A tonneau cover is an excellent touch that can be easily added to any truck. It protects the bed and its contents and makes the rear look more finished, often adding a distinctive aesthetic edge. While it seems easy enough to choose between a soft or hard tonneau, the decision can be confusing when you discover that the world of bed covers involves much more than materials. Several manufacturers offer a variety of tonneau designs, construction methods, materials, and recommended uses. Some makers specialize in foreign trucks or domestics, while others cater to both.
This buyer's guide will clear some of the fog covering the subject, and features tonneaus from several makers for various applications. While we included only one per manufacturer, you can check out the companies' Web sites or give the manufacturers a call to learn more about their products.
Fiberglass tonneau covers aren't new, but A.R.E. Inc.'s latest, the LSII, features a new corrosion-resistant rail system the company claims will withstand a 500-hour salt-spray test. The powdercoated rail system also features height-adjusting rubber mounting points upon which the fiberglass lid rests, reducing the risk of damage to your truck's paint. Another benefit of the rail system is no-drill/clamp-on installation that requires only a wrench to perform. A.R.E. Inc.; 800/649-4ARE.
www.4are.com
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Owners of Ford Sport Tracs in search of a tonneau cover can now rejoice, thanks to three lids from Downey Products. While all of its soft-top tonneaus feature self-lubricating snaps and 360-degree accessibility, the LTD features a lift-up design that effectively turns the bed into a massive trunk. The SST and SE offer the same snap convenience but lack the lifting abilities of the LTD. Downey Products; 800/736-1610.
www.downeyproducts.com
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The Fastback II by Urban offers owners a near-flush appearance when installed, giving a custom no-profile look to the truck. Urban claims the ready-to-paint, smooth, fiberglass-reinforced plastic surface is easy to maintain and a formed seal provides weather protection where the Fastback II meets the bedrails. Urban Industries; 419/468-3578.
www.urbanindustries.com
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Available for most import and domestic pickups, the Fold-a-Cover can be folded into a stacked position against the cab for extra large cargo or close the bed completely to secure smaller loads. The folding front panel allows access to items in the front of the bed, with the new addition of a slam latch that makes locking the tailgate or cover a simple drop. Fold-a-Cover; 800/322-0522.
www.foldacover.com
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When you're looking for more headroom than a tonneau cover can provide, but want more versatility, Unicover might have the answer with the Pro Series Cap. Made of heavy-duty aluminum, the cap is designed for commercial and industrial use and features several options that will custom-tailor the cap to your needs. Unicover, Inc.; 800/753-2687.
www.unicovercaps.com
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Leer's 700-Series tonneau has been designed for specific applications; a tonneau for a Ford will look different from one for a Chevy. Recently, Leer added a special seal that keeps water from soaking the bed when the tonneau is opened. A hinge that lifts up and out enables the cover to lift higher and open wider, and gas-charged struts make it easier to open. Leer International; 574/522-5337.
www.leer.com
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SnugTop recently introduced a tonneau cover for the Subaru Baja. The two-piece SnugLid accommodates the factory rollbars while incorporating a hidden hinge system that operates much more like a hood. Made of molded fiberglass, the tonneau uses heavy-duty hardware and is sprayed with DuPont products to ensure a proper match with the factory colors. SnugTop; 562/432-5454.
www.snugtop.com
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When it comes to giving your truck a NASCAR look, Gaylord's has a good selection of lids. Its new SpeedSturr Wing lid features an upturned rear wing, providing an edge on your pickup. The SpeedSturr offers the security of two automotive locks, was built with neoprene seals, and comes in automotive-grade paint or ready-to-paint primer. Gaylord's Truck Bed Lids; 562/529-7543.
www.gaylordslids.com
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Held onto your truck bed by four weather-resistant clamps, Unique Truck Accessories claims its Quick Cover can be installed or removed in one minute flat. Featuring no rails or other loose parts, the lid consists of only the clamps and cover and allows for driving with the tonneau fully closed, rolled up to the cab and strapped tight, or fully removed. Unique Truck Accessories; 800/239-2343.
www.uniquetruckaccessories.com
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The low-profile design of the Gen III Retrax rigid bed cover provides all the benefits of a traditional fiberglass tonneau, but offers the advantage of being fully retractable. Made with sealed ball-bearing rollers mounted onto aluminum support beams, the cover itself is of high-strength LEXAN plastic and can be installed with the right tools in the driveway. Retrax offers a gloss black finish and flush-mounted locking system. Applied Products, Inc.; 800/206-4070.
www.rolltopcover.com
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One of the newest tonneaus from Glasstite is the Breeze, so named because the company says it's a breeze to install and own. A rotary latch lets you open the tonneau with one finger and close it with one hand. Other features are the quick-release hinges that allow you to remove the tonneau without disturbing the frame, bolted steel corner plates for extra protection in high-stress areas, and seals mounted to the subframe to keep the tonneau's lines smooth. Glasstite; 507/695-2378.
www.glasstite.com
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Offering a slightly different idea in accessibility, Extang's newest RT Tonno gives owners the ability to roll the soft cover back over silver anodized steel framerails. Even though it's a soft tonneau, the RT can be locked, keeping its contents secure. Designed for a no-drill installation, the RT Tonno sits nearly flush with the bed, offering a clean look. Extang; 800/877-2588.
www.extang.com
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Lund's new Genesis hinged tonneau cover offers a Slam 'n' Scram closing system that allows users to slap the tonneau shut and walk away. The Genesis also features a no-drill installation procedure with premarked rails, making installation easier. Several applications are available. Lund Industries; 800/328-5863.
www.lundinternational.com
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The Zip & Go uses anodized C-clamps to secure to the bedrails, and features a unique pressure-fit cover-to-rail connection that's waterproof and dust-proof and won't detach until pulled free by hand. The connection is designed to allow for opening the tailgate without having to open the tonneau. Covercraft Industries; 405/238-9651.
www.covercraft.com
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Roll-up covers are all the rage, and the ACCESS by Agri-Cover is no exception. Featuring tightly stretched material, the ACCESS will help improve your mileage, protect valuables, and keep your bed clean while offering ease of use, rolling out of the way and back over in seconds. Agri-Cover, Inc.; 866/295-4611.
www.accesscover.com
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One of the oldest companies in the industry, GEMTOP's most recent entry to the market is a side-opening lid, offering a new idea in easy access. Made of steel, as opposed to polymers or fiberglass, GEMTOP products are sprayed with a true automotive clearcoat finish. GEMTOP; 800/547-9706.
www.gemtopmfg.com
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Many people want their trucks to have a flush, clean look with rollup versatility. The BedLocker installs in about an hour without drilling (most applications) and features a flush design. It rolls back to open and offers the convenience of remote electric opening and closing. The BedLocker also features a silicone seal that prevents water from entering the bed. Pace Edwards; 888/640-5902.
www.paceedwards.com
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If you're looking for a tonneau that can be removed in seconds, turning your truck back into a true pickup, Raider has the LoRider. Designed as a hard, smooth-top unit, the LoRider comes with many standard features and a quick-release system allows owners to pop off and store the tonneau in a relatively short amount of time. Raider also offers many custom paint applications. Raider Industries; 800/771-8677.
www.raider.ca
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The Hinged Slant-Side Tonneau Cover from Sport Masters is a clamp-on soft design that provides full bed access without unsnapping the cover. If you need to get something from the front of the bed, the cover also unsnaps on all four sides for easy access. The vinyl comes with a five-year limited warranty, and there's even an optional Camp-Along zip-on truck tent and awning. Sport Masters; 800/962-7804.
www.sportmasters.com
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If you'd like to add more security to your tonneau cover or gain easier access to your gear, Electric-LIFE's Talegator tonneau and tailgate lift kit is the perfect solution. Utilizing linear actuators and a keyless remote, the universal kit has 250 pounds of lifting or closing force and includes actuators and a remote and plug-and-play wiring harness. An emergency entry kit is also included, in case of a dead battery. The kit can be installed with simple hand tools. Electric-LIFE; 800/548-2168.
www.electric-life.com
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Soft-tonneau covers are particularly appealing because of their adaptability. The Truxedo by Shur-Co offers the flexibility of a roll-up design and is made to be an all-climate unit. The Truxedo offers clamp-on installation, which Shur-Co claims will take around 20 minutes. This tonneau allows room for bedrails, tie-downs, bed caps, liners, and tailgate protectors. Shur-Co; 877/878-9336.
www.truxedo.com
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When it comes to adding a major accessory to your truck, it's worthwhile to research every manufacturer's product lines to compare what it offers for your individual needs and tastes. Do you have a custom-painted truck that requires special attention to colors? Do you carry a lot of tools or toys and need a lock? What about a light? Would you like a gas-charged strut to help you lift the tonneau open? What about a "slam-shut" feature? The list can go on and on, but here are a few of the options and standard features offered by many companies. It helps to keep them in mind when you begin shopping for the ultimate tonneau.
· Interior light
· Custom colors
· Carpeted underside
· Weathertight seals
· Corrosion resistant hardware
· Gas-strut lift assist
· Easy/quick installation
· Application-specific design
· Warranty
· Fade resistance
· Velcro, zipper, or pressure seal
· Heat/cold endurance
· Drill versus clamp-on installation
· Locks
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