If you're tired of wrestling with heavy folding covers, the pace edwards jackrabbit tonneau might just be the solution you're looking for. It's one of those truck upgrades that you don't realize you need until you actually have it installed and realize how much easier your life has become. For a lot of truck owners, the bed is a catch-all for tools, groceries, and outdoor gear, but keeping all that stuff safe from the elements—and from people with sticky fingers—is a constant battle.
Retractable covers have always been the "fancy" option in the truck world, but they usually come with a steep price tag or a complicated install. The Jackrabbit tries to hit that sweet spot between high-end functionality and everyday practicality. I've spent some time looking into how these things hold up over the long haul, and there's a lot to talk about, from the way it slides to how it handles a heavy downpour.
What Exactly Is the Jackrabbit?
At its core, the pace edwards jackrabbit tonneau is a retractable cover that uses a spring-loaded mechanism to open and close. Unlike those heavy tri-fold covers that you have to flip over three times or the roll-up vinyl ones that look a bit cheap after a year, this one disappears into a canister at the front of your truck bed.
The clever part is what Pace Edwards calls "Continuous Tension." Essentially, there's a heavy-duty spring inside the canister that's always pulling. When you turn the latch, the cover wants to retract on its own. It's not quite "fully automatic"—you still have to give it a little guidance—but it's a far cry from pulling a muscle trying to lift a fiberglass lid. It's designed to be used with one hand, which is a lifesaver when you're carrying a bag of mulch or a toolbox in the other.
The Build Quality: Aluminum Meets Vinyl
One of the biggest questions people have is whether it's a "hard" or "soft" cover. It's actually a bit of both, which sounds confusing but works really well in practice. The pace edwards jackrabbit tonneau is built with aluminum panels that are laminated with a weather-resistant vinyl layer on top.
This "ArmorTek" construction gives you the best of both worlds. You get the structural strength of a hard cover—meaning someone can't just slice through it with a pocketknife to get to your gear—but it looks like a sleek, one-piece vinyl cover. It doesn't have those visible hinges or seams that catch dirt and eventually start to leak. Plus, the matte finish looks much more modern than the shiny plastic covers you see on older trucks.
Installation Isn't a Nightmare (Mostly)
I know, I know. "Easy installation" is usually a lie told by manufacturers. However, the Jackrabbit is surprisingly straightforward. It uses a no-drill clamp system for most trucks, which means you aren't putting permanent holes in your brand-new pickup.
The most "difficult" part is usually just aligning the rails and the canister. You want everything to be perfectly square so the cover slides smoothly. If the rails are even a tiny bit off, you might feel some resistance when you're pulling the cover back. It usually takes about an hour or two for a DIYer with basic tools. The biggest tip I can give is to have a buddy help you lift the canister into the truck bed—it's not incredibly heavy, but it's awkward to handle alone.
Let's Talk About Weather Protection
No tonneau cover is 100% waterproof. If a salesman tells you that, they're dreaming. But the pace edwards jackrabbit tonneau does a better job than most at keeping your bed dry. It features a built-in drainage system with tubes that run from the canister out through the bed of your truck.
When rain hits the cover, it's channeled into the rails and then into the canister, where it drains out through those tubes. As long as you don't kink the tubes or let them get clogged with leaves, your gear stays remarkably dry. You might see a few drops near the tailgate after a car wash or a massive storm, but for the most part, you can feel confident leaving a suitcase back there without it getting soaked.
The "Every 12 Inches" Locking Feature
This is a small detail that makes a huge difference in daily use. A lot of retractable covers are either fully open or fully closed. The pace edwards jackrabbit tonneau has built-in locking points every 12 inches along the rails.
Why does this matter? Imagine you're hauling something tall, like a water heater or a tall plant, but you still want to cover the rest of your tools at the front of the bed. You can pull the cover halfway, lock it into place, and you're good to go. It gives you a lot more flexibility than a tri-fold that has to be either completely open or strapped down in a bulky pile against your rear window.
Security: How Safe Is Your Stuff?
If you live in a city or frequently park at trailheads, security is probably your top priority. The Jackrabbit features a flush-mounted lock that's pretty discreet. When the cover is closed and the tailgate is locked, your truck bed basically becomes a giant trunk.
Because the panels are reinforced with aluminum, it's a serious deterrent. A thief would have to make a lot of noise and spend a lot of time trying to pry this thing open. Most of the time, they'll just move on to an easier target. It's a huge relief to be able to leave your fishing gear or expensive tools in the bed while you grab a bite to eat without constantly looking out the window of the restaurant.
Are There Any Downsides?
To be fair, no product is perfect. The biggest trade-off with the pace edwards jackrabbit tonneau—and any retractable cover, really—is the canister. Since the cover has to roll up somewhere, you lose about 10 to 12 inches of bed space right at the bulkhead.
If you have a short-bed truck and you frequently haul dirt bikes or large furniture, that foot of lost space might be a dealbreaker. You can still slide lumber under the canister, but you lose that full depth for taller items. Also, like any mechanical system, you need to keep the rails clean. If they get packed with grit or ice, the movement won't be as smooth. A quick wipe-down once a month usually does the trick, though.
The Daily Experience
Using the Jackrabbit feels premium. There's a certain satisfaction in turning the latch and watching the cover glide back. It doesn't rattle when you're driving down the highway, which is a common complaint with cheaper covers. Pace Edwards spent some time making sure the fit and finish are tight, so you don't get that annoying "flapping" sound at 70 mph.
The handle is easy to grab even if you're wearing work gloves, and the pull-strap allows you to close the cover from the tailgate without having to climb into the bed. It's those little ergonomic touches that make it clear this was designed by people who actually use trucks.
Is It the Right Choice for You?
If you're looking for the absolute cheapest way to cover your bed, this isn't it. You can find basic roll-up covers for a fraction of the price. But if you want something that offers real security, looks professional, and doesn't require a workout to operate, the pace edwards jackrabbit tonneau is hard to beat.
It's built for the person who uses their truck for everything—work during the week, camping on the weekend, and grocery runs in between. It protects your investment while making the bed more usable. In the world of truck accessories, you usually get what you pay for, and with the Jackrabbit, you're paying for a well-engineered piece of gear that's likely to outlast the truck itself.
So, if you're ready to ditch the clunky folding panels or the flimsy velcro, the Jackrabbit is a solid, reliable upgrade that'll make you wonder why you waited so long to switch to a retractable.