Covering a pickup truck is important. To protect your truck, the bed you need to get a good cover or a cap. But which one is better tonneau cover or camper shell. Although it’s not an easy decision you might hesitate while getting a covering as sometimes it’s hard to choose, install and find the best coverage.
However, there is some important feature which a cover must-have to be perfect:
- Provides easy installation
- Fits perfectly on the truck bed
- Food prices and with good looks
But which one is better to cover the truck bed tonneau cover or a camper shell. To solve this confusion, you need to be clear about both of these. Let’s discuss tonneau cover vs camper shell and list down the pros and cons.
Tonneau Covers
Tonneau covers are present in both forms hard and soft covers. Normally used for protecting the back of pickup trucks and provide support to the tools and payloads contents. Moreover, it improves aerodynamics.
Also, you can use them to cover the truck bed for a specific time of the day. They are very versatile as they come in different sizes, shapes, and styles.
Types of tonneau covers
When you will visit the market for tonneau cover you will find different types of tonneau covers such as hard one-piece fiberglass covers, flip-up covers& roll-up covers, retractable covers, canvas covers, and toolbox covers.
Hard one-piece fiberglass tonneau covers:
The tough and rigid covers are designed to cover the truck beds of the pickup trucks. The good thing about these covers is that they are long-life spam and they look good. It has a lock that allows you to secure it and safely protect the items inside it. However, they are rigid and allow specific shape and size of cargo.
Flip-up & Roll-up covers
These covers open up at the backside of the truck. Once you open them you gain access to the toolbox and truck bed. Mechanism of these cover is Velcro or snap locking mechanisms it prevents the entry of the inside goods from the outside environment.
The good thing about the roll-up cover is that they are user-friendly and cheap. However, they are not solid and long-lasting.
Canvas tonneau covers
The canvas tonneau covers are very user-friendly and you can easily remove them from your pickup. Moreover, they provide full bed access. The only area where they lack is that they don’t have a lock meaning you can’t secure it properly.
They are soft and made of vinyl you can easily attach them to your truck using a clamping system.
Retractable Covers
The retractable covers are the most flexible and versatile ones. One of the attractive features of these covers is its small housing unit that easily rolls and holds the cover when you open it. Furthermore, the provides a view as a small window when you fold it.
They are costly but it should be your choice as they stand still in strong winds. They are made from fiberglass-reinforced polymer. Lastly, they are solid protectors and will provide you good bed access.
Toolbox Covers
Many pickup truck owners have tools that they want to protect. Tonneau covers are also used to protect the toolboxes.
Tonneau cover Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- Saves the fuel:
Tonneau covers save fuel mileage. When you will use them you will notice the one mile per gallon improvement. However, if you don’t cover your truck bed you will not notice this change in fuel.
- Security Capability:
When the truck bed lacks a cover it’s not secure as the weather is damaging for it, there is no security for the item being hauled and you may also lose some of your items if the rucked bed doesn’t have a cover. Having a tonneau cover protect your items and shelter it from the rough weather.
- Weather Resistant:
Tonneau covers protect your truck from rough weather. It keeps the water away from it. However, it’s not 100% waterproof you will find few drops inside it in the rainy season or during a carwash.
- Easy to install:
Installing a tonneau cover is only a 30-minute job you can easily install them in your truck.
- Durability:
Tonneau covers have a long life and you don’t need to change a cover for at least five years.
Cons:
- Limits the storage space:
Once tonneau is installed you cannot put everything in it. It depends on what you need to haul. The size issue is the downside of a tonneau cover.
Camper Shell
Camper shells are also known as caps and they are available in every shape and size in the market. The material of these camper shells is mostly fiberglass or aluminum. They are very good at securing and act as good weather protectors for any cargo.
These caps have doors some are uniquely designed have doors opening in the upward direction. However, mostly they offer standard doors which extended down to the floor.
They offer very good heightened roofs however it depends on what are your needs. If you went on a camping trip the camper shell can provide you a good area to sleep well without worrying about rain. Moreover, there are several types of bed accessories is available in the market making you’re not even more beautiful and relaxing.
Camper shell/Cap Pros and cons:
Pros:
- Durability:
They have long-life saps. Caps are considering to be durable covers for truck beds.
- Storage Space:
If you want to haul large objects in your truck using a camper shell vs a tonneau cover is better. Caps provide more space because of their heights making it easy to carry heightened objects.
- Weather resistance:
They are highly resistant to weather. If you install them properly they can bear every weather easily except heavy winds.
Cons:
- Installation:
The biggest drawback camper shell holds is that it is not easy to install them. Moreover, it is necessary to remove the entire camp shell if you want to carry something that doesn’t fit easily inside it. Removal of cap shell is not a one-person job and the same goes for setting it back to the truck.
- Security capabilities:
They are not fully secure as they have windows in them
- Fuel Mileage:
Camp shell creates wind resistance if they are taller than the cab. Its resistance to wind results in lowering the fuel mileage.
Prices of Tonneau cover vs Camper Shell
Now let’s discuss the prices so that you can finally decide which tonneau cover or cap suits your need, requirements, and budget.
So as tonneau covers are mainly of two types. If you are interested in soft tonneau covers they will cost, you between $150- $550. The price of hard tonneau covers starts from $500 and goes up to $2000.
Why does variation in Prices exist?
Price varies according to the model, size of the bed, and brand. So do not get shocked if the market offers you a different price range. Moreover, in advertisements, everyone mentions the small numbers according to the small trucks. If your truck is huge its tonneau cover will cost, you more than the regular size cover.
If you want to have a huge budget, then go for vinyl rollup tonneau covers they are the least expensive ones. However, if you have a budget go for fancy retractable covers they are expensive and have a lot to offer you.
Market and online stores are filled with tonneau covers. If you are picky choose to go to physical stores to pick the best fit. However, if you are a saver and want to save your bucks try online store research well and order online. Once you order it online try installing it on your own if you have the skill.
Tonneau cover vs Camper Shell Best Uses:
Tonneau cover Best uses:
If you are a truck owner who wants a sleek look for their truck, then tonneau covers are best for you. Moreover, it’s a great choice for those who want to haul anything that will fit in their truck bed. You do not have to worry about weather and theft when you are using a tonneau cover as a covering.
Camper shell Best Uses:
These are best for those who love to go for coming, fishing and hunting. Moreover, if you install a cap on your truck bed you have your moving room beside your truck and you don’t need to book a room while traveling.
Another best read: Can tonneau covers go through a car wash?
Conclusion
Truck cap and tonneau cover both are good options to cover the truck bed of your vehicle. If you cannot choose between these two and don’t worry and read this article to find out the pros and cons, prices, and the other important details regarding tonneau cover and caps.
Moreover, if you want to fully secure your truck it’s preferable to go after tonneau cover. However, if you are an adventurer and use your truck for holidays and vacation then if you choose a camper shell it will provide you a good room space.
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