Last Updated on May 24, 2022
Whether for the thrill on the road or driving off-road, many people use Jeeps. The cargo area of a jeep is very usable and easily accessible. But, that open cargo space can’t protect your things from different damages like: dust, theft, or bad weather.
That is why we’ve prepared this article about the best tonneau cover for Jeep Wrangler TJ. In this article, we’ll be talking about all the good or bad things about these tonneau covers.
Before talking about our selected products, let’s give you a general idea of what you should look for in a tonneau cover or deck cover for your Jeep Wrangler.
- The first thing you should look for is the material quality. Good quality ensures a long-lasting experience.
- A tonneau cover that has an easier installation process is always better.
- You should choose a tonneau cover that takes as little space as possible. Otherwise, you’ll have less space for your cargo.
- It is wiser to choose a deck cover that is easier to use.
- Look for better sealing or weather resistance. Better sealant means better protection.
- And, security. It is one of the main reasons to buy a tonneau cover.
While shortlisting our products, we have considered all these factors. We’ll be mentioning these in the review later on. So sit tight and read the full article, to understand each product. By the end of this review, you’ll be sure which one will be the best choice for your Jeep.
Top 3 Best Tonneau Cover for Jeep Wrangler TJ Review
To provide you with the best suggestions, we have prepared this article after a ton of research about all the available deck covers for the Jeep Wrangler (TJ). We’ve also read hundreds if not thousands of reviews and feedback from customers and users around the world.
We promise you that this won’t be a long list. We are mentioning the absolute best tonneau covers for Jeep (TJ).
1. Smittybilt 761035 Tonneau Cover for Jeep (TJ)
Smittybilt is one of the popular companies that make tonneau covers for Jeep. This company makes various tonneau covers for almost any type of vehicle. This tonneau cover fits the standard version of Jeep TJ. Smittybilt offers another option available for two-door models.
First, let’s talk about the build. This tonneau cover from Smittybilt is meant to last for a long time. It is built well. The design is really good and fits perfectly with the Jeep TJ.
The material used for this tonneau cover is black diamond vinyl. This material is very similar to the OEM soft top. It is durable and can resist dust and water pretty well.
The fabric is custom-cut for the cargo area. It has a flap that comes up and wraps around the roll bar on each side. To prevent it from flapping around in the wind, it has heavy-duty Velcro on each side to attach with the roll bars.
The installation process of this tonneau cover is quite easy. It uses the factory tailgate bar and tailgate bar retainers to secure the back and seal. Just follow the instructions provided by smittybilt and it’ll take about 30 minutes to install.
As it is mentioned above, it seals well with some plastic tabs that go inside the body of the Jeep. The back is also secured with the factory tailgate bar and retainers. So, nothing to worry about the security and sealant. But, remember good sealing doesn’t necessarily mean being fully waterproof.
Pros
- Well-built with quality material
- Easy installation process
- Easy to use
- Security and sealing is really good
- Offers 3 different color options
Cons
- The seal isn’t good enough to prevent water in a heavy rain
Verdict: A well-rounded tonneau cover that has all the necessary features you’ll need on a daily basis. It has quality material, provides good security and sealing along with a very sleek look. It is very inexpensive considering the quality. Other similar products cost more with a similar kind of fabric.
2. Rampage 761015 Tonneau cover for Jeep Wrangler TJ
Material: Vinly
Lock Type: Tailgate
Rampage makes various tonneau covers and top covers for Jeep. This company also offers different top covers for Jeep. This tonneau cover from Rampage is available for all the models of Jeep Wrangler and TJ.
This tonneau cover is made out of vinyl. The quality of this vinyl is pretty good and has a nice look. The vinyl is pretty durable and thick. It weighs around 5 pounds.
Installing this cover is quite easy. You’ll need no tools to attach it and the instructions are pretty easy to follow. We’ll suggest you install it during the summer, as it’s not easy to stretch it perfectly in cold weather.
Let’s describe the best thing about this tonneau cover. It fits really well. It will fit perfectly with your Jeep. There’ll be no wrinkles on this tonneau cover once it stretches. Which by the way looks good on the Jeep.
It installs with the factory belt rail system and rear tailgate bar. It has a heavy-duty zipper on the front to attach with the rear window panel. A Velcro flap cover on the rear side fully seals the compartment. The tight-fitting eliminates flapping on the wind.
The features mentioned above mean good sealing against dust and weather. This tonneau cover keeps the rear compartment fully closed until you unlock the rear tailgate. So, good security is assured with good sealing.
Pros
- Good quality material
- Easy installation
- Fits really well
- Good security and sealing
Cons
- Hard to stretch it perfectly during installation
Verdict: It is a good tonneau cover for everyday use. Unlike other tonneau covers for Jeep TJ, it fits perfectly and stays that way. It provides a sleek and nice look. It costs a few bucks more than our previous product.
3. Pavement Ends by Bestop Cargo Cover for Jeep Wrangler TJ
Bestop makes all types of covers for Jeep. This is one of the few companies that still make tonneau covers for Jeeps. This tonneau cover from the bestop will fit Jeep Wrangler TJ (1997-2002).
The best thing about this cover is the chosen material. It is made out of heavy-duty automotive-grade vinyl. This heavy-duty fabric is also resistant to UV. So, the color doesn’t fade easily. This cover fits very well with Jeep Wrangler TJ.
It is quite easy to install. Honestly, all the cargo covers for Jeep TJ has almost the same installation process. It won’t take more than 30 minutes to install. The provided installation guide is easy to follow and doesn’t have too many steps.
You can install this tonneau cover using the original belt-rail attachment system. The tonneau cover has plastic canards on each side that attaches to the belt rails. So, no extra hardware is required. It uses straps and Velcro to attach with the sport bars.
The tonneau cover fits tight and seals well on the sides. It doesn’t flap around on the wind. The rear side is also secured with the rear tailgate bar. Just remember to tuck it in while installing. The tonneau cover isn’t fully waterproof but it works fine for dust and simple rain.
Pros
- Heavy-duty automotive-grade vinyl
- Easy installation
- Uses original belt-rail attachment system
- Fits well and stays wrinkle-free
Cons
- You may need to re-attach the belt-rail attachment system for a tight fit
- Water gets inside from the rear side on rain
Verdict: It is a good cargo cover that can protect your cargo from dust and rain. It has the simplest installation process among all the products mentioned above.
Final Words
In this article, we have included the cargo cover only. None of them will come with a bikini top (cover for the top/roof of the jeep). If you need that you can purchase it separately.
All these tonneau cover has almost the same specifications and works pretty much the same. None of these covers will give you a fully waterproof or weatherproof experience. In fact, there are no tonneau covers for Jeeps that can fully seal against the weather.
You can choose any of these tonneau covers for your Jeep Wrangler TJ. If you ask our opinion, we’ll suggest you buy the Smittybilt tonneau cover. It has the lowest price tag and works fine as the rest. So, according to our research, it is the best tonneau cover for Jeep TJ.
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