Truck Caps vs Tonneau Cover Comparison

A truck cap and a tonneau cover are two different ways of protecting your cargo from the elements. Truck caps offer more protection for your cargo, while tonneau covers have better aerodynamics. They both have their pros and cons, which is why it can be challenging to choose between them.

In this blog post, we will compare these two types of bed covers so you can make an informed decision about what type of vehicle cover you want to purchase! The main difference between Truck Caps and Tonneau Covers is the way they open and close.

Truck Caps – typically have two options; either a lift up or swing away door that allows easy access to the truck’s bed area, but it is usually not enclosed like Tonneau Covers are.

Tonneau Cover – has an entirely different type of opening mechanism used for getting into your truck bed. The only way to access the truck’s cargo area is by rolling up some type of tarp or hard plastic cover that totally encloses the entire contents of your storage compartment.

Another big difference between these two options is in price and appearance. A Truck Cap typically costs less than a Tonneau Cover, but it looks the same no matter what type of truck model or year you have since it is just a piece of metal that gets attached to the bed railings on top.

However, Tonneau Covers are available in many different styles and colors so they will look more customized for your specific truck model or year since it is custom fit over the entire back end of your pickup. And some even have built-in step pads, toolboxes and other features like a locking mechanism for added security.

Truck Caps Review:

A truck cap is a hard shell that fits over the bed of your truck. Truck caps can be made from aluminum or fiberglass, and they come in various sizes depending on what size bed you have. Most truck caps are available in three material options: 

• Fiberglass:
• Aluminum
• Plastic/Composite

Fiberglass: Fiberglass is a lightweight and robust material that offers excellent protection from the elements. It has excellent impact resistance, which means it can take quite a beating without getting damaged. Fiberglass truck caps tend to be more expensive than aluminum or vinyl tonneau covers due to their durability and lightweight.

Aluminum: Aluminum truck caps are made out of solid and lightweight metal. Aluminum is rust-resistant, which means it will last a long time even in harsh weather conditions. However, aluminum truck caps are not as durable as fiberglass ones because they tend to dent more easily if dropped or mishandled by someone who doesn’t know how to use them properly.

Vinyl: Vinyl tonneau covers are the most cost-effective types of truck covers. They come in a variety of colors so you can choose whichever one best suits your style and taste. Vinyl tonneau covers are easy to install, but they aren’t very durable because they tend to rip more easily than other materials.

Truck Caps Pro:

• Protects your cargo from extreme weather conditions
• More aerodynamic than a tonneau cover
• It can be made in various sizes and colors to match your style and taste.
• Provides excellent protection for expensive equipment such as tools, machinery, etc…

Truck Caps Con: More expensive than vinyl or plastic covers due to their high quality and durability.

Truck caps can be difficult to install for beginners because they require patience and a bit of know-how about how truck beds work. You also need two people to install one properly to have help if you ever decide on this type of bed cover.

Tonneau Covers Review:

A tonneau cover is a vinyl or plastic tarp that attaches to your truck’s bed. Vinyl covers are the most common type of tonneau covers on the market, and they come in different styles depending on what you want for your vehicle. Plastic tonneau covers installed with clamps offer more security than those attached using bungee cords so if you want a better way to secure your cover, we recommend getting one that is installed with clamps.

Tonneau covers are more aerodynamic than truck caps because they lie flat on the surface of your bed and extend over the cab as well, whereas truck caps sit up off the bed of your vehicle. They can be made in various sizes to fit various truck bed sizes.

Tonneau covers are made out of one solid piece, so they only come in black or white–no color options! Unlike vinyl tonneau covers that can be removed quickly and easily, plastic/composite tonneaus must remain attached to your vehicle at all times because it is installed with clamps instead of bungee cords.

Tonneau covers are easy to install and remove, but they don’t offer as much protection from the elements as truck caps do because they aren’t made with a hard shell material. They also cost more than vinyl tonneau covers which have similar durability levels despite being installed using clamps instead of bungee cords.

All in all, tonneau covers are a great accessory for your truck that provides protection from the elements and comes in different styles to suit your personal taste. Suppose you want a more aerodynamic look with better weather resistance than vinyl or plastic covers can offer. In that case, we recommend getting a hardshell tonneau cover instead of one made out of vinyl or plastic/composite.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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