- 6.5 feet is the most common size for a pickup truck
- When measuring for a tailgate, always start from the bulkhead and measure all of way to the inside edge
- If you have a toolbox in the bed of your truck, it’s best to measure the dimensions of that and then find a cover that is at least that size or slightly larger
- There are three common sizes for pickup trucks: 5.8 feet, 6.5 feet, 8 feet
How many times have you ended up at the store with a tonneau cover only to find that it does not fit your truck? It’s frustrating and annoying. But don’t worry, we’re here to help! We will guide you through the process of measuring your bed so that you can get one that fits perfectly.
Table of Contents
How To Measure Your Truck Bed
- When measuring for a tailgate, always start from the bulkhead and measure all of way to the inside edge.
- Rounded covers are 1-2 inches shorter than an irregular-shaped one so make sure that any car with an extended cab will be covered if it’s been proven in testing!
How Do I Know If My Tonneau Cover Will Fit?
Taking the measurements from inside of your truck’s cabin to find a cover that will fit can be difficult. To do this accurately, you’ll have to figure out how long 2″ is on both ends and then make sure it falls within those boundaries when placed over them with no gaps or overlaps; if not just get something smaller!
When it comes to the width of the cover, you’ll want to measure at the widest point. This is generally across the front of the bed and won’t include the wheel wells. If you have a truck with flares or fenders, then take this into account when measuring.
Most tonneau covers are about an inch thick – the most popular measurements they come in are 48″ and 53″. Make sure if you have a gap between your tailgate and bedrails that it is not more than 1/2 inch.
Any gap from 1/4″ – 1/2″ can be filled with weatherstripping at each end. This will also keep out snow, rain, and debris.
If you have a toolbox in the bed of your truck, it’s best to measure the dimensions of that and then find a cover that is at least that size or slightly larger.
How Do I Know What Size Bed My Truck Has?
The length of a truck bed can be determined by the distance between your inside bulkhead and tailgate. Measure both surfaces with a tape measure, then make sure they are correctly aligned before placing it in-between them for measurement purposes
Beds often come equipped at different lengths due to where vehicles manufacturers put their mounts on either end; some may not have anything installed while others might include an exhaust system or other accessories that add another few inches onto these measurements.
Widths usually stay consistent across all models, but the height of the bed might differ.
The easiest way to measure the height is to find a level surface and place your tape measure at that point. Take the measurement from the ground to the top of your truck’s bed rails. If you have a tonneau cover or another accessory installed, then you’ll need to take that into account.
If your bed is shorter than 7′, it might be a good idea to get a kick plate for the tailgate. This will give you more options when attaching accessories and might help keep them from sliding off of the edges. At over 8′ though, a tonneau cover should work well!
Are Tonneau Covers One Size Fits All?
A tonneau cover is designed to fit a specific type of truck. If you don’t know what kind your car has, go ahead and order one that will work for the make and model year – but just remember there are limited sizes so be sure!
Tonneau covers that are made to fit a certain year will not always be a perfect match. If they don’t fit correctly, they can become damaged and might not work when you need them the most.
Some models also come in different sizes so be sure to double-check the measurements before ordering!
The best way to make sure you’re ordering the right size tonneau cover is to take accurate measurements of your truck. You’ll need to measure the length, width, and height of your truck bed. If you have a toolbox or other accessory installed in the bed, then you’ll also need to measure those dimensions.
Once you have all of the measurements, find a cover that matches or is slightly larger – that way there are no gaps between the tonneau cover and your truck. You’ll also want to make sure that it will fit with any accessories you have installed such as a toolbox, exhaust system, or other items.
What Are The Different Truck Bed Sizes?
There are three common sizes for mid-sized and full-sized pickup trucks:
- Short 5.8 feet
- Standard 6.5 feet
- Extended 8 feet
Each truck’s make and model is different. So, if your measurement happens to be an inch or two off from the stated length below or the manufacturer’s specifications, don’t panic! Rounding of bed lengths numbers can vary quite a bit between models- but as long as it’s within about +/–2 inches of what was given on our table (below) then we should have enough room in the store for you when building out that special project vehicle build list this year…
Although there will always be some discrepancy due purely because each manufacturer creates their own unique design which may include features such as sidewalls that extend beyond those included with other vehicles.
What Is The Most Common Bed Size For Trucks?
6.5 feet is the most common size for a pickup truck. This is the general standard that most brands follow.
Standard trucks have become an ubiquitous part of our everyday life, with nearly every man driving one and many women opting to purchase a truck too. It’s no surprise then that automotive manufacturers are constantly coming out with new models in order for consumers who want their own ride can find something they like pretty easily!
Cars come in all shapes and sizes including pickup beds which means you’ll need different size spaces depending on whether or not it’s going off road sometimes (full-sized short bed) while other times just isn’t necessary since we use SUVs more than pickups these days (full-sized extended bed).
Main Takeaways – Measure A Truck Bed For A Tonneau Cover
This article has helped you learn about how to measure a truck bed for a tonneau cover. You should be able to find the parts and information needed to install it on your vehicle now that we’ve provided this basic outline of measuring length, width, height, and diagonal measurements.
If you’re still unsure or have any questions about what size will work best for your particular installation needs, please contact us at [email protected] We’ll be happy to help with anything else! Also, remember these instructions are written in metric units so if you need inches instead of centimeters just do some simple conversions!
