Proven Ground Locking Roll-Up Tonneau Cover 17-24 F-250 Super Duty
Truck bed covers are an amazing accessory and they completely transform the practicality and usability of a pickup truck. Without a cover, your cargo is exposed to bad weather, and you’re facing an increased risk of theft. And since the cover protects the bed from the rain, it decreases the risk of corrosion and it also helps maintain a more stable temperature in the bed, which might be useful when transporting certain items – these are some of the advantages that don’t often come to mind first but their still very helpful.
It's clear that a bed truck cover is a great add-on but which one to choose? There are many different styles available, with the two most common ones being the tonneau fold and tonneau flip. We’ll go over the differences and benefits of each in this article.
A tonneau fold, or simply a folding bed truck cover is one of the two most common options. It is typically split into three or four flat sections, that are hinged together and can be folded one by one to access the bed. The cover can be either soft or hard.
The advantage of the fold design is that it's easy to install, and does not require any difficult assembly, and most likely, they’ll be ready to go out of the box. They’re also typically more lightweight and slightly less expensive than the latter option. These covers are also convenient to open and close even for shorter people, an advantage you only realize after working with the latter option.
Flip Tonneau Covers
Unlike the tonneau fold, which is made up of multiple sections, the tonneau flip uses one continuous section to cover the entire bed area. It is usually made of sturdier materials such as fiberglass or metal.
Given the used materials and construction, it is clear that the main advantage here is security, especially since flip covers often have additional locks, and may even lock together with the rest of your truck, using the remote control fob. Associated with this is also the greater durability of tonneau flip covers, and their resistance to water. Flip covers also have slightly better aerodynamics, thus increasing fuel efficiency and decreasing noise.
Of course, there are also some downsides. First comes the weight, which is much higher compared to tonneau fold covers, especially when compared with their “soft” variants. Moreover, a flip cover is less convenient to open and close, as you always have to work with the entire cover, and have no option to open just one section. Also, the cover may open quite high, making it difficult to close for those that are not so tall.
Soft and Hard Tonneau Truck Bed Covers
We also have to make the distinction between soft and hard tonneau bed covers. A soft cover is made of fabric, similar to that usually found on convertibles’ retractable soft tops. It is light, easy to operate, and not too expensive. At the same time, it requires routine maintenance to keep the fabric in shape. You should clean and impregnate it once or twice a year. Otherwise, the fabric might degrade, especially when exposed to bad weather conditions often.
When it comes to hard tops, they are naturally bulkier and heavier but this also means their better in terms of protection. Soft covers are easy to cut through, and so they don’t offer much protection from thieves. A hard cover offers far more security. It is also easier to maintain, as it can just be washed together with the rest of the car every once in a while, and doesn’t require any sort of special care. In short, a hard cover is better but it will also cost you significantly more.
Which One to Choose For Your Truck
In the end, the more important question is whether you should go with a soft or hard cover, rathen than the fold or flip design. Given concerns over security, the exposure to bad weather conditions and durability, a hard tonneau cover is a clear winner. However, factor in the price, which is typically much higher with hard covers, and a soft tonneau might be the better choice.
The decision between the flip and fold design depends more on personal taste and preferences. Some might see the operation of the fold tonneau as more convenient, while others will prefer the flip. This depends on your height, as well as what you typically transport. You’ll always be slightly limited with the height of the opening on the flip covers but it might be easier to open if you’re a tall person.
Last but not least, before ordering, if you have other accessories on your truck, such as bed racks, make sure that they will fit together. Bed covers are often incompatible with other add-ons.
Get a Retractable Cover For Your Ride Now
If you’re now clear about what the differences between a tonneau fold and tonneau flip bed truck covers are, take a look at the wide range of covers we have available at AmericanTrucks. Whether you have a Ford, GMC, Chevy, or RAM, you are more than likely to find a suitable option for yourself. Our sales techs will be more than happy to help you should you have any questions about the products and their compatibility with your vehicle.
Share
This site uses cookies to provide you with the best experience possible. Read our Privacy Policy
