A couple of thoughts on buying that new truck bed cover for your truck
I’ve often been asked by other truck owners why they should bother with a tonneau cover for their truck bed. While it all seems to make a lot of sense to me, apparently not everyone gets it. There are a number of good reasons to put a cover back there, regardless of the type of cover you choose. First of all, tonneau covers help keep nasty elements and weather out of your truck bed – and whatever you’re hauling in it! Second, they prevent all the curious people from checking out what you have there. Third, there’s a definite boost to your fuel economy by flattening the rear end. A fourth thought is also that they just look great in there, and they make the whole truck look great!
Before you take my advice and rush out to buy a truck bed cover for your rig, here are a few thoughts to consider BEFORE you buy! I mean, you really don’t want to waste a lot of money buying a cover that doesn’t do what YOU need. Appearance is one thing, but function and purpose are also vitally important!
Give some thought to how you plan on, or actually use, your truck. Is it a van that you use a lot for your job or job? Is it used more to transport your weekend toys? Do you only use it for recreation? Or is it just your favorite vehicle to ride or get around? Lastly, how much can you pay right now?
Financially speaking, soft covers generally cost less than hard covers. Soft covers that close with zippers, snaps, or hooks also tend to be less expensive. A little more work for you, but if money is tight, it’s certainly a good way to go.
Maybe the look and colors are the key for you. Fiberglass covers often offer a wide range of color options and the ability to match the color of your vehicle. Fiberglass covers are an example of a hard canvas cover. It is easy to get a greater variety of colors with a hard, flat surface than with a soft, flexible material.
Hard tops are sturdier, do a better job of maintaining a straight, even shape on the bed, and offer less wind resistance. Some are made from metals, some from fiberglass, some from plastics and polymers. They all make a great look back there.
How much help will you have getting the lid on and off, or opening and closing it? A hard cover can be a real job if you just try to do it all yourself. So are some of the soft tops due to their flexibility. You know, once you let them go, the shape is lost and it becomes a bit like folding a fitted sheet, if you know what I mean!
If you’re one of the millions who use your truck for work, then you’ll really want to consider covers that are easy to open and close, and covers that can be left open, either in part or in full. Here, I think soft covers are good because they can be rolled up or folded, without much effort. There are also hinged covers that can be opened in sections. Again, lighter weight is better here. It’s easier for you to work alone. If it’s not a soft shell, think aluminum or other hard, lightweight materials.
If this is going to be something that is taken down a lot and stored in your garage, you probably want to go soft, as they will roll up or fold up nice and quickly, and won’t take up a lot of space. Hard decks will be like storing your roof rack or kayak in the garage, where you’ll need some space along a wall or overhead storage shelf.
A final thought here is about what you wear to bed. If you continually carry expensive toys, tools, supplies, or equipment to bed, then a hard cover with a lockable rear door is the best option. These usually involve a cover that cannot be opened unless the tailgate is down. With a lock, you can keep the back door secure, as well as everything in your bed. It’s also much more difficult to cut through a hard cover with a knife or machete.
The idea is to really go around and look around and see what looks good on a vehicle like yours. And study to see which features fit YOUR specific needs and uses. Looking good is great, but not at the expense of functionality! Your time is definitely worth a lot, as is the equipment you’re transporting. There are many websites and solid auto accessory stores that sell good quality truck covers, and many offer a lot of information on the tops they sell. Some even have instructions, to make sure it’s something you can handle! Enjoy your search and happy hunting!
