Is a Tonneau Cover Worth It? 5 Benefits of Owning a Truck Bed Cover [2023]

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A tonneau cover is designed to keep your cargo protected from the elements and secure from potential theft.

However, with the cost of installation and the potential limitations it may impose on accessing the truck bed, you might be debating whether they’re worth it or not.

So, let’s find out the answer…

Is a Tonneau Cover Worth It?

Despite the arguments, there are several benefits to having a tonneau cover installed on your truck.

A tonneau cover provides benefits such as safe transportation of gear, protection from elements and theft, a dry truck bed preventing rusting, improved gas mileage, and improved resale value of the truck.

Considering all these benefits, it’s important to weigh the advantages against the potential drawbacks to determine: is a tonneau cover worth it?

5 Benefits of a Tonneau Cover

1. Improved Protection and Security

Tonneau covers provide a safe and secure transportation solution for your gear.

Not only do they ensure that your luggage or equipment doesn’t fly out while you’re driving, they also help protect it from rain, snow and dust.

Along with offering safer hauling for your gear, they also provide added security against theft.

Tonneau covers are a great deterrent against potential thieves, as they make it more difficult for someone to access the cargo in your truck bed.

Many tonneau covers also come with a locking mechanism for added security including key and lock or latch and clamps.

2. Improved Fuel Efficiency

A tonneau cover can help improve the fuel efficiency of your truck by reducing wind resistance.

Without a tonneau cover, air flows into the truck bed and creates a drag, making the engine work harder to maintain speed.

By adding a tonneau cover, air is redirected over the truck bed, reducing the drag and making the engine work less.

As a result, the truck can achieve better gas mileage, which is especially beneficial if you frequently drive long distances or have high fuel costs.

3. Improved Truck Bed Condition

A tonneau cover helps keep your truck bed dry, which can prevent rusting and other types of damage over time.

When exposed to moisture, the truck bed can develop rust, which can weaken the metal and lead to more significant problems down the line.

By keeping the truck bed dry, tonneau covers help to prevent rusting, extend the life of the truck bed, and maintain its value.

4. Added Storage

By covering the truck bed, tonneau covers essentially create a flat surface on top of the cover, allowing for items to be placed on top of it.

This can effectively double the amount of cargo space in your truck, without the need for a bulky roof rack or trailer.

Some of the strongest tonneau covers are rated to carry up to 500 pounds of evenly distributed weight on top of them, which is basically more than enough to handle something as heavy as an ATV.

This added space can be especially useful for those who regularly transport larger items, such as bicycles or kayaks, that may not fit inside the truck bed alone.

5. Improved Aesthetics and Resale Value

Installing a tonneau cover on your truck can also improve its aesthetics and resale value.

Tonneau covers come in a range of styles and materials, allowing you to choose one that fits the look of your truck.

Additionally, a tonneau cover is seen as a desirable feature among truck buyers and can help to increase the resale value of your truck if you decide to sell it in the future.

Disadvantages of Tonneau Covers

While tonneau covers have numerous benefits that make them a popular choice among truck owners, there are also some perceived disadvantages that may deter you from investing in one.

However, many of these so-called disadvantages are actually myths.

Let’s go through the most common disadvantages of owning a tonneau cover and dispel those rumours!

1. Expensive to Purchase and Install

Tonneau covers can be expensive to purchase and install, but there are affordable options available that can still provide the same level of protection and functionality as more expensive models.

Many budget tonneau covers cost as little as a couple of hundred dollars and will help maintain the value of your truck over time, potentially negating the cost of the purchase completely.

2. Limited Accessibility to the Truck Bed

While it’s true that tonneau covers can limit access to the truck bed, there are many different styles and designs available that offer different levels of accessibility.

For example, some covers can be easily removed or rolled up, while others have hinged or folding panels that allow for partial or full access to the truck bed.