Can I Use a Tonneau Cover with a Truck Bed Liner or Toolbox?

Why Use a Tonneau Cover if You Have a Bed Liner or Toolbox?

If you already have a bed liner or toolbox, you might think that you don’t need a tonneau cover as well. There are all kinds of reasons to give yourself additional protection, though. Knowing what they are will give you a good idea of whether or not a cover is right for you.

• Enhanced Security - While a toolbox that locks can help you protect your tools from thieves, there are a lot of different ways that they can still get in and make off with your belongings. With the box out in the open, it is an invitation for criminals to try and get in. A tonneau cover, especially one that locks like the Proven Ground Roll Up Tonneau Cover, puts an extra barrier between your expensive tools and those who might try to take off with them.
• Protection - A bed liner can go a long way toward protecting your truck’s bed as well as the expensive components located underneath it. If you want even more protection, though, a tonneau cover is a great choice. With a sealed cover, water won’t even make its way to the bed, and you can be sure that your pickup is safe from rust and deterioration.
• Aesthetics - If you want a sleek, streamlined look, a tonneau cover is a great option. They are available in all kinds of styles from soft roll-up covers to hard tri-fold versions. If your toolbox gets in the way of the look you are going for, a tonneau cover is a great way to hide it and let your truck look its best.

What to Consider When Buying a Tonneau Cover

While you can usually install a tonneau cover if you have a bed liner or toolbox, there are things you need to consider before you buy one. This will ensure that you don’t run into issues with compatibility or fitment and that your tonneau cover will provide the protection you need.

Type of Bed Liner

The type of bed liner you have is incredibly important when choosing a tonneau cover. For the most part, if you have a spray-on liner, you shouldn’t have any issues with fitting a cover on your pickup’s bed. A drop-in liner, though, will be a little bit thicker and might cause problems with hard tonneau covers. You may have to trim the liner or shave it down in order to fit the cover properly.

Size of Toolbox

If your truck’s toolbox sits below the bed walls of your truck, there most likely won’t be any issues with the installation of your tonneau cover. However, a larger toolbox might get in the way of a hard cover and even a soft cover might not fit properly over a particularly tall box. Be sure to check the height of your toolbox and either choose a cover that will work or replace the toolbox with something a little more low-profile.

Style of Tonneau Cover

When picking a tonneau cover for your truck with a bed liner or toolbox, the style you choose is incredibly important. Softer covers made of fabric or canvas will be much more adaptable to different liners and toolboxes and can fit over a wider variety of beds. If you want a hard cover, though, be prepared to make modifications or adjustments to your bed accessories as you may have to change things around to make it fit properly.

Installation Method

Regardless of what accessories you have in your truck bed, you need to follow the tonneau cover manufacturer’s instructions for installation. Improperly installing a cover to accommodate accessories can result in damage to the cover. It will always be better to change out a toolbox than to improperly install a tonneau cover and lose it on the highway.

If you want the best selection of tonneau covers for your pickup, AmericanTrucks has everything you need. With a variety of options to suit nearly every application, you can find the perfect cover for your pickup whether you have a toolbox, bed liner, or other accessory.