For most serious truck owners, having a good tonneau cover is an absolute must, offering multiple benefits, such as weather protection, increased security, and good looks: nothing compliments a powerful pickup more than a shiny, tight-fitting tonneau cover. And let’s not forget the biggest benefit of all: increased gas mileage. The standard increase in gas mileage for a truck with a snug tonneau cover is between 5% and 10%: that’s a difference you can really feel at the pump, and with a long product life, most tonneau covers will pay for themselves many times over.
Before purchasing a tonneau cover, you’ll want to look at the different types of covers available: each category differs slightly in installation, protection, and maintenance, so you’ll want to give it some serious thought when choosing which one is best for you. The main categories are soft-top, hard-top, and retractable. Let’s take a look at the differences:
The most common kind of tonneau cover is the soft-top, which is basically a cloth or vinyl tarp you stretch across the top of your truck bed. Installation is painless, and you’ll get the full boost in gas mileage that a hard-top offers. Cleaning is also easy: car washes are also safe for soft-top tonneau covers, but avoid ones that use wax, as this may cause damage. Because a soft-top isn’t as sturdy as a hard-top, they won’t last as long and can’t offer the same amount of protection: harsh weather can take its toll on a soft-top, and while they are designed to channel rainwater away from your flatbed, they’re not guaranteed to keep your load dry. They also offer little in the area of protection from thieves, but will keep your gear hidden from sight, which shouldn't be underestimated. Another positive is accessibility: soft-top tonneau covers will allow you to open and close the tailgate with ease while it's still on. Just make sure you get a soft-top equipped with adjusters to control the tarp's tension: temperature can greatly affect the how loose or tight your tonneau cover is stretched, and if it’s too loose you’ll lose that all to important boost in gas mileage, and it won't look as nice.
The other main category is the hard-top tonneau cover, which improves upon soft-top covers in a variety of ways. Installation is a little more complicated, but shouldn't take more than an hour or two. Most use large clamps to mount to your truck bed, and don't require any modifications or drilling. They usually overlap the top of your tailgate, which gives additionally security, but also means you will have to unlock the cover in order to remove a load. Most hard-tops feature an airtight seal, which will keep your cargo dry no matter what the weather conditions outside, and most truckers will agree they're the best looking option in tonneau covers. If you have a big load to haul, you'll have to completely remove the cover and store it, but this can be done in a matter of minutes, and is a cinch to put back on when you're done.
In the world of tonneau covers there is now a third option: the retractable cover. These covers combine the durability and security of a hard-top with the accessibility of a soft-top: if you have a full load to haul, the cover retracts into a small box compartment at the head of your truck bed in a matter of seconds. They'll require a little more work installing and may even require some drilling, but because they usually attach to your side rails, most allow you to open the flatbed without retraction. They're a little more expensive, but offer the best of both worlds.
Tonneau covers are a value-packed addition to any trucker's pickup, and while which cover is best for you depends on your specific needs and budget, all three models offer increased gas mileage -- and that's a benefit that's hard to say no to.
Access Lorado Tonneau Cover
- Low Profile Design
- Style, quality, durability are staples of the Lorado Tonneau
- UV resistant tarp
- XT-Dial tension adjusters for ultimate tension control
- Rip stop fabric
- Automatic latching system for safe fastening
- Premium cover lifetime warranty
Most of us love hard tonneau covers because they are durable, keep the cargo safe, and also resist pretty much anything you can throw at them. We also love soft tonneau covers because they are a breeze to install, much easier to operate, and can be taken on and off in seconds. The Access Lorado tonneau cover unites these traits with soft cover that can safely compete with its harder counterparts.
The Lorado contains some subtle, but very useful improvements on the Access roll up tonneau, but retains all the features that we have come to know and love. The tarp tension can be hand set by a crank system easily, even to trampoline style tightness, but it also stays flexible even in blizzards, so you won't bruise your hands with it in the cold. The hardware is all aluminum too, so you can be sure that this tonneau will last!
If you need a tonneau cover that can unite the best of both worlds, keep your cargo safe 365 days a year, seven days a week, and 24 hours a day, the Lorado Tonneau Cover should be your choice!