Pickup Truck Bed Covers - Tonneau Cover for Trucks

Learn More about Tonneau Covers

Remember when a tonneau cover was nothing more than a tarp snapped to the side ot your truck bed?  They flapped in the wind and the snaps put rust streaks on your ride.  Today's tonneaus have come a long way.  A quality tonneau cover from a reputable manufacturer like Access, Extang and Truxedo will give your rig the look you want while protecting the contents of your bed from harsh elements and prying eyes...and modern tonneaus don't flap in the wind like a tin roof in a tornado.

How to Choose a Tonneau Cover

The term Tonneau Cover (sometimes called tonneau bed cover or spelled "tonno" cover) refers to a product designed to cover and secure the contents of a pick-up truck bed. Tonneau covers are manufactured using a variety of cover materials and employ various means of opening and/or removing the bed covers. Choosing the correct type and design is really dependent on two key factors; intended use and budget. We will explore these factors throughout this page to help make your decision easier. Of course, the StreetSideAuto.com team is always available to help you should you still be unsure of what is right for you.

Why Install a Tonneau Cover?

• Security
• Fuel savings
• Bed protection
• Cargo protection
• Keep out rain, snow, dirt, and mud
• Style

Tonneau Cover Selection: Basic Principles

Very simply the right tonneau cover for you is the one that most perfectly matches with the way you use your truck bed. Because nearly every tonneau cover mounts to the rails of the truck bed your cargo capacity will be limited in both dimension and ease of access. Ask yourself the following questions:

1. How often do I access my truck bed and what do I put in it? (think hard about even things that you take for granted, like tossing a bag quickly into the bed for a short drive to the softball park)

How and where you put things and the size of those items should be the deepest considerations when determining what is right for you. If you only need to access the space below the rail and in small areas at a time, then you can select from nearly every style and use security and/or appearance to sway your decision. If you often use the entire bed, including items that are taller than the rails of the bed, then soft tonneau covers for pickup trucks will most likely appeal to your lifestyle as they allow the quickest access to all of the space that you need. If you hope to have both easy full bed access and the highest possible security then retractable tonneau covers are the most appropriate choice.

2. How important is tonneau cover security to you?

Any soft tonneau cover, no matter how advanced the mounting system or how clever the locking mechanism (if there is one), can be nearly instantly penetrated with just about anything sharp. Soft tonneau tarps can be quite durable and support surprising amounts of weight but there isn't a material used in tonneau cover design today that can stop even the most rudimentary blade. If security is at the top of your list then you should be looking at the various types of hard tonneau covers.

3. Tonneau Cover Form or Function?

Some truck owners are concerned first about appearance. If you fall into this category then your personal style is really the only guide you need. Consider, however, that if you plan on painting the bed cover don't forget to factor in the cost of the paint work when assessing your budget (many companies do offer pre-painted pickup truck bed covers).

4. Climate Considerations in Tonneau Cover Selection

a) Climate is a lesser consideration than numbers 1-3, but it must be included. Regions with very large swings in temperature can have a dramatic effect on soft truck bed covers. The tarp material will expand and contract with the temperature making closure difficult at times. If you are really interested in a soft tonneau cover but live in one of these areas consider one of the many "all-climate" or "all-weather" units offered by different companies. These products are made with tarp material specifically designed to limit the influence of heat and cold. Additionally, areas with high snowfall should also arouse additional concerns. If you live in this type of area you are well aware of how heavy snow can be. While most all covers are capable of supporting as much snow as can be piled atop the cover, opening such a snow covered cover is nearly impossible. Removing snow from a beautifully painted hard tonneau cover without marring the paint is exceptionally difficult. Areas with heavy precipitation should also lead you to a cover with a very well designed seal if you intend to keep the contents of your bed dry. Many covers are made for this purpose and do an exceptional job of keeping out moisture.

Tonneau Cover Budget Considerations

There are some exceptions to this rule, but generally speaking soft pickup truck bed covers are the most economical, traditional hard tonneau covers stand in the middle, and retractable truck bed covers will dig deepest into your wallet. However, considering a purchase on price point alone will leave you very unsatisfied if your practical needs are not first carefully considered.

Street Side Auto provides our customers significant savings and a superior online buying experience on all Pickup Truck Bed Covers. We are proven to be a cut above the competition by offering a low price guarantee, free shipping*, and all-American tech support for Tonneau Cover information you may need about Pickup Truck Bed Covers and other Tonneau Cover products.