Pickup Bed Covers -- Tips To Pick Pickup Bed Covers
Bed covers for trucks can turn a pickup bed to a colossal locking trunk, almost like a vault. Pickup bed covers are one popular addition that makes any pickup truck more of a handy tool as well as improving the looks. Features vary widely though among the several types of trucks covers. Soft covers are the lowest cost option but in some ways may offer best values. On the other hands hard tonneau covers come in several different forms with widely different features. But all the hard covers offer increased locking security but at a higher price tag.
Soft covers must be tight when in place and that takes some doing. With snap close covers in particular the challenge is getting the cover closed and getting it tight at the same time. Getting that last snap in place and the cover tight at the same time may be a real struggle and stress riser. In addition attempting to get that last snap in place can be a quick way to tear out a cover at the same time. Forget all that with hard covers which have other problems completely.
Sealing between covers and the pickup bed is critical. To keep out dampness and dirt requires quite an effort in design. Several methods are employed to get a good seal that works. Especially with soft covers which are of course not rigid the methods used vary in ease of use and effectiveness. No cover is completely waterproof but some come very close. The best way to find out what to expect may be to check out all the owner comments online...
Hard bed covers, of any kind, make for a high security lid to discourage tampering by all but the most serious. But even the most basic soft covers keep cargo out of sight which adds the first important security feature. Security is a key function of covers. But then weather protection is key also. And again most covers offer, if not waterproof, certainly highly water-resistant coverings. Check out the online reviews to see how they work. Many different approaches are employed to attempt to keep the bed dry and the water and dirt out.
Realize that not all hard tonneau covers cost large money. Some hard bed covers cost little more than the better soft units. For example, folding hard covers often cost just slightly more than soft versions do for about the same level of features. The folders offer easy bed access and the other advantages of soft covers but at a moderate price compared to retractable tonneau covers or even tilting lids. The folding models fit more or less between the extremes of the soft covers and the retractable metal covers.
The protection provided by pickup bed covers is for many truck owners more than just an option. It really is almost a requirement. That's so if you need the security and maybe even the finished look. But picking just one cover is a struggle because of all the choices. At least looking online simplifies the process somewhat. The real advantage of looking online is the availability of so much owner feedback on the whole tonneau experience. That's a fast and inexpensive way to learn about how covers work outside of the marketing jungle.
Soft covers must be tight when in place and that takes some doing. With snap close covers in particular the challenge is getting the cover closed and getting it tight at the same time. Getting that last snap in place and the cover tight at the same time may be a real struggle and stress riser. In addition attempting to get that last snap in place can be a quick way to tear out a cover at the same time. Forget all that with hard covers which have other problems completely.
Sealing between covers and the pickup bed is critical. To keep out dampness and dirt requires quite an effort in design. Several methods are employed to get a good seal that works. Especially with soft covers which are of course not rigid the methods used vary in ease of use and effectiveness. No cover is completely waterproof but some come very close. The best way to find out what to expect may be to check out all the owner comments online...
Hard bed covers, of any kind, make for a high security lid to discourage tampering by all but the most serious. But even the most basic soft covers keep cargo out of sight which adds the first important security feature. Security is a key function of covers. But then weather protection is key also. And again most covers offer, if not waterproof, certainly highly water-resistant coverings. Check out the online reviews to see how they work. Many different approaches are employed to attempt to keep the bed dry and the water and dirt out.
Realize that not all hard tonneau covers cost large money. Some hard bed covers cost little more than the better soft units. For example, folding hard covers often cost just slightly more than soft versions do for about the same level of features. The folders offer easy bed access and the other advantages of soft covers but at a moderate price compared to retractable tonneau covers or even tilting lids. The folding models fit more or less between the extremes of the soft covers and the retractable metal covers.
The protection provided by pickup bed covers is for many truck owners more than just an option. It really is almost a requirement. That's so if you need the security and maybe even the finished look. But picking just one cover is a struggle because of all the choices. At least looking online simplifies the process somewhat. The real advantage of looking online is the availability of so much owner feedback on the whole tonneau experience. That's a fast and inexpensive way to learn about how covers work outside of the marketing jungle.
Source...