If you’ve ever looked at a pickup truck with its open bed exposed to the environment, you’ve probably wondered how you’re going to carry luggage like in a regular car, SUV, or off-roader, without it being exposed to the weather, as well as opportunistic thieves. Fortunately, there’s an answer to that question, and that is the tonneau cover. A tonneau cover converts your truck’s open bed into a closed, weatherproof — and in some cases — lockable and secure storage area. In this article, we will be taking you through the topic of tonneau covers. We’ll talk about the most popular types, as well as how a waterproof tonneau cover can offer weather protection and security with locking truck bed covers.
Want to browse a wide range of tonneau covers? Just hit up our Tonneau Covers For Trucks section, where you’ll find everything you need, including related hardware, as well as protectants and cleaners that are important if you want to keep your tonneau cover in pristine order and working perfectly.
Types Of Tonneau Covers
There are several popular types of tonneau covers that are available on the market, each with its own pros and cons. Let us take you through a few in order to help you make a decision.
Folding Tonneau Covers
As the name suggests, folding tonneau covers fold up and away when not in use. They usually come with a matte black grain finish and are simple to install. Some hard folding tonneau covers can also offer a locking function for security, as well as better weather protection than soft folding tonneau covers, which tend to be cheaper. Folding tonneau covers can be fairly durable, but even a hard folding tonneau cover isn’t very strong, so don’t be tempted to keep anything heavy on top of it, or, worse, sit on it.
Retractable Tonneau Covers
A retractable tonneau cover is a bit easier to use than a folding tonneau cover, as it retracts into a housing mounted at the front of your truck bed. It offers similar weather protection to a hard tonneau cover, and will typically come with a lock to keep your cargo safe and secure. However, owing to its retractable nature, you can’t really place anything heavy on top of it or sit on it.
Roll-Up Tonneau Covers
The most versatile of them all, roll-up tonneau covers are best for occasional use as they can easily be rolled up and stored. This does come at a price, and that is reduced durability and weather protection. Roll-up tonneau covers tend to be lightweight and hence can’t bear much weight too, so don’t try to sit or climb on them when deployed.
Hinged Tonneau Covers
A hinged tonneau cover tends to have a sturdier construction, so you may be able to place things over it without worrying about breakage, however, we’d recommend that you don’t sit on it unless the manufacturer load specifications support it. Offering solid weather protection, coupled with sturdy locks and available in a variety of finishes to match your truck’s body color, this is the most expensive option, but the best if you regularly carry cargo in your truck that needs protection from weather and thieves.
Secure Your Flatbed from Rain Damage
Even if you don’t use your truck’s bed regularly, a tonneau cover can save it from water damage, caused by rain, as well as melting snow, and even regular washing of your truck. This is because as you use your truck bed the way it’s meant to be, loading and lugging, you’re inevitably going to scratch and scrape the bed liner and bed’s sides, exposing your truck’s metalwork to water ingress. Water may also pool in low points or accumulate in crevices, slowly eating away at the metalwork. A tonneau cover that’s always on, especially in rainy weather, can be a great thing to keep your truck bed safe from rust.
Rain damage is not the only thing that a tonneau cover will protect your truck bed and bed liner from. Sunlight contains harmful ultraviolet rays that can deteriorate your bed liner over time. It’s the same thing that causes headlamp lenses to turn yellow over time. A truck bed cover or tonneau cover will bear the brunt of those UV rays, as they are typically designed as such, saving your bed liner from disintegrating.
Security for Your Merchandise
A locking tonneau cover ensures that you can embark on a cross-country trip with luggage and all, and not worry about some miscreant stealing your belongings. Of course, we don’t recommend that you keep sensitive electronic equipment such as notebook computers and cameras in the bed, as a tonneau cover doesn’t assure protection from temperature extremes, but keeping your family luggage back there is perfectly fine. The best locking tonneau covers come with high-quality locks and keys, and can even integrate with your truck’s tailgate sensor to alert you if the tonneau cover is unlocked via the “door open” indicator lamp.
You should also ensure that your chosen tonneau cover’s construction is sturdy enough to withstand attacks with common items such as a baseball bat or hunting knife if you regularly drive to, and park in desolate areas. This is where a soft tonneau cover can falter, particularly to an attack by a sharp hunting knife.
Tonneaus and More at 4 Wheel Parts
4 Wheel Parts carries thousands of products from hundreds of the best brands in the world in our inventory. Whether it’s a performance part, cosmetic enhancement, or lifestyle improvement for your truck or off-roader, we’re bound to have it. Shop online or drop by one of our 100+ stores located nationwide, where our friendly and knowledgeable team is ready to assist. You’ll pay extremely competitive prices, receive top-notch service, and be safe in the knowledge that we support and honor all applicable warranties on purchases.
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