Pickup Truck Bed Covers - A Buyer’s Guide
Known as “pickup truck bed covers” or “pickup bed covers” in the United States and “tonneau covers” in Canada, this truck accessory protects your vehicle and cargo (no matter what name you call it!).
These covers come in multiple styles with each having unique benefits—and you’ll want to select one that fits both your truck and your budget, with the functionalities you want and need.
This truck bed cover / tonneau cover guide will describe the options and their benefits so you can pick the style that’s just right for your vehicle.
Benefits of Truck Bed Covers
No matter which style you pick, the cover will provide protection for the bed (similar to what you enjoy when sitting in the truck’s cab) from rain and snowfall.
Plus, it keeps your cargo in the bed, rather than having some of it blow or fall out onto the road, and keeps snow, rain, debris and more out. You can help to protect your cargo from other people, as well, thanks to locking mechanisms on some styles.
In short, you’re creating safe, secure, and dry trunk space.
Most styles either fold, roll up or retract and many are easily removed when you need every inch of bed space you can get. Some styles even have T-slots built-in that can be used to attach accessories like crossbars and racks.
Many truck owners and truck cover manufacturers claim that you can save on gas mileage when you have a tonneau cover on your vehicle, due to the reduced drag and corresponding fuel efficiency. Plus, these covers add a sleek and finished look to pickups.
When making your choice of a cover, consider things such as how much security you need, how much you want to spend, how often and easily you’ll want to access your cargo, and so forth. There are fiberglass truck bed covers, as well as covers made from plastic, metal, and other man-made compounds like plastics and fabrics.
Hard Folding Truck Bed Covers
Folding truck bed covers have multiple panels that you can fold back upon one another to give you quick and easy access to the truck bed and are, overall, the most popular style. Some covers can be folded open completely and can be securely positioned parallel to the cab glass, giving you access to the entire bed, while others partially only fold up and lay over the frontmost panel. Hard folding truck bed covers are built from aluminum or composite materials and some styles can be paint-matched or spray-coated to match your vehicle. They offer more security than soft covers but come at a higher price point.
The benefits of these folding covers include better water resistance, their ability to easily open and close, and ease of access to securely stashed cargo. This style provides the perfect balance of both protection and versatility.
Soft Folding Tonneau Covers
If you’re looking for folding truck bed covers that are lighter in weight or if you want something that’s more affordable than a hard cover, soft folding truck bed covers can provide the protection and ease of access you need. Materials in the panels may be industrial-grade synthetics or high-end canvas while still providing the classic look associated with hard folding truck bed covers.
Solid Tonneau Covers
If you’re looking for the most secure, weather-resistant option on the market today, then browse through the truck bed lid options. These hard, one-piece bed covers—as the name implies—have no external hinges. They provide the maximum in coverage, including over the rail. It can be challenging to remove these covers if you want an open bed, so consider that before making your choice.
Retractable Truck Bed Covers
Retractable truck bed covers work a bit differently and can be thought of as a roll-up door—one that is horizontal, rather than vertical. These are very secure covers, available in either manual or powered options, and can offer more flexibility than some other styles.
When you roll one up, the cover is safely stored inside of a canister (like a toolbox) that’s located at the bed’s front to give you access to your pickup truck’s bed. With retractable truck bed covers, you will need to sacrifice a bit of the bed’s space, so consider that before making your choice of style.
Hard Roll Up Truck Bed Covers
If you like the idea of a retractable cover, but don’t love the idea of losing any bed space, then explore hard roll up truck bed covers. They’re strong and very secure. They roll up above the top of the bed, starting from the tailgate. If you’ll be hauling tall items, you can quickly and easily remove and store a hard roll up tonneau cover.
Soft Roll Up Truck Bed Covers
If you are appreciating the benefits of a hard roll up option but you want something a little friendlier to your budget? Soft rollup truck bed covers may be right for you. This type of cover is available in industrial-grade synthetics as well as high-end canvas-like fabrics, sitting almost flush with the sides of the beds. The lightweight design of this style won’t weigh down your truck and you can roll it up just as far as you need to access cargo.
Choose H&H Truck Accessories
As the largest truck accessory dealer in the southeast, we meet the needs of truck owners by providing them with the best of truck bed covers and other in-demand truck accessories. Plus, our customer service is second to none. We have 17 retail locations and each is staffed with knowledgeable salespeople and installers so that you can make the smart choice, every time. We look forward to seeing and serving you!