The Smart Pickup Owner’s Guide to Tonneau Covers

The Smart Pickup Owner’s Guide to Tonneau Covers

Already decently kitted for serious offroading or carrying gear to work or campsite, pickup trucks can be accessorised with a range of original equipment and aftermarket extras. Tonneau covers might not be high on shopping lists, but the additions boost weather and theft protection, help with cargo organisation and streamline your truck’s appearance. For tradespeople, off-roaders and everyday drivers seeking more practicality and flexibility from load beds, well-appointed tonneau covers are the essential pickup truck upgrade.

Tonneau Cover Basics

A pickup truck tonneau cover is a practical upgrade that protects the truck bed and cargo from theft and harsh weather. It spans the entire length and width of the pickup bed, transforming it into a secure and enclosed loading bay. With various designs, configurations and materials to choose from, durable and easy-to-use tonneau covers also provide customisation when meeting different budgets and lifestyle needs.

Hard vs Soft Covers

If affordability and ease of use are priorities, consider soft tonneau covers. These are made from weather-resistant and industrial-grade vinyl or synthetic fabrics, which are also lightweight and easy to handle. However, they provide limited theft protection, being easy to tear or pierce. Move up to hard truck bed covers, often in thicker and more durable aluminium, steel or fibreglass.

The added protection is worth the extra outlay when protecting valuable tools and goods, with materials resistant to forceful prying and impact, and adverse weather conditions. The downsides, besides price, are the added weight and somewhat longer opening and closing times. However, if style is a concern, these pair better with the utilitarian and purposeful look of today’s pickups.

Roll-up, Folding and Retractable Options

Both hard and soft cover varieties can be had as roll-up, folding or retractable types. Each style has its pros and cons, and meets different needs. Roll-up covers are sourced either from vinyl or interlocking aluminium. The material rolls up toward the cab, is secured with latches or straps, and offers unobstructed and quick access to the pickup bed. Choose this if you’re constantly rummaging through different tools or items and want something that’s easy to install and quick to open and close.

Folding varieties come in 2, 3 or 4 rigid panels that fold over each other toward the cab. Tri-fold tonneau covers are the most common, allowing pickup owners to flip one, two or all three panels, depending on the type of cargo, or the required access to the pickup bed. The design balances well between roll-up and rigid hard covers in terms of overall protection and durability, with versatility for larger items. The only downside is the limited rear visibility with the cover fully folded.

Retractable pickup bed covers are a more recent addition, bridging the gap between the ease of use of soft covers and the durability and strength of rigid hard covers. Designs are similar to garage doors. They consist of interlocking slats (often in aluminium or polycarbonate) that glide along side rails, and into a storage compartment or enclosed canister at the front of the truck bed.

Manually-operated types include an integrated tensioning system, which aids in retracting the cover into the canister. Automated and powered types fully eliminate the need for physical effort – instead relying on an integrated motor and a key fob, cabin switch or mobile app to open and close. Choose a retractable tonneau cover for the top-level security, simplified use, and enhanced aesthetics. Just be ready for the steeper price, and the reduced bed space reserved for the tonneau canister.

Why Consider One for Your Pickup?

Tonneau covers provide many advantages, regardless of whether you’re using your pickup in everyday driving, as a dedicated commercial vehicle or on weekend getaways.

• Weather and Debris Protection: Tonneau covers do a marvellous job in shielding tools, equipment and sensitive electronics in typical UK weather. They protect items against rain, snow, sleet, dust and piercing sunshine, being waterproof, UV-resistant and impervious to dust.

• Theft Protection: By hiding items away from prying eyes, pickup truck covers deter theft. This security stems from multiple locks and durable materials, especially in hard covers, and provides added peace of mind in parked pickups.

• Aesthetic Appeal: By streamlining appearances and mating seamlessly to the truck’s profile, covers boost vehicle aesthetics. The accessories can be optioned in a variety of colours and materials, and aid in keeping exposed truck beds clear of dirt and debris or visible rust damage.

• Improved Fuel Efficiency: The flat profile ensures reduced wind resistance and lower drag. This helps cut fuel costs and increase mileage.

• Better Cargo Organisation: Tonneau covers prevent items from being thrown around or falling out of the bed. This is more obvious at highway speeds and on uneven road surfaces. Moreover, many hard covers can be used as loading shelves, able to carry up to 400 pounds, and are fully compatible with complementary bed extras, like roll bars and slide-out drawer systems for added versatility.

Key Buying Considerations

Once you’ve decided which type of tonneau cover fits your needs, consider vehicle compatibility, overall build quality and pricing. Compatibility means covers match the exact dimensions of the loading bed and rails, don’t require specialised tools or truck modifications during installation and provide a clean and sealed fit once on. With varying bed sizes among different pickup models, and between different cab designs or trims of the same pickup, a good idea is to have your vehicle details ready, and a tape measure to rule out any surprises.

Relating to the build, check the quality of gaskets and seals and whether these meld seamlessly with the bed rails to ensure a tight and waterproof fit. Hard and retractable covers should be checked for the quality of the locks, latches and slat hinges to ensure they fulfil their protective role, integrate with tailgates to create a fully enclosed loading bay, and include practical features such as water drainage channels to prevent pooling water and debris. This ensures simple opening and closing, and lasting operation, preferably covered by a comprehensive warranty.

Lastly, spend a little more to ensure higher durability, more protection and improved flexibility with different loads. Premium builds, better materials and reduced maintenance needs all cost less over the long term.