If you like to take your truck off the beaten path, then you probably already value getting good tools for common situations. The problem is that carrying those tools isn’t always convenient. Whether it’s an actual toolbox for repairs or specialized sports equipment, you want to haul it to your destination without any trouble.
You can make that process a lot easier if you get the right cover for your truck bed, and the best covers are probably more convenient than what you imagine.
What Is a Tonneau Cover?
A tonneau cover is designed to go over the bed of your truck. It sits flush with the top of the truck, making it very different from camper tops and many other types of bed covers.
Tonneau covers are usually very strong and durable, and they can lock. That makes them great for keeping items secure in addition to preventing anything from falling out of the back when you hit rough terrain.
Tonneau covers are also typically water-tight, so you don’t ever have to worry about weather.
One of the big advantages of these covers over alternatives is that they are relatively lightweight, and they don’t significantly raise the center of gravity for your vehicle. That makes them ideal for covering the bed of the truck when you really push the limits of off-roading.
What Do You Need From Your Cover?
Even though all tonneau covers are built around the same concept, they come in different varieties. You can get a simple snap-in cover. You can get a sturdy folding or rolling cover that makes it easy to access the truck bed.
There are also hinged covers. These are single-piece covers that operate on a hinge to make for easy access to the bed. They can be a little awkward when you need to haul tall objects, so they aren’t perfect for every occasion.
There are also retractable tonneau covers. They are typically made of strong metal or carbon fibers, and they slide along a track. They’re extremely versatile and convenient, making them a popular choice for many outdoor adventurers.
Picking the right cover is really just a matter of figuring out which one best suits how you use the vehicle.
When Should You Use a Tonneau Cover?
Getting an F150 tonneau cover is one thing, knowing how and when to use it is another. Part of this boils down to the type of cover you have. If you have any of the designs that make it easy to access the truck bed, then you can use the cover pretty much all the time. Only when you need every last square inch of the truck bed and space above would you need to remove the cover.
But, there are a few examples that can help you really understand how nice these things are for any outdoor-related trip.
Camping
When you go camping, you take gear, right? Unless you’re specifically backpacking, you probably pack a fair number of items that might include your tent, food, cooking gear, sleeping gear, and more. It takes up a lot of space, and you don’t want your gear to get wet if it rains while you’re driving.
A tonneau cover solves all of this really easily. You can fill the truck and leave it covered. You can even store food in the locked cover while you’re camping. Animals won’t make it past the locks, as long as you have a hardcover.
Skiing
Skiing (or snowboarding) is another classic example. Considering the nature of the sport, many ski trips require you to drive into a winter storm. But, the gear is large and cumbersome. It’s much easier to leave everything in the back.
The tonneau cover comes to the rescue. Even your boots will be ok in the truck bed since the cover is keeping them dry. On top of that, you don’t have to worry about casual theft when you stop for gas or breakfast burritos on the drive to the slopes.
Sporting in General
There are plenty of other sports that require equipment. Any time that’s the case, a tonneau cover makes your life a lot easier. Whether you’re carrying baseball gear for the kids, on an afternoon rock climbing trip, or floating the river, your gear stores nicely under the cover. Weather and theft are prematurely abated, so you can worry less about logistics and focus more on having a good time.
A tonneau cover can make life a lot easier, but it’s really an example of philosophy. When you invest in resources that cater to your lifestyle, you can solve common problems. If you like taking outdoor trips in your truck, then get the things that help you along the way, whether that’s a truck bed cover, a portable air compressor, an advanced toolbox, or whatever else is right for you.
Published by HOLR Magazine.