Tonneau Talk: Is a Soft or Hard Tonneau Cover Better?

Tonneau Cover

On average, car owners spend more than $1,900 on accessories once they buy a new ride. Whether you’re looking for fun tech upgrades, new style options, or functionality, there’s truly an accessory for every driver. 

If you own a truck, one of the best accessories you can get is a tonneau cover. By attaching a tonneau cover to the back of your pickup, you can protect what’s inside the bed and potentially improve the aerodynamics of your vehicle. 

But how do you know which type of cover is right for you? Do you need a hard tonneau cover or a soft one? We’re here to help. 

Keep reading to learn more about hard and soft covers so you can choose the right one for your truck. 

Pros and Cons of a Hard Tonneau Cover

Truck owners love hard tonneau covers because they’re sturdy and reliable. A hard tri-fold tonneau cover is typically made from hard plastic, metal, or fiberglass, so they’re made to withstand almost any weather condition. So, you won’t have to worry about anything your bed getting ruined, in the rain, sleet, or snow.

Some hard tonneau cover options even come ready to paint or pre-painted, so you can have it match the exterior finish of your truck. 

Because hard tonneau covers are made from durable materials, they also tend to be a more expensive option, so keep that in mind when making your decision. They’re also more difficult to install and harder to store. So, if you have limited space, you might prefer a soft tonneau cover. 

Pros and Cons of a Soft Tonneau Cover

As its name suggests, a soft tonneau cover is made from a soft, pliable material like vinyl or fabric. Then, in most cases, a rubber coating is added to the top of the fabric, to help increase its durability. 

The biggest benefit of a soft tonneau cover is that is very easy to install on virtually any truck. It’s also easy to store, as you can roll it up and store it in the back of your truck or even in the cab when you’re not using it. 

If you’re on a budget, then you’ll also love that soft tonneau covers are much cheaper than hard ones. 

However, even with the rubber coating that’s added to the fabric, soft tonneau covers simply can’t match the durability of a hard one. They’re much more likely to get damaged during extreme weather conditions. This means that anything you’re carrying in the back of your truck is also subject to damage. Think about what you’re planning to haul before making your decision.

Choose the Right Tonneau Cover for Your Truck

After learning more about the pros and cons of both hard and soft tonneau covers, you should have the information you need to make the right choice for your truck. So, which type of tonneau cover will you choose?

Are you looking for more information about all things cars and trucks? Be sure to browse through our other articles before you go and check back often for new content.