Buying accessories for your truck can be a bit tiring. Different builds and sizes are available and finding one that fits perfectly can be a task. But, the task of buying a tonneau cover should not be very difficult, right? Actually, it is the cover that requires some deep thinking and research. Having a tonneau cover provides many benefits. But, those benefits can be enjoyed only when you choose the perfect fit for your truck. The key to choosing the perfect fit lies in knowing the exact make and model of your truck along with the year of manufacturing. Coupled with a few more factors, you can get the correct tonneau cover.
Factors to Consider While Choosing a Tonneau Cover
While researching, you are bound to come across various choices in terms of brands and that is going to affect your decision making. But, there are certain factors that you need to keep in mind while choosing the perfect fitting tonneau cover. The factors are:
Compatibility
It is important to think about compatibility when selecting a tonneau cover.. Tonneau covers are often vehicle-specific, meaning that one cover will not fit all trucks. There are many factors that contribute to compatibility. Things like the inclusion of bed liner or the size of the truck bed can make or break your entire effort. It is important to research and find a cover that is compatible with your specific make and model of truck to avoid installation issues. The last thing you want is to acquire a cover that won’t fit correctly on your truck or one that necessitates modifications to the truck bed.
When purchasing a tonneau cover, it’s important to have the dimensions of the truck bed in mind. Also, how it is constructed. That will assist you in selecting the correct tonneau cover. Begin with the bulkhead and work your way through the tailgate to get an accurate measurement. You want a high-quality tonneau cover that will fit well, but you also need one that is accurate.
Ease of Installation
Tonneau cover installation is another important factor to consider. It may seem like a small detail, but ease of installation matters if you plan on taking the cover on and off frequently.
Not all truck bed covers are the same. Some are easier to install whereas some will make you feel miserable while trying to get them installed correctly. Hard tonneau covers, for example, are designed to cover superior level of protection but they are extremely large and bulky and that means, they require more than a single person to get them lifted on to the truck bed. If this is not enough, sometimes, you might need to get a forklift to work to get it lifted. Insane, is not it? Retractable or roll-up covers, on the other hand, are easy to use and operate. You can get them installed without any assistance.
Cleaning and Maintenance Ease
Another factor worth considering is whether or not the tonneau cover is easy to clean and maintain. This is an important feature that you should not ignore because, what’s the point of buying a tonneau cover if it doesn’t allow you to access the truck bed easily? A dirty or rusted tonneau cover will make your life miserable and that can be avoided by selecting a simple-to-clean option.
Aerodynamics
An uncovered bed can turn out to be nightmare if you have to drive a pickup truck at high speed. The wind noise will make you go nuts for sure. Besides that, that uncovered bed would create resistance and drag. Fuel economy will get severely impacted by this. This is the reason why you need to install a tonneau cover on your pickup truck bed. Tonneau covers can reduce 7.8% drag when you are driving at 85 mph.
Style
The first and foremost factor to consider is the type of cover you are looking for. This will be determined by your usage and ease of mobility, thus affecting the cover’s accessibility. There are four cover styles to choose from – Hatch-styles; Roll-ups (both hard and soft); Fold-ups (hard and soft); and Retractables. The roll-ups are easy and durable but the soft one lacks the durability that the hard roll-up offers. Alternatively, the soft roll-up is cost-effective and ideal for easy accessibility. The fold-ups are cost-effective but the hard ones have added advantage of being more secure and durable. The retractable is easy to use and durable but they are on the plus side of the budget. Lastly, the hatch-style offers easy usage and cost-effectiveness but can be a lot less durable. The kind of transportation you need will help you determine the best style.
Material
The style you opt for will also be determined by the material you choose. Tonneau covers are ideally made of vinyl or aluminum – depending on the style. While aluminum is durable, the vinyl ones provide a much better cleaning option but vinyl is not too durable or secure.
Brand
There are too many brands to choose from. Each offers its kind of benefits and disadvantages. But, you need to focus on the style and installation feature to make the correct decision. Ideally, opting for a brand that offers rail style installation makes it also easy to clean the cover. These installations can either be clamped or permanent fixtures. If you are looking to always use the cover, then opt for the permanent rail system. But, if you want to occasionally use the truck without a cover, the clamped one is perfect for you.
Price
Budget is the main factor while choosing any purchase. But, you need to fit your cover within your budget range after putting all other factors in place. You can opt for second-hand covers or ask used tonneau cover manufacturers to make a customized cover according to your truck’s specifications. Check out various options on finance repayment schemes while buying new ones.
Conclusion
Opting for a tonneau cover helps keep your luggage safe and also helps keep the stuff in your cargo free from dirt. But, these benefits can only be reaped when the correct cover is chosen. Keeping the factors mentioned above in mind while choosing can help make an informed decision.
