Moonlinks Stake Pocket Covers for GMC Sierra/Chevy Silverado Review: The Final Detail Your Truck Bed is Missing

There’s a unique satisfaction that comes with owning a new (or new-to-you) truck. For me, it was my 2022 Sierra 1500. The paint gleamed, the interior smelled new, and the bed was a pristine canvas of potential. But after the first few weeks, I noticed something small, yet infuriating. The open stake pockets on the bed rails. At first, they were just an aesthetic blip—two black holes breaking up the clean lines of the truck. Then came the first rainstorm, followed by a windy day full of autumn leaves. I looked into those pockets and saw a swampy mess of decomposing leaves, dirt, and water. I realized these weren’t just cosmetic flaws; they were miniature garbage cans collecting debris that could eventually lead to rust and corrosion in hidden areas of the bed. It’s a small detail, but one that detracts from an otherwise perfect vehicle, and I knew I needed a simple, elegant solution.

What to Consider Before Buying Truck Bed Accessories

Truck bed accessories are more than just items; they’re key solutions for enhancing utility, protection, and aesthetics. From robust tonneau covers that secure your cargo to small but mighty plugs like these, each component plays a role in customizing your truck to your specific needs. The primary benefit is transforming the open, vulnerable bed into a secure, clean, and more versatile space. These accessories protect your bed from the elements, deter theft, and can even improve aerodynamics for marginal fuel economy gains. Getting the right accessories means a cleaner truck, less worry about your gear, and a more finished, premium look.

The ideal customer for a product like the Moonlinks Stake Pocket Covers for GMC Sierra/Chevy Silverado is the truck owner who values a meticulous, clean appearance and wants to prevent long-term issues from debris and water accumulation. This is for the owner who has a tonneau cover and wants to seal every last gap, or for someone who simply can’t stand the look of those open holes. Conversely, this product might not be suitable for those who frequently use their stake pockets for accessories like ladder racks, bed extenders, or custom tie-down anchors. The extremely tight fit, while great for security, makes frequent removal impractical. For those users, a more easily removable rubber plug or leaving them open might be the better, albeit less clean, option.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Fitment & Compatibility: This is the single most important factor for an item like this. Ensure the product is explicitly designed for your truck’s make, model, and year. For the Moonlinks covers, they even specify a “credit card test”—if a card can’t fit into the original stake hole opening, these are the right ones. Poor fitment leads to gaps, rattling, or the part falling out entirely.
• Functionality & Performance: What is the accessory’s primary job? For these covers, it’s to seal the hole. We evaluated how well they block water, dust, and dirt. We also tested their tendency to stay seated, especially after exposure to sun, vibration, and high-pressure car washes, as this directly impacts their performance.
• Materials & Durability: The material dictates longevity. The Moonlinks covers use a hard ABS plastic, which offers great rigidity and a texture that closely matches the OEM bed rail caps. The alternative is often a softer, more flexible rubber. While rubber can be easier to install and remove, it may degrade faster under UV exposure, whereas high-quality ABS is built to last.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: This covers both installation and removal. A product that boasts a tool-free, seconds-long installation is highly desirable. However, as we discovered, “easy” can be subjective. It’s also critical to consider the difficulty of removal, especially if you might need to access the stake pockets later. Long-term care is minimal for these, usually just cleaning them when you wash your truck.

Completing your truck bed setup is a journey of finding the right parts that work together. These stake pocket covers are a fantastic finishing touch.

While the Moonlinks Stake Pocket Covers for GMC Sierra/Chevy Silverado is an excellent choice for sealing your bed rails, it’s often part of a larger bed protection system. For a broader look at securing your cargo, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

First Impressions: A Simple Design with a Purposeful Build

Upon opening the simple packaging, the Moonlinks Stake Pocket Covers for GMC Sierra/Chevy Silverado immediately feel substantial. This isn’t flimsy plastic; it’s a rigid, thick ABS material that feels durable and ready to withstand the elements. The top surface has a lightly textured matte finish, which we were pleased to find is a near-perfect match for the factory plastic on the GMC Sierra’s bed rails. This attention to detail is crucial for an accessory designed to look like it belongs from the factory. Flipping them over reveals the thoughtful engineering: a series of retention tabs and an “uneven edge extension” designed to grip the inside of the stake pocket. There are distinct left and right covers, clearly marked. There’s no flex or give, which hints at the tight, permanent-feeling fit we would later experience during installation. Compared to some softer rubber plugs on the market, the Moonlinks covers feel like a more permanent, integrated solution. You can see the high-quality construction in the product images, and they look even better in person.

Deep Dive: Analyzing the Moonlinks Stake Pocket Covers in Action

A small piece of plastic might seem simple, but its performance is judged on a few critical, non-negotiable factors: fit, function, and durability. We put the Moonlinks Stake Pocket Covers for GMC Sierra/Chevy Silverado through their paces on our 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 AT4, evaluating every aspect from the moment they came out of the box to how they held up after weeks of daily driving, a torrential downpour, and a high-pressure car wash.

Installation and the Quest for a Perfect Fit

Moonlinks advertises a “super easy” installation with no tools required. In a perfect world, this is a 10-second job. You line it up, push it down, and it snaps into place. Our experience, confirmed by numerous other users, was a bit more involved. The fit is, by design, incredibly tight. While we could get it started by hand, seating it fully required more persuasion. A few firm smacks with the palm of our hand got it most of the way there, but to get it truly seated and level, a rubber mallet was the tool of choice. A few gentle but firm taps brought it home with a satisfying, solid ‘thud’. This immense friction fit is a double-edged sword. On one hand, you know it’s not going anywhere. As one user aptly put it, they “fit very tight into place.”

However, this tight tolerance also brings forth the most commonly cited issue: the tendency to “pop up.” After parking the truck in the hot sun for a day, we noticed one edge of a cover had lifted by a few millimeters. This is likely due to the thermal expansion of the plastic. As another owner noted, “It has a tendency to pop up on one end after sitting in the sun but easily bumped in with a hand.” This became a minor ritual—a quick check and a tap to reseat it. One ingenious user suggested adding a thin strip of velvet-type tape to the sides before installation to add just enough compression to prevent this, a modification we think is brilliant. While the installation is straightforward, achieving a lasting, perfectly seated fit may require a bit of extra effort and monitoring. For those looking to achieve that seamless factory look, this is a crucial detail to understand.

Aesthetic Upgrade vs. The Flush-Fit Debate

There is no question that these covers are a massive aesthetic improvement. They transform the bed rail from a functional but unfinished-looking component into a sleek, solid surface. The texture match is excellent, and from a few feet away, they look like they were installed at the factory. This clean look was the primary reason we, and many others, sought this product out. As one user simply stated, “My only complaint is that I didn’t buy them sooner.” They just make the truck look better.

However, it’s critical to address the “flush fit” debate. The Moonlinks Stake Pocket Covers for GMC Sierra/Chevy Silverado do not sit perfectly flush with the bed rail. They sit slightly proud, or raised, by about 1/8 of an inch. We found this to be consistent with dozens of user reports. For most owners, this is a complete non-issue. In fact, some, including us, found this slight ridge useful, as it provides a lip to get a tool under if you ever attempt the Herculean task of removal. But for a specific subset of truck owners, this is a deal-breaker. If you have a hard tonneau cover that relies on a perfectly flat surface to create its weather-tight seal, this 1/8″ rise could compromise that seal right over the stake pockets. One user explicitly warned, “This will raise your bed cover and will not seal properly with this in place unless you sand it down.” It’s an essential consideration for those prioritizing the function of their tonneau cover over the aesthetics of the plugs. Prospective buyers should check their tonneau cover’s rail design before purchasing.

Durability and All-Weather Protection

Once seated, the primary job of these covers is to act as a shield, and in this, they excel. We left our truck out in a heavy, multi-hour rainstorm and checked the stake pockets afterward; they were bone dry. They effectively prevent water from pooling and seeping into the bed structure. This is equally true for dust, dirt, pine needles, and leaves. The area beneath stays as clean as the day they were installed, preventing the gunk buildup we dreaded. This protective capability is a major win and fulfills the core promise of the product. One happy customer confirmed they “keep dampness out of covered bed,” which is exactly what they’re designed to do.

The hard ABS plastic construction feels robust. After weeks of exposure to direct sunlight, there was no sign of fading or chalking, and the material remained rigid. We also took the truck through an automatic car wash with high-pressure sprayers. We half-expected the raised lip to catch the water jet and for the cover to go flying, but it didn’t budge. The tight fit that makes installation a challenge is precisely what gives it such impressive security against wind, vibration, and water pressure. You can install these and confidently forget about them, knowing they are doing their job protecting your truck’s bed rails from the elements. The peace of mind this simple part provides is well worth the modest investment.

What Other Users Are Saying

Looking across the spectrum of user feedback, a very clear consensus emerges. The vast majority of owners are thrilled with the aesthetic result, often calling the Moonlinks Stake Pocket Covers for GMC Sierra/Chevy Silverado a “perfect fit” and a great value. Many echo our sentiment, with comments like, “Works good looks good 👍” and “My only complaint is that I didn’t buy them sooner.” The praise centers on the clean, OEM look and their effectiveness at keeping debris out of the stake pockets.

However, the constructive criticism is just as consistent and provides a balanced picture. The two most common issues are the fit not being perfectly flush and the tendency for them to pop up slightly in the heat. One user gave it “4 stars only because it comes off a bit,” sharing a photo of the small gap that appears. Another stated bluntly, “They do not fit absolutely flush – they stick up about an 1/8″.” The other major point, which we view as both a pro and a con, is the difficulty of removal. As one owner warned, “Good luck getting them out if you use your holes.” This feedback isn’t necessarily negative but serves as a crucial piece of advice: install these only if you are confident you won’t need to access your stake pockets anytime soon.

Competing for Your Truck Bed: Moonlinks vs. The Alternatives

While the Moonlinks covers are a specific solution for a specific problem, it’s helpful to see them in the context of the broader truck bed accessory market. They are a detail-oriented upgrade, whereas other products offer more comprehensive solutions. Here’s how they compare to some popular alternatives.

1. RealTruck BAKFlip MX4 Hard Folding Tonneau Cover

Comparing a stake pocket cover to a premium hard-folding tonneau cover like the BAKFlip MX4 is like comparing a new set of lug nuts to a new set of tires. The Moonlinks covers are a finishing touch; the MX4 is a foundational component of bed security and utility. The MX4 offers robust security for your cargo, near-total weather protection, and a sleek, ultra-low-profile look. An owner buying the MX4 is focused on maximum protection and functionality. For that customer, the Moonlinks covers are an excellent, inexpensive complementary product to seal the final gaps in the bed rail for a truly complete, weatherproof system. You don’t choose between them; you choose the MX4 first and add the Moonlinks covers to perfect the setup.

2. RealTruck BAKFlip MX4 Hard Folding Tonneau Cover

This is the same excellent BAKFlip MX4 cover but designed for a different truck (the Ford F-150). The comparison remains the same in principle. It highlights that the world of truck accessories is highly vehicle-specific. While the Moonlinks covers are precisely molded for the unique stake pockets of late-model GM trucks, the MX4 is engineered for the F-150’s bed dimensions. This underscores the importance of the number one rule in our buyer’s guide: always verify fitment for your exact year, make, and model. Both products solve different problems, but they share the goal of upgrading a truck from its stock form to a more functional and refined vehicle.

3. Tyger Auto T1 Soft Roll-up Tonneau Cover Toyota Tacoma

The Tyger Auto T1 represents a different approach to bed coverage. As a soft roll-up cover, it prioritizes convenience and affordability over the hard-panel security of the MX4. It keeps prying eyes off your cargo and provides excellent water resistance at a fraction of the cost. A user choosing the Tyger T1 is likely a practical, budget-conscious owner who needs flexibility to use their full bed height easily. Similar to the MX4, the Moonlinks covers (if a version for the Tacoma existed) would serve as a complementary part. They address the small details, ensuring debris doesn’t collect in the rails, which is a concern regardless of whether you have a soft cover, hard cover, or no cover at all.

The Final Verdict: A Small Price for a Perfected Finish

After extensive testing and analysis, our conclusion is clear: the Moonlinks Stake Pocket Covers for GMC Sierra/Chevy Silverado are a must-have for the detail-oriented truck owner. They solve a real problem by preventing the accumulation of water and debris in the bed rails, all while providing a clean, factory-quality aesthetic that elevates the look of the truck. The durable ABS plastic construction is built to last and matches the OEM trim perfectly.

However, they are not without their quirks. Prospective buyers must be aware that they do not sit perfectly flush and may interfere with certain tonneau covers. The tendency to lift slightly in the heat and the extreme difficulty of removal are also important considerations. We recommend these covers wholeheartedly to any Sierra or Silverado owner who does not need regular access to their stake pockets and desires that finished look. It’s an inexpensive, high-impact modification that you’ll appreciate every time you look at your truck bed. For the price, it’s one of the best small upgrades you can make. If you’re ready to get rid of those ugly open holes and give your truck the finished look it deserves, we highly recommend you check the latest price and order a set today.