There are countless advantages to owning a truck and the aftermarket houses a plethora of options with which to further upgrade and equip it. One of the most common and practical modifications you can do to your truck is to add a tonneau cover. This provides plenty of benefits and also gives it a nice sleek appearance at the rear. And with so many options out there ranging from fold-up covers to retractable ones and hard or soft varieties, there is something out there for every truck owner. You can shop our complete inventory of Truck Bed Covers here. Keep on reading to learn about five of the most popular types of tonneau covers to see which is best for you.
Why Invest in a Truck Bed Cover?
Having the ability to haul equipment and machinery in the bed of your truck at any given moment is certainly very convenient. With that said, potential thieves and Mother Nature can rain on your parade when it comes to the attractive items that you may keep in the back of your truck. Therefore, it’s helpful to seal up the bed and keep the smaller gear out of sight, so it consequently is out of mind for passersby and onlookers. And apart from keeping your belongings safe from the hands of opportunistic thieves, it will also keep them dry and out of inclement weather.
In other words, a tonneau cover comes into play to provide owners with the security they deserve and the convenience they crave. With a wide variety of truck bed caps out there, tonneau covers let you roll, fold, or stow them away when you require the additional space for larger things. These covers can be made from both flexible and more rigid materials to keep your items clean and secure. For the price point, tonneau covers deliver the perfect balance of utility and defense. On top of all that, many experts argue that tonneau covers can even enhance your vehicle’s aerodynamics by reducing drag and improve fuel economy by as much as 10 percent!
Roll-Up Tonneau Cover
Roll-up tonneau covers offer a range of benefits including versatility, durability, and protection. This type of tonneau cover boasts a sleek design that generally mounts inside your truck bed rails for a super low-profile look that can also improve gas mileage. Another benefit of its lightweight design is that, even when completely rolled up, this tonneau cover will never impact your rear window visibility. When opened, roll-up tonneaus provide more access to your truck bed than any other cover because this type does not impact the length of your bed.
Soft roll-up covers offer entry-level affordable protection, while hard roll-up covers make your truck’s bed more secure than its cab. With so many different materials available, the options are virtually limitless. Durable canvas, vinyl, or leather-backed roll-up covers provide lightweight, attractive designs while aluminum and metal-backed roll-up covers offer more durability. With that said, no matter which material you choose, you will still enjoy the same simply opening and closing mechanism that makes roll-up tonneaus a favorite.
Roll-up tonneau covers are also very easy to install and remove in just a matter of minutes – even on your own. While installation methods can vary, the majority of roll-up tonneau covers utilize a durable, no-drill clamp system that attaches directly to your truck’s bed rail. It’s the most basic and hassle-free way to keep your cargo clean, safe, and secure in the bed of your truck while leaving additional room in the cab.
Soft or Hard Tonneau Cover
While differences between soft and hard tonneau covers are clear, the decision on which to get is not always easy to make. Soft tonneau covers are typically the more popular and economical choice among truck owners. They come in a variety of materials, most of which are durable and provide adequate protection against the likes of UV rays, rain, snow, and other elements. Generally made of aluminum framing with a vinyl top, soft tonneau covers are usually lighter and easier to remove and reinstall if needed. The vinyl top also gives it a more sleek and smooth appearance – almost as if it’s a hard bed cover. This is because soft tonneaus are a custom fit to your specific truck and bed size so that it delivers a perfect fit for optimal protection and performance.
Hard tonneaus offer the ultimate level of protection, as they cannot be cut through with a knife as soft covers can. Made from hardened plastic or lightweight metals like aluminum, hard covers offer a good balance between the convenience of soft fabrics and the protective nature of hard bed covers. Along with the impressive strength and durability against high-impact elements, hard tonneaus do come with some difficulty in installation. Hard rolling covers also take up more room when they are retracted, meaning there will be less bed length. Hard tonneau covers do, however, feature locking mechanisms that push their security to top-tier levels making them the preferred choice among owners who haul along precious and frail cargo with them.
Retractable Tonneau Cover
Retractable tonneau covers deliver stylish looks and can be pulled back within seconds to provide full bed access. These high-tech covers offer the ultimate combination of hard-top protection and soft-top convenience for your truck. In just seconds, you can have complete access to your truck bed with the added security and coverage you expect from a tonneau. Retractable truck covers are generally more expensive than cloth covers but less expensive than hard tonneau covers. When protecting your gear is just as important as having hauling flexibility, retractable tonneaus are the ideal solution. They are also super low profile thanks to the spiral track storage canister that has been integrated into the design.
Retractable covers deliver a good balance between protection and bed access, making them a popular choice among truck enthusiasts. With the retractable function, you don’t have to take them completely off; instead, you can retract them fully if you want to leave the bed open for larger equipment. They secure in several positions along the bed rails to make room for large cargo while also keeping the smaller gear covered. Moreover, many of them feature a simple locking mechanism so you can access the truck bed whenever you want, even without opening the tailgate in some cases. The ease of use of a retractable cover makes it ideal for those who need to open and close their truck bed cover frequently.
Hinged Tonneau Cover
Hinged tonneaus come in soft and hard varieties that pivot on hinges at the front, latch at the sides in the rear, and are supported with gas struts when opened. The soft-hinged tonneaus are crafted from heavy-duty, weather-resistant vinyl that is attached to a lightweight aluminum frame. Hard-shell hinged covers are constructed of fiberglass and ABS plastic that offers resistance against impact, heat, and chemicals. Both versions are simple to install and feature a seal around the perimeter for exceptional weather protection and security. With a tonneau cover, you get air-tight security from a large one-piece top that will protect your cargo from sticky fingers and less-than-desirable weather.
Hinged tonneaus also use a one-hand operation that is especially convenient when your hands are full. Moreover, the gas struts assist with opening and the easy-to-reach strap is there so you can pull the tonneau closed with no issues. When you choose a hinged tonneau cover, you are simultaneously getting the strength and security of a hardtop with the added convenience of a folding tonneau. While the hinged cover won’t fold up in sections, it opens with ease and holds that position so you access your truck bed without having to open the tailgate. The icing on the cake? Some hinged tonneaus offer a level of customization that other options can’t compete with. After all, it’s the only type of tonneau cover that can be paint-matched to your truck’s factory color.
Some of our popular tonneau cover brands:
Just a wonderful article about types of tonneau covers. I have got a-z knowledge about classifications of it.
I didn’t hear about Hinged Tonneau Cover before. Now it’s clear for me. Many many thanks for your awesome article.
Thanks.
Thank you! We’re glad you enjoyed it!