If you can compromise a little on the protection of your cargo, you can pick up soft roll ups over hard covers. They are way cheaper and provide you with similar looking aerodynamic design. But which out of these is for you?
Both of these covers may look same and have same working mechanism, but they are very differently built.
The Truxedo Pro X15 is a great pick here and comes with a life time warranty.
While the Gator SR2 is also a similar looking cover and comes with 5 years of warranty.
Let’s check out both of these boys in detail.
Table of Contents
Starting with their design:
Truxedo is known for its different variety of bed covers and truck bed accessories, and its soft cover, the Pro X15, is one of it’s premium ones. And as the name suggest, the cover makes a very low profile “15 degrees” with the bed caps.
The distinctive quality of Truxedo X15 is that it is constructed with two layers where you get a cloth, woven fabric on the top and vinyl on the bottom.
And at the same time this canvas layer also appears quite attractive and different than other covers.
And its matte black finish looks crisp and its woven nylon and vinyl material helps it in resisting dirt while driving (off road).
While the plastic or vinyl coating of thin layer that makes a protective barrier to UV rays, heat, abrasions and so on.
The cover is very light weight (28 lbs of packed box, and a few pounds lighter than the Gator SR2).
To open the cover, you have to unlock the tail gate first. And then use the trigger latch to unlock the cover.
Now the cover has only one sided trigger latching system (driver side), and I don’t why they don’t provide on both sides. But still you can get it installed on the other side, and last time I added, it cost me under 50 bucks, (but totally worth it).
FYI: Truxedo claims you can open the cover with just one finger, signifying how easy it is. And they just market this claim with all their covers.
Anyways, the cover has Velcro on both sides which is of course common with these soft covers. The cover sticks up on it nicely. And to support the cover there are crossbars as well.
And in case you are wondering, these Velcro and crossbars are marketed as “Industrial hook and loop system”.
Note: These cross bars support the flexible covering and they roll with the rolling cover, and add to the cover’s weight bearing capacity.
Other than this the cover comes with tension controller and you can stretch your cover that way (as the cover loosens up in summers).
And yes it does not cover the stake pockets, so you can install additional rails on top of this cover.
Things I really like/enjoy about this cover (which other cover does not provide):
- The cover has dual tail gate closing system. So you can close the cover over the closed tail gate.
- The cover has tension knobs which mounts near the tail gate and this provides you with better accessibility to use it.
- And as the cover is made out of washable fabric, this cover may be hand washed or safely cleaned in the car wash.
Now if we talk about the cons, I think it only has one, it does not provide you with opening latching on both sides.
If we talk about the Gator SR2, this cover is also premium but its going to cost you a little less.
The cover weighs just a little bit more (5 pounds max).
It’s made out of single layer of leather material but it provides you with good layering on top. as it has two layers of vinyl grade coating, (where the Truxdeo only has one on it’s second layer).
The cover provides you with the same Velcro and Cross bar system with a well built frame.
But here you do not get dual tail gate opening. So you can not close your cover over closed tail gate.
And the tension controlling knobs are also present but at the end, and to access them, you have to open up your cover all the way.
Other than this, this cover provides you with same type of one sided latching system, and it also does not cover your truck’s stake pockets like its competitor.
Protection/Durability
Both of these covers are sealed lengthwise through Velcro straps and they provide a good deal of restriction against water leakage. But the Truxedo Pro X15 provides a little bit more durable Velcro construction which is also more flexible with high temperatures.
So this cover provides better cover extension removing any creases.
(Also for creases, you can use tension controllers on both covers).
If we talk about durability, again the Truxedo is better here. The cover with it’s dual layers have more weight bearing capacity.
It provides you with 250 lbs compared to Gator SR2’s 175 pounds.
The Truxedo Pro X15 feels a little bit more sturdy. It’s metallic frame seems to have more rigidity in it and it would endure a little more weather damages in comparison.
The frame is being constructed with robust anodized aluminum and a coating with resilient double-coated vinyl. In addition, the vinyl can take a hammering without suffering any long-term damage because it is UV resistant.
And other than the canvas top of Pro X15, both covers have the same rest of the material/composition of vinyl tarp, metallic frame and Velcro straps.
Both covers also make good water tight seals but with stronger velcro, the Pro X15 is a little better here as well.
Other than this, the Gator SR2 also provides you great UV and cut resistant composition, and out of the two, it’s a little better.
The cover has double commercial grade vinyl coating and because of this, it offers a more optimized protection from water, dust, and harmful rays.
The coating also makes the cover more cut-resistant and further adds to its longevity.
If we talk about other weather conditions, like wind…
The Truxedo pro X15 provides you with stiffer design that is more aerodynamic so it’s less likely to get damage from a windy weather in comparison.
Other than this both covers have buckle straps to secure them in fully open position and they both are firm enough to keep the cover in place even when you are doing above 40 mph.
Installation of these covers:
The self-leveling feature of the Pro X15 allows for a quick, straightforward, and accurate setup.
And also with the Truxedo’s Quick-Release System, you can remove the Pro X15 very quickly if you widh to access the whole bed.
Both covers mounts in the bed rails and can be installed in an easy and similar way. And it takes about half an hour for both.
Steps to install them:
- Attach the bulkhead seal over the bed cap.
- Fix the side rails with the help of clamps.
- The covers have header rails provided with two bolts which slide into the holes on the front ends of the side rails. Fix the header rail with the side rails by nut tightening the bolts passed through the holes on the side rails.
- Roll the cover towards the tailgate where it locks with side rails with a slight push.
Note: Make sure that you put in the weather stripping b/w the bed caps first, if you have no bed liner.
So what’s the verdict?
Well both covers provide you a very similar looking design but they are very different.
In case of Gator SR2, you are going to get a cheaper cover in comparison, dual layer coating of vinyl and good overall protection.
And in case of Truxedo cover, you are getting more durability and overall protection and of course a great looking design of its canvas woven fabric top layer.