Tonneau Cover Options And Benefits
When it comes to upgrading your truck, few things provide more value, functionality and head-turning appearance than a tonneau cover. Theyre available in two main varieties – hard-top and soft-top – with each offering unique benefits that make them ideally suited to specific needs. So, which one is better for you? Here are a few of their key benefits to help you decide.
First off, no matter which one you choose, both varieties share a number of common features. They both streamline your rig by making it aerodynamically efficient, allowing air to slide off the cover rather than collect in the bed where it creates drag. By minimizing drag, they boost your rigs MPGs. The energy-efficient optimization of a tonneau cover has been shown to extend gas mileage by up to 10%.
In addition, both soft and hard tonneau covers provide safety and security for fragile cargo or materials that are easily damaged by the elements. Most tonneau covers are installed with clamp-on hardware. They dont require drilling into the bed and can be mounted with only a handful of tools, some in as little as half an hour. However, the one major difference is that hard-top tonneau covers can be a challenge to remove. Unlike their soft-top cousins, like a folding tonneau cover, you have to completely remove a hard-top cover to haul oversize cargo.
Also known as pickup bed covers, hard-top tonneau covers are constructed of plastic or fiberglass. They come pre-painted or paint-ready, allowing you to match your current finish. But, the main feature that separates a hard-top from a soft-top is the extra security youll get out of a hard-top. Hard pickup bed covers can be locked, allowing you to secure tools, supplies and other cargo when youre away from your truck. They provide impenetrable protection against the weather and would-be thieves by locking your gear out of sight.
Another important difference is the weight of a hard-top tonneau. Theyre much heavier than the soft-top variety and usually require gas struts for opening and closing, similar to the hood of your vehicle. But if youre building a show truck, a hard-top tonneau is the way to go. They provide a completed look to your bodyline and make the perfect finishing touch to your exterior.
Soft pickup bed covers, like a soft roll-up tonneau cover or a roll n lock cover, feature technology that allows them to open and close with the push of a button, similar to a garage door which is why theyre also known as retractable tonneau covers. Theyre constructed of materials that provide a smooth, sleek appearance and easily match most truck bed liners. Soft bed covers provide reliable protection against rain, snow, UV rays and dust, and even come with optional locking devices. They also prevent your cargo from being blown around by wind.
First off, no matter which one you choose, both varieties share a number of common features. They both streamline your rig by making it aerodynamically efficient, allowing air to slide off the cover rather than collect in the bed where it creates drag. By minimizing drag, they boost your rigs MPGs. The energy-efficient optimization of a tonneau cover has been shown to extend gas mileage by up to 10%.
In addition, both soft and hard tonneau covers provide safety and security for fragile cargo or materials that are easily damaged by the elements. Most tonneau covers are installed with clamp-on hardware. They dont require drilling into the bed and can be mounted with only a handful of tools, some in as little as half an hour. However, the one major difference is that hard-top tonneau covers can be a challenge to remove. Unlike their soft-top cousins, like a folding tonneau cover, you have to completely remove a hard-top cover to haul oversize cargo.
Also known as pickup bed covers, hard-top tonneau covers are constructed of plastic or fiberglass. They come pre-painted or paint-ready, allowing you to match your current finish. But, the main feature that separates a hard-top from a soft-top is the extra security youll get out of a hard-top. Hard pickup bed covers can be locked, allowing you to secure tools, supplies and other cargo when youre away from your truck. They provide impenetrable protection against the weather and would-be thieves by locking your gear out of sight.
Another important difference is the weight of a hard-top tonneau. Theyre much heavier than the soft-top variety and usually require gas struts for opening and closing, similar to the hood of your vehicle. But if youre building a show truck, a hard-top tonneau is the way to go. They provide a completed look to your bodyline and make the perfect finishing touch to your exterior.
Soft pickup bed covers, like a soft roll-up tonneau cover or a roll n lock cover, feature technology that allows them to open and close with the push of a button, similar to a garage door which is why theyre also known as retractable tonneau covers. Theyre constructed of materials that provide a smooth, sleek appearance and easily match most truck bed liners. Soft bed covers provide reliable protection against rain, snow, UV rays and dust, and even come with optional locking devices. They also prevent your cargo from being blown around by wind.
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