Determining the Right Tonneau Cover for your Chevy

January 11th, 2019 by

A tri-fold tonneau from McCluskey Chevy in a blue Silverado

Tonneau. Originally from French, tonneau translates to mean cask or barrel, and tonneau covers add the same security and volume to the trucks they cover as their French counterparts. The ability to easily remove, retract or totally detach the tonneau makes it the most flexible option for the active truck owner. Totally flat when in use, the tonneau blends in seamlessly with your Colorado, Silverado 1500 or Silverado HD. Whether you select a vinyl, plastic, aluminum or fiberglass cover, there is no way to go wrong when selecting a tonneau cover for your Chevy truck.

Choosing A Tonneau Cover

One of the most exciting things about buying a Chevrolet pickup is the truck’s ability to haul almost anything you can throw its way. Whether your cargo is in the bed or behind on a trailer, the Chevy range of pickups can offer up to over 6,000 pounds of payload and nearly 12 tons of towing capacity. Most truck owners, however, won’t need to test the limit of their truck every day. It’s far more likely that they need the ability to safely transport smaller items most of the time, while not losing the ability to quickly transition to an oversize item in the back.

For small, fragile goods that can’t sit out in the elements or brave the wind, a truck cap is a possible solution. Also known as camper shells and pickup toppers, these semi-permanent fixtures turn your truck bed into a spacious, SUV-like cargo area; some even feature carpet, windows and interior lights. They’re great for those who need to carry a lot of tools and products in an organized, weather-shielded environment. The downside of a truck cap is its semi-permanence, size, and price. To install or detach a truck cap, you’ll need tools. While many truck owners might already carry a toolbox, you’ll need to take a few minutes to loosen everything and remove the top. Once the cap is off, you now need to store a large, hard piece of metal, glass, and plastic. It’s easy to leave the cap behind when using your truck at home, but removing and storing the truck cap will be a hassle when on the move. Because they offer so much storage and capability, a basic truck cap will cost you north of $1,000 while a more high-end option will set you back as much as $3,600. That price is fine if you know you’ll get the most out of your truck cap, but could be a silly waste if you don’t need its unique utility.

Many of the trucks you’ll see on the road opt to not use a cover at all. When doing yard work or moving large items, there’s nothing better than an open bed. Despite this, open beds are exposed to the environment and any prying eyes. When it’s raining or you need to move expensive items, a cap can certainly come in handy however an open bed will allow more versatility and a larger selection of items that can be moved. If you plan on moving people and cargo in tandem, an open bed may be unsuitable for your needs or unsafe.

A tonneau cover hits the middle-ground between an open bed and a totally-enclosed truck cap. While they might not offer carpet and interior lighting, tonneau covers do provide a dry, potentially lockable space that basically turns your truck bed into a giant trunk. And when you need to transport oddly-shaped or oversized items, most tonneau covers can be removed and folded without tools. The majority of tonneau covers are detached through rolling or folding, meaning they get smaller and easier to store when removed. In fact, many will fit in the cab if totally removed or will cut into a small amount of bed space nestled against the back of the cab. Best of all, due to their size and non-permeance, most tonneau covers cost less than $1,000, with many sliding in below the $250 mark.

The Right Tonneau Cover for You!

Tonneau covers basically fall into two categories – hard and soft. Hard covers are often fiberglass or metal and don’t offer the same amount of functionality as soft covers; they are typically restricted to hinges attached to the bed. Hinge covers offer a slight improvement in space when popped up, but don’t offer much versatility. The upside to a hard cover is their sleek design. Many drivers will paint them to match the truck’s body color and use them more for style than function.

Soft Cover – Folding

Tri-fold soft covers are the most popular tonneau covers on the market. Because they fold into three pieces, you can simply fold your cover’s sections back until you have the appropriately sized opening for your cargo. Folding covers can be adjusted in seconds but may prove bulkier than other options when fully folded.

Soft Cover – Retractable and Roll-Up

These two covers can be grouped together based on their similar design. Roll-up covers can be rolled to expose the amount of bed you wish to use, offering more functionality than a folding cover. Retractable covers offer the same utility, but will require a more permanent installation. When fully retracted, these two options take up an extremely small amount of space, with the retractable cover having a little more aesthetic appeal. Some roll-up covers are made of metal, providing extra security for those transporting expensive cargo.

Soft Cover – Snap

Snap covers offer an insane amount of versatility but also require a more involved installation. Four small rails with half of the snap mechanism are installed on the truck. The covers itself has an equal number of snaps, and the user can choose to unsnap as many as they need to fit their cargo. The cover can also be completely removed and folded, leaving the entire bed open for tall cargo.

Before deciding which tonneau cover is right for you, make sure to do your research. There are videos and how-to guides that go over the specifics of installation and usage for all covers. Your local dealer is also a valuable asset in choosing the right cover. They deal with trucks and covers every day and have likely already seen a situation similar to yours. Since they also sell trucks, they will know what type of covers most mid-size, full-size and HD truck users typically elect to buy.

A tri-fold tonneau cover on a red Chevy truck

The McCluskey Chevy Difference

McCluskey Chevrolet is your place to shop for tonneau covers for your Chevy truck. We have an extensive inventory of covers that are ready to be sold. Whether you’re looking for a flexible soft cover or a fashionable hard cover, we’ll be able to help you find what you’re looking for quickly. Our highly-trained and well-respected staff members will be able to assist you and will provide you with exemplary customer service. If you’re someone who has had a poor experience with buying accessories in the past, don’t let that sway you from stopping by McCluskey Chevrolet. We will show you the respect you deserve and provide you with a selection of tonneau covers that will leave you speechless. If you’re ready to commit to a great truck accessory that will fit your lifestyle, or you have questions for the experts, it’s time to stop by our conveniently located dealership. You’ll be glad that you did.

Posted in Tonneau Cover