Owning a pickup truck is a wonderful thing. The magnificence of driving a truck around can only be enhanced by the addition of some accessories. And what better accessory is there than a cool, new truck bed cover? Truck bed covers are a useful, durable, well-made cover for the bed of your pickup truck. They’re usually constructed from durable materials that can be hard or soft and are often referred to as Tonneau covers. Tonneau, a word derived from French, for “barrel.” These covers now come in all different shapes and sizes, ideal for any truck. Here are five reasons you need a cover for your truck.
Easy To Use
It may seem obvious, but the best reason to buy a cover for your truck bed is that it’s easy to use. They seamlessly integrate into any truck model and can come in different styles. Using a cover is so simple, it doesn’t really need instructions. Some are hinged, some simply roll up, and others lock with a small crank-style mechanism. Your experience will vary depending on the cover you eventually decide to get. Choosing one involves researching the types of covers and finding one that will fit the make and model of your vehicle. Once you’ve locked that information in, it’s time to measure your truck bed. To do so, grab your trusty tape measure and head out to the garage! Take the measurement from the inside of the bulkhead to the inside of the tailgate. That’s it. Get as close as possible and choose a cover that’s within one to three inches of your result. After that, you can install it yourself using tools you have lying around the house.
Weather Resistance
There’s nothing more dangerous for a truck bed than being exposed to the elements. Materials and finish are a vital part of any Tonneau cover. Harder materials like aluminum can offer some extra durability, but soft materials like canvas are also great for reducing water damage. It’s prudent to remember that truck bed covers are not waterproof, but they are highly water-resistant. Unfortunately, they are not infallible; water can sometimes drip into the edge of the bed or via unseen gaps. Despite all that, they’ll still work as a hedge against severe weather damage. Their ability to resist foul weather is legendary and makes them a worthy accessory for your truck.
Improved Gas Mileage
It may seem kind of strange, but truck bed covers can help improve your gas mileage. Bed covers are useful for many applications, but one unexpected side benefit is their ability to help improve your fuel economy. Covers tend to reduce drag, but the way you drive your truck has a bigger impact on how many MPG you get as you drive around. The cover can reduce wind resistance, helping the engine work more efficiently when the wind is blowing (especially on some of those days where gale-force winds occur). This, in turn, means the truck won’t work so hard and will save gas in the long run. Plus, the sleek and aerodynamic design is pretty easy on the eyes, giving your truck an elegant look it may otherwise not have been able to pull off.
Organize Your Truck Bed
Using Tonneau truck bed covers is a fantastic way to organize your truck bed. If you’re anything like the rest of us, you’re probably not as organized as you think. Truck boxes can help, but they’re not a one-size-fits-all solution. The biggest problem with using a truck box exclusively is how quickly they can become disorganized. Eager to swoop in to the rescue, Popular Mechanics offers some tips for better truck bed organization. The legacy publication for DIY enthusiasts everywhere recommends using a sliding tray in your truck box and securing the tools better as you travel. But if you want to take your tool or cargo organization to the next level, consider installing a nice truck bed cover. Low profile, roll-up, trifold, or other types of covers can provide ample space and the ability to better organize/store your goods. Use one in conjunction with your truck box or in place of it, and you’ll have a better-organized truck bed in no time flat.
Keep Your Tools Safe
When you’re hauling or storing tools in your truck, the last thing you want is for somebody to get into your truck bed and steal them, like what happened in Denver (and countless other cities) last December alone. So, keeping your tools safe should be a priority. Your Tonneau cover can be an asset here! Keeping tools beneath the cover—whether it’s a hard or soft material—can save you the headache of dealing with tool or cargo theft while your vehicle is parked. Moreover, it keeps everything nice and secure as you hit the road, making a cover one of the better investments you can make when accessorizing the pick-up truck you love.
