Next Level Performance
June 28, 2026 • 9 min read
Choosing a tonneau cover for the 2006-2014 Honda Ridgeline comes down to two proven options at NLP Performance: the budget-friendly Tonno Pro Tonno Fold soft tri-fold at $297.75, and the security-focused BAK BAKFlip G2 hard-folding cover at $1,049.99. Both bolt onto the first-generation Ridgeline's 5-foot (60 in) fleetside bed with no drilling, but they protect your cargo in very different ways. This guide breaks down the real specs, fitment, fuel-economy facts, and the one Ridgeline-specific quirk — the in-bed trunk — that every buyer needs to know before adding a cover to the cart.
Our Verdict
For most 2006-2014 Ridgeline owners, the Tonno Pro Tonno Fold is the best overall value — lifetime warranty, 10-minute no-drill install, and a price under $300.
Step up to the BAK BAKFlip G2 if theft protection is your priority: its solid aluminum panels can't be sliced like vinyl, it supports up to 300 lbs of evenly distributed weight, and you can drive with it folded for full bed access.
Shop Our Top Pick →Which Tonneau Cover Fits the 2006-2014 Honda Ridgeline?
The first-generation Honda Ridgeline (2006-2014) used a single bed configuration for its entire run: a 5-foot (60 in) fleetside cargo bed that extends to roughly 6.6 feet with the dual-action tailgate folded down. "Fleetside" simply means a smooth-sided bed with the wheel wells inside, so tonneau covers are sized to that 60-inch opening. Every first-gen trim — RT, RTS, RTL, RTX, SE, and the later Sport — shares the same bed, so a cover listed for the 2006-2014 Ridgeline fits all of them. (Note: Honda paused Ridgeline production for the 2009 model year, so there is no 2009 truck to cover.)
At NLP Performance, two covers fit this truck and stay in stock: the Tonno Pro Tonno Fold soft tri-fold and the BAK BAKFlip G2 hard-folding cover. Both are clamp-on, no-drill designs that preserve the truck's factory bed and resale value. Here is how they stack up side by side.
A no-drill clamp-on cover preserves the Ridgeline's factory 5-foot bed.
2006-2014 Ridgeline Tonneau Covers Compared
| Cover | Style | Security | Best For | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tonno Pro Tonno FoldTop Pick | Soft tri-fold vinyl | Theft deterrent | Value & easy install | $297.75 |
| BAK BAKFlip G2 | Hard-folding aluminum | High (uncuttable panels) | Max security & load support | $1,049.99 |
1. Tonno Pro Tonno Fold — Best Overall Value
The Tonno Pro Tonno Fold is the best overall tonneau cover for the 2006-2014 Honda Ridgeline because it delivers weather protection, a clean low-profile look, and a limited lifetime warranty for under $300. It is a three-panel soft folding cover built from double-sided, marine-grade vinyl stretched over a 6063-grade powder-coated aluminum frame. The cover ships fully assembled and clamps to the bed rails with no drilling, so a first-time install typically takes about 10 to 30 minutes with no tools beyond the included clamps.
Key Specifications
The Tonno Fold's hinged sections let you fold the cover forward in thirds to haul taller cargo, then drop it back down and snap it shut in seconds. A low-profile design sits nearly flush with the bed rails for a factory-clean look, and integrated perimeter seals shed most rain and road spray. As a soft vinyl cover it is water-resistant rather than fully waterproof, and it is a visual theft deterrent rather than a vault — vinyl can be cut, so valuables still belong in the Ridgeline's lockable in-bed trunk.
The tri-fold panels fold forward in seconds for taller loads.
What We Like
- + No-drill, tool-free clamp-on install in about 10 minutes
- + Limited lifetime warranty on frame and vinyl
- + Under $300 with low-profile, factory-clean styling
Things to Consider
- – Vinyl is a theft deterrent only, not cut-proof security
- – Water-resistant, not fully waterproof in heavy rain
2. BAK BAKFlip G2 — Best for Security and Durability
The BAK BAKFlip G2 is the best tonneau cover for 2006-2014 Ridgeline owners who prioritize theft protection and bed-floor durability. Instead of vinyl, the G2 uses rigid aluminum-skinned panels that cannot be sliced open, and a concealed latch system that locks automatically when you close it. With the tailgate locked, the contents of the bed are genuinely secured. The G2 also supports up to 300 lbs of evenly distributed weight on top, so light cargo and snow load are not a concern the way they are with a soft cover.
An integrated buckle system lets you drive with the G2 closed, folded partway, or flipped all the way up against the cab for full bed access — useful when you need the entire 5-foot bed for a tall load. The matte-black UV-resistant finish resists fading and chalking, and the whole cover is removable in a few minutes for the rare times you want the bed completely open. Installation is a no-drill clamp-on job that runs about 30 to 35 minutes. The trade-offs versus the Tonno Pro are weight and price: the G2 is roughly twice as heavy and more than three times the cost.
The G2's aluminum panels fold flat against the cab for full bed access.
What We Like
- + Uncuttable aluminum panels with concealed locking latch
- + Supports up to 300 lbs of evenly distributed weight
- + Drive folded or flipped up for full bed access
Things to Consider
- – More than 3x the price of the Tonno Pro tri-fold
- – Heavier; latches may need break-in adjustment
Soft Tri-Fold vs Hard-Folding: Which Is Right for Your Ridgeline?
A soft tri-fold like the Tonno Pro is the right choice if you want affordable weather protection, the lightest cover to lift on and off, and partial bed access without removing anything. A hard-folding cover like the BAKFlip G2 is the right choice if security, top-side load support, and long-term durability matter more than upfront cost. For context, here are the four main tonneau styles and how they compare on the things Ridgeline buyers ask about.
Hard-folding aluminum panels add cut-proof security a soft cover can't match.
The four tonneau cover types, explained
Soft roll-up covers are vinyl panels that roll toward the cab on side rails. They are the cheapest and lightest, offer the most bed flexibility, but provide the least security and weather sealing (typically $150-$300). Soft folding (tri-fold) covers, like the Tonno Pro Tonno Fold, fold in thirds toward the cab for partial access while staying affordable and light. Hard-folding covers, like the BAKFlip G2, use rigid aluminum panels for strong security, can't-be-sliced protection, good weather sealing, and 300-400 lb top-side load support at a higher price ($400-$1,000+). Retractable covers use interlocking aluminum slats that slide into a canister at the bulkhead for near-waterproof, top-tier security and full bed access, but they cost the most and the canister eats into bed length.
A closed soft tri-fold keeps cargo out of sight and out of the weather.
Do Tonneau Covers Really Improve Gas Mileage?
Tonneau covers can produce small highway fuel-economy gains, but real-world results are modest and inconsistent — treat better MPG as a bonus, not the main reason to buy. An open truck bed creates drag-inducing turbulence; SAE-cited figures put the drag penalty of an uncovered bed at roughly 15-20% above 55 mph. A widely referenced aerodynamics study found a tonneau cut bed drag by about 11.8%, worth roughly 1.8 MPG on the highway. For balance, Consumer Reports' 2013 real-world test actually found a soft cover slightly hurt economy (22.3 mpg with the tailgate up versus 21.4 mpg with a soft cover on their test truck). The honest takeaway: any MPG benefit is small, and the cover's real value is cargo protection, security, and a cleaner look.
A closed low-profile cover smooths airflow over the open bed.
Installation and the Ridgeline In-Bed Trunk Quirk
Both covers install in well under an hour with no drilling: the Tonno Pro clamps on in about 10-30 minutes and the BAKFlip G2 in about 30-35 minutes. Because they are clamp-on designs, neither modifies the truck, so your Ridgeline's bed and resale value stay intact. Here is the one thing unique to this truck: the first-generation Ridgeline has a lockable, watertight, drainable in-bed trunk (roughly 8.5 cubic feet) under the rear of the bed floor, plus a dual-action tailgate that drops down or swings to the side to reach it.
Most aftermarket tonneau covers sit low and can partially block the in-bed trunk lid from opening fully, so you may need to fold the rear panel of the cover forward to access the trunk. The hard-folding BAKFlip G2 makes this easy — just flip the rear panel up — while the Tonno Pro tri-fold folds forward in seconds to clear the lid. If daily trunk access is critical to you, plan to operate the cover's rear section rather than expecting the trunk to open with the cover fully closed. Browse the full tonneau cover collection for additional options as they come into stock.
Clamp-on rails install with no drilling, keeping the factory bed intact.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best tonneau cover for a 2006-2014 Honda Ridgeline?
The Tonno Pro Tonno Fold tri-fold ($297.75) is the best overall value for the 2006-2014 Honda Ridgeline, combining a no-drill 10-minute install, a limited lifetime warranty, and low-profile styling for under $300. If theft protection is your top priority, the hard-folding BAK BAKFlip G2 ($1,049.99) uses uncuttable aluminum panels and a concealed locking latch.
Will a tonneau cover fit the 5-foot bed on a first-gen Ridgeline?
Yes. Every 2006-2014 Honda Ridgeline used the same 5-foot (60 in) fleetside bed across all trims (RT, RTS, RTL, RTX, SE, Sport), so a cover listed for the 2006-2014 Ridgeline fits all of them. Both the Tonno Pro Tonno Fold and the BAK BAKFlip G2 are sized to this 60-inch bed.
Does a tonneau cover work with the Ridgeline's in-bed trunk?
Yes, but most aftermarket covers sit low enough to partially block the in-bed trunk lid, so you fold the cover's rear panel forward to open the trunk. The hard-folding BAKFlip G2 flips its rear panel up for access, and the Tonno Pro tri-fold folds forward in seconds. Plan to operate the rear section rather than opening the trunk with the cover fully closed.
Is a soft tri-fold or a hard-folding cover better for the Ridgeline?
A soft tri-fold is better for value, light weight, and easy on-off handling; a hard-folding cover is better for security, weather sealing, and top-side load support. The Tonno Pro soft tri-fold costs under $300 but its vinyl can be cut. The BAKFlip G2's aluminum panels can't be sliced and support up to 300 lbs, but it costs more than three times as much.
Do tonneau covers improve gas mileage?
Tonneau covers can deliver small highway MPG gains by smoothing airflow over the bed, but the effect is modest and inconsistent. One aerodynamics study measured about an 11.8% drag reduction (roughly 1.8 MPG on the highway), while Consumer Reports' 2013 test found a soft cover slightly reduced economy. The main benefit is cargo protection and security, not fuel savings.
How long does it take to install, and do you need to drill?
Neither cover requires drilling. The Tonno Pro Tonno Fold ships fully assembled and clamps to the bed rails in about 10-30 minutes, and the BAK BAKFlip G2 installs in about 30-35 minutes. Both are clamp-on designs, so they do not modify the truck and can be removed in minutes.
Are soft tonneau covers waterproof and secure?
Soft vinyl covers like the Tonno Pro are water-resistant rather than fully waterproof, and they are a theft deterrent rather than true security since vinyl can be cut. For valuables, use the Ridgeline's lockable in-bed trunk, or step up to the hard-folding BAKFlip G2 for uncuttable aluminum panels and a concealed locking latch.
Cover Your Ridgeline Bed the Right Way
Shop tonneau covers for the 2006-2014 Honda Ridgeline and thousands more truck accessories at NLP Performance.
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