How Secure Is Your Tonneau Cover?

December 14, 2022November 18, 2022 Rick Carlton 0 Comments Tonneau Covers, truck bed protection, Undercover, Vehicle Security

Tonneau cover security is vital to keeping your truck bed and its cargo protected – but not all designs are created equal.

If you own a pickup truck, it is also likely that you either own or are thinking about the purchase of a truck-bed tonneau cover. There are a number of reasons for this awareness but in general, protecting the bed against road debris and bad weather probably top the list.

Perhaps even more important than those items however, is truck bed security. Let’s face it, there’s nothing worse than finding out your belongings have been lifted from the back of your open truck bed after some thief has done his worst.

We talk tonneaus a lot here at The Engine Block, so we know there are plenty of excellent options on the market. But when it comes to tonneau cover security, certain styles simply offer better protection than others by the very nature of their design. Keep reading for a crash course in different tonneau types, as well as what they offer, how they work, and how they secure your stuff when you’re not around.

Tonneau Cover Types & Security

If you’ve been paying attention to vehicle sales, you likely already know that pickup trucks are the most active sector in the global market. According to Forbes, during the 2021 model year the light truck sales sector blew away the market by a ratio of 3:1 – and 2022 doesn’t look like it’s going to slow down either.

That means there are a whole lot of truck beds rolling up and down the road these days. Let’s investigate the different ways those beds are being covered.

One-Piece Hinged

Often constructed of tough ABS plastic or fiberglass, one-piece tonneaus utilize a single-piece construction with a hinge at the rear of the bed. Once it’s unlocked, the entire surface opens by means of a cantilevered mechanism assisted by hydraulic struts.

In simpler terms, it’s like lifting a trunk lid or opening a very large toolbox.

Blue Chevy Silverado is parked in grassy field with its one-piece hinging tonneau cover open — UnderCover reinforces the locking mechanisms on its one-piece hinging tonneaus with steel locking rods and/or rotary latches to provide industry-leading security.

Because of the approach, an operator can gain access to an enormous number of bulky items in one pass, and without having to deal with any obstacles or movement constraints.

One-piece tonneaus offer exceptional security. Much like a good-fitting Tupperware lid, these covers overlap the front/rear/sides of the truck bed. This feature is great for weatherproofing needs. It is also ideal for theft protection since once the tailgate is locked, the unit ‘slams-down’ the edges of the cover, thereby defeating most attempts to open the clamshell.

Hard Folding

One of the most popular tonneau cover styles on the market, hard-folding options employ multiple panels (usually three) that fold back and down on top of one another. The panels themselves are often constructed of heavy-duty aluminum or some type of hybrid composite, and then treated with a matte or textured coating to ward off dings, dents, scratches and UV rays.

The hard-folding structure probably offers the most security next to the one-piece configurations. Similarly, once the unit ‘slams-down’ by means of securing the tailgate, it is nearly impervious to damage and access due to its hard-side design.

Unlike the one-piece clamshell approach though, hard-folding covers showcase much less physical hassle when a customer just wants to access items closer to the tailgate. Many people find that lifting one panel is simply more convenient than opening the entire lid.

Plus, this versatility offers multiple riding positions, so users can drive their truck with part of the cover open to accommodate tall or bulky cargo.

UnderCover’s Flex line of hard-folding covers are a great example of the segment. These hard-folding tonneau covers – Flex, Ultra Flex and ArmorFlex – fold entirely out of the way, providing 100% bed access.

Soft Rolling

Another very popular tonneau style, soft-rolling covers are the most “flexible” of the lot – and the most affordable.

They consist of a sturdy vinyl or, in some cases, a heavy-duty nylon or canvas material. Sometimes, bows or crossbars span the width of the cover to offer support. Other times, hook-and-loop strips (i.e., Velcro) run down the sides to pull the cover taut and keep out water and debris. Latches near the tailgate lock the cover down.

This configuration allows for both easy installation and user operation. However, this unit is less secure than hard-sided options since it’s possible to cut through the vinyl covering and access the bed. Like a hard-folding cover, though, soft-rolling options allow for multiple riding positions while driving.

Note: Some soft covers are categorized merely as “snap” tonneaus. Much like the word implies, this style of unit employs a series of snaps all along the truck bed perimeter. Snap tonneaus, while affordable, provide very minimal security since they are more tarp than true tonneau cover. Additionally, operation can be a hassle since a customer will need to deal with constant snapping and unsnapping to access the bed.

Hard Rolling

Offering a little of Column A and a little of Column B, hard-rolling tonneau covers blend the security of hard-folding products with the easy operation of soft-rolling units.

As the name suggests, hard-rolling covers open by ‘rolling’ from tailgate to cab. Rather than bows or cross bars offering support though, the construction uses a series of heavy-duty aluminum slats. The top fabric is then pressure-bonded to these panels for increased durability and security.

Like their soft-rolling siblings, many of these hard-rolling covers also rely on hook-and-loop strips along the bedrails to keep elements out and a latch at the tailgate to lock the unit down. As a result, these design features make them a little less secure against determined thieves.

Retractable

Of all the products on this list, the retractable tonneau cover is considered the easiest to operate. Functioning like a garage door for your truck bed, these units “retract” by rolling in on themselves. Once rolled up, they sit in a canister that resides under the cab’s rear window at the top of the truck bed.

Like their one-piece and hard-folding siblings, retractable covers sport a very durable construction – usually, reinforced polycarbonate or heavy-duty aluminum slats. These covers also stand up well to impact resistance and weathering, though road clag can build up in the tracks along the bedrails in some models which will compromise operation.

Retractable tonneau covers offer good security but they carry significantly higher price tags. It is not unusual to see these products crest $2,000.

Purchase Decision Points: Where Value Hits The Bed

Like anything else in today’s economy, issues of cost apply. While some ‘security-focused’ products – such as one-piece and hard-folding units – might appear to be somewhat pricey, it’s important to consider the cost of those products when compared with the overall cost of the truck itself. (Not to mention the potential loss of equipment or personal items.)

For example, a typical 2022 Ford F-150 averages an MSRP of just under $43,000 (depending on where you’re located and what local taxes and destination costs might apply). Consequently, when measuring the cost of a hardshell cover ranging from $800 to $1100, against the total cost of the truck itself, a percentile cost of 1.9% – 2.6% is minimal when it comes to ensuring whatever items are in your truck bed stay in your truck bed.

Close up of Ultra Flex tonneau cover where it attaches to truck bed. — To further protect your tonneau (and your investment), periodically check that all hardware is tight and working as intended. A little maintenance goes a long way. As for cargo, always lock the cover before stepping away from the truck.

What Else Can You Do To Secure Your Belongings?

Whether or not you decide to pull the trigger on a new tonneau cover, security is a multi-pronged effort. Determined thieves will find a way, and we all know the term ‘waterproof’ is often more wishful thinking than reality.

Here are some additional ways to protect your cargo from weather, wear, and sticky fingers.

Add a locking toolbox to your truck bed.
An affordable way to keep smaller equipment safe, secure and organized, locking toolboxes come in an incredible array of sizes and styles – many of which play nicely with tonneau covers.

Install an alarm with a sensor.
If you live in or often travel to areas where crime is a concern, upgrading your vehicle’s alarm system may be a smart investment. Many modern aftermarket options include higher-quality or ‘smarter’ sensors, as well as further range.

Invest in some storage bags.
If you’re transporting something particularly delicate, and are concerned your existing tonneau cover won’t provide enough protection, consider a carrier bag. In addition to adding another layer of weatherproofing, many offer soft cushioning.

At the end of the day, the most economical options for truck bed security are one-piece hinging and hard-folding tonneau covers. Both styles offer exceptional protection from natural elements and would-be thieves, while maintaining functionality, ease of use and great styling.