Modern Tonneau Covers are one of the most popular upgrades you can add to your truck. Sometimes referred to Pickup Bed Covers or "Tops", they all are referring to protection for your Truck Bed. In recent years, Tonneau Covers have gained popularity due to their positive impact on Gas Savings as well as the complimentary appearance they you’re your Truck. Tonneau Covers come in 2 basic types: Soft Tonneau Covers and Hard Tonneau Covers.
Soft tonneau covers are generally less expensive than hard. They essentially consist of an aluminum frame and vinyl cover. The 5 basic designs are Snap Tonneau Covers, Snapless Tonneau Covers, Hinging Tonneau Covers, Roll-up Tonneau Covers and Tri Folding Tonneau Covers. Soft tonneau covers offer affordability and convenience. Snap and snapless bed covers have the ability to remove the cover and manually remove the bows for truck bed access. Roll-up or rolling truck bed covers generally release at the tailgate and roll up toward the cab taking the bars and bows with it and storing compactly behind the cab. Hinging truck bed covers sometimes have snaps for quick corner access and hinge open. Tri-folding truck bed covers generally fold up towards the cab and can be removed or installed in seconds.
Snap & Snapless Tonneau Covers
A snap-down or snapless vinyl framed cover is the least expensive of all tonneau covers, but you can have a hard time attaching it in place during cold weather. Snap models have built in snaps that generally adjust. Snapless offer a j lip style attachment. Sit back and imagine being out side in blizzard like conditions, the wind blowing at speeds faster than you can drive, and the snow is pelting you in the face. Your fingers are becoming numb from the sub zero temperatures and no matter how hard you try to snap your cover it becomes impossible due to snow and ice settling into the snaps. In addition, the material is subject to tearing, so after the first big snow storm has flown through; the sun comes out and begins to melt everything. If your truck were to be parked in your driveway and an icicle drops from the garage on to your cover puncturing it instantly; all the money you have invested has just melted away in moments just like the storm. While this option may be the best choice for you financially; you get what you pay for.
Roll-up Tonneau Covers
Alternately, a roll-up cover is so much easier to use and it also fits much tighter; having these options the cost is also a bit more. If you do a cross comparison between the roll-up and the snap covers you will find the advantages outweigh the cost difference. The advantages of paying extra money for a roll up cover are: the use of better materials, which gives you a longer warranty; a roll up cover fits better, which means that everything in your truck bed is well protected; and a premium covers lasts longer and looks better. I know what you are thinking, this is going to be difficult to put on my truck, I will need all sorts of fancy tools and an education to get this thing attached to my truck. Well I didn’t believe it until I saw it, installation is a breeze! It takes just a few moments and one tool, it’s so easy you can even attach it in the garage with the lights out and a 10 year old telling you that they could do it better!
Tri Folding Tonneau Covers
The folding tonneau has recently become the fastest growing cover in the segment. The basic premise is that the sections are linked together and fold over on one another. There are numerous advantages to this style of tonneau including the ability to remove in seconds for over sized cargo. They also usually arrive at your door fully assembled thus making install a breeze.
Hinging Tonneau Covers
The Lift Up tonneau or hinged operates much like a trunk of a car. Utilizing shocks that help raise the cover. This cover has the advantage of easy one handed operation but can limit the height of the cargo that you can haul.
Hard Tonneau Covers or rigid bed covers are generally made of molded abs plastic, aluminum or fiberglass. The basic designs are retracting tonneau covers, folding tonneau covers or hinging tonneau covers. Retracting hard covers are generally solid aluminum (all metal) or they have vinyl laminated over the aluminum. Retractable tonneau covers retract into a canister mounted at the front of the bed. Folding are generally made of a rugged abs and the styles include having multi-panels that fold up or a tri-fold design. Multi-panel designs generally fold up and store behind the cab. The hard tri-folding bed covers have vinyl over the abs material and generally store behind the cab or cab be removed quickly. Hinging hard bed covers are generally made of fiberglass or a rigid abs type plastic and hinge open. Most hard hinge style bed covers can be removed quickly. Hard tonneau covers offer security and convenience.
Retracting Hard Tonneau Covers
The ultimate in style and function. The general concept is the cover retracts into a canister. Generally made of rigid aluminum or rigid aluminum with vinyl laminated over the slates. The retractable tonneau has it all. These covers boast a fantastic secure shield for your truck bed and yet give you an obtrusive low profile. You will often see these types of tonneau out on the job site due to their rugged construction. The cover can withdraw or retract into a canister that will house the tonneau when not in use. The only thing to consider is that sometimes they can freeze up if you live in a cold weather climate. Although a great many of our covers are sold to Canada, so they seem to have no problems.
Hinging Hard Tonneau Covers
Hinging covers generally are made of rigid abs plastic or fiberglass. These covers often have 1 or 2 keyed locks and have hinges on the side for easy opening and closing. Some hard hinge style bed covers are designed for quick removal as well.
Hard Folding Tonneau Covers
Folding tonneaus have evolved to both the hard and soft category. The popularity of the design but the need for a stronger and more secure cover has bred this product. Offering all of the benefits of the hard folding cover without any of the disadvantages of the soft, these tonneaus can truly provide you with all around protection, security and accessibility. Available in multi-panel or tri folding design. Generally made of rigid abs, the multi-panel folding covers fold up for truck bed access. The tri fold style also folds up but offers fast removal or installation, often requiring no tools.