Are you in the market for a new tonneau cover? As there are various tonneau covers available, which one should you pick? Two of the most popular tonneau covers are Truxedo Sentry and Sentry CT.
Both these are excellent to choose, and they can provide you with the best support for your vehicle. But the question is, which is better to pick between Truxedo Sentry VS Sentry C.
Yes, both of them have some similarities but there are also some differences that make them apart from each other. And in this case, the Truxedo Sentry is a little bit better choice in terms of appearance and ease of use.
In this article, we’re going to share a full comparison between these two covers so that you can pick the right one. So, why late? Keep reading this article and pick the perfect one for your vehicle.
Truxedo Sentry Vs Sentry CT- Head to Head Comparison
TruXedo is a well-known manufacturer of high-quality truck bed covers, and two popular options in their product lineup are the TruXedo Sentry and the TruXedo Sentry CT.
Both covers offer excellent protection and convenience for truck owners, but there are some key differences between them that may influence your decision.
Here, we’ll share some of the key differences between Truxedo Sentry Vs Sentry CT. It will help you to pick the right Tonneau cover for your car.
Appearance
When it comes to enhancing the appearance of your truck while providing excellent bed protection, Truxedo offers two popular options: the Truxedo Sentry and Sentry CT tonneau covers. Both covers share similarities in terms of functionality but differ slightly in their appearance.
The Truxedo Sentry tonneau cover boasts a sleek and modern design. It features a low-profile, flush-mount appearance that seamlessly integrates with the truck’s bed rails.
This creates a streamlined and aerodynamic look, giving your truck a stylish and polished appearance. The Sentry cover is made from durable, high-quality materials that ensure long-lasting performance and protection against the elements.
On the other hand, the Truxedo Sentry CT tonneau cover showcases a more rugged and textured appearance. It retains the same functionality as the Sentry model but adds a distinct element to the overall aesthetic.
The Sentry CT cover features a woven fabric texture on the top, adding a touch of ruggedness to the truck’s profile. This textured appearance complements trucks with a more aggressive and off-road-oriented style.
Ultimately, the choice between the Truxedo Sentry and Sentry CT tonneau covers depends on your personal preference and the desired look for your truck.
Both covers provide excellent protection for your truck bed while enhancing its appearance, with the Sentry offering a sleek and modern design and the Sentry CT adding a rugged and textured aesthetic.
Installation
For the Truxedo Sentry, installation is pretty straightforward. You’ll start by centering the cover on your truck bed rails. Then secure the clamping system by tightening the adjustable clamps on the inside of the bed rails. Tighten until snug, being careful not to overtighten.
The Sentry CT works a bit differently. It has a rail system that needs to be installed first. You’ll bolt the rails to the inside edges of your bed rails using the included hardware.
Make sure the rails are level for the best fit. Once the rails are on, you place the cover on the rails and secure the clamps to hold everything in place. The rails do add a few extra steps, but many find they provide more security.
In the end, while the Sentry CT takes a bit more effort upfront with installing the rail system, either of these covers can be installed in under an hour for a novice using basic tools.
The Sentry may have a slight edge with the simplest installation, but the Sentry CT makes up for it with its unrivaled versatility and security. For most truck owners, the extra few minutes spent installing the rails will be well worth it.
Overall, you can’t go wrong with either of these covers when it comes to ease of installation. But if you want the most secure, versatile cover, the Sentry CT is probably your best bet, rails and all.
Ease of Use
When it comes to ease of use, you’ll want a tonneau cover that’s simple to operate on a daily basis. Both the Truxedo Sentry and Sentry CT score well here, with a few differences to note:
The Sentry CT features Truxedo’s patented CT latching system, which allows you to open or close the cover in literally seconds without having to unlock anything.
Simply turn the dial on each side rail to loosen the cover, then flip it open or closed. To lock, just turn the dials in the opposite direction. This straightforward design is ideal if you’re frequently accessing your truck bed.
The standard Sentry model uses a more traditional clamp-on rail design with a tailgate latch to secure the cover. To open, unlock the tailgate latch and clamps, then roll up and secure the cover.
While still quite easy to operate, it does require a few more steps than the CT system. However, some people prefer the added security of the clamps and find the standard rails minimally obstruct access to the bed.
A few other factors in ease of use:
- Both covers can be rolled up to about 2/3 of the bed, allowing full access when needed.
- The aluminum panels on each cover are lightweight, so rolling and unrolling is effortless.
- Installation of either cover takes less than an hour for most DIYers using basic tools. Truxedo’s instructions are very straightforward.
- Both covers work with most factory and aftermarket bed liners, bed caps and bed rails for maximum compatibility.
You can’t go wrong with either the Sentry or Sentry CT for simplicity and convenience.
The CT system may have a slight edge for those accessing their bed multiple times a day, while the standard Sentry is a bit more versatile.
But whichever you choose, you’ll enjoy a tonneau cover that’s as easy to use as it is stylish.
Security Lock
In terms of securing your truck bed and its contents, the security lock feature is an important consideration in any tonneau cover.
Both the Truxedo Sentry and Sentry CT offer sturdy security to deter thieves, but there are some differences to note.
The Sentry comes equipped with a latch system that incorporates a key lock to securely fasten the cover to your truck bed rails. It helps prevent unauthorized access to your cargo and deters thieves looking for an easy target.
The lock cylinders are resistant to lock picking and the keys cannot be duplicated at a standard hardware store.
For even more security, you can purchase an optional cable lock kit that allows you to run a steel cable through the latch system and lock it to your truck bed tie-downs.
On the other hand, the Sentry CT steps up the security with a coded tailgate lock. This eliminates the need for keys that can be lost, stolen or duplicated.
Instead, you simply enter your own personalized 4-digit code to lock and unlock the cover.
The code can easily be changed if needed to ensure maximum security. It also comes standard with the cable lock kit for tying down the cover to your truck bed, providing dual-layer defense against theft.
Overall, while both tonneau covers offer good security for your truck bed, the Sentry CT has the edge with its coded lock system and included cable lock.
The keyless and customizable access provides an extra layer of theft protection for minimal additional cost.
Weight Capacity
While comparing between Truxedo Sentry VS Sentry CT tonneau covers, an important factor to consider is how much weight each can handle.
After all, if you frequently haul heavy cargo or equipment in your truck bed, you need a cover that’s up to the task.
The Truxedo Sentry tonneau cover has a weight capacity of 300 lbs evenly distributed. This means it can handle most typical loads, like camping gear, gardening supplies, or a few pieces of furniture.
However, it may not support extremely heavy items like cinder blocks or an ATV. The Truxedo Sentry’s aluminum frame and vinyl tarp are durable but not indestructible under excessively heavy weights.
On the other hand, the Truxedo Sentry CT tonneau cover has a weight capacity of 500 lbs evenly distributed. Its sturdier aluminum slats and reinforced tarp allow it to handle quite a bit more weight than the standard Sentry model.
So, if you need to haul heavier equipment or materials on a regular basis, the Sentry CT is probably the better choice.
Some other factors that determine each cover’s weight capacity include:
- Frame material: The Sentry CT’s aluminum slats are more rigid than the Sentry’s aluminum frame, allowing for a higher max weight.
- Tarp thickness: The Sentry CT’s tarp is made of a heavier, reinforced vinyl that’s less likely to buckle under heavy loads.
- Number of crossbeams: The Sentry CT has more crossbeams for support, especially toward the rear of the truck bed. This provides a stronger platform for weight distribution.
- Attachment method: Both covers attach securely to your truck bed rails, but the Sentry CT’s clamp-on design may be slightly sturdier for heavier weights.
While either the Sentry or Sentry CT would suit most light or moderate cargo needs, the Sentry CT is the clear winner if you need to carry heavier payloads on a frequent basis.
Its reinforced construction gives you an extra 200 lbs of weight capacity and greater peace of mind when hauling weighty gear.
If heavy-duty protection for your truck bed is a top priority, the Sentry CT is worth the investment.
Truxedo Sentry vs Sentry CT- The Winner
When it comes down to choosing between the Truxedo Sentry and the Sentry CT tonneau cover, the Sentry comes out on top for a few key reasons.
While the Sentry CT is still an excellent tonneau cover, the Truxedo Sentry edges it out as the winner for most truck owners based on its smart design, ease of use, greater weight capacity, and lower overall cost.
For the best value, the Truxedo Sentry is hard to beat. Let me know if you have any other questions!
Final Thought
Both the Truxedo Sentry and Sentry CT offer great functionality and protection for your gear with some key differences to consider based on your needs and budget.
If security and convenience are most important, the Sentry CT is probably your best bet. But if you’re on a budget or prefer a lighter weight option, the standard Sentry cover will do the trick.
At the end of the day, either of these covers will serve you well for years to come and allow you to utilize the full storage potential of your truck bed.
Hopefully, this small effort will be helpful for all of you to pick the right tonneau cover between Truxedo Sentry VS Sentry CT. Thank you all for reading this article.
