Elevate Your Pick-Up with the UnderCover Elite Tonneau Cover

We talk tonneaus a lot here at The Engine Block. Like… A LOT. But, here’s the thing: They’re a truck accessory worth talking about! Sure, side steps, cargo management, bigger wheels and tires, and a host of other aftermarket upgrades are high on our list of worthy investments, too. But tonneaus just make sense. The whole POINT of owning a truck is that big ol’ piece of real estate out back. Why wouldn’t you put a cover on it?

Besides, tonneau covers don’t just bump up protection. They also add some serious style points to your ride. And isn’t it nice when something that looks great also serves an actual purpose? Because, let’s be honest: while some people are picking up a new truck bed cover for cargo security or weather proofing—some of us just want our trucks to look like they deserve their luxury-level price tag.

Luckily, with the UnderCover Elite and Elite LX, you literally get the best of both worlds. Two high-end covers, sporting custom good looks, that protect your truck bed and cargo from water, UV light, and road debris, while also supporting up to 500 pounds of evenly distributed weight.

Interested? We thought you might be.  

Meet the UnderCover Elite and Elite LX

Look, there are a crazy amount of tonneau options on the market. Folding, rolling, vinyl, cloth, low-profile, double-sealed—it can be a little overwhelming. Ultimately, you gotta do you, but here’s why we think you should consider the UnderCover Elite. (Or its fancier sibling, the Elite LX.)

First, UnderCover has been in the business of truck bed covers for 20 years. The company uses a unique patented blend of plastics and polymers in its designs and all manufacturing is done in the United States, so you can feel good about the materials being used and the labor behind it. Additionally, UnderCover products have an established reputation for strength and durability—and its customer service is pretty great too.

Secondly, the UnderCover Elite Series is a solid contender—not only among the wide variety of tonneau covers on the aftermarket, but also within UnderCover’s own diverse, quality line-up. As a one-piece, hinging cover, it might not have the versatility of a folding or rolling number, but what it lacks in multiple opening points, it makes up for in ease-of-use. As one 5-star reviewer points out, “If you’re looking to make the bed of your truck function more like the trunk of a large car, this is the cover you need. The open/close method … feels like an SUV’s rear hatch, thanks to the assistance provided by the included pneumatic struts.”

Plus, that one-piece design works extra hard to keep out water. Since all four sides of the cover extend over the bed rails—essentially like a Tupperware lid—you get a nice tight seal. UnderCover even added rubber weather stripping for double-walled moisture protection. Additionally, because the cover is one smooth piece of ABS composite, there are no folds or creases on top for water to get trapped inside—it simply rolls right off.

Why ABS?

So, before UnderCover came around, most hard tonneau covers were constructed of fiberglass. And, while the material has its benefits, the company determined that a select composite of ABS materials could create a cover that was not only half the weight of fiberglass, but also stronger, more durable, and better equipped to handle extreme temperature fluctuations. Plus, ABS repels harmful UV rays that can cause fading over time, as well as ward off scratches, dings, and abrasions.

UnderCover’s patented formula goes a step further, too. The underside of the cover shows the company’s patented “X-Effect,” which is a unique infrastructure that adds to the tonneau’s strength. (And allows for that 500-pound weight rating.) The Elite LX cover kicks this up a notch, by finishing the underside with a carpet lining and flawless paint color-matching on the topside, compared to the traditional Elite’s textured-black topside.

Added Bonus

Both the Elite and Elite LX offer an integrated locking mechanism for added security, as well as a removal LED lighting system and a handy cargo-retrieval tool for hard-to-reach stuff in the truck bed. Installation takes less than 30 minutes, thanks to a super simple clamp-on process. And a company warranty—limited lifetime on the Elite LX and 3 years on the Elite—ensures your investment is protected.

Hard-folding, soft-folding, hard-rolling, soft-rolling—these all have their place in the aftermarket. And plenty of truck owners will tout the strength, style, and versatility of their designs. But if you’re searching for a tonneau cover that takes up virtually no bed space, and really feels like it’s a part of the original vehicle, a one-piece hinging cover might be the route to go. And if you’re looking for a one-piece cover that looks (and performs) like a million bucks, then the UnderCover Elite or Elite LX is for you.

If by some chance we can’t talk you into a one-piece tonneau, we recommend you check out UnderCover’s newest design—the hard-folding ArmorFlex. With heavy-duty panels coated in a LINE-X® specialty automotive coating, the ArmorFlex can stand up to just about anything you throw at it. You gain the versatility of multiple opening points, plus the stylish good looks of a low-profile design and sleek matte-black finish. Backed by a 5-year warranty and made in the USA, it’s another stellar offering from UnderCover that deserves its good reviews.