Are you a truck owner and you often leave your truck unattended outside? If so, then the gears, tools, and other essentials in your truck bed are at a high risk of being stolen. To shield your truck bed you must purchase an appropriate tonneau cover. Here, the concern arises how much do tonneau covers cost, and can everyone afford to buy them?
Some curious people love snooping into random trucks. Even some of them have a habit to steal anything they found precious. Apart from this, an uncovered truck is also exposed to many harsh weather conditions like UV rays, snow, hail, wind, etc
So, if you own a truck, a tonneau cover which is used to seal and cover your truck bed is one of the most essential items you should have to keep your truck bed secure.
Well, before jumping straight to the point; how much do tonneau covers cost, you must know about different types of tonneau covers and factors that need to be considered before buying them. As the factors and types of tonneau covers are inter-linked to their prices.
Why Truck Bed Cover is needed?
Tonneau Cover is a major necessity for many cargo drivers. This is due to the fact they offer many benefits.
1.Truck Bed Security and Theft Protection:
One of the major advantages of tonneau covers is that it offers security and theft protection to your truck. Also, it gives you the confidence to leave your truck unattended outside without the fear of things being stolen. Whether the tonneaus cover is soft or hard it has the potential to cover and secure your truck bed.
2. Better Gas Mileage:
A tonneau cover will improve the aerodynamics of your vehicle which in turn offers less fuel usage. However, an open truck bed has the opposite effect.
According to the latest studies, covering your truck bed with tonneau covers can improve your gas mileage up to 11.8%. This in turn saves up to 200 dollars yearly from the gas cost of any cargo driver.
3. Aesthetic Appearance:
Tonneau covers offer a sleek and smart appearance to your truck. Are you worried the tonneau cover may not fit perfectly o your truck bed or the color may not match your vehicle’s color?
Well, there isn’t any need to worry about this as tonneau covers are designed according to truck models and they entirely match your vehicle.
Major Types of Tonneau Covers:
Following are the types of the tonneau covers
- Soft Folding Covers
- Hard Folding Covers
- Soft Roll-Up Covers
- Hard Roll-Up Covers
- Retractable Covers
- One-Piece Solid Covers
Depending upon their material, there are varieties of tonneau covers available in the market. Also, each cover has a different locking mechanism. Before purchasing a tonneau cover one must have complete knowledge about their types and level of security they offer. To get to know about various tonneau covers and their locking mechanism in detail, check out this article, click here
Things to Consider Before Choosing a Truck Tonneau Cover:
The following thing should be considered before buying a truck bed cover that goes perfectly to your need.
1. Truck Bed Access:
Before purchasing a tonneau cover you should make sure that the size is appropriate according to your truck. Moreover, if you are planning to haul some awkwardly oversize stuff e.g bike you need a cover that provides you full access to the truck bed.
2. Easy to Use:
It is quite essential to opt for a convenient tonneau cover If you have to load and offload the stuff repetitively. Also, a cover should be easy to open and close.
Hard and soft tri-folding covers are easy to access. However, snap-on and roll-up tonneau covers are time-consuming covers and are not good at all if your work requires you to access the truck bed often.
3. Security:
Tonneau covers are used for different purposes. It depends on you for which purpose are you going to buy. Hence, if you are planning to haul some valuable stuff in your truck bed you need a cover that offers maximum security.
For maximum security, a hard tonneau cover with multiple latch points and an elaborate locking mechanism would be the best choice. A hardcover will save the truck bed from thieves and prying eyes. Whereas, a soft tonneau cover does not guarantee maximum security.
4. Weather Protection:
One of the major reasons for buying a tonneau cover is to protect your truck bed from harsh weather conditions e.g UV-rays, rain, snow, hail, etc. No matter what Mother Nature brings, tonneau covers will always help you in making your bed secure.
All tonneau covers can protect the essentials of your bed from harsh weather conditions. However, some offer better safety than others.
Although soft tonneau covers are not as weatherproof as hardcovers are, they do offer decent protection and are quite cheaper. Most of the rolling and folding hard covers utilize a drainage rail system to prevent moisture from getting into your truck bed.
5. Durability:
If you are investing some handsome amount of money, you expect something that lasts longer. Also, depending on the usage of the vehicle, you want a tonneau cover that will last for the long haul without getting damaged.
Moreover, many brands offer a lifetime warranty for tonneau covers.
6. Budget:
Tonneau covers are available in the market with different price tags. It totally up to you to choose a cover that stands to your budget and needs both.
Moreover, prices vary from a few hundred to a thousand dollars, depending upon the features of the tonneau covers. A hard cover will cost more as compared to a soft tonneau cover.
How Much Do Tonneau Covers Cost:
Now, as we have discussed why we need tonneau covers, their different types, and the factors that need to be considered before buying a tonneau cover; it’s time to investigate how much do tonneau covers the cost.
Well, you will see a vast variety of tonneau covers in the market ranging from a few hundred dollars to thousands of dollars. A high-quality and durable tonneau cover will cost thousands of dollars.
So, it depends on your budget and the purpose you are using it for. If you are a cargo driver and you have to haul expensive stuff on daily basis then you should go for hard tonneau covers with a durable locking mechanism.
However, if you are thinking to buy a tonneau cover to prevent your truck bed from harsh weather conditions or to just give your vehicle an aesthetic appearance, you can opt for a soft tonneau cover.
In short the higher the price, the more effective and durable it will. Prices of soft covers may range from $150 to $550 whereas the prices of hard tonneau cover range from $500 to $2,000.
Under $300:
If you are on a budget and looking for an economical tonneau cover, you can buy it for under $300. Although it will not offer the maximum durability and effectiveness, it will get the respective job done.
$300 to $700:
Again, there is a various number of tonneau covers available in the market within this range. They provide better quality as compared to the above ones.
$700 to $1,000:
Hard tonneau covers fall in this price range. They offer both good security and durability.
$1,000 to $2,000:
The most premium and hardest tonneau covers fall in this price range. They offer maximum security and durability.
Conclusion:
To conclude, the cost of tonneau covers depends on the material and level of security it provides. While purchasing a cover you must go for the one that meets both your requirement and budget. Although. high-quality tonneau covers are expensive but they ensure maximum security and durability.
I hope this article will help you in choosing the right tonneau cover for you.
How much do tonneau covers cost on average?
In general, cost varies according to the material and amount of security.
Soft Tonneau Covers: $100 to $550
Hard Tonneau Covers: $500 to $2000
Can I install tonneau covers myself?
Yes, you can. Truck bed covers are easy to install, you can read the guide before installing. However, if you are facing any difficulty you can take help from professionals.
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