Pickup truck owners are always looking for ways to make their trucks more efficient. One way is by adding a tonneau cover for your Ford F150 or Honda Ridgeline. It is a hard or soft cover that spans the back of your pickup truck and protects your load, and improves aerodynamics. Tonneau covers come in many styles that fold, retract, or tilt open - some can even be locked shut! The basic function of any tonneau cover is to protect the truck bed and any cargo inside. This article will discuss what they are, what they do, how much you should spend on one, and which brand provides the best quality at an affordable price!
What is Ford Ranger tonneau cover ?
Ford Ranger tonneau cover or any other on the market is a hard or soft wrapping that covers the rear of a truck to protect the cargo from being stolen or damaged. While their primary objective is to keep your things safe from the weather and thieves, they also offer many additional benefits to the Ford Ranger truck owners.
Why it is called a tonneau cover
Do you know what is a synonym for tonneau cover? It’s a truck bed cover - yes, so simple, it's a useful accessory called by a fancy word. The word tonneau is derived from the French language meaning "barrel". While today a basic function of any tonneau cover is to protect your truck bed and whatever you might be carrying inside it, originally it was used to store wine in barrels, or casks. The term tonneau cover would later be adopted by racers during the early Bonneville Salt Flat days when hotrodders would cover up open areas of their vehicles to reduce wind drag. Early iterations were constructed from bedsheets, canvas, or leather - anything they could get their hands on to give themselves an aerodynamic advantage over the competition. According to most record-breaking drivers of the day, the tonneau cover was primarily responsible for new records being set.
With the time tonneau covers for truck beds have grown into their own industry, with a wide range of styles to appeal to any taste. Our guide has you covered whether you're looking for an upgrade for your old square body, want to add functionality to your work truck, or just want to preserve your sparkling new truck.
Tonneau cover - what's its purpose?
The primary purpose of a tonneau cover as the best truck accessory like side steps for Jeep Gladiator or Ford Ranger, is protection and security. If you travel with equipment on a daily basis, you may want to consider investing in one. When left open, the bed of your truck is exposed to the elements, requiring you to lash everything down and lock it up or risk having it damaged or stolen while unattended. Installing a truck bed cover is the solution to all of these issues. It will keep your belongings out of the rain, snow, and wind while also providing a layer of security against theft. The owners of valuable cargo will benefit from special heavy-duty covers with key-locking dual deadbolts and covert storage spaces for maximum security.
While tonneau cover isn't 100% waterproof itself, it still protects the load from water even in tough weather conditions. When installed correctly, it should prevent the majority of water from getting into your truck's bed. Oftentimes, the design of a tonneau cover will dictate the amount of water resistance you can expect. Hard covers, especially retractable, hard folding and hard roll up ones, have excellent water resistance. Soft covers, such as soft folding and sot roll up, provide good water resistance too.
Because a tonneau cover has special aerodynamic design, it minimises air drag. In average, bed cover reduces your aerodynamic drag by 20% while also reducing the amount of wind that enters the vehicle. This can translate to savings of 5-10% in gas usage, depending on the type and model of automobile you have. Adding a tonneau cover to the vehicle, according to many experts, is the greatest method to boost its fuel efficiency.
Truck bed covers help to keep things in their places, keeping them safe from the wind that is so often responsible for supplies shifting or being covered with dirt, mud, leaves or ice at the end of your trip. It also keeps all the items in your truck bed well organized, so you can easily access the items you store from the cabin, tailgate or bedside.
By covering your truck's bed, you will improve its value, fuel savings, safety and abilities tenfold.
Two types of truck bed covers - what is hard and soft tonneau cover?
When it comes to tonneau covers, there are two main types: hard and soft. A hard tonneau cover is a solid piece that spans the entire back of your pickup truck. It is made from materials like aluminum or plastic and can be locked shut for added security. A soft tonneau cover is made from fabric or vinyl and attaches to the side of your truck bed. This type is usually more affordable than a hard tonneau cover, but it may not provide as much security or protection to what you are carrying in the back of your pickup.
So why should you choose one over the other? A soft tonneau cover may be easier to install and remove, depending on how it attaches to the truck bed. However, if you are looking for something that provides maximum protection at all times then a hard tonneau cover is your best bet! Hard tonneau covers provide excellent security and their locking mechanism will keep them closed in case of high winds or other dangerous conditions when you're on the road.
The price range for either type of tonneau cover can vary greatly, depending on the brand and model. For a top quality hard tonneau cover you should expect to spend upwards of $300 in most cases. This type will be made from high-quality aluminum or have an engineered plastic outer shell that is designed to fit your truck perfectly with no gaps between it and the bed. The soft tonneau cover will usually be less expensive than the hard type. For this reason, they are ideal for those who need to replace their current one because it has worn out or broken down.
The best tonneau cover for your vehicle - what to look for?
Truck owners are really spoiled for choice, when it comes to truck bed covers. Tonneau covers come in many styles and can be locked shut, making them a valuable accessory for any truck owner. When shopping for a tonneau cover, you'll want to consider the following factors:
- How much does it cost?
- What is the quality like?
-What's the material, size and other physical characteristics of the cover?
- Will it fit my vehicle?
- Is it easy to install? Will I be able to reinstall it by myself?
-Is it easy to use? How about the accessibility? Will I be able to access the cargo in my truck bed whenever/wherever I need?
Taking in consideration all the characteristics listed above, you'll be able to find the best cover for your vehicle. As the example, let's try to find the right cover for a truck bed with specific characteristics.
What is the best tonneau cover for a 5.5 foot bed?
The best tonneau cover for a truck with a short bed is usually the soft roll-up style. This type of cover doesn't require any special tools to install and can be easily removed when you need to use your truck bed. It's also one of the most affordable options on the market. If you're looking for something more durable and long-lasting, you may want to invest in a hard roll up cover. These types of covers are also very durable and come with all the features that make them easy to use and install.
The best tonneau cover for short bed is OEM Tonneau Cover - it's made from high quality materials, offers superior water resistance as well as a great fit.
What is the best tonneau cover for a 2018 f150?
There is no definitive answer to this question as different tonneau covers will work better or worse depending on the make and model of your vehicle. That said, a good option for many F150s would be the RetraxPRO MX Tonneau Cover. This cover is made from heavy-duty polycarbonate and features an automatic latching system that keeps it securely closed. It's also very easy to install and use.
Another good option for the Forf F150 would be the TruXedo Lo Pro QT Tonneau Cover. This cover is made from heavy-duty canvas and fits snugly on your truck bed, providing excellent water resistance.
What is tonneau cover seal tape
Tonneau cover seal tape is a specially designed type of adhesive backed foam, vinyl or rubber strip that can be used to ensure the truck bed covers are completely watertight. It is usually applied around the entire perimeter of the cover. The best thing about this product is that it's easy to install and doesn't require you to remove your tonneau cover - something which makes installation quick and hassle-free. Even less experienced truck owners can use cover seal tape kit and easily install it by following the included instructions.
The purpose of a tonneau cover seal tape is to prevent water and moisture from entering the truck bed, which could damage cargo or create rust and corrosion. It is also important for keeping dust and debris from getting into the bed, which can cause stains and scratches.
How do you use tonneau cover tape?
To use tonneau cover tape, you'll need to start by cleaning the area where it will be applied. Use a bit of rubbing alcohol and cotton pad for this purpose. Once clean, peel off one side of the adhesive strip so you can apply it easily to your truck bed cover. Press down firmly on the sealant strip in order to ensure a good seal and then fold the other side of the adhesive strip over so it covers the first. You're now ready to use your tonneau cover!
What is the best tape to use for a tonneau cover?
In terms of brand, a tonneau cover seal tape is not an area where you want to go with the cheapest option. You will definitely get what you pay for in this case as cheaper products are often flimsy and do not hold up well over time. A good quality truck bed cover seal tape will last for years and keep your cargo safe and dry.
The best tape for a tonneau cover would be one that is high in adhesion, flexibility and resistance to tearing. Some good options include the DEI® 1134 Tonno Tape or the Covertech® Carnauba Plus® Black Polycoat Furniture & Bumper Sealant.
Tonneau cover - what's the best brand?
There are many brands on the market that offer tonneau covers. But which one is right for you and your truck? The truth is, there isn't necessarily one "best" brand. It all depends on your needs and what you're looking for in a tonneau cover. Some brands are more affordable than others, while others might have features that you find appealing (like locking systems or automatic opening/closing mechanisms). Some brands, like OEDRO, sell covers designed to fit a specific truck and provide a sleek, seamless look. They're also simple to install, requiring no special tools or drilling in the majority of cases. Some, like RetraxOne, are more universal.
Tonneau covers are a great way to keep your belongings safe and secure while also protecting the contents of your truck bed from the weather. By choosing the right brand and type for your needs, you can enjoy all of these benefits and more!
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