What’s a Tonneau Cover Anyway? The Complete Guide.

What is a Tonneau Cover?

A tonneau cover is a protective covering designed to fit over the open cargo area, or bed, of a pickup truck. "Tonneau" comes from the French word for "barrel," which describes the cover's ability to protect the truck bed like a barrel lid.

Beyond simply covering your truck bed, a tonneau cover serves many purposes. A few of the benefits of adding a tonneau cover to your truck include enhancing the functionality and security of your truck bed and improving fuel efficiency.

Is Tonneau a Brand?

Did you know that “tonneau” is not referring to a specific brand? Many people do not- and that’s okay! One of the most common questions our customer service team gets after asking customers the brand of their tonneau cover is “well then, what exactly is a tonneau cover?”.

A tonneau cover is the generic name of a product, not the brand name. To break this down further, think of a generic product (cell phone, truck, etc). Then, think about all of the brands associated with that generic product. Using the truck example, we have Toyota Tacoma, Ford F150, Chevy Silverado 1500, and so on. In our case, the tonneau cover is the generic product, and we have other brands underneath that such as Fas-Top, Access, Bak, TruXedo and Retrax.

What Styles Are Available?

Tonneau covers are available in many different styles and can feature different materials. Each offers unique features and benefits. Ultimately, the best tonneau cover for you is dependent on your individual needs and preferences. Below, we break down the most common types of tonneau covers available:

Roll-Up Tonneau Covers:

Roll-up tonneau covers tend to be the most affordable and lightweight type of bed cover. True to their name, they roll up to the front of the cab when not in use and roll down to cover the truck bed. They are a popular option to keep weather out of the bed and to provide more security than an open truck bed would provide.

A common misconception is that all roll up tonneau covers are soft and that they are less heavy duty than some of their counterparts. While this is 100% true in some cases, there are also hard roll up covers available that provide more structure and security. Some of our most popular soft roll up covers are the Access LiteRider, Access TonnoSport, and Access Vanish tonneau covers. Our most popular hard roll up tonneau covers are the BAK Revolver X4S and the BAK Revolver X2.  

Folding Tonneau Covers:

Folding covers feature panels that fold towards the truck cab, allowing for partial or full bed access. Like roll up tonneau covers, they come in both soft and hard versions.

Hard folding tonneau covers tend to be very secure and heavy duty. They are a perfect option for someone who may need to haul items on top of their cover, like a contractor. With a hard surface, these tonneau covers are also a lot less likely to be damaged by day to day use. While we offer several fantastic options, our most popular hard folding tonneau cover is the BAKFlip MX4.

Tonneau Cover HQ does not currently carry soft folding tonneau covers. However, like roll up tonneau covers, these covers tend to be more affordable and lightweight. They tend to be installed flush with the truck bed, making them an attractive option.

Retractable Tonneau Covers:

Retractable tonneau covers retract into a space at the front of the truck bed. They can be locked into place and are the most secure of all of the tonneau covers we offer. Additionally, retractable tonneau covers are very heavy duty and extremely easy to use. No need to manually fold up or roll. At the push of a button, your retractable tonneau cover will retract and allow full bed access.

Our most popular retractable tonneau cover is the RetraxONE MX Retractable Tonneau Cover. The Retrax collection also includes the option for rack integration and is compatible with most T-Slot accessories from Rhino Rack, Yakima, Thule, and others. Check out the RetraxPRO XR Rack Integrated Retractable Tonneau Cover for more information.

One Piece or Hinged Tonneau Covers:

One piece tonneau covers lift up from the rear of the truck bed, similar to a car trunk. They are typically made from hard materials and offer excellent security and weather protection. Tonneau Cover HQ does not currently carry hinged tonneau covers.

Why Pick a Tonneau Cover?

Tonneau covers aren’t just pretty to look at. They also offer some pretty great benefits in addition to their good looks. Some of the benefits of a tonneau cover are:

• Protection from the Elements:
• Tonneau covers shield your cargo from rain, snow, wind, sun, and debris. While it’s critical to note that no tonneau cover is 100% waterproof, they do a great job of keeping your equipment dry and safe from the elements.
• Enhanced Security:
• Tonneau covers conceal the contents of your truck bed making it difficult for would-be thieves to know if there is anything of value. Locking the tailgate prevents truck bed access and adds an extra layer of security. Some tonneau covers lock in addition to using tailgate locking. Hard covers in particular are difficult to break into.
• Improved Gas Mileage:
• Believe it or not, a tonneau cover can improve your gas mileage (some estimates suggest up to 10-15% improvement in some cases). When a truck bed is left open, it creates aerodynamic drag, which reduces fuel efficiency. Adding a tonneau cover prevents that drag from occurring and can improve gas mileage overall.
• Increased Space:
• By keeping the truck bed clean and dry, the usable, secure storage space of your truck increases.

Choosing the Right Tonneau Cover:

Choosing the right tonneau cover depends on several factors including your budget, security needs, expected usage, and personal preference. When deciding which tonneau cover will meet your needs, we recommend considering the following to help make your decision:

• Intended Use:
• Determine how you'll use your truck bed and what features are most important to you (e.g., security, weather protection, full bed access). If you are someone who may need to stack heavy things on your truck bed, like a contractor, a hard tonneau cover may be best for you due to its more heavy-duty construction. If you are planning to use your cover only to keep out the elements and provide an increase in security, a soft roll up tonneau cover may be your best option.  
• Budget:
• Tonneau covers have a wide range in price. The range for the covers we carry is between $300-$2,000+ with soft roll up tonneau covers tending to be lower priced and retractable tonneau covers higher in price.
• Material and Durability:
• Choose a material that you like the look of and that will provide you with the durability you need for your intended use. Tonneau covers come in a wide variety of materials including vinyl, canvas, aluminum, and fiberglass. Each material has pros and cons. What may be a deal breaker for you may not be for someone else, so make sure you consider your individual needs.  
• Aesthetic Preferences:
• Choose a cover that complements the look of your truck and that you like. Some tonneau covers are flush with the existing truck bed rails and others stick up. If that’s something that matters to you, make it a consideration when deciding which bed cover to purchase.
• Warranty
• All of the tonneau covers we offer have a warranty. However, they vary greatly by the brand. The warranties for our brands range from a 6 month warranty to a lifetime. If warranty matters to you, make sure you research your chosen tonneau cover’s warranty period and make sure it aligns with your needs. You can view all of the warranties for our brands here: Access, BAK, Fas-Top, Retrax, and TruXedo

A tonneau cover is more than just a truck bed accessory; it's a valuable investment that enhances your truck's functionality, security, and appearance. By making sure you understand your individual preferences and your options when it comes to tonneau covers, we are confident that you’ll find one that you love.