An Overview of Hard Tonneau Covers

Among the many different types of bed covers, choosing to buy and install a hard tonneau cover is considered as the best decision a pickup truck owner can make.  It is because other types of tonneau covers, no matter how well-made, are not as weather-proof, secure, durable and as good looking as the hard tonneau covers.

However, there are also many different types of hard tonneaus that make choosing the right one quite tricky.  So, just what is the best hard tonneau cover?  Well, it actually depends on how you use your truck, whether you plan to install it by yourself or with some help and how much you are willing to pay for one.  It is strongly advised that before you buy a tonneau, you weigh the pros and cons of the different versions offered in the market.

Allow me to give you an overview of the various types and their best features:

1. Fiberglass – By far, this is the most popular choice for the many.  It offers a sleek, stylish and glossy finish.  One main advantage of this type of tonneau cover is that it can be painted to match with the color of the truck.  However, fiberglass material gets dented and cracked.  When it happens, it can no longer be repaired in order to make it look like new.  Fiberglass tonneaus are also very heavy; thus it may require at least two persons to do the installation done.  But once installed, fiberglass tonneaus are easy to use for they come with hydraulic rods.  Moreover, they are more secured for they come with good locking systems.

1. Retractable – This type of tonneau is usually made from thin aluminum and can be retracted into a canister installed just below the rear window or towards the head section of the truck bed.  Retractable tonneau covers offer great security.  Like the fiberglass tonneaus, it can also be painted to match the truck’s color.  However, retractable tonneau covers are the most expensive of all types of tonneau covers.  Moreover, you may lose some storage space for the motor or the canister resides in the truck bed.

1. Aluminum – If you use your truck for some heavy work, then aluminum tonneau covers would fit perfectly for your truck bed.  They don’t look as stylish as fiberglass but they can be powder-painted to match the color of the truck too.  Unlike fiberglass tonneaus, dents on aluminum bed covers can be knocked back into shape.  Aluminum tonneau covers are usually constructed with four sections and can be folded back for better access.  Better brands of aluminum tonneau covers even come with locking systems.

Hard tonneau covers are the best choice by far but they are the most expensive.  Thus it is important that to do a careful research first to make sure you buy wisely.  The best tonneau cover is the one that does the job you want.