Tonneau Covers

What exactly is a Tonneau cover?

A tonneau cover fits over the bed (cargo area) of a pickup truck and protects its contents from exposure to weather elements, from flying road debris, and from severe weather. Covering equipment or other valuable contents carried in a truck's bed also makes it less tempting for potential thieves.

The Many Types

Tonneau covers come in a wide variety of styles, including:

Motorized/retractable: This kind of cover provides high-tech, easy-access to the truck's bed/cargo area; however, they are significantly more expensive than non-motorized or non-retractable tonneau covers.

Folding: Made from aluminum or vinyl with steal beams, these tonneau covers allow easy access to sections of your truck's bed/cargo area, or all at once, depending on your needs.

Soft roll-up: This style is the most affordable tonneau cover. Convenient coverage for your truck that's easy to install and maintain at a lower cost than other style.

Hardtop: Hardtops provide secure coverage with a smooth, sleek look. The best ones are made of strong, durable, and lightweight material.

Utility: Utility covers provide extreme security and are strong enough to support materials loaded on top of them.

Hinged: Easy to mount and install, these tonneau covers lift up on hinges to give you complete access to your truck's bed/cargo area.

The Many Benefits

Having a tonneau cover on your truck gives peace of mind that your belongs are protected from theft and exposure to the elements. There are covers for all budgets that are easy to install and use. Additionally, according to the Specialty Equipment Market Association's January 2007 Study, using tonneau covers resulted in a 4.2% -7.8% drag reduction, which would improve fuel efficiency for these pickups. Lastly, adding a stylish tonneau cover to your truck makes it more fun to drive and may also increase the truck's resale value.

The Disadvantages

Because tonneau covers are usually an after-market truck accessory, there is an added expense for the consumer; however, the protection, security, and potential increase in fuel efficiency and resale value provided by tonneau covers can offset the expense in the long run.