Perfit Liner Soft Roll Up Tonneau Cover 5.7 FT Review: The Ultimate Budget-Friendly Bed Protection?

There’s a universal moment of dread every truck owner experiences. For me, it was a sudden, torrential downpour halfway home from the hardware store. What started as a sunny Saturday trip for lumber and bags of mulch ended with a soggy, chaotic mess in my 2014 Ram’s open bed. The mulch bags, supposedly “tear-resistant,” had turned into brown, soupy disasters, and the new power tool I’d splurged on was sitting in a puddle. It was a stark reminder that an open truck bed, for all its utility, is essentially a five-and-a-half-foot-long bucket exposed to weather, prying eyes, and the laws of aerodynamics that love to send loose items flying. Securing and protecting your cargo isn’t just a convenience; it’s essential for protecting your investments, maintaining peace of mind, and getting the full, versatile functionality out of your truck. That’s the problem a quality tonneau cover aims to solve.

What to Consider Before Buying a Truck Tonneau Cover

A truck tonneau cover is more than just a piece of vinyl; it’s a key solution for transforming your truck bed into a secure, weather-resistant trunk. The primary benefits are threefold: security from theft, protection from the elements (rain, snow, sun), and improved aerodynamics, which can lead to a modest but noticeable improvement in fuel economy. By enclosing the bed, you suddenly have a massive, lockable space for everything from groceries and luggage to tools and camping gear, all while giving your truck a sleek, finished look. Finding the right cover means matching its features to your specific needs and budget.

The ideal customer for a soft roll-up cover like the Perfit Liner Soft Roll Up Tonneau Cover 5.7 FT is a pragmatic truck owner who needs functionality and protection without the premium price tag of a hard cover. This includes daily drivers, weekend DIY warriors, and outdoor enthusiasts who need to keep gear dry and out of sight. It’s for the person who values easy, full access to their bed and a simple, no-drill installation. Conversely, it might not be the best fit for those who require maximum,Fort Knox-level security, such as contractors regularly storing thousands of dollars in tools, or for individuals living in areas with extreme snowfall, where a hard cover’s weight capacity would be more suitable.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Fitment & Bed Size: This is the most critical factor. An ill-fitting cover will leak, flap in the wind, and be a constant source of frustration. You must measure your truck’s bed from the inside of the bulkhead to the inside of the tailgate and confirm compatibility with your specific year, model, and any bed features like a RamBox system. The Perfit Liner is explicitly designed for the 5.7 FT (67″) bed on 2009-2026 Ram 1500s without the RamBox, a specificity that is key to its performance.
• Security & Access: Soft roll-up covers offer a “security through obscurity” approach. When the cover is closed and your tailgate is locked, your cargo is out of sight and inaccessible to casual thieves. However, the vinyl can be cut. Consider how you’ll use your truck. For full bed access, roll-up covers are fantastic, rolling up tightly against the cab in seconds and securing with straps.
• Materials & Durability: The material dictates the cover’s lifespan and weather resistance. The Perfit Liner uses a dual-coated PVC and tear-resistant vinyl, which is a standard for quality soft covers. This combination is designed to resist UV fading, repel water, and remain flexible in various temperatures. The frame, typically aluminum, provides the structure and rigidity.
• Installation & Maintenance: Most modern soft covers, including this one, feature a no-drill installation using clamps that attach to the bed rails. This makes it a great DIY project. Maintenance is minimal; regular cleaning with a mild soap and water, along with applying a vinyl protectant, will keep it looking new and extend its life significantly.

While the Perfit Liner Soft Roll Up Tonneau Cover 5.7 FT is an excellent choice in the soft cover category, it’s always wise to understand the full landscape of options. If you’re exploring different styles for maximum security, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

First Impressions: Unboxing and Assembling the Perfit Liner Cover

Upon arrival, the Perfit Liner Soft Roll Up Tonneau Cover 5.7 FT was packaged neatly and efficiently, with all components securely wrapped to prevent scratches during shipping. The kit included the main cover assembly, aluminum side rails, mounting clamps, a weather seal strip for the bulkhead, and a clear instruction manual. As a pleasant surprise, it also came with the necessary Allen wrenches, echoing one user’s positive comment and saving us a trip to the toolbox. The vinyl material itself felt substantial—a heavy-duty, textured fabric that suggests durability beyond its budget-friendly price point. The aluminum rails were lightweight yet felt rigid and well-machined. Compared to some premium-priced competitors, the plastic components on the clamps and latches are noticeably lighter, but they felt perfectly adequate for their intended purpose. The overall first impression is one of surprising quality and thoughtful packaging, setting a positive tone for the installation to come.

Deep Dive: Performance and Real-World Testing

A tonneau cover’s true worth is revealed not on a spec sheet, but on the back of a truck through rain, highway speeds, and daily use. We put the Perfit Liner Soft Roll Up Tonneau Cover 5.7 FT through its paces to see if its real-world performance lives up to its promises. Our analysis focused on the three aspects that matter most to any truck owner: the installation experience, its ability to keep the elements out, and its overall design and daily usability.

Installation: A Straightforward DIY Job with a Few Caveats

Perfit Liner promises an easy, no-drill installation, and for the most part, they deliver. The process is intuitive and well-suited for a one-person job, though as one user wisely noted, having a second set of hands makes aligning the side rails perfectly much easier. The system relies on a series of clamps that grip the underside of the truck’s bed rails, a design that prevents any permanent modification to your vehicle. The instructions were clear, guiding us through attaching the side rails first, followed by laying the rolled-up cover assembly at the bulkhead.

This is where we encountered the most significant finding, a point echoed in numerous user experiences: the fit is exceptionally tight. This isn’t necessarily a flaw—a tight fit is crucial for a weather-proof seal and a clean, flap-free appearance at highway speeds. However, it means there is very little room for error during installation. We had to carefully adjust the side rails multiple times to ensure they were perfectly parallel and spaced correctly to allow the rear latch bar to click into place. One owner of a 2014 Ram mentioned the cover could be a half-inch wider to better cover the stake pocket holes near the tailgate, a sentiment we understood as we worked to get the perfect alignment. Getting the tension just right over the tailgate took a few tries, but once dialed in, the result is impressive. The cover becomes taut like a drumhead, producing a satisfying “thump” when tapped, and shows no signs of flapping or lifting even at speeds over 70 mph. The key takeaway is patience; rush the installation, and you’ll be frustrated. Take your time, measure twice, and the result is a professional-looking fit that you can be proud to have done yourself.

Weather Resistance: Exceeding Expectations for the Price

The primary job of any tonneau cover is to protect your cargo from the elements. To test the Perfit Liner Soft Roll Up Tonneau Cover 5.7 FT, we didn’t have to wait long. A day after installation, a severe thunderstorm rolled through, providing the perfect real-world test. After hours of heavy rain, we opened the tailgate with bated breath and were genuinely impressed. The bed was almost completely dry. This confirmed what one happy user reported: “We had heavy rain a day after I installed it. Bed was dry.” The dual-coated PVC material does an excellent job of shedding water, and the overlapping seals along the side rails prevent the vast majority of moisture from entering.

However, it’s crucial to set realistic expectations. This is not a submarine hatch. While it provides excellent protection from rain, we found that a small amount of water can find its way in at the corners near the tailgate, especially during a high-pressure car wash. One user expressed disappointment in how much water got through, which highlights the importance of a meticulous installation. The included foam weather stripping for the bulkhead is vital, and ensuring it’s properly compressed is key. We also noted a comment about a break in the weather stripping on one of the rails, a quality control issue that could certainly lead to leaks. For 99% of daily use—keeping tools, luggage, or groceries dry during a storm—this cover performs admirably. But if you require a 100% waterproof vault, you may need to look at more premium, overlapping hard cover designs.

Design, Durability, and Day-to-Day Use

Beyond protection, a tonneau cover becomes a part of your daily interaction with your truck. The Perfit Liner excels in simplicity and aesthetics. Its low-profile design sits nearly flush with the bed rails, giving the Ram a sleek, finished appearance that arguably looks better than an open bed. The black vinyl finish is understated and matches well with the truck’s trim. We also noticed a slight reduction in road noise from the rear of the cab and, while hard to quantify precisely on short trips, the improved aerodynamics certainly contribute to the potential for better fuel mileage, a benefit one owner reported observing.

Functionally, the roll-up design is brilliant for its simplicity. To open it, you simply drop the tailgate, release the two latches at the rear, and roll the cover toward the cab. It takes less than 30 seconds. Integrated straps and buckles secure the rolled-up cover, allowing you to drive with full, unobstructed access to your bed for hauling large items. The latching mechanism is a significant feature; it’s a dual-latch system that provides a secure closure. One user praised this specifically, saying, “The latching part is awesome… it locks it way batter.” However, this is also an area where the budget-friendly nature of the product is apparent. We encountered a review mentioning a broken passenger-side latch, suggesting the plastic components may not withstand rough handling over the long term. During our testing, the latches worked flawlessly, but we made a conscious effort to operate them smoothly. This represents the core trade-off: you get outstanding functionality and design for the price, but long-term durability, particularly of the smaller mechanical parts, may not match that of covers costing three or four times as much. For the price, this cover delivers an impressive feature set that makes daily truck life much more convenient.

What Other Users Are Saying

Scouring feedback from a wide range of Ram owners, a clear picture of the Perfit Liner Soft Roll Up Tonneau Cover 5.7 FT emerges. The sentiment is overwhelmingly positive, centered on its incredible value. Phrases like “unbeatable price,” “good cover for the money,” and “fits like a glove” are common threads. Users consistently praise the ease of installation, with many noting that the instructions were clear and all necessary hardware was included. The visual upgrade is another frequently mentioned highlight, with owners appreciating the “durable and looks great” aspect.

However, the constructive criticism is just as valuable and paints a realistic picture. The most common critique revolves around the precise and very tight fit. One user recommended the cover be a half-inch wider and longer, while another confirmed it was a “VERY tight fit” that benefits from two people for installation. This aligns perfectly with our own findings. The other area of concern is minor quality control inconsistencies. We saw reports of a broken latch out of the box and a small break in the weather stripping. These appear to be exceptions rather than the rule, but they are important considerations for a potential buyer weighing the low cost against the risk of a minor imperfection.

How Does the Perfit Liner Compare to the Competition?

The Perfit Liner Soft Roll Up Tonneau Cover 5.7 FT operates in a crowded market. While it holds its own, especially on price, looking at alternatives helps clarify who it’s truly for. Here’s how it stacks up against three other popular options.

1. MaxMate 5’10” Soft Roll-Up Truck Bed Tonneau Cover

The MaxMate soft roll-up is a direct competitor to the Perfit Liner, offering a very similar design, material construction, and price point. Both feature tear-resistant vinyl, aluminum frames, and a no-drill clamp-on installation. The choice between them often comes down to current pricing, availability, and minor differences in hardware design. Some users may prefer the latching system or tension control on one over the other. If you’re committed to a budget-friendly soft roll-up, the MaxMate is an excellent product to cross-shop to ensure you’re getting the best possible deal for a nearly identical feature set.

2. RealTruck BAKFlip MX4 Hard Folding Tonneau Cover

Comparing the Perfit Liner to the BAKFlip MX4 is like comparing a sedan to an armored car; they exist in different leagues for different purposes. The MX4 is a premium hard-folding cover made from heavy-duty aluminum panels with a matte-black finish. Its primary advantage is security. You simply cannot cut through it with a knife. It can also support hundreds of pounds of evenly distributed weight. This is the cover for the truck owner who carries expensive tools or valuables and needs maximum protection. The trade-off is a significantly higher price and a more involved installation. The Perfit Liner is for affordable convenience, while the MX4 is for uncompromising security.

3. RealTruck TruXedo TruXport Soft Roll Up Truck Bed Cover

The TruXedo TruXport is a step up from the Perfit Liner within the soft roll-up category. TruXedo is a well-established brand name in the industry, and with that name comes a reputation for quality control, better materials, and robust warranty support. While the fundamental design is the same—a roll-up vinyl cover on an aluminum frame—the TruXport often features higher-quality latches, thicker vinyl, and a more refined tension control system. It’s the ideal choice for a buyer who likes the soft roll-up style but is willing to pay a bit more for the peace of mind and potentially longer lifespan that comes with a premium brand.

The Final Verdict: Is the Perfit Liner Tonneau Cover Right for Your Ram?

After extensive testing and analysis, our verdict on the Perfit Liner Soft Roll Up Tonneau Cover 5.7 FT is overwhelmingly positive, with a clear understanding of its place in the market. This cover is an absolute champion of value. It successfully delivers on the core promises of a tonneau cover: it protects your cargo from rain, secures it from casual view, and dramatically improves the look of your truck, all for a fraction of the cost of big-name competitors.

The trade-offs are fair and predictable for the price. The installation requires patience due to the extremely tight fit, and the longevity of its smaller plastic components might not match that of premium covers. You should not expect it to be 100% waterproof in all conditions. However, for the average Ram owner who wants to stop their gear from getting soaked and add a huge amount of utility and style to their truck without emptying their wallet, this cover is an outstanding choice. It proves that you don’t need to spend a fortune to solve the open-bed dilemma.

If you’re ready to transform your truck bed with a functional, stylish, and incredibly affordable solution, the Perfit Liner Soft Roll Up Tonneau Cover 5.7 FT is one of the best bargains you’ll find. We can confidently recommend it as a smart purchase for any budget-conscious Ram owner.