5 Benefits of a Tonneau Cover for Your Truck (2024)

We can all agree that Tonneau Covers are really visually appealing. They provide a classy element to the image of your truck, covering up the dirty bed that is typically visible. But the benefits of a tonneau cover goes way deeper than this aesthetic appeal.

There are five major benefits of atonneau cover that we’re going to go over , each of which is a major reason that every truck owner should have one.

1. Safe transport of your equipment or luggage

The most obvious benefit of a tonneau is the protection of whatever you are hauling. Whether it is equipment for a long day of work, luggage for a family trip or a bed-full of mulch this spring, there is no safer way to secure your haul. A tonneau cover can protect you from rain, snow, wind, or whatever element crosses your path. And as you know, it is extremely important to have year-round protection in Ohio.

2. Improved Gas Mileage

This may be the most overlooked advantage of a tonneau cover, but it is in fact a big benefit. Due to the aerodynamic design of a tonneau cover, your bed will generate less air drag. This will increase your gas mileage by around 5%, though some vehicles are able to save as high as 10% gas mileage, compared to an open bed.

With these savings, your tonneau cover will pay for itself over time!

3. Increased Security

Keeping your precious cargo out of sight and out of the mind of potential thieves is a great step in protecting your equipment. A truck bed cover does just that; covers up whatever you are hauling, keeping it out of plain sight. In addition to simply concealing what you’re carrying, many tonneau covers also come with some sort of locking mechanism, which helps to completely protect whatever you put in the bed of your truck.

4. Organization

How many times have you loaded up your truck and driven around, just to find later that everything in your truck spilled or shifted? Well, don’t be caught in this annoying dilemma again. Tonneau covers help to keep things in their place, protecting against the wind that so often attributes to the shifting of supplies. Load up your truck and trust that everything will be exactly how you left it when you arrive at your destination.

5. Value

With all of these features of a tonneau cover, your truck will do well to save you money now and make you more money upon resale. A tonneau cover will help to save you money from low gas mileage, lost/damaged cargo and theft. It will also protect the bed of your truck and help to prevent serious damage that will cause repairs to be needed. But upon reselling your truck, the bed will maintain much better shape than if the bed was exposed. This will help to maintain the value of your vehicle, more than paying for itself down the road. So don’t just upgrade your vehicle; invest in your vehicle with a tonneau cover.

FAQs

What is a tonneau cover?
A tonneau cover is a protective cover that fits over the bed of a pickup truck. It serves multiple purposes, including enhancing the truck’s appearance, securing cargo, and improving aerodynamics.

Are tonneau covers worth it?
Yes, tonneau covers are worth the investment. They offer enhanced security for your cargo, improve gas mileage, and help maintain your truck's resale value by protecting the truck bed from damage.

Do tonneau covers save gas?
Tonneau covers can improve gas mileage due to their aerodynamic design, which reduces air drag. This efficiency can lead to fuel savings of about 5% and, in some cases, as much as 10%.

Shop Tonneau Covers

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Ford F-150 (2004-2014) Hard Tri-Fold Flip Up Bed Cover - 5'7 in. Bed

Toyota Tacoma (2016-2023)Rough Country Retractable Bed Cover - 5' Bed - Double Cab

5 Benefits of a Tonneau Cover for Your Truck (2024)

FAQs

5 Benefits of a Tonneau Cover for Your Truck? ›

One of the only cons of purchasing a tonneau cover is the price tag that accommodates it. However, with so many styles to choose from, you're sure to find one that matches your needs and your budget. Soft tonneau covers offer superior protection and cost less than hard tonneaus.

What are the pros and cons of truck bed covers? ›

One of the only cons of purchasing a tonneau cover is the price tag that accommodates it. However, with so many styles to choose from, you're sure to find one that matches your needs and your budget. Soft tonneau covers offer superior protection and cost less than hard tonneaus.

Do tonneau covers improve gas mileage? ›

Tonneau covers improve your gas mileage by sealing your pickup truck bed from this airflow, which improves the aerodynamics. Savings will be modest and will vary depending on the type of truck, tonneau cover, and driving habits.

How much difference does a tonneau cover make? ›

Tonneau covers help reduce wind resistance, and the less wind resistance your truck has, the better your miles-per-gallon will be. In fact, some tests have shown that a tonneau cover can improve fuel economy by as much as 10%.

Does a bed cover add value to a truck? ›

Adding a bed cover protects your valuable cargo, and the accessory might also increase your truck's value when it's time to sell or trade for a new pickup.

Why should I get a tonneau cover? ›

Stops a Pickup Truck's Bed From Getting Dirty

This truck bed cover will stop rain, snow, sleet, etc. from being able to get access the bed of your pickup truck. Furthermore, a tonneau cover will prevent dirt, dust, leaves, rocks, and other debris from being able to get into your pickup truck's bed.

What are the pros and cons of car covers? ›

The cover will prevent scratches, corrosion, pollen, dirt, dust, and faded paint due to UV exposure. However, a car cover can be a fairly expensive purchase if you opt for a high-quality cover, and it still takes time and effort to apply and remove the cover daily.

Is it OK to go through car wash with tonneau cover? ›

We recommend that you remove your tonneau cover prior to going through a car wash that uses spinning brushes. There are a couple of reasons to avoid these car washes, chief among them the obvious possibility of a rolling brush damaging the top of the cover via abrasion.

Do tonneau covers keep water out? ›

The short answer to this question is, when properly installed, a tonneau cover will keep the vast majority of water from entering your truck's bed. To describe a tonneau cover as 100% watertight or waterproof would be inaccurate, but the most you'll usually get are a few drops intruding during a rainstorm.

Do tonneau covers save gas Mythbusters? ›

The results weren't huge, but they were measurable. On average, using a tonneau cover led to a 5.7% reduction in drag. That reduced drag meant about a 1.8% increase in fuel efficiency. Even though 1.8% better gas mileage isn't massive, it definitely makes a difference over a year of fueling up your truck.

Is soft or hard tonneau cover better? ›

While each cover can protect from the weather and debris, hard covers are a bit stronger when it comes to durability. The heavier materials can handle more of a beating and are better at preventing theft and vandalism. Also, hard covers are a bit better than soft covers when you're talking about longevity and wear.

Can I write off a tonneau cover? ›

If it is a personal expense, it is not deductible. If business, you can depreciate or expense.

Are expensive tonneau covers worth it? ›

Regardless of where you are on this pickup-truck spectrum (we're guessing most truck owners fall somewhere in between the two extremes), a tonneau cover is an investment worth considering. In addition to keeping your truck bed free of dirt and debris, it will protect the paint.

Does tonneau cover save gas? ›

Conservative estimates by experts in aerodynamics indicate a roughly five percent reduction in drag after installing a tonneau cover, which corresponds to a nearly two percent increase in fuel economy. While this may not seem like a substantial gain in fuel mileage, it adds up over time.

How to improve gas mileage on a truck? ›

8 Ways to Improve Your Truck's Fuel Efficiency
  1. Reduce Speeds. ...
  2. Use Cruise Control. ...
  3. Find Your Engine's RPM “Sweet Spot” ...
  4. Pay Attention to Your Tires. ...
  5. Minimize Idling Time. ...
  6. Focus on Aerodynamics. ...
  7. Use Technology to Optimize Routes. ...
  8. Keep Up with Preventive Maintenance.
Nov 21, 2023

How tight should a truck bed cover be? ›

Your cover should be drum tight with no sagging between the bows. If adjustment is needed, roll the cover open to access your tension adjusters. To loosen, turn both tension adjusters clockwise.

Do I really need a truck bed cover? ›

Yes, tonneau covers are worth the investment. They offer enhanced security for your cargo, improve gas mileage, and help maintain your truck's resale value by protecting the truck bed from damage. Do tonneau covers save gas? Tonneau covers can improve gas mileage due to their aerodynamic design, which reduces air drag.

Are truck covers a good idea? ›

What they do provide is a bit of security in the cargo area, and the ability to keep things out of sight when in the cargo area. Hard covers provide the best security, soft ones provide a minimal amount but someone can easily just cut through them if they want access.

What type of truck bed cover is best? ›

If you routinely need the use of your full truck bed, hard quad-folding covers are the ideal all-round choice. They offer real flexibility and great features, like full bed access when completely open and great security when closed.

Do truck bed covers leak? ›

The short answer to this question is, when properly installed, a tonneau cover will keep the vast majority of water from entering your truck's bed. To describe a tonneau cover as 100% watertight or waterproof would be inaccurate, but the most you'll usually get are a few drops intruding during a rainstorm.

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