Selecting Your Tonneau Truck Cover
You've seen them on pick up trucks everywhere: specially
designed truck covers that are all the rage. In times past
sporting a custom fitted cap over your truck's bed was where it
was the thing to do. Today, a truck tonneau cover is the way to
go for many truck owners. The choices of covers are varied, the
retailers who sell them are many. Selecting your tonneau truck
cover isn't rocket science but it pays to "go with what you
know" when selecting yours. Let's take a look at the different
types of truck tonneau covers on the market.
The most popular selling trucks in the USA for nearly three
straight decades are Ford's "F" series line of full size pick up
trucks. Selling twice as many trucks as the nearest car, which
is the Toyota Camry, this sales level clearly shows us that pick
up trucks remain an important and vital part of the automotive
landscape. Indeed, trucks from Ford, Chevrolet, GMC, Dodge,
Toyota, Honda, Nissan, and many other manufacturers have filled
our roads. Unlike trucks in the past which exclusively
emphasized their towing and hauling attributes, trucks of today
incorporate a third factor, passenger comfort, in the mix.
Still, if you ask mostly anyone exactly what they do with their
truck bed you are likely to gain a variety of answers. Most
truck beds are used expressly for hauling stuff and depending on
what is being hauled that typically determines how the bed is
protected and or covered.
I won't get into two other products, bed liners and caps, as the
focus of this article is on another popular product: tonneau
covers. As with so many products the quality and durability
varies widely depending on the type of tonneau cover selected
and the material used to make the cover.
A snap-down cover is the least expensive of all tonneau covers,
but you can have a hard time attaching it in place during cold
weather. Imagine snow and ice settling into the snaps, frozen in
place, as you try to attach your cover: it just isn't going to
happen without a copious amount of effort on your part. Who
needs that? In addition, the material is subject to tearing
meaning that your investment can be worthless in moments.
Alternately, a roll-up cover is so much easier to use and it
fits better too. It is also more expensive! Still, the
advantages of paying extra money for a roll up cover are many
including: better materials are used, therefore you get 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.
Of course, the ultimate tonneau covers are those made from
fiberglass, to give the cover a truly hard and durable shell.
Much more resilient than all other types of tonneau covers, hard
shell covers are also far and away the most expensive covers for
your truck. However, as with everything in life you get what you
pay for.
In the case of a hard shell tonneau cover you get a lot more
too, including: a secure lock, overhanging sides, hinged at the
front, hydraulic struts, automotive weather stripping, theft
protection, and a water tight seal. Another advantage of hard
shell tonneau covers is that many manufacturers produce them so
that they can be painted to match your finish. Stick a spoiler
on the back of your truck and it along with the shell will give
you one hot looking truck!
When selecting a tonneau truck cover go with one that is made by
a major and reputable manufacturer. Top brands include Extang,
Truxedo, Lung, and Access. To get the best price shop online
with a reputable online wholesaler.
Your truck can look its best and function superbly with a
tonneau truck cover installed. Select one today and protect the
goods you carry as well as the investment you made with the
purchase of a pick up truck.