In some of the previous articles, I had an opportunity to test a couple of rock-solid soft roll-up tonneau covers, and I have to admit a was pretty impressed with what I got.
Sure, these units were never designed to be impenetrable or provide serious anti-theft protection, but they do a very decent job protecting the cargo from rain, wind, and smaller debris. However, we all have to be aware of the limitations of these products.
One of the biggest shortcomings is its durability. No matter how well-made they are, any sharper branch or a knife can cut them through like butter. Fortunately, the good people from Truxedo have managed to solve this problem without ramping up their products’ prices to the level of full-scale tri-fold units.
The solution lies in simple aluminum slats.
So, let’s take a look at this Truxedo Sentry CT review and see if this investment pays off.
Spoiler Alert! – The Review Conclusion for Truxedo Sentry CT Tonneau Cover
Unlike my usual habit I will start at the end. I will start by saying this Truxedo Sentry CT review is definitely worth your attention. If you appreciate good looks and aerodynamic lines, you will hardly find a better-looking tonneau cover than this.
Furthermore, the level of protection and endurance you get is truly exceptional for this product range. Still, the truxedo sentry ct problems with opening and closing the unit and ponding your experience after more prolonged exposure makes this issue even more evident. Even so – a good cover overall.
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and now for the reasoning…
Highlight of the Truxedo Sentry CT Review For This Tonneau Cover
The Materials
Truxedo has always been known as a company that somehow manages to marry the best available materials and price points that are still available to an average consumer. Truxedo Sentry CT is a product that continues this commendable tradition.
Let me start the breakdown with the main star of this show – the aluminum slats inserted under the cover fabric to provide the unit with higher structural integrity. And what can I say – they are as good as they get in this price range.
The material is heavy duty and was able to support any amount of pressure that I have put on it. Of course, I could’ve tried dropping some heavier objects, but the chances of something like that occurring in real life are very slim. Also, the bending was non-existent, so smaller debris and ponding shouldn’t be even close to your list of worries.
It is also good to know that these aluminum slats are pressure-bonded to the fabric for additional strength and resiliency.
But, what about the fabric in question? Here, the things don’t look shabby, either. This time, Truxedo decided to go with the durable high-end woven material that is entirely water-proof and packs excellent resistance to dirt. The pleasant-looking matte finish takes care of the scratches.
However, I would like to point out that, as good as they are, these two materials add a considerable amount of weight to the package, so keep that in mind during installation.
Side rails and mounting system are both serviceable. They do their job fine enough, but nothing to write home about.
The Design
Doing a Truxedo Sentry CT review without taking some time to talk about the cover design is virtually impossible. After all, Truxedo is famous for its series of quality low-profile soft roll-up tonneau units – the expectations are set pretty high.
Fortunately enough, Sentry CT does not disappoint.
For a start, the cover pushes the idea of the low profile design to a whole new level. The side rails are situated deep in the truck’s bed, allowing the cover to sink almost in line with the bed frame. Take a side look at your vehicle from a distance, and you won’t even notice the unit was installed in the first place.
Of course, this neat perk doesn’t affect only the look of your vehicle. While I was using the cover, I managed to preserve the aerodynamic lines of the ride and squeeze out better fuel economy.
As for the overall visual impression, what can I say – this product is a real stunner. The black matte surface simply looks beautiful, and even if you are not a fan of these products, the cover will elevate the look of the vehicle no matter what you put it on.
And since this specific type of finish doesn’t pick too much dirt or scratches, you don’t have to worry too much about the maintenance.
So, to sum it all up, the Truxedo Sentry CT review gets only the highest marks in terms of design. I am always happy to see such a good look at a price point that is still reasonably affordable.
Ease of Use
Now, here is the area where even the mightiest contenders can trip and fall. After all, one of the greatest benefits of roll-up covers is that they are easy to install and even easier to use. If they fail at this simple task, their value proposition comes seriously in the question.
So, how does the Truxedo Sentry CT tonneau cover hold up in this regard? Well, I have to admit, my overall impressions are very bittersweet.
The main gripe I have with this package is that opening and closing the bed takes too much time and effort. The aluminum slats are not that flexible when it comes to rolling, and the added weight that comes with these durable materials isn’t helping the whole issue.
Also, I would like to mention that space in between the slats leaves enough room for small pieces of debris to be stuck in, so I have experienced a couple of instances of jamming. Closing the latches that keep the cover attached to the tailgate requires some effort and stretching.
Of course, none of these things are truly deal-breaking, but they are definitely annoying. When I’m asked to pay close to a big grand, I like things to go smoothly.
On a more positive note, putting the cover together is as smooth as it goes. Sure, I would like to see clamps that keep the rails attached to the frame a bit stronger (tightening these too hard can loosen and break them), but they are not that bad.
What’s more important is that I was able to install the cover well under 30 minutes and without the need for drilling the holes, which is excellent.
Performance
And it is finally the time for me to quickly cover what’s arguably the most important about any cover – how well it protects the cargo from rain, sun, and debris.
Well, let me say that Truxedo Sentry CT is not 100% water-tight. But, on the other hand, no tonneau cover is – not even the expensive tri-fold units. So, some amount of water is expected to crawl its way into the bed.
With that in mind, I am happy to report that Sentry CT does its job more than admirably. This is mostly due to rock-solid Velcro straps that do an excellent job sealing the truck bed down. In the case of light rain, your cargo should stay completely dry.
I experienced the traces of water only in the case of a heavy rainstorm or when I drove the vehicle to an automatic car wash. Overall, as good as it gets in the world of roll-up covers.
However, Truxedo Sentry CT is not entirely without its problems performance-wise. Namely, one of the biggest drawbacks of all low-profile units is that they have a hard time draining the water from the top, which leads to ponding.
This cover is no exception. Of course, the accumulated water or even the layers of snow won’t be able to bend the slats or tear down the fabric. But, they make opening the bed, which is already hard, needlessly more challenging.
Ponding also allows the water to find its way into the closing and mounting mechanism and enter the bed upon opening. Situations like this, on the other hand, can happen only upon longer exposure (e.g., when you leave the vehicle outside overnight).
What we like
- Solid value proposition
- Aluminum slats are hard as a rock
- Exceptional water-proof woven fabric
- The scratch-resistant black matte surface looks stunning
- Easy to install
- No drilling required
- Velcro strips provide excellent sealing
- Works with a lot of different types of trucks
- Can support layers of snow
- Extremely low-profile
What we don’t like
- Opening and closing is needlessly hard
- Occasional jamming
- The cover is very prone to ponding
- The water can crawl in upon the opening
- Closing the cover requires some stretching.
I am Dave McCurdy I am the content developer on the ecodrivingusa.com website. I have 6 years of experience in marketing as an automotive major.