A tonneau cover is a cover that goes over the top of a pickup truck’s bed, stretching from rail to rail and from bed to tailgate.  Tonneau covers are typically made from synthetic materials because they hold up so well in extreme weather, and they are much cheaper than the fiberglass covers that can be painted to match the truck.

A great accessory for any pickup truck, a tonneau cover is a practical investment as well as an aesthetic preference.  Such a cover not only adds to a truck’s appearance, but also protects the truck and saves gas to boot.  Here is a rundown of all the advantages of having a tonneau cover.

A tonneau cover helps you save on gas.  With the unpredictability of gas prices lately, no one wants to be burning through gas like crazy, even when the prices are temporarily much lower than they have been.  We aren’t like to forget four dollar a gallon gas prices any time soon, so many of us are willing to invest money if it means saving money later on gas.

A tonneau cover is one way to save money on gas, and it costs less than trading in your truck for a more fuel efficient vehicle.  Basically, one of the reasons trucks burn through a lot of gas (besides the fact that they have pretty powerful engines) is because their shape creates so much wind resistance.  The biggest cause of lost fuel efficiency is the tailgate, which traps air behind it, creating so much drag that your truck’s engine has to work harder in order to maintain your speed.

Installing a tonneau cover, on the other hand, puts a smooth top over your bed, eliminating the wind resistance caused by the tailgate.  The result is improved gas mileage, which ultimately means less money spent on fuel.

A tonneau cover helps to protect your pickup truck’s bed.  An uncovered pickup truck’s bed is pretty vulnerable to the elements.  It collects snow in the winter, sometimes holding it there for days or even weeks at a time, and fills up with rain in the warmer months.  In addition, wind, snow, and rain drives dirt into the bed, which doesn’t melt and/or run out, and therefore tends to build up over time.  The result is that uncovered truck beds are especially vulnerable to rust and corrosion.

A tonneau cover protects a truck bed from this eventuality by preventing snow, rain, and dirt from getting into the bed and sitting there for long periods of time.  Most tonneau covers are made from synthetic materials that can withstand to some degree a wide range of hot and cold temperatures, excess moisture, and the weight of snow.  This keeps the weather out, and your truck bed (not to mention whatever you have inside) safe from the elements.

A tonneau cover just looks good.  A bare, uncovered truck bed has a rather rough, work truck type of look to it.  Installing a tonneau cover, on the other hand, provides a finished appearance that can make a big difference in the overall impression a truck gives.

Tonneau covers come in a range of materials and styles.  For instance, some covers have rails or snaps to keep them taut across the bed, while cheaper covers might Velcro to the sides of the bed.  Really nice bed covers are made of fiberglass and can be painted to match the truck’s body color exactly; these covers usually feature lift struts, just like a car’s trunk or hatch, and can be locked to prevent theft.

Regardless of what type of tonneau cover you choose, rest assured that you are spending your money on more than just an attractive accessory for your truck.  You are also protecting your investment (your truck) by preventing corrosion, and protecting your hard earned money by ensuring that you will spend less on gasoline!