How to Choose the Best Truck Bed Cover for You

Truck bed covers have become the big craze these days, and for good reason. Truck bed covers give you the option of having the extra storage space your truck provides, while maintaining the look of a sharp truck. In addition, truck bed covers have actually been proven to increase gas mileage while protecting your possession from the elements. These features have made them among the most popular automotive products available today.

However, with increase in demand has come increase in production. There are now hundreds of available truck bed covers for all kinds of trucks. With so many options, it can be hard to find the right truck bed cover for your truck. When this situation arises, I normally recommend that a customer look at the different categories of truck bed covers available, and make a decision based on which category of truck bed cover will best fit their needs.
 
There are basically six categories of truck bed covers, ranging in price, ease of use and installation, protection capability and durability. These categories are hard top truck bed covers, soft roll up truck bed covers, hinged truck bed covers, retractable or roll top truck bed covers, tool box truck bed covers, and cross bow truck bed covers. Read the sections below to find out which is best for you and your truck.
 

Hard Top truck bed covers Hard top truck bed covers are secure and durable. They include a strong yet lightweight and flexible automotive grade vinyl top mounted into a rigid aluminum frame. This set up creates extra security while resisting scratching, chipping and fading. In addition, hard top truck bed covers offer great accessibility, as they do not interfere with the tailgate so you can load small packages or equipment without opening the tonneau. Customer favorites include the HardTop 4-way truck bed cover, with a patented design that allows you to open it four ways, the Roll-N-Lock truck bed cover, which easily retracts into a canister at the front of the truck bed, and the Pace Edwards BedLocker truck bed cover, which has an electric motor and cargo light that can be operated by remote control. Hard top truck bed covers start at $598.99.

Soft Roll Up truck bed covers Soft roll up truck bed covers offer the protection of a hard top tonneau with the versatility of the old-school soft variety of covers. Soft truck bed covers are made of a durable yet flexible tarp fabric designed for ease of installation and low weight requirements. Customer favorites include the Lund Genesis Tri-Fold Cover, with its unique folding design and simple 2 minute installation, the Extang Tuff Tonno III, which offers the world's strongest tarp attachment and special "peel and seal" edging, and the Access Roll-Up truck bed cover, which includes a reliable side-sealing system designed to create cover tension from front to back for a tight, secure fit. Soft truck bed covers are much more economical, and start as low as $169.99.

Hinged truck bed covers Hinged truck bed covers offer an unchallenged ease of access to your truck bed space with minimal effort. They lift easily upward at an angle to allow you to quickly and easily access your truck bed. Hinged truck bed covers include heavy-duty vinyl covers and tubular supports for one hand lifting. Customer favorites include the Undercover truck bed cover, with its easily installed VersaCover and strong patented GELOYTM plastic compound cover, the Lund Genesis Hinged truck bed cover, which includes heavy-duty gas struts for easy one-hand opening, and the Seductive Hard Top Tonneau, which displays an innovative 3-way rotary latch system for consistent latching every time. Hinged truck bed covers are also among the more affordable, starting as low as $279.99.

Retractable Roll-Top truck bed covers Retractable roll-top truck bed covers are great for those who want the hard cover type of tonneau, without the hassle of having to lift the top. Roll-top truck bed covers feature a durable canister that mounts at the front of the truck bed allowing the truck bed cover to easily retract into it. Customer favorites include the Roll-N-Lock Tonneau, with its unique one piece clamp-on track system and integral bed rail gasket, the Bak RollBak truck bed cover, which lines the rails with ultra high density polyurethane for smooth gliding, and the Pace Edwards Roll-Top truck bed cover, which includes a convenient easy-to-install top. Retractable Roll-Top truck bed covers start as low as $589.99.

Tool Box truck bed covers Tool box truck bed covers are specially designed to fit your truck with your toolbox installed. These truck bed covers are a favorite among customers whose trucks are used as both street and work vehicles. Tool box truck bed covers feature roll out bars, bows and cover to allow easy access to your tools. Customer favorites include the Extang Toolbox Tonno Cover, with its easy pull to disengage your tail rail for bulk hauling, and the Access Tool Box Edition truck bed cover, with protection capabilities perfect for contractors, construction, farms and other commercial uses. Tool Box truck bed covers start as low as $389.99.

Cross-Bow truck bed covers Cross-Bow style truck bed covers create the older look of original truck bed covers with the support and durability of the new class. These truck bed covers have bows that run down the bed to support the cover and retain that classic tonneau look. In addition, classic truck bed covers are perfect for the price-conscious customer. Customer favorites include the Lund Genesis Seal & Peel, with its specially-engineered cover and rails and unique adhesive seal, and the Lebra Glow Tonneau, which emits a high impact "Glacier Glow" color for maximum lighting. Cross-Bow truck bed covers are also the most affordable style, starting as low as $169.99.

As you can see, there is a lot to consider when purchasing the correct truck bed cover for your truck. However, this is necessary when taking into account the large number of quality truck bed covers on the market today. I always recommend taking time to compare and decide, as a truck bed cover is a purchase that can last a lifetime.

Looking for new a tonneau cover?  Truck Accessories Depot will assist you throughout the entire decision making process.  To learn more about tonneau covers and options, visit: Best tonneau covers and tops