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Tonneau covers are used to protect pickup truck beds, what typically cover the lip of the entire bed from front to back and from side to side. They also serve to conceal what is in the bed and protect these items from prying eyes, changing weather conditions and damage by animals. Tonneau covers are available in a variety of sizes to fit any sized pickup truck bed. They are sold as aftermarket parts, available directly from suppliers or parts providers.

Kinds of Tonneau Covers

A tonneau cover can be made from various materials to yield a soft touch finish or a hard shell feel. The most common kind are the soft tonneau covers that are made of water-resistant cloth or vinyl and stretch across the top of the entire truck bed. These covers are usually supported by snaps. You can also purchase a roll up tonneau cover that is secured by velcro or snaps. When not in use it rolls up and sits at the top of the truck bed near the cab. 

Some shoppers prefer a hard shell tonneau cover, constructed of plastic or fiberglass, one that can be lifted up by its hinges to access the truck bed. Such covers are paintable too with colors chosen to match or complement the truck’s finish.

Tonneau Cover Protection

Security is one of the most important reasons why pickup truck owners purchase a tonneau cover. However, that does not mean that such covers provide absolute protection against thieves. Instead, a tonneau cover hides what truck owners do not want people to see. A hard shell cover with a lock offers the best protection considering when they’re outfitted with stainless steel locks.

Weather conditions are a concern for truck owners as expensive equipment, tools and supplies can take a beating. The hot sun can discolor virtually anything while cold weather and its ice, snow and hail can damage equipment. Moisture of any kind can be destructive, what tonneau covers are able to thwart.

Soft v. Hard Tonneau Covers

On full-size pickup trucks, soft tonneau covers typically range from $225 to $325, with those prices established for the length of the bed and the closing mechanism used. Some covers offer a no-drill and no modification installation using quick release tabs and a seal and pull design.

Hard shell tonneau covers start out at just above $500 for a full-size truck bed and can cost as much as $1,500 for those with a rolling covering design. A rolling cover tonneau cover uses double wall aluminum panels that can also support several hundred pounds of weight on top of the cover. These elaborate covers features stop and lock points every foot, allowing for partial or full opening. The locks automatically close when the tailgate is closed, a cargo management system that is both stylish and secure.

Additional Benefit and Considerations

Buyers of tonneau covers will soon realize an additional benefit: such covers help pickup trucks get better gas mileage. When installed and completely closed, wind drag is reduced across the truck’s bed, what can cause the truck to "fight" to maintain its speed. With less resistance felt, the engine does not have to work as hard to achieve the same performance. The result is a more efficiently running truck, one that consumes less gasoline.

Owners of pickup trucks with odd sized beds such as the Dodge Rampage, the Volkswagen Type II pickup and the Morris Minor can have their trucks outfitted with a tonneau cover as well. The odd sizes of these box lengths (63.7 inches in the Dodge Rampage and Plymouth Scamp) means that customized covers should be ordered. A number of manufacturers provide this service to ensure that a secure and pleasant looking fit is achieved.