Do You Need A hard Tonneau cover Or a Soft One
Top quality truck bed protection doesn’t always come cheap. But as you know, you get what you pay for. Making the right choice doesn’t mean you have to pay top dollar, it just means you need to be informed. Asking the right questions will make the difference in paying too much for the wrong thing and paying the right price for exactly what you need. Before you make your purchase, consider the following questions.
WHAT’S YOUR WEATHER LIKE?
Your truck may be exposed to all the elements including wind, rain, hail, snow, dirt and everything else the great outdoors can throw at you. All Tonneau covers have some measure for keeping weather out of your cargo area. Yet, some models are tougher in extreme or prolonged bad weather situations.
If you live where snow frequently piles in your truck bed and on your rails, you want to chose a hard Tonneau cover. In areas where winter isn’t especially mean, a soft Tonneau cover with raised cross bows and a fully-adjustable sealing system will work well. For added strength and security in moderate winter areas, select a retractable Tonneau cover.
HOW MUCH SECURITY DO YOU NEED?
Nobody likes to deal with getting robbed, but it happens more than we like to admit. Tonneau covers offer an array of security levels, ranging from basic to high tech. If security is at an absolute premium, select a hard Tonneau cover or retractable Tonneau cover that locks at the tailgate. If a clamped-shut cover that fully conceals your cargo is enough security, grab a hinged soft Tonneau cover or latch-lock retractable Tonneau cover. When simply covering your cargo meets your needs, go with any soft Tonneau cover.
HOW FREQUENTLY DO YOU NEED FULL-BED ACCESS?
Some truck owners use their bed on rare occasions only. Others need fast access to all corners of their payload. Depending on your needs, quick access can be at a premium. If you need access in seconds to any section of your truck bed, select a soft Tonneau cover. When fast, full uncovering of your payload matters most, pick-up a retractable Tonneau cover. For rapid use of the storage areas near the wheel wells, back of the bed and tailgate, a hard Tonneau cover will meet your needs.
HOW OFTEN DO YOU CARRY OVERSIZED LOADS?
The frequency of how much and how often you use your truck makes a difference when choosing a Tonneau cover. When you carry large loads that stack over the height of your bed rails on a regular basis, select a roll-up soft Tonneau cover or retractable Tonneau cover. When you need the most possible truck bed space at your disposal at all times, pick a soft Tonneau cover. When you infrequently carry large loads or don’t mind complete 2-person removal of your Tonneau cover for full bed access, select a hard tonneau cover.
WHAT IS YOUR BUDGET?
Along with the wide range of Tonneau cover shapes, styles and functions comes an array of prices. Ultimately, your budget is the deciding factor on what you chose. When you want the excellent basic features of a Tonneau cover in a model that fits any budget, add a soft Tonneau cover to your truck. When color matching and custom-molded looks matter most in your Tonneau cover decision, pick a hard Tonneau cover. For the best possible Tonneau cover security, select a hard Tonneau cover or retractable Tonneau cover.
Regardless of your budget, one area you don’t want to skimp on is quality. Choosing a top-quality Tonneau cover is the best way to make sure your investment lasts. And while you do get what you pay for, taking the time to ask the right questions will ensure that you find the perfect cover for your truck.
This article was written by Tony Alicea.
