How to Measure a Truck Bed for a Tonneau Cover

How to Measure Your Truck Bed In One Easy Step

The Actual One-Step Process of Measuring Your Truck Bed For a Tonneau Cover

I wasn't kidding! Consult our fitguide and enter the year, make, and model of your vehicle and you're good to go. Keep the tape measure in the tool box and get ready to begin your new life as a tonneau cover owner!

But if you are interested in doing the measuring yourself, then follow this (almost as simple) guide below to measuring your truck bed accurately, and leave the pesky computers out of it (with the exception of the screen showing you this article).

Before We Begin...

I know what you're thinking, "You said this was one easy step, and now there's stuff I need to know beforehand? What gives?"

The actual measuring is one step, but there are a few things to be aware of when finding the perfect tonneau cover for your vehicle.

Tonneau cover sizes are standardized. Tonneau covers come in specific sizes, and are made to fit your truck based on make and model. So your measurements don't have to be exact as long as they are close enough (within an inch or two). It also means that the same tonneau cover that works on your neighbor's truck, would work on any truck that is the same year/make/model as theirs.

Some accessories can get in the way of a tonneau cover. (I'm looking at you Ram Boxes) Make sure that you don't have anything previously installed on your vehicle that would get in the way of using a tonneau cover in the first place. It is important to note that there are tonneau covers made to work with these additional accessories, so don't give up hope until you do some research on what's out there.

The Actual Measuring Part

Where you are measuring to and from is important, as the measurements can vary a lot if done incorrectly. I could tell you all about it, but it would be easier to just show you.

Measure alongside the side of the truck bed, from the inside of the bulkhead wall, to the inside of the closed tailgate

From the inside of the bulkhead...

...to the inside of the tailgate.

But My Tonneau Cover is in Feet, and All I Have Are These Pesky Inches!

Fear not! We have included this handy table to help you convert your measurement to the standard tonneau cover sizes. Just like our math teachers always said, it's not like we always have a calculator in our pockets!

Wrapping It All Up

What tonneau cover you choose can be a big decision, and making sure its the right fit for your truck is vital. Don't let fear of getting the wrong tonneau cover keep you from investing in one of the best and most helpful accessories for your truck. Besides, it's only one step...

About Jacob J

To say that my path to etrailer was complicated would be an understatement. I have always had a passion for helping others, and throughout my education and career as a social worker or community liaison, I have loved writing as a hobby. When I found etrailer and was given the opportunity to turn something I enjoyed doing into a career that helped people access information and products they need to live the best life they possibly could, I was instantly interested.

I am a lover of the outdoors, have been loading and unloading trailers since I before I was old enough to drive them, and have spent my recent years working in and around the automotive industry. And I am excited to share all of the things I have learned (more often than not the hard way).

I consider myself a perpetual student, and etrailer gives me the opportunity to learn something new every day and share my findings with others. Which is something I am extremely grateful for. I look forward to continuing to help people find the answers they need to make memories for a lifetime.

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