Tips for Selecting the Right Tonneau Cover for Your Ute
With the huge number of tonneau covers available on the market today, the choice can be overwhelming. However, there is no need to fret, with the following information will help you to make a choice.
No matter what style of tonneau cover you purchase or who the manufacturer is, most tonneau covers will offer protection for your cargo from the weather, along with significant savings on your fuel bill. However, prior to making a purchase, there are a number of other important factors to consider to ensure that you select the right tonneau cover for your Ute, such as security, ease of operation and looks.
The Looks of the Tonneau Cover
If you are basing your decision solely on looks, then a colour-matched, custom-moulded, hard-top tonneau cover will provide a much more appealing and cleaner look than a majority of other more common soft tonneau covers on sale. If you are working to build your show Ute and never use it for carrying large loads, then the hard-top tonneau cover will be an ideal choice.
However, you should not disregard the benefits offered by a soft tonneau cover. In the past few years, the looks of these covers has come a long way. No longer do you have to worry about covers that give the appearance of a flattened, old-fashioned covered wagon. The soft top tonneau covers available today are modern looking and sleek in appearance. Many soft tonneau covers now come with a number of unique features such as clip on, no drill attachment, fade and shrink resistant materials with integrated support bars.
Security and Versatility.
The next thing to consider is how you intend to use your Ute, as this will help you to determine if the soft top tonneau cover or hard top tonneau cover is right for you.
If security is important to you then the hard top tonneau cover is hard to beat. There are several options for hard covers such as; fiberglass lids, roll top lids, aluminium canister type lids, aluminium framed lids etc, any of which is a good choice in terms of cargo security and protection. Each type is manufactured from strong components, and features a number of integrated locking points that help to keep your cargo safe and secure.
Even though hard top tonneau covers provide you with added security and a sharper, sleeker look, they can be difficult to remove if you haul larger oversized loads on a regular basis. There are however some hard lids that can cope with oversized loads, such as the roll top hard top tonneau cover, which actually rolls up into a canister, much like a traditional roll top desk.
If you are seeking superior cargo versatility, then you should consider the benefits of a soft tonneau cover, as they can be rolled up easily to allow you quick access to your cargo. For additional protection and security for your Ute, you should use the tailgate lock, when fitted, which prevents anyone from opening the tailgate irrespective of which type of tonneau cover you install.
Operation of the Tonneau Cover.
The final consideration is how easy the cover you choose is to install or remove, and even more importantly, how easy it is to use the cover. Today, almost all types of tonneau covers utilise a similar type of tonneau cover specific attachment hardware for installing the cover. The fact is that covers now are now easy to install, meaning the process can usually be completed by one person in less than half of an hour, often without having to use a drill.
You may wonder about the different type of sealing and opening options that are available, and which one is the right one for your Ute. The basic types that you will come across include: hinged lids, roll top lids, fold up lids or retractable lids. There are also a couple of options for your Ute liner. You can get a single piece moulded Ute liner with a separate tailgate piece or a four part clip together Ute liner with a separate tailgate piece. Once you are aware of the options that are available for your Ute liner, you will be able to make an educated decision about the one that is most suitable for you and your Ute.