The truck is as popular as always. What truck owners need to consider is a convenient means of protecting their trucks and everything they haul inside. A truck bed cover is one such tool that provides protection, security, and privacy, and it can even save truck owners money on fuel!
Protection from the elements
A truck is built to ride in all kinds of weather. . . the same can’t always be said of what the truck’s carrying. Any truck owner wants to protect their belongings from rain, sleet, snow, hail, harsh UV rays, and everything else the elements can throw at them. A tarp is fine in decent weather, but it won’t keep belongings from getting saturated in an unexpected rain; only a truck bed cover can do that.
Theft insurance
Theft is unfortunately something to keep in mind when considering a cover. If hauling some important or even expensive stuff in the back of a truck (tools, electronics, etc.), then a truck bed cover can provide a measure of assurance that belongings will be safe from potential thieves.
Privacy safeguard
Nobody likes a snoop, but leaving private stuff open for the world to see means that anyone walking by can see what’s in the back of your vehicle. A truck bed cover can provide privacy from nosy individuals while it’s also protecting your valuables from thieves and vandals.
Fuel efficiency
Believe it or not, a truck bed cover can even save cash! This is because air flows over and through an empty truck bed when in drive. That air flow is what pilots call “drag,” meaning that your truck is being pulled in the opposite direction of its tires. What a truck bed cover will do is close off that empty bed so the air won’t be working against the vehicle, which costs money in fuel.
Types of truck beds
Once deciding to purchase a cover, it can be a little intimidating to choose the right kind for a specific vehicle and driver’s needs. Soft roll-up, hard roll-up, folding, retractable. . . these are just a few types of the many truck bed covers available. Of course, price is also an important feature to consider. Each brand has numerous products that fit several makes and models of truck. Some of them even have locks for added security. When purchasing, be sure to find a cover that fits the vehicle for which it’s intended.
Tyger
Tyger is a brand known for its reasonable prices. The brand comes in varied styles, often made of vinyl. They seal typically with Velcro or clamps, which can provide a weather-tight seal. Expect to pay anywhere from $190 to roughly $500 for this brand, depending on the specific product purchased.
Tonno Pro
Another good value is Tonno Pro. Like its competitors, its covers are designed for several makes of truck, including but not limited to Toyotas, Chevys, Hondas, and Fords. They come in several styles, from lo-roll to tri-fold to hard-fold. Depending on the specific product, customers can pay anywhere from $300 to about $600.
Truxedo
Truxedo covers are made for many brands, including Dodges, Nissans, and Fords, to name just a few. Many of its covers boast a patented spring tensioner that automatically shuts to keep it taut over belongings. They are typically priced from $300 to $900.
Gator
This brand is a little more expensive than some of its competitors, due to its design. Many of its covers provide more coverage than similar competitors because of their reinforcement with fiberglass. The brand can cost anywhere from $250 all the way up to $1,000 or more for added features.
BAK
This brand is at the higher end of the truck bed cover world. Its panels are made from heavy-duty aluminum that can support up to 400 lbs. Customers can expect to pay anywhere from $700 to $1200 or more for one.