To get a proper truck bed protection, you should always consider several factors while choosing it. Some of these factors include budget, ease of operation, style, security, among others. In this article, you will know all types of tonneau covers, their benefits, and more regarding factors to consider while choosing suitable bed protection for your truck.
Keeping your bed content secure is always a matter of concern. Especially when your truck is left unattended, or you often leave content in your truck bed overnight. For that, you don’t have to worry because the stunning and robust tonneau cover is a simple and stylish solution for your problem. They can be either locking or non-locking covers.
Flat covers can help you cover your cover cargo when the cargo fits into the existing bed space. And also, when your cargo’s height is taller than what will fit under a truck cap. So if you want to keep the driver’s visibility unchanged and your vehicle’s original style lines the same, then you should get a tonneau cover.
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Before we look at types of flat covers, let us first understand what a tonneau cover is.
What is a Tonneau Cover and It’s Different Types
A tonneau cover is a truck bed cover that offers both protection and security of your cargo. By installing this cover in your truck, you can set to enjoy several benefits. For example, your cargo security, cargo protection from different climate conditions and also it increases gas mileage by 5% to 10%.
Therefore, to prevent your cargo from being stolen or being affected by adverse weather conditions (such as monsoon or aggressive summer), then we recommend using a suitable flat cover on your truck.
That said, let now have a look at the types of flat covers and their benefits both to your cargo and also truck.
1. Roll-Up Tonneau Covers
Besides Roll-Up covers keeping your cargo out of sight and protecting your truck bed from the elements. It also provides easy access for transporting taller items. The design for this type of cover can easily lock to the vehicle’s bed without necessarily drilling it.
This type of cover also features a rear rail tensioning system and a vinyl coating that coats both sides of the cover. This coated surface allows the re-attachment of the cover even in the extreme cold season.
What’s the benefit?
These covers get a design to provide additional security through rear rail that comfortably locks into the side framework offering extra security. This system works well when you equip your truck with a locking tailgate.
It also provides partial open access to your cargo, which is a similar benefit to what folding tonneau cover offers. The Roll-Up cover’s design and function give more variances in the amount of space that you will like it to be uncovered or covered.
2. Folding Tonneau Covers
This type of tonneau cover is probably one of the most used covers in the market. This type of cover is known for its ideal folding functionality. The way it folds do also differ, for sentence, folding 3-separate sections, which you can see in the popular tri-fold covers. Besides, some of this type of flat covers may comprise more than 3 folding points.
What’s the benefit?
This type of flat cover allows you to cover one part while leaving the other part open. So if you need that type of cover that can allow you to access a particular portion of your truck bed quickly, then this type is suitable for you. You can comfortably accommodate your cargo by simply folding 1or 2 panels (and tie-down, if needed), and you are good to go.
Compared to hinged cover that will complicate things when dealing with an awkwardly sizeable shaped cargo, these type of covers offers you a better hauling experience when it comes to these kinds of cargo.
3. Retractable Tonneau Covers
This is a type of flat tonneau cover with a mechanism that operates by retracting into a container at the bulkhead of the truck. It allows access to truck beds. Even though it may provide similar usage and functionality as roll-up covers, it uses a different mechanism to achieve the same purpose. Retractable Tonneau Cover is available in different materials and wide assortments. On top of the retractable reinforcing structure, the surface cover of this type of cover may be a vinyl, polycarbonate, or aluminum surface.
What’s the benefit?
The surface covers give a clean appearance to this flat cover since they are relatively flush. This type of cover doesn’t require removal to access the truck bed, thanks to its retractable mechanism. Another benefit is that some covers can be secured even when they are half-closed.
This feature provides additional security at the same time allowing quick access to your truck bed. This feature also provides you with enough space. It will enable you to carry large and oversized shaped cargo.
4. Hinged Tonneau Covers
These hinged types of flat covers got a design, as cover lids that you can attach at the bulkhead of the truck by a hinge. The mechanism behind this design only allows it to be locked in an open position. More importantly, they don’t fold or roll-up. It means that it will be challenging to accommodate an oversized and awkwardly shaped cargo as well as having partial access to the truck bed.
What’s the benefit?
Some of us may be interested in having a visual appeal of our truck while using a flat cover. Thus, making this one of the benefits of using this type of truck bed cover since it does interact seamlessly with your truck giving it a sleek look.
Another benefit of hinged tonneau covers is that they offer style as well as security and supreme protection for your cargo against elements.
5. Snap Tonneau Covers
A Snap Tonneau Covers is a type of cover that consists of a vinyl cover that snaps into the frame and an aluminum frame that clamps to the truck bed. This type of cover offers you a unique function that allows you to open and close a truck bed with ease.
What’s the benefit?
The main benefit of this type of cover is that it accommodates varying sizes and shapes of cargo. The other advantage of using snap tonneau covers is that it allows both full or partial access to your truck bed.
6. Locking Tonneau Covers
Locking tonneau covers is one of the best covers if you are looking for a type of bed cover with advanced cargo security benefits. This type of flat cover comes with locks that enhance security for cargo hauling.
What’s the benefit?
Locking tonneau covers have a design with advanced locking systems that offer additional security to your cargo. So, say no more thieves and sticky hands by installing this flat cover on your truck bed.
7. Tonneaus with Tool Boxes
Toolbox tonneau covers is another famous flat cover. It is a cover with an incorporated toolbox that you can attach clear off the bed rails. Besides most tonneau covers working well with a toolbox, there are still some in the market that can not integrate easily or well with a toolbox.
So before buying this type of cover, you should first check if your truck has a rail toolbox installed. And if you install it, then you should head into checking whether that bed cover you want to purchase it is compatible.
What’s the benefit?
With this type of flat cover installed in your truck, you will enjoy security benefits without forgoing the additional toolbox’s usability and functionality benefits too. Other benefits of this cover include durability, simple operation, superior performance, and easy installation.
8. Soft and Hard Folding Covers
A soft and hard folding cover is another type of tonneau covers. As said earlier that folding covers have become more popular due to their ease of use. Therefore, soft and hard folding cover share the same trait of ease to use but has some little differences. Soft covers, like the Extang Trifecta, have the design to offer easy cover removal and truck bed access.
Hardcovers (like Extang solid fold), on the other hand, still provide easy to use the feature but focuses more on security. This is why hardcovers work well in vehicles equipped with a locking tailgate.
What’s the benefit?
These covers provide easy access to the truck bed hence making this it’s first and primary benefit they offer. With one of these covers installed in your vehicle, you can easily access a truck bed without cover removal. And also, it can accommodate taller cargos.
9. High Impact Plastic Lids
If you are one of those individuals in need of a flat locking cover, then you should opt for high impact plastic lid. This type of tonneau covers works in a way that, when it is locked. The cover prevents the tailgate from being opened while securing the truck bed.
What’s the benefit?
One of the benefits of this type of truck bed covers is that they are lightweight (weighs less than 60lbs) due to its material. Another thing is that they are easy to use (installing and removing), very strong, and durable. It is suitable for flat cover locking, and when hauling the cargo, it is easy to remove.
10. Painted Fiberglass Lids
When you want to keep that seamless look by matching the colors of your truck and cover, then painted fiberglass lids are the ideal type flat covers to choose from. This cover matches the truck’s color as if it came with the car. The fiberglass used in the lid is removable and weighs approximately 110lbs.
What’s the benefit?
Some models of this type of flat covers have the design to have a quick-release feature. This feature is essential in a way that allows you to remove the lid while the framework remains on the truck bed. when the cover is closed, it secures the tailgate from being opened while securing your truck bed.
More to Check Out: Best retractable tonneau cover.
How to Choose the Right Tonneau Cover
Everybody likes having the right tonneau cover. But choosing the proper cover for your truck bed is a bit complicated process. Why? Simply because there are a ton of covers out there. And if you are not keen enough, then you will purchase the wrong type, which may cost you dearly.
Your tuck always helps you in hauling useful accessories. Therefore, there are factors to consider while choosing a cover. The elaborate these factors we will use simple questions:
Do you want UV light protection or wet protection or both?
Start by determining and understanding what you expect from a particular tonneau cover. Is it to prevent your cargo from UV rays, soggy, wet, cargo fall out, or even cargo been knocked around. By understanding your needs, you will be able to narrow out the specific types to choose from, hence making your work easier.
Almost every cover can prevent sun rays from reaching your cargo. But not all can prevent water from leaking into your truck bed.
Do you want a decent looking cover or just any cover?
If you are keen on your truck’s appearance, then find a cover that suits that need. To maintain that seamless look that you adore, you should go for a great looking tonneau cover.
It can be the one with a matching color or any other quality feature that will aid in dressing up your truck and make it look great.
Do you want a soft or hard folding cover?
This is mostly defined by the type of cargo you will be transporting more frequently in your truck bed.
Do you need a lockable cover?
Do you frequently leave your cargo in the truck bed overnight? If yes, then a lockable cover is a recommended type of cover you should go for.
What kind of cargo do you transport more frequently?
Are they tall, shot, fitting, or awkwardly shaped? By answering this question, you can then quickly determine the appropriate cover that you should purchase.
Final Thought
Overall, no matter the type of cover you may be interested in, the fact is that it must meet the specifications of your truck and your needs. Therefore, it is essential to starts by addressing specs and needs before heading to the style and appearance of your cover.
The other thing to note is that tonneau covers prices vary depending on the quality materials they are made of, their functionality, and durability.
Now that you know all the different types of flat covers, their benefits, and how to choose them. You can now comfortably decide on which type of flat cover will best suit your needs.