Advice on selecting the right retractable tonneau cover for your vehicle
The contrast between retractable tonneau cover models is subtle, but it can make a big difference in how much you enjoy your new bed cover. Choose from different retractable tonneau cover material types, latching points, locking mechanisms and more. Plus, you can even get a retractable tonneau cover that's fully motorized and remote controlled! Some factors you should consider are:
- The severity of weather in your area
- The degree of low-profile looks you desire
- How much remote control of your tonneau cover can benefit you and your truck
- Whether a toolbox retractable tonneau cover would be useful for you
Piles of snow or buckets of rain won't stop your retractable tonneau cover from opening. However, it's best to select a retractable tonneau with powder coated aluminum planks instead of padded polymer aluminum if you live in an area with severe winter conditions.
Retractable tonneau covers come in different degrees of low profile construction. All retractable tonneau rails sit flush with the top of the bed rails, but some models have canisters that sit higher than the bed. Completely flush retractable tonneau cover models have a sunken canister that sits lower inside the truck bed.
- When you want the cleanest possible truck bed look, grab a low profile retractable tonneau cover similar to the Pace Edwards JackRabbit Tonneau Cover or the Truck Covers USA American Roll Tonneau Cover
- If you want the most economical retractable tonneau cover, or want the most possible bed space, pick a raised canister retractable tonneau cover (the BAK RollBak Tonneau Cover is a great pick)
A keychain remote for controlling your retractable tonneau cover can be quite handy. Stop, start, in, out, lock and unlock can be had right at your fingertips. Our retractable tonneau cover with remote can also be wired for unlocking your doors. The remote is quite a welcome part for truck owners who never seem to have a free hand for opening their bed cover.
- If you want complete control of your retractable tonneau by remote, select a retractable tonneau cover that includes a keychain remote control (Pace Edwards' BedLocker Tonneau Cover)
- When you want a more economical retractable tonneau or don't need remote control, select a standard retractable tonneau cover
We hope you have found our Tonneau Covers Research Guide Center a good guide in helping you choose the best Tonneau Covers for your vehicle. It is AutoAnything's goal to provide the most information on the Internet and through our Auto Accessory Specialists on every product we sell. If you have any information that you think could help improve this section, please email us at researchcenter@autoanything.com.
Quick Tip
A Security Word: Locking Tailgates
Trucks with locking tailgates can have complete tonneau security without getting a locking cover. Many tonneau models clamp closed under the bed rails and can only be opened by dropping the tailgate. No locking tailgate? No problem. Hard tonneau covers overlap the tailgate, preventing opening when the cover is locked down.
Do You Know
What's in a Name?
The name tonneau cover is derived from the French word for the rear seating compartment of a vehicle. While your truck bed isn't a seating compartment (legally), the term still fits.
Other more direct descriptive names refer to the same part: bed cover, bed lid, truck bed lid and more. You'll even find tonneau spelled "tonno" on some covers. Though a variety of names exist, tonneau cover is the name that has stuck best and is most often used.