The tonneau cover is one of the most popular pickup truck accessories that individuals buy for their vehicles (also known as a truck bed cover). No truck is truly complete unless it has a tonneau cover, regardless of whether you use it for business, towing your boat, or other recreational activities.
We’re going to assume that the reason you’re here is that you’re about to make the tonneau cover purchase of your dreams and need to know how long it will take to install it. You want one, but you don’t want to spend the better part of the day in the garage attempting to install your new truck attachment.
The good news is that installing most tonneau covers takes only about 30 minutes. Your roll-up or tilt-up tonneau cover will be specially fitted to your car when you order it, which contributes to the simple installation procedure.
The installation of a roll-up tonneau cover will often take less time because it is easier to handle, but since we are only talking about a few minutes, don’t let that stop you from installing the tonneau of your dreams.
In This Article...
Exactly how necessary is a tonneau cover?
Tonneau Covers are undoubtedly quite aesthetically pleasing, as we can all agree. They cover the generally obvious unclean bed and add a touch of class to the appearance of your truck. However, a tonneau cover has advantages that go far beyond its cosmetic value.
We’ll go over the top five reasons why every truck owner should have a tonneau cover, each of which is a compelling argument.
1. Transporting your gear or luggage safely
The protection of the object you are hauling is the tonneau’s most evident advantage. There is no safer method to secure your load, whether it is equipment for a hard day at work, baggage for a family vacation, or a bed full of mulch this spring. Any element that crosses your path can be protected against by a tonneau cover, including rain, snow, and wind. And as you are aware, it is crucial to have protection all year long in Ohio.
2. Greater Fuel Efficiency
This perk of a tonneau cover could go unnoticed the most, yet it has a significant advantage. Your bed will produce less air drag because of the tonneau cover’s aerodynamic construction. Your gas mileage will go up by about 5% as a result, while some cars can save as much as 10% when compared to an open bed.
3. Enhanced Safety
One of the best ways to safeguard your equipment is to keep your valuable cargo hidden from prying eyes and minds. Just as it sounds, a truck bed cover conceals the items you are transporting and keeps them out of sight. Many tonneau covers also have some form of locking mechanism, which helps to totally protect everything you place in the bed of your vehicle in addition to merely hiding what you’re transporting.
Organization 4.
How often have you filled your truck, drove about, only to discover that something spilled or shifted later? Don’t get stuck in this frustrating situation again, I suppose. Tonneau covers defend against the wind, which is frequently blamed for the movement of supplies, and help to maintain everything in their proper places. Pack your truck and have faith that when you get there, everything will be exactly as you left it.
5. Value
Your truck will do well to save you money now and make you more money when you sell it if it has all of these advantages in a tonneau cover. With a tonneau cover, you can prevent theft, misplaced or damaged cargo, and poor gas mileage. Additionally, it will safeguard your truck’s bed and aid in avoiding significant harm that would necessitate repairs. However, the bed will hold up far better when you sell your truck than it would if it were uncovered. This will more than pay for itself in the long run by maintaining the value of your car. So instead of just upgrading your car, spend money on it by adding a tonneau cover.
BAKFlip deck rail system: what is it?
When you require complete bed access and top-notch cargo protection, the BAKFlip G2 is the best purchase. You may drive with your cover folded, flipped up, or closed thanks to the buckle mechanism. By simply locking the tailgate, you can protect the items in your truck bed with our covert method.
- Dual-action tailgate seal, new (not applicable to 05-15 Tacoma or 05-16 Ridgeline)
- 100% access to truck beds
- aluminum-skinned, solid-core, long-lasting panels
- low-profile, sleek style
- panels with automatic latches
- Visibility of the third brake light
- clamp-on installation is simple.
- Rated for 300 lbs. of weight that is dispersed uniformly.
- compatible with BAKBox2
- THREE-YEAR NEW WARRANTY
NOTE: Due to the height of the cab and the location of the light, some 8′ applications may not permit view of the third brake light.
What distinguishes the Bakflip G2 from the MX4?
When you need to move large stuff, BAKFlip is a collection of rigid folding tonneau coverings that provide you nearly full bed access while providing security and weather protection for tiny cargo. The BakFlip hard folding tonneau, which is the only hard folding truck bed cover that allows you complete access to the whole truck bed, was created and patented by BAK Industries. Although tri-fold tonneau covers are quite common, BAK’s line of BakFlip Quad-fold tonneau covers has elevated the category to new heights. Although several of these covers appear to be similar at first sight, the subtleties differentiate them. There are a few differences between the MX4 and G2 hard folding tonneau covers, but they are both folding aluminum tonneau covers that will fit and function perfectly. The G2 has three foldable portions, while the MX4 has four. This is the major difference. The storage box known as the BakBox and the MX4 are both compatible. The G2 is not rated at all, whereas the MX4 has a weight rating of 400 lbs evenly spread on it.
Discover the similarities and differences between the BAKFlip G2 and MX4 hard folding tonneau covers.
ABOUT BAK INDUSTRIES
Tonneau covers are frequently chosen for trucks for a variety of reasons. Those who live in locations with severe weather might want to cover their bed to keep it safe. Some people might be trying to find a way to shield their shipment. Or maybe it’s to achieve better aerodynamics. Whatever your motivation, it’s crucial that you pick a tonneau cover that can withstand whatever you throw at it. BAK Industries tonneau covers are an obvious choice if strength and toughness are what you’re looking for.
Finding a cover that matches their demands can be one of the difficulties many truck owners have when choosing one. For example, a hard cover might provide exceptional security and durability but potentially limit the use of your bed. On the other hand, soft coverings are flexible and simple to apply, but they only provide a little protection. BAKFlip’s tonneau covers combine the advantages of a soft cover with the strength and security of a hard cover to give you the best of both worlds.
Proper Clamp Installation
To secure side rails on a truck, clamps must be put properly. Position the clamp so that its teeth are in the grooves of the side rail, turn the nut until it is just finger-tight, then tighten it with a wrench until it is torqued to the prescribed values in the standard or special instructions.
Rail Placement
Your cover will look wonderful and work properly if the rails are placed properly. The front of your truck bed is where the rails should be placed properly. Push the rail forward until it hits the front of the box with the weather strip up against the inner lip of the box. The box’s top should be flush with the rail’s top. When the clamp teeth are engaged and the rail is flush with the top of the box, tighten the clamp. Make sure the rail is straight. If the rail tilts upward, loosen the clamp, bring it down, engage the teeth, and then bring it back up. If the rail tips downward, first lift the clamp, then engage the teeth, and then tighten the clamp. The top of the rail should be flush with the top of the tailgate at the tailgate end. NOTE: To prevent interference, rails must be mounted slightly higher on vehicles with motorized tailgates.
Cover Tension
The simplest approach to improve the appearance, reduce noise, and extend the lifespan of your cover is to keep it correctly tensioned. Your cover is factory-tensioned when it leaves the factory. When closing, the rear bar should snap down with a force of 20 to 30 lbs. Your cover shouldn’t sag between the bows and should be drum tight. Roll the lid open to access your tension adjusters if adjustment is required. Turn both tension adjusters clockwise to release. Turn both tension adjusters in the opposite direction to tighten. Adjusting the tension is always done in equal increments.
Cleaning your Tonneau Cover
To clean the cover, combine water and mild liquid soap. Use the COVER CARE Cleaner and UV protectant on the cover occasionally. Never use petroleum-based or citrus-based cleaning products. Products made of petroleum may dry out and harm the cover seal.
Increase Longevity
Keep the cover closed whenever you can. Always use a hook and loop sealing technique to secure the cover edges along the whole length of the box. Verify that the cover is securely fastened and sealed.
Can a tonneau cover be installed over a bedliner?
Your pickup’s truck bed is where it is most helpful, but it doesn’t come with the necessary protection from the factory. The most popular accessories for securing your truck’s bed are bed liners and tonneau covers, each of which offers advantages and various levels of protection. However, you can combine them for ultimate defense!
Can a tonneau cover be installed on a truck with a bed liner already on it?
The majority of tonneau covers are compatible with spray-on and under-the-rail bed liners without any problems. Retractable covers may call for trimming the liner at the bulkhead. It will take more time and work to install a tonneau cover with an over-the-rail bed liner.
To guarantee safe installation, you must notch your bed liner by cutting tiny reliefs or notches in places where the cover’s clamps attach because these liners cover the bed’s lip, which serves as a fastening point for most tonneau covers. If your pickup does not already have a tonneau cover or bed liner, the liner should be put in first.
To install a tonneau cover, follow these steps:
- Your cover’s rails should be fastened to the vehicle bed. If you have an over-the-bed rail liner, remember to abide by the instructions in the preceding section.
- Set the rails in place, then tighten the mounting hardware.
- Install any cab-side or tailgate seals that were provided.
- Make sure your tonneau cover is in place and that the top is evenly spaced around the perimeter. Verify the alignment and make any necessary adjustments.
- Check the cover’s sealing surfaces for bulging or obvious gaps, and correct or realign as necessary.
- If your tonneau cover comes with drainage tubes, connect and direct them to the vehicle bed’s corners.
What value does a tonneau cover add?
The installation of a bed cover offers a solution to all of these issues. Today, any form of soft or hard covering that shields a truck’s bed is referred known as a “tonneau.” It was first used to describe the rear compartment of a car that featured a seat, usually exposed to the air. A rumble seat might be another name for it. Over time, the term “tonneau” came to mean the canvas cover used to keep the chairs safe when not in use. It is now only used in relation to trucks.
Tons of Reasons
One great advantage of owning a truck is having an open bed ready to receive anything you might want to haul. That’s an increase in hauling capacity of 100 cubic feet over a regular automobile. It’s the reason you bought it! However, putting a bed cover will significantly boost your truck’s value, fuel efficiency, security, and functionality.
A bed cover’s primary function is security. You should protect any equipment you transport on a regular basis. All covers provide some level of security, but some offer a higher level of safety than others (out of sight, out of mind is the first line of defense). For instance, a hinged, hard-top, fiberglass type with a locking mechanism is more secure against thieves than a canvas roll-up cover, which protects your goods out of the weather and out of sight.
Many coverings can be set to keep your truck’s original hauling capabilities depending on your lifestyle or intended use. If a big (or tall) item needs to be carried, tri-fold, retractable, and roll-up covers can be opened and folded (or rolled) up fast. However, many heavy-duty units and most hinged covers are challenging to rapidly remove, and they cannot be set up to accommodate tall things while remaining closed.
In the end, bed covers are a blessing for delicate objects that unexpected weather could easily harm if it weren’t for a weather-resistant cover, in addition to keeping things safe.
Types of Tonneau Covers
When considering purchasing a tonneau cover for your truck, keep in mind that there are various styles available, and each one may or may not suit your current needs or worries.
- Roll-Up: Although affordable and simple to remove, the roll-up variety provides just a little amount of security. The main advantage is that it prevents your gear from flying out of your vehicle when you’re driving down the highway. The smallest and most convenient covers to use on top of bed rails are roll-up ones.
- Tri-Fold: They come in hard- or soft-top variations. In order to prevent someone from accessing your bed, a tri-fold cover normally shuts down from the inside and uses the lock on your tailgate. These are lightweight (especially the soft-top models), simple to assemble, and foldable if you need to transport oversized equipment.
- Retractable: The retractable cover functions like an accordion and folds up (some roll) upon itself as you push it open on the track. It typically mounts to the undersides of your bed rails (or comes with its own pair of rails that link to your truck). Although they frequently have locks, they occasionally rely on your tailgate. They provide quick access to the bed and are simple to install.
- A single-piece bed cap, usually constructed of fiberglass to reduce weight, that hinges up when opened, the hinged cover is one of the more common (and traditional) styles of bed covers. They can be colored to match your truck and offer unique locks, sometimes one on each side. They are the most costly and challenging to install.
- Heavy Duty: Some businesses are now producing heavy-duty bed covers comprised of steel and aluminum for hard use. When closed, they can support a load on top of them and provide a high level of security. They can be arranged similarly to hinged types. But occasionally, they come with a choice of openings (rear, sides, etc.).
What To Look For
When looking for a new truck bed cover, personal choice and possible demands should be given priority. Look at the items your truck’s back typically carries. Do you run a furniture store where you frequently transport pricey veneers and woodworking equipment but occasionally need to transfer a tall dresser or a big table? If you want to fit the various loads, you might want to get a cover that you can rapidly retract or roll up.