Tonneau truck bed covers offer extra security and weather protection for the items in the bed of your truck. Choosing a tonneau cover can be an overwhelming task, given that there are so many different types of these covers.
How do I choose a Tonneau truck cover? You should choose your tonneau truck bed cover by weighing a variety of factors, including affordability, durability, ease of use, intended use, and ease of access. Tonneau covers vary greatly in price alone, with high-end covers even including remote control systems.
Here I will help you navigate the tricky world of truck customization. This time I will cover the process of picking the right tonneau cover for your needs and budget. I have also included sections on how to properly maintain the covers and troubleshoot common issues, which are actually not a difficult fix
Types of Tonneau Truck Covers
There is great diversity when it comes to tonneau truck cover types and sizes. They vary quite a bit in pricing and application too. Here you should be able to find information that will help you make an informed purchase.
Manual Roll-Up Tonneau Cover
The simplest type of tonneau truck cover is the manual roll-up cover. This type of truck cover doesn’t come with all the bells and whistles, but it certainly does its job. These are effective truck bed covers if you are looking for a barrier against the elements that is simple to install and won’t break the bank.
Take, for example, this Gator ETX Soft Roll Up Cover For The Ford F-150. The Gator ETX line of roll-up covers come in a variety of sizes designed to fit all the popular makes and models, including Dodge, Chevrolet/GMC, and Toyota. These types of covers are minimally-invasive because they can be rolled tightly against the back of the cab when they are not being used.
Roll-Up Cover with Trigger Latch
Some roll-up covers are equipped with a trigger latch system that are easier to roll back than the manual roll-up covers. These covers do come at a much higher price, but they are unmatched in terms of ease of access.
One of the popular tonneau covers with a trigger latch is the Truxedo Lo Pro Soft Roll Up Truck Bed Cover. This roll-up tonneau cover comes with an anodized single trigger latch at the end. The latch isn’t the only improved feature of this cover. The cover is also made with a low profile design.
The Truxedo cover also comes with an automatic tension control system. The automatic tension control ensures that the cover stays tight as you encounter extreme weather. The cover itself is made out of industrial-strength leather-grain fabric.
Tri-Fold Soft Cover
Tri-fold tonneau covers can be more convenient than your typical roll-up cover. The cover only consists of 3 separate panels. You will still need to manually roll back the cover on most tri-folds, and you will not be able to access the front of the bed without having to roll back the entire cover towards the back.
However, these covers are easier to keep latched down simply because it is slightly more rigid than a roll-up cover. You can see the advantages of tri-fold tonneau covers by taking a peek at the Gator ETX Soft Tri-fold Cover.
One potential drawback with the tri-fold cover is the amount of space it takes up behind the cab, even when it is folded up. You will not be able to access the truck bed in the same way that you would with a simple roll-up tonneau cover.
Tri-fold tonneau covers are typically more secure than roll-up covers. Thanks to the more rigid structure, you shouldn’t have to adjust the cover very much to improve the tension. With roll-up covers, you will occasionally have to make adjustments during longer trips down the highway.
The tri-fold cover is best suited for the individual who only really needs to access the ⅔ of the truck bed that are nearest to the tailgate. At least they are pretty simple to install.
A Retracting Tonneau Cover That Locks in Place
Some tonneau covers can be a real pain to deal with. They may go the job of protecting items inside the truck bed, but they can sometimes make it hard to reach equipment in the sections of the truck bed that are further back from the truck bed. Retracting tonneau covers can alleviate these issues.
The RetraxONE MX Retractable Tonneau Cover is a one-piece polycarbonate tonneau cover, promising more durability than the typical vinyl tonneau cover. It also contains a feature that allows it to be locked in place anywhere as you slide it on a rail towards and from the tailgate of the truck. You can lock the cover at any location along the rails.
This offers some distinct advantages over similar tonneau covers, especially the simple roll-up covers that cannot be locked anywhere along the rail. This means that you can pull as much of the cover away as is necessary to reach equipment. This cover works really well if you have equipment of varying sizes in your truck bed.
The PowertraxONE, made by the same manufacturer, is a step up from MX retractable cover. This cover features a retractable cover that can be controlled by a remote key fob. This system does come at a higher price, but it can be well worth it for those who are not in physical condition to have to manually push back a retractable cover that can be relatively heavy and difficult for some to maneuver over and over again.
Hard Folding Tonneau Cover with Locking Panels
The most durable and versatile tonneau cover design is an essential one that allows access to one specific section of your truck bed without having to roll back the entire cover. This type of cover also has an enhanced load capacity that allows you to place toolboxes on top of the cover while you are working.
The Undercover ArmorFlex hard folding truck cover is a popular truck bed cover in this category. This cover is separated into 3 different panels that can be individually opened and closed without having to open up any other section of the cover.
This is also one of the more durable options, as it should be given the price tag. This tonneau cover is tailor-made for the contractor who has to spend a great deal of time working from their truck. The supportive panels can almost act as a table of sorts on the job site.
The Most Secure Truck Bed Cover: The Painted One-Piece
The most secure truck bed cover is the one-piece painted truck bed cover, usually made out of aluminum. This type of truck bed cover is the best option if you are looking for a tonneau cover that can be locked to keep the interior of the bed safe from the elements or potential theft.
You can see for yourself how secure this Undercover Elite LX One-Piece Tonneau Cover is. The cover can be color-matched to the factory paint job of your truck. Its best features include a single-point locking system that makes it more secure than most other types of tonneau covers. You also won’t find a more weather-tight seal around the bed of the truck than what you will find with this tonneau cover type.
These types of tonneau covers are also often lined with a carpet on the underside of the cover that helps form a barrier against the elements. Although this cover offers excellent security and weather-resistant perks, it is also on the costly side.
It is also more difficult to remove than other types of tonneau covers, particularly the roll-up covers. It doesn’t make a lot of sense to constantly remove and reinstall these types of covers, so this type of truck bed cover is a more permanent solution. It also may be more difficult to find storage space.
You will also need to consider the fact that this type of tonneau cover does not feature separate panels. The consequence of this is that you will be unable to access a specific section of your truck bed while simultaneously keeping other sections closed off.
Now that we have gotten the drawbacks out of the way, we can talk about the numerous benefits of the hard one-piece tonneau cover. It is certainly a safe and secure option. If you have tools and equipment that you want to keep safe, there are few better options than the one-piece tonneau cover. This type of tonneau cover is also preferred amongst those who absolutely must keep the items in their truck bed dry.
For Easy Access & Affordability: Snap Tonneau Covers
If you are looking for a tonneau that is both easy to access and affordable, then you’d be hard-pressed to find a better option than snap tonneau covers. These types of covers feature snapping buttons along the side rails of the truck bed.
You can easily access any specific section of the truck bed as you please. One of the most popular snap covers is the Stehlen Hidden Snap Tonneau Cover:
- The cover is made of UV-resistant premium vinyl
- The cover snaps to its frame, allowing for quick access to any one section of the truck bed
- The cover is held together by horizontal mounting brackets that can be removed
One drawback to the snap tonneau cover is the lack of security. This is not the type of cover that you would want to keep valuable equipment stored in while the truck is left unattended. It is also less effective at completely protecting the interior of the truck bed from the elements.
On the plus side, this tonneau cover type is very much the most affordable option. It will still be able to keep the contents of your truck bed. It is also very easy to remove quickly. You will even be able to access one specific part of the truck bed without having to remove the entire cover.
Effects of Tonneau Cover on Fuel Mileage
There have been numerous studies that have looked into the effect that tonneau covers on parameters related to the performance of the truck. Of particular interest is the effect of tonneau covers on the fuel efficiency of the truck.
The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) performed a study in 2007 that looked into the effect of tonneau covers on the coefficient of drag. The coefficient of drag is a measure of the aerodynamic efficiency of a vehicle.
If the coefficient of drag is:
- Low: the vehicle will have a higher top speed and will have greater fuel efficiency
- High: the vehicle will have good cornering speeds, but it will have a lower fuel efficiency
The 2007 study by SEMA found that fiberglass and roll-up vinyl covers are the best at reducing the coefficient of drag by a measure of 6.5% or more. For this reason, these types of covers are the best in terms of fuel efficiency.
The study concluded that you could expect a tonneau cover to reduce the coefficient of drag by 5.73% on average. This corresponds to a 1.8% improvement in gas mileage if you choose to outfit your truck with a tonneau cover of some kind.
While this doesn’t seem like that much of an improvement, it certainly does add up over time. Also, the primary objective of these covers is to create safe and dry storage conditions within the bed of your truck. Any boost to the fuel economy of the truck is a nice little bonus.
How Long Do Tonneau Covers Last?
The lifespan of your tonneau cover varies depending upon which type of material it is composed of. As you may have noticed, there is a pretty major difference in the pricing of different types of tonneau covers.
Even simple roll-up tonneau covers can provide decent protection against the elements, according to the Chicago Tribune. The most affordable covers can last at least a few years if they are cared for properly.
Like anything else, you get what you pay for. Tonneau covers made of hard materials will last a bit longer than the soft vinyl covers, and they will offer improved protection from theft and the elements. When you are deciding which tonneau cover to go with, you really need to do a cost-benefit analysis.
The most durable covers cost quite a bit more, but they should deliver on the promise of lasting longer than other covers. I would recommend going with the more affordable covers if you are planning on only using the cover infrequently.
For example, I have had friends and family who only really use the cover when they are camping. Much of the rest of the year, they keep the cover rolled back. In their case, it doesn’t necessarily make sense to go over the top with one of the more expensive covers.
If you travel with a lot of valuable equipment, you are encouraged to get one of the locking covers that has vastly improved security over the simple roll-up covers that aren’t really secure enough for the truck to be left unattended for an extended period of time.
Tonneau Cover Maintenance
You can maximize the lifespan of your tonneau cover by properly maintaining the cover. This includes knowing how to wash, store, and repair the cover properly. If you follow these guidelines, you should be able to extend the lifespan of your tonneau cover quite easily.
Routinely Check Your Tonneau Cover for Damage
The best way to maintain your tonneau cover is to regularly check your tonneau cover for damage. If you catch signs of damage early on, you can repair the cover before it becomes damaged upon repair.
Potential issues to look out for include:
- Bumps
- Tears
- Scratches
- Sudden looseness
- Dents
- Corrosion
Perform your routine inspections before you wash and scrub your cover. Doing this inspection before cleaning the cover, will keep you from causing more damage by scrubbing over spots that have become damaged.
Then check all latches, hinges, and rails by opening and closing the tonneau cover to see if parts need to be replaced or lubricated. Pay special attention to the sounds that the cover makes as it is opened and closed. Moving parts that need to be lubricated at least every-once-in-a-while include the rails of retractable tonneau covers and other similar types of tonneau covers.
The manufacturer of a retractable tonneau cover urge against the use of petroleum-based lubricants to treat rubber seals. Instead, you should use lighter oil sprays containing PTFE (commonly known as Teflon), making sure to regularly wipe out and reapply the lubricant.
A Teflon-based lubricant such as DuPont Teflon Non-Stick Dry Film Lubricant will work wonders on the fasteners, hinges, rails, and other moving parts of your tonneau truck cover. Any grease lubricant thicker than this one will only cause you more problems by attracting excessive dirt, dust, and grime. To apply the lubricant, liberally spray some of the solution on a rag and then apply as needed to squeaky moving parts.
How to Wash Your Tonneau Cover
Tonneau covers are essential for protecting your truck bed from the elements. As a result, they often bear the brunt of the truck’s exposure to external elements such as dust and road salts. The cover will become dirtied and need to be regularly washed with the rest of the truck in order to maintain its sleek look.
This is especially true with tonneau covers because they are often dark in color, meaning that dirt and dust really shows when it begins to accumulate. The solution is to wash your tonneau covers with chemicals that will not corrode the surface of the cover.
As such, you are strongly encouraged to avoid using abrasive chemical cleaners to wash your vinyl tonneau covers. Rather, you should apply regular soap and water to clean your cover. If you happen to have a one-piece aluminum tonneau cover then you can wash it in the same manner as you would clean the rest of your car, even waxing the surface every now and then to keep up appearances.
Apply A Vinyl Protectant to Your Tonneau Cover
Manufacturers recommend that you apply a vinyl protectant specifically made for tonneau covers. Regularly treating your vinyl cover is essential for the cover to be able to maintain its suppleness and keep the color from fading earlier than expected.
You can find numerous vinyl protectants for tonneau covers just by browsing shops online. One of the most popular vinyl protectants is Wolfenstein’s Tonneau Cover Vinyl Protectant . This vinyl protectant does not contain any silicone or petroleum distillates, which are generally regarded as being harmful for your tonneau cover. It also contains UV blockers designed to minimize the fading effects of sunlight on the tonneau covers.
It is important that you properly clean the vinyl surface of all dust and grime prior to applying the protectant. Shake the bottle prior to applying and apply to small square sections (roughly 2 square feet in area). Wipe the protectant into the vinyl surface via circular motions with a microfiber towel.
How Often Should I Apply A Vinyl Protectant to My Tonneau Cover?
The frequency with which you should treat your vinyl tonneau cover may vary upon the conditions of the climate you live and drive in. You should at least treat the vinyl cover fairly frequently in order to stave off the deteriorating effects of sunlight and other elements.
Manufacturers of the vinyl protectant solution tend to recommend that you apply the solution to the cover every 3-5 weeks. Every 3 weeks might seem a bit much, but these things do take quite a beating from the elements. At the very least you should focus on applying the protectant every other time that you wash your truck, provided that you wash your truck at least once a month during times of peak use.
Troubleshooting
Occasionally, you may run into unforeseen issues with your tonneau cover. Such issues may include unexpected leaking, trouble getting the cover to stick, or loud flapping noises while you are driving. Fortunately, these common issues are not typically indicators that your tonneau cover is defective. Usually, the solution is a quick fix.
Why Is My Tonneau Cover Leaking?
After driving through a rainstorm, you may pull up your tonneau cover only to notice that much of your cargo is wet. Leaks in tonneau covers may be related to improper installation. Some manufacturers recommend setting tension in tonneau covers during the warmest part of the day to avoid such issues.
If your tonneau cover continues to leak, it may be the result of a loss in adhesiveness in some area. The original cover may have come with extra side strips that you can apply to exposed gaps. If you do not have any extra side strips you can find rolls of replacement strips online such as this one. This adhesive strip can help you fill in the gaps in locations where leaking is occurring.
Excessive Flapping
Tonneau covers are not supposed to make a bunch of noise when you are not driving at high speeds. If you notice your tonneau cover flapping excessively, you should not choose to “just live with it”. Excessive noise from the cover is likely an indicator of an underlying structural issue that can be fixed quite easily.
Make sure all the clamps are properly fastened to the rail. The clamps may need to be adjusted so that they are all latched onto the metal part of the bed rail. Some trucks have bed liners that extend over the rails. In this case you will need to drill to small holes into the liner to accommodate the clamps. The size of the holes will vary depending on which specific tonneau cover you have.
My Tonneau Cover Will Not Open/Close
If the tonneau cover is not opening or closing properly, then it could be due to rusted or broken hardware within the hinges, rails, fasteners and other moving parts of the tonneau cover. Routinely checking the moving parts of your tonneau cover can help you identify potential problems.
The best way to avoid having to constantly repair or replace the moving parts of the tonneau cover is to take preventative measures such as applying lubrication, such as Wolfenstein’s Tonneau Cover Vinyl Protectant to moving parts as they become squeaky.
If you’re thinking of different ways to accessorize your truck or make it more functional, consider checking out my recommended accessories page. I spent a good amount of time picking out mods that can be useful for most pickup trucks.