Are Tonneau Covers Really Essential For Pickup Trucks?

Pickup trucks are the epitome of versatility, as they can tow and haul a wide range of items, including construction supplies, work materials, adventure gear, and furniture. However, the truck’s open beds present several challenges, including security and protection. Without proper truck accessories, the cargo and other valuable items placed on the bed can be subjected to potential theft and exposed to harmful elements. This is where tonneau covers step in—these bed coverings are more than just stylish accessories for pickup trucks, they are also practical additions that offer numerous benefits.

Benefits of Tonneau Covers

While a tonneau cover can undoubtedly add style to the vehicle, its advantages extend beyond aesthetics. These practical additions offer a range of benefits that can significantly improve your truck ownership experience.

• Enhanced Security: One of the primary advantages of a tonneau cover is that it adds security to the vehicle. When the bed is left unprotected, it can be exposed to dirt, theft, and other factors. Installing a cover with a dedicated lock deters theft and keeps your valuable equipment, tools, and personal belongings out of sight and secured from prying eyes. This peace of mind is invaluable, whether parked in a busy city or leaving your truck unattended at a job site.

• Protection from the Elements: The open bed of a pickup truck is constantly exposed to the harsh realities of the weather. Aside from harmful UV rays, dust, dirt, and moisture can damage your cargo and the truck bed itself. It serves as a protective barrier, shielding your belongings from these elements and keeping them clean and dry. This is particularly crucial for sensitive equipment or items that could be damaged by moisture or exposure to sunlight.

• Improved Cargo Management: Truck bed covers can help keep the bed organized. Some tonneau cover systems can be integrated with other cargo management accessories, further enhancing organization and convenience. They create a defined space that prevents items from shifting around during transit. Moreover, they make it easier to secure and manage your load.

• Potential Fuel Efficiency Gains: The impact on fuel economy can vary depending on the vehicle's aerodynamics, driving conditions, and the type of tonneau cover used. Some conducted studies and anecdotal evidence suggest that a tonneau cover can improve fuel efficiency.

Can Tonneau Covers Improve Fuel Efficiency?

Mythbusters, a science entertainment TV series, tested whether tonneau covers can affect the vehicle’s fuel efficiency. They installed a truck bed cover on a de-badged Dodge Dakota and examined it with the tailgate up (control test), tailgate down, using a mesh tailgate, adding a hard tonneau cover, and running the truck without the tailgate.

Reducing drag leads to better fuel economy, as some studies suggest potential savings of a few percentage points. This can add up over the truck’s lifespan, especially for those who frequently drive on highways. The claim that tonneau covers improve fuel efficiency is based on basic aerodynamic principles. Creating a more streamlined airflow over the truck bed reduces aerodynamic drag, which can translate to small but noticeable savings at the pump over time. When a pickup truck travels at high speed, turbulence is created on the open truck bed, which increases aerodynamic drag. The wind drag forces the engine to work harder. Adding a tonneau cover can slightly affect fuel efficiency. However, it is minimal.

Some tonneau covers provide a smoother surface over the truck bed, streamlining airflow and helping to reduce turbulence. Think of it like making a flat surface instead of a bucket catching air. However, the exact percentage of fuel savings is still debated since it is trivial. It can also be influenced by factors like vehicle speed, the specific design of the cover (hard or soft), and the overall aerodynamics of the truck. Most owners purchase a tonneau cover for its aesthetic appeal and to ensure the security of their belongings in the truck bed. The miles-per-gallon (MPG) had nothing to do with it. Even if the slight MPG improvement helped, once you factor in the price of the tonneau cover, it would take longer to recoup the cost of the tonneau in fuel savings.

Tonneau Cover Types

Truck bed covers come in various designs, each offering unique features and benefits:

• Folding: This type of tonneau cover comes in hard and soft materials. They offer a good compromise between security and bed access. They are constructed with multiple hinged panels that can be folded back into sections, allowing you to access various parts of the truck bed.

• Roll-Up: These covers are made of soft materials that roll up towards the cab. They are easy to install and operate, offering a good balance of affordability and functionality. They provide full bed access when needed. However, they may take time and effort as you need to roll them to open the space.

• Retractable: These are available in hard and soft options. The hard retractable cover type offers excellent security, while the soft version offers more affordability. The material for the cover slides into a canister installed near the cab, providing easy and adjustable access to the bed.

• Hinged: Usually seen on one-piece covers, the lid is lifted from the tailgate to give full access to the bed. Even though they offer excellent security and weather protection, they can limit the ability to carry tall and elongated items.

• Snap-On/Velcro: These covers are typically made of soft materials, such as plastic, vinyl, or fabric. Considered the most affordable option, they can easily be attached using snaps or Velcro. They can only offer basic sun shade and minimal protection from dust and dirt. However, they are not as secure, weatherproof, and durable as other options.

Hard vs. Soft Covers

Tonneau covers come in two primary material types: hard and soft. Each has its own set of advantages and disadvantages, such as the following:

Here are the pros of using hard tonneau covers:

• Enhanced Durability: More resistant to damage from the elements, sharp objects, and general wear and tear.
• Superior Security: Typically made from durable materials like aluminum, fiberglass, or hard plastic, offering a higher level of security against theft.
• Better Weather Protection: Provide excellent protection against rain, snow, and other weather conditions.
• Sleek and Integrated Look: One-piece hard covers provide a unified appearance, as they can be painted to match the color of your vehicle. They are designed to integrate seamlessly with the truck's styling, offering a more polished and finished appearance.
• Better Weight Capacity: Certain hard covers can support a certain amount of weight on top, increasing their utility. One good example is the Switchback and SE covers from Diamondback, which are both made of aluminum. They can hold up to 400 lbs on top while safeguarding the cargo below.

These are the cons of hard tonneau covers:

• Higher Cost: Since the material is more durable, expect steeper prices on hard covers than on soft ones.
• More Complex Installation: Electric hard covers sometimes require more intricate installation procedures. Other covers may require drilling.
• Reduced Bed Access: Some hard covers can limit full bed access when open, depending on their folding or retracting mechanism.
• Heavier Weight: Add more weight to the truck compared to soft covers.

Check out the advantages of soft tonneau covers:

• More Affordable: Soft truck bed covers are less expensive compared to hard covers.
• Easy Installation: These covers are more pliable than hard covers, making them typically easier and quicker to install and remove.
• Full Bed Access: The covers roll up or fold completely out of the way, providing full and unrestricted access to the truck bed.
• Lighter Weight: Soft covers are more lightweight than hard ones. They only add minimal weight to the truck, so it does not affect the weight of the vehicle.

The downsides of soft tonneau covers are the following:

• Lower Security: Since soft covers are made of flexible materials like fabric and plastic, they offer less security against theft and vandalism.
• Less Durable: The covers are more susceptible to wear and tear. They can be damaged easily by various elements, especially sharp objects.
• Limited Weather Protection: They may not offer the same level of protection against heavy rain or snow.
• Can Flap or Sag: Some soft covers may sag over time. They can also flap in the wind when the vehicle is driven at higher speeds.
• Looks unintegrated: Some soft covers may not have the same sleek and integrated appearance as some hard covers.

The word "essential" can be subjective, but tonneau covers offer different benefits, making them a highly valuable accessory for pickup trucks. Aside from enhancing security, weatherproofing the bed, and protecting cargo, they can also aid in cargo management and contribute to a slight improvement in fuel mileage. Investing in a reliable truck accessory is a smart decision that protects your valuable cargo and shields the truck bed from various elements.