History and Origins of Truck Tonneau Covers

Since trucks have been around there has been a need to protect the precious cargo that is usually exposed in the truck's bed. Pickup truck drivers do not want road debris or the weather to negatively impact their cargo load in the truck bed. That is why tonneau covers have been so popular. They have been around since the days when people used horse drawn carriages to travel.

Tonneau covers come in a variety of shapes and sizes to fit your specific truck make and model. There are two types of bed covers: hard and soft. Hard tonneau covers have the option of hinging or folding back to reveal your truck bed’s contents, whereas a soft tonneau covers can be manipulated any way. There are many benefits to both types depending on what you plan on storing in your bed's cargo area, how much you want to spend, how simple you want the installation process to be, etc.

The most popular type consists of cloth or vinyl materials that cover the truck bed. The material can be snapped into place, but has become less popular in recent years as you have to drill holes into your vehicle to install the snaps. Most owners do not want to permanently alter their truck's bed to install a cover. The fresh way is to support the fabric with a rib-like system that ensures the fabric remains rigid and protects your truck's contents.

Roll-up tonneau covers are the most common type of truck bed covers mounted behind the truck cab, at the front of the bed. They are typically placed at the front of the bed and roll out to secure at the other end of your bed. This completely encloses your truck’s bed with minimal installation and cost.

There have been advances recently that have resulted in fiberglass and hard plastic tonneau covers. These have become very popular as they appear to blend in with the truck's body and style. They can also be painted to match your truck to add extra style. They are constructed solidly and have the ability to lock into place, adding extra safety and security to your cargo. This adds weight, requiring gas struts to help open and close the tonneau covers.

With all the advances and new features it makes sense to use a tonneau cover to protect your precious cargo. Why run the risk of damage or loss of valuables when you can use cost effective tonneau covers? It only makes sense to protect your valuables.