While your truck is parked outside, the interior of your cab may be safe or locked but your truck bed isn’t. What if you want to secure the stuff in your truck bed from prying eyes and harsh weather? We all know that tonneau covers can be utilized to hide our stuff but what to do to prevent your essentials from being stolen. So, the question arises do tonneau covers lock?
As you all know, tonneau covers not only protect whatever you are hauling in your truck bed but also improve aerodynamics. They can be soft or hard depending on your preferences.
However, this question often arises in everyone’s mind that to what extent are these tonneau covers reliable? Are these tonneau covers lockable? On the daily basis, cargo drivers haul a lot of expensive stuff from one place to another and for this reason, they want their trucks to be secured from any kind of theft.
Also, there are different types of tonneau covers available in the market, soft and hard covers, retractable covers, roll-up covers, locking or non-locking covers, etc
With so many options available, it may be hard to choose one. Well tension not, this article will help you to know about the different type of tonneau covers and their locking mechanisms
Major Types of Tonneau Covers:
Once you get to know about four major types of tonneau covers, it will automatically help you clear your quest about tonneau covers locking capacity. So, now there isn’t any need to wonder anymore that do tonneau covers lock?
1. Folding Tonneau Cover:
Folding tonneau cover is the most popular and commonly used truck bed cover. Many truck drivers utilize this cover owing to its tight lock security and user-friendly feature. It is convenient to haul awkwardly shaped cargo.
Also, these tonneau covers can be easily attached or removed, providing some extra security if the vehicle contains a locking tailgate.
Moreover, folding tonneau covers are available in different types according to their materials and folds.
- Soft Folding Tonneau Cover
- Hard Folding Tonneau Cover
If you want some pocket-friendly cover then go for the soft-folding tonneau cover. However, hard folding tonneau covers are costly as compared to soft ones but they add some extra security to your truck bed.
Depending upon the number of folds there are three types
- Bi-Fold Tonneau Cover
- Tri-Fold Tonneau Cover
- Multi-Fold Tonneau Cover
So, as their name suggests you can fold these tonneau covers into two, three, or multiple sections depending upon your need.
2. Roll-Up Tonneau Cover:
Roll-Up Tonneau Covers are easy to install and most budget-friendly covers. These tonneau covers can easily roll up to the buckhead like a rolling mat and are locked by latching it to the tailgate.
Also, they provide extra security through the rear rail by getting locked to the side framework. Like folding covers, these covers also provide partial access to your cargo.
Moreover, depending upon their material they are divided into two categories.
- Soft Roll-Up Tonneau Cover
- Hard Roll-Up Tonneau Cover
Soft roll-up covers are mostly made up of vinyl and can be rolled easily as much as you want. On the other hand, hard roll-up is not much flexible as compared to soft but they do offer more security and durability.
3. Retractable Tonneau Cover:
Retractable Tonneau Covers are quite similar to roll-up cover in their function and usage but a different mechanism is utilized to achieve the same purpose. These covers can retract themselves to the truck’s buckhead.
Moreover, these covers can allow you to carry awkwardly sized cargo while protecting the rest. The exterior surface of the retractable tonneau cover is made up of different material e.g. aluminum, polycarbonate, vinyl, etc
Above all, these covers provide the highest security to your truck bed. For this reason, they are mostly liked by the truck owners. You don’ have to remove the cover to access your truck bed rather there is push-button available through which you can open or close the tonneau cover. Some companies also offer a remote control key option that provides utmost security. However, remote control retractable covers are quite costly to buy.
4. Hinged Tonneau Cover:
Hinged Tonneau covers are ideal for those who don’t haul oversized cargo and are quite possessive about the look of their tonneau cover. Covers can be matched to your trucks and offer smooth exterior finishing.
However, these are quite expensive and can’t be folded or rolled. Cover is hinged to the truck’s buckhead and can be made up of fiberglass or ABS plastic etc
Although hinged tonneau covers are expensive they offer tight security features. The hinged cover provides entire security from the truck trail to the tailgate.
Types of Tonneau Covers Locking Mechanism:
I’m pretty much sure that until now your quest about “do tonneau covers lock” will be cleared.
As you have seen above, different lockable tonneau covers offer different amounts of security and locking capacity. It all depends on the locking mechanism they possess. Here, I am going to share some tonneau covers locking mechanism and their example.
1. Latch Clamp:
Often known as Jaw clamp or Tail Clamp. Most commonly used in soft, vinyl folding covers.
Like all other tonneau covers, they offer the best security in the presence of the locking tailgate. However, as compared to other tonneau covers they required much time to set into place.
For Example:
American Tri-Fold Tonneau Cover: Economical, easy to use, soft vinyl cover that locks in place with the help of a latch clamp.
2. Pull Cable Release:
Most often used in hard folding, aluminum, and vinyl roll-up tonneau covers. As you pull the cable the latches on both sides unlock. Hence, you can open the cover and have access to the truck bed
However, you can’t lock and prevent the pull cable from pulling. A locking tailgate is necessary to prevent cable access and to secure your stuff from being stolen.
For Example:
BAKFlip MX4: Hard folding tonneau cover, works through the pull cable release mechanism and is easily accessible with an open tailgate
BAK Revolver X4: Hard rolling cover with stylish matte finishing over aluminum slats, opens with pull cable, and is accessible with an open tailgate.
3. Rotary Latch:
Most commonly found in soft, vinyl folding tonneau covers. Their working mechanism is similar to the doorknob i.e. twisting the knob to open it.
A rotary latch mechanism is quite similar to a pull-cable release. However, instead of pulling the cable, you have to twist the knob to unlock the cover.
Again, you require a locking tailgate to secure your stuff from prying eyes.
For Example:
Extang Xceed: Sleek, seamless, soft, vinyl folding cover with black matte finishing and rotary latch mechanism.
4. Spring-Loaded Speed Klamp:
Spring-Loaded Speed Klamp is an advanced version of the latch clamp. Most commonly used in soft, vinyl folding tonneau covers.
Also, its working mechanism is similar to a latch clamp except it is a bit simple and easy to install. A locking tailgate is a must for guaranteed security.
For Example:
Gator SFX: Soft, vinyl cover with a speed klamp
5. Trigger Latch:
Most commonly used in soft, vinyl roll-up covers. As their name suggests, you have to pull the trigger to unlock the latches on both sides. In addition, locking a tailgate is essential for security.
For Example:
TruXedo Truxport: Affordable soft, vinyl cover with a trigger latch and can’t be open unless the tailgate is open.
6. Key Lock:
Found on various tonneau covers like hard retractable and hard one-piece covers etc. Keys are used to unlocking the covers.
For a hard retractable cover a locking tailgate is required. However, for hard one-piece cover, locking tailgate is not required for maximum security.
For Example:
GatorTrax: Hard, retractable cover
UnderCover LUX: Hard one-piece cover.
7. Electromagnetic Brakes:
Used in electric tonneau covers and function as a garage door. You have to push the button to open and close the cover.
For Example:
GatorTrax Electric Retracable Tonneau Cover
Conclusion:
To conclude, yes tonneau covers can be locked and different covers possess different locking mechanisms to keep the truck bed secure. All tonneau covers have a locking mechanism except the snap-on and velcro ones.
Also, tonneau covers are quite important to keep your gear and stuff secure. I hope this article will help you in choosing the best tonneau cover for you.
Moreover, if you are planning to buy a tonneau cover and want to know how much do they cost check the following article click here.
What is the safest tonneau cover?
Well, the most safest and secure tonneau cover is hard one-piece fiberglass or composite cover. For the reason that it does not require a locking tail to ensure maximum security. This cover overlaps the truck bed completely thus, preventing the thieves from opening it by any means.
Can tonneau covers be easily break-in?
Tonneau covers are made up of different types of materials. Not all tonneau covers are easy to break-in. Soft, vinyl covers have chances of being cut by any sharp object. However, hard covers made up of aluminum and steel, etc. can’t be a break-in and are secure.
Leave a Reply