and whatnot. It all comes down to how flexible and versatile the crossbars are.

The installation process is gonna be pretty straightforward. All you’ll have to do is make holes in the bed rails for the racks, align them properly, and secure everything using the provided hardware. Or, take advantage of the stake pockets. The idea here is to buy racks that do NOT use the same mounting spots on the tonneau’s rails. In case you didn’t know, both ladder racks and bed covers can be mounted either on top of the rails or inside of them.

So, that’s the answer to your question – how to fit racks with covers. Ensure the racks’ design is compatible with covers. Otherwise, you won’t be able to use both accessories no matter where and how you mount them. You could, of course, take advantage of the warranty and get a replacement (or maybe even a refund), but it would be best to get everything right the first time around.