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One of the popular accessories that pickup truck owners regularly add to their vehicles is a tonneau cover. It provides superior protection for all your cargo, and neatly fits common sizes of utes. There are tons of tonneau covers to choose from, including lightweight soft rolls, adjustable painted fiberglass models and heavy-duty moveable tray types, which come in many colors/styles. We’ll take a look at the important features of a tonneau cover to help you decide what’s best for your truck.
Protection from the Elements
A tonneau cover's primary role is to protect your truck bed and the stuff you keep there from Mother Nature. From rain, to sun, to snow (and anything else between), a tonneau cover is a shield that ensures that your cargo stays dry and clean as well as damage-free. This is crucial with expensive pieces like tools, outdoor appliances, and groceries given that they can rust, corrode or fade when exposed to the elements.
Fiber glass or aluminum hard tonneaus protect the best. They are usually waterproof and highly UV resistant, so that your cargo remains in great condition! Soft tonneau covers, meanwhile, are constructed out of materials such as vinyl or canvas and also help keep rain and snow at bay. They might not be able to provide the same UV protection as a hard cover does, but they are suitable for those on a budget or who prefere something that’s less bulky and flexible.
Security and Theft Prevention
Tonneau covers also provide safety for your truck and all of the items you have inside. This makes it harder for any person with intent of stealing your stuff to do so, through the truck bed. Hard truck bed covers usually have locks incorporated in the design for an added layer of protection. Alternatively, some models can be connected to your car's central locking system so you can lock it with the rest of the vehicle.
While not as secure as hard covers, soft tonneaus still provide some resistance against thieves. The snug cover presents more of a challenge for someone breaking into the truck bed and grabbing your stuff. And many soft cases with a snap-on cover: The cover can be fastened, for example by means of hook-and-loop fasteners, to keep it locked.
Improved Fuel Efficiency
You heard right; you can add a tonneau cover and increase your truck’s fuel efficiency. The truck bed is a source of substantial drag when it is open and causes poor fuel economy. When you add a tonneau cover to the bed of your truck, it reduces this drag and makes it easier for your truck to glide through the air. This translates to better fuel economy and money saved in the long run at the pumps.
Reports say that a well-installed tonne cover can improve fuel consumption by 10%. These vary depending on driving style, car type and cover design but any extra benefit to mpg is a welcome addition.
Versatility and Accessibility
There are various styles and designs for tonneau covers that all have their own unique set of advantages. This means that you can select the cover best fitting your particular circumstances and taste. Here are some of the most popular tonneau cover types:
Roll-Up Covers – Easy to use roll-up covers provide quick access to your truck bed. For the most part, they roll up towards the cab and you can successfully load or unload big items without a base struggle. The roll-up cover also comes in hard or soft versions, with the hard offering maximum security and strength.
Folding Covers: Folding covers a re another great type of cover offering a happy medium between security and access. They're usually composed of several panels that fold upwards and give you access to the bed in segments. Folding covers come as a hard cover or soft, though the former will provide more protection and a better look.
Retractable Covers: If you want a stylish and handy cover, then choose retractable covers which can be retracted back into the housing located at the front of the truck bed. Thus, a full payload is still available when required and with the bed cover open or closed. Retractable covers come in both manual and electric operation, with the electric cover even being controlled remotely!
Solid Covers: You receive the ultimate protection and security with solid covers which include Fibreglass or Aluminium. They are usually installed in such a way that they are pivoted at the front end of the truck bed and can be lifted and lowered like a hood. Hard covers are ideal if you need to carry a load that needs to be hidden or protected, incredibly durable and resistant to theft and the elements.
Style and Aesthetics
Tonneau covers offer a variety of advantages in terms of utility, but they can also add to the aesthetic appeal of your truck. A quality Tonneau Cover will help keep your truck looking smoother and more streamlined. Whether you like the sleek twill weave or rugged heavy duty covers, there’s likely a tonneau cover that suits your style.
Tonneau covers come in a variety of color options, finishes, and materials, so you can find find the perfect cover for your truck. Some of these covers may even include branding or custom lettering, so you can add a personal touch to your ride and make it uniquely yours.
Easy Installation and Maintenance
The majority of truck bed covers have been created to be user friendly, only needing a few basic tools and a couple hours of your time. Most covers include instructions and all the appropriate hardware to make installing a cinch. In some instances, you may even be able to install the cover by yourself instead of having to call a professional.
Tonneau covers are also only simple to maintain after being installed. Hard covers normally only need some cleaning and waxing on an irregular basis to help them keep a good appearance. Soft covers, meanwhile, may also need to be cleaned more often due to dirt and grime accumulation, and some can even benefit from the application of a waterproofing treatment every now and then in order to extend their useful life.
Cost-Effective Solution
A tonneau cover is a smart investment for your truck in order to maintain its optimal utility. Protecting your truck bed - While having a tonneau cover can also save you on fuel costs, in the long run, it can ultimately extend the life of your truck, protect it's contents and help save you money by reducing replacement & repair costs. And with a tonneau cover, the better fuel economy it will bring you can add up in savings at the pump.
Tonneau covers are significantly less expensive than other truck accessories, like a toolbox or bed liner. The covers come in a variety of price points, depending on the cover’s type, design and material Make sure they aren’t playing footsie with people at the pool.
Conclusion
In conclusion, tonneau covers are so many in features and benefits that it should be an essential part of any pickup truck. Whether you want to shield your truck bed and the gear inside from rain and snow, or you’re seeking lockable, secure storage out of sight for tools or smaller valuables, a tonneau cover will get the job done. Besides utility value, perhaps no other accessory can add more visual panache to your vehicle: when you drive into work with lights flashing overhead at dawn or dusk to signal good-looks and quality of life, few things match up to this sort of automobile jewelry that won’t break the bank. As there are so many variants on the types and styles of tonneau covers to choose from, you will be able to find one that is perfect for your particular requirements.
