Form Vs. Function: Which is the Right Tonneau Cover

Tonneau covers are extremely handy for any truckheavier than the roll top tonneau covers. This
owner who occasionally hauls stuff that verticallyisn’t really a problem until you need to remove it,
extends out of the truck bed. A tonneau cover canwhich can be an awkward process for some people.
hide your stuff that is below the top of the truckHow often you need to remove the tonneau cover
bed, giving you more confidence to maximize thedepends on how often you really use the truck bed
utility of your truck. Tonneau covers also helpfor hauling. A folding tonneau cover folds back in
improve the aerodynamics of your truck, whichsections, so you can easily get access to 2/3’s
means improved fuel efficiency, higher MPG’sor more of your truck bed. Moving that five foot tall
and lower total-fuel costs. There are many differentdresser is a snap with a folding truck bed cover. A
kinds of tonneau covers and choosing the right onehinged tonneau cover, on the other hand, opens up
can be difficult to determine, but with a little guidancelike the hood of your car which severely limits the
you will be able to quickly make a decision. The mainheight of anything you load into the truck. You would
types of truck bed tonneau covers are hard, roll up,have to remove it entirely to haul that same dresser.
and retractable tonneau covers. Each has its ownRetractable tonneau covers are the Cadillac’s of
strengths and weaknesses.truck bed covers. They are also made of aluminum
Roll ups, sometimes also referred to as roll topand are sometimes covered in the Kevlar-like material
tonneau covers, offer the most convenience as theyfor a nice fit and finish. They retract by rolling up
are light-weight, easy to adjust and also quite easyinside a housing that rests inside the truck bed by
to remove. But because they roll up, these tonneauthe back window. Some retract by you pushing them
covers offer the least amount of security becauseinto the housing and others can be remote controlled.
they are made of a Kevlar-like material. The materialThe nice thing about retractable tonneau covers is
is extremely difficult to tear which implies durability,that you get maximum access to the truck bed:
but a knife can still easily cut through it.three-quarters or more can be available for you to
Hard tonneau covers come in a two flavors: foldinguse at the push of a button. They are very secure
and hinged. They are both constructed of aluminumand often lighter-weight than the hinged or folding
and usually wrapped in that same Kevlar-like material,types. This makes them one of the most versatile
which makes them very sturdy, durable, and secure.tonneau covers available, the perfect blend of
But with metal comes weight, so these covers arefunction and form.