Flush mount tonneau covers vs Low profile tonneau covers. What’s the difference?
I often get asked to compare one brand of tonneau cover to another and the issue of low profile comes up fairly often. Having spoken to literally countless folks about this point, I can tell you with certainty, that 90% or more have no idea that there's a considerable difference between low profile and flush mount tonneau covers. So with this in mind, here's the skinny on the subject:
Flush mount tonneau cover
A flush mount tonneau cover or a "no profile" tonneau cover fits inside the bed of a pickup truck. It is absolutely flush and level with the truck bed rails and from the side of the truck, can hardly be seen.
low profile tonneau cover fits on top of the rail
In stark contrast, a low profile tonneau cover fits on top of the rail of the pickup truck, or at the very least, above the level of the trucks bed rails.
This subtle difference may not seem that much of a big deal to some, but when you break it down, the difference, albeit small can have significant consequences. Here's why:
1. Visibility: If you're backing up your truck, a low profile tonneau will give you limited visibility. A flush mount tonneau will be better and not block your view. So if you're guy that hauls a fifth wheel, a trailer, a boat etc., flush mount will serve you better.
2. Access to stake pockets: A flush mount tonneau will always give you full access to your stake pockets. A low profile tonneau cover will not. This should be a point that resonates loudly with you if you're a person that needs to tie things down in your truck or use your tonneau cover with bed rails or even racks.
3. Style: While a low profile tonneau cover is pretty stylish, a flush mount looks more custom and gives your truck a very cutting edge look. Many low profile tonneau covers are quite square in their design, while a flush mount requires that it be trimmed to follow the inner contours of your truck bed in order to fit properly. the result is a cleaner, more custom look and feel for your pickup truck.