Article  Buying a New Tono Cover For Truck Bed Protection Tono (or Tonneau) covers are a great option for creating an ultra usable space in the bed of your truck.  The tono cover can essentially waterproof your truck bed to keep the contents safe and dry.  In addition to which they can actually protect the bed of your truck and protect the investment you’ve made.  When buying a new cover there are a couple of things you should keep in mind.  First of all, know the dimensions of your truck.  It seems obvious, but you don’t want to end up with a cover that’s the wrong size for your bed.  Second, consider how much you use the truck bed, what you use it for, and what the ideal purpose of your cover will be.  For example, if you use the truck bed daily, stacking items of various dimensions that vary widely in size and height, like a contractor, perhaps, then you’ll want a cover that is very versatile.  Waterproofing may not be your first concern, but water resistance would certainly be helpful and is important to think about as an option.  For those parameters, an excellent choice would be a roll back Velcro cover; you can move it with great ease and there’s no need to dismantle it to adjust to a large dimension load.  If, however, you’re moving perishable items like food, waterproofing is going to be one of your primary concerns. You should look into a hard-topped, sealed cover for the most efficient choice.  If this is something that is intended to protect the bed, left to its own devices, over a few months (say the truck isn’t used during the winter, for example), then you’re going to want to err toward the side of stronger protection as well.  Generally, unless you’re looking for intense protection, a fabric cover that is secured by Velcro closures or snaps will be a suitable fit.  Problems you may have with the fabric cover include leaving it alone for long periods of time; a small amount of water may accumulate on it, and without semi-regular cleaning, it could develop mold issues.  Additionally, if left out in the sun, fabric covers can be very affected by sun damage.  This can severely weaken the cover, leaving it susceptible to cracks or becoming brittle (which will eventually lead to cracks and tears).  Additionally, if left to the elements in a severe storm, branches and other debris can cause expensive damage to your tono cover and your truck.  Leaving your vehicle unattended and outside for months at a time is not recommended. Hard top tono covers are more expensive, but also more durable and more appropriate to a truck that is used in a more rugged environment.  They can occasionally be more difficult to fit to a bed because their dimensions are obviously rigid, but the investment is typically worth it. Once you acquire your tono cover, it is essential to take proper care of it.  Tono covers should be wiped down with moisturizing cleaners (much in the same way you would leathers) to prevent wear and tear that is unnecessary to the item.  It is recommended that even with a cover, you strive to keep your vehicle inside of a garage where minimal damage will happen to the truck while it is out of service.  Make sure that your tono cover fits properly; it should be taut and stretched tight for fabric ones, with no sag in the center (otherwise it can accumulate water and corresponding bacteria).  For hard tops there should be no gapping; it should be a snug fit over the bed of your vehicle.  Following these steps will ensure that you have a tono cover that can last the life of your truck and be worth your investment. Category Auto And Truck Accessories Author Admin Add To Favorites Print This Article Email Article To A Friend Post Comments   Rate This Article (0) 1 - Poor2345 - Good678910 - Excellent Added On 2009-04-22