

Soft covers are typically much cheaper than hard covers, and the ways in which they open are more versatile without significant cost additions. This choice has a significant impact on other features offered. This is probably one of the toughest decisions to make. In my opinion tonneau covers refer to the type of covers that are flat in the back of a truck and a truck bed cover is anything that can cover the bed of the truck, no matter the shape or material.įor the flat style tonneau covers, there are three main features to assist in your decision. “Tonneau” comes from the French language translating to the term cask or barrel ( ). Tonneau cover vs truck bed coversĪ tonneau cover is a type of truck bed cover, but not all truck bed covers are tonneau covers. If you plan to keep your truck for an extended period of time, we recommend you buy a cover with excellent warranty programs to ensure your cover lasts as long as possible. Many of these covers, especially the more expensive ones come with some type of warranty. Like thousands of pounds! Warrantyīecause trucks go through a lot, any cover will also be tested by external forces. There are some covers that can hold significant weight on them as well. But if you don’t require your cargo to be protected by the cap, you can get some kind of retractable, rolling, or folding cover to access the truck bed. Any cargo that you plan to add which is higher than the bed height will require a cap or simple cargo nets/bags. Will you frequently add large cargo to your truck? Will you add a rack on top? Will you have a toolbox underneath?Īll of these factors will determine the type of cover you will want. There is one size fits many, and oftentimes manufacturers make multiple covers to fit many models and years for a specific truck. Size and compatibilityĭue to the slightly different measurements of truck beds, you will need to make sure your cover fits your bed perfectly. The most common materials are vinyl, aluminum, and polycarbonate covers.

The cheaper ones will tend to rip or dent easier than the harder materials. Some materials will do more protection and last longer than others. Similar to protection, you will need to keep in my the durability of the material. If you go with fancier covers and high-end covers, you can look to spend upwards of $5,000. Priceįrom my research, there are some bed covers as low as $150 and some as high as $1,500 and more. Of course there are many lockable toolboxes that can be secured in the bed as a second option and there are some covers that will be able to accommodate these. Hard covers seem to be the most reliable in this category. You need to consider whether or not you plan to use this bed cover to protect and secure items. Most bed covers provide some level of security, but many soft covers do not have added protection. Of course, truck bed covers by themselves cannot protect the actual bed of the truck from cargo damage, they can protect from external forces. Though truck bed covers will protect the bed of the truck to some degree, there are some that are stronger than others. Bed protectionĭepending on your needs and weather conditions, you may need a heavy-duty cover, or you may just need something to keep the leaves out. If you plan to use your bed frequently, you’ll want to consider a 100% access cover, as some don’t open completely. The different types of truck bed covers provide various amounts of access to the truck bed. Some use velcro, some use snap buttons, some use rails, and others just use a tight fit. The way in which the bed cover closes is also a consideration. Some also are compatible with the truck bed track systems. These usually come with the appropriate accessories to attach the truck bed, but not the necessary tools.īecause this is less desirable nowadays, there are more covers coming out with no drilling installation. Most truck bed covers are fairly easy to install, but there are some that are more intense than others.įor example, some truck beds require bolting to install. Here are some of the important things you need to take into account when you buy a truck bed cover or tonneau cover. Depending on your needs there are different types of covers that will suit you. There are many factors that you need to consider when choosing the right cover for your truck bed. Things to consider before buying a truck bed cover Things to consider before buying a truck bed cover.
