As a truck owner, you might already know the importance of tonneau covers. They help in carrying or delivering various items without any damaging effects. For example, a tonneau cover basically protects the items from snow, rain, dust, and harmful UV rays. It is a perfect option for your off-roading trips too.
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The best part is tonneau covers come in wide varieties based on size, structure, and more. These tonneau covers are mainly categorised into two basic types – soft and hard. This categorization creates the question of which is better, hard or soft? Here at Beyond the Raptor, we are all about answering questions with facts. So let’s get into it.
What is a hard tonneau cover?
The covers with a hinged structure are typically hard tonneau covers. It is easy to identify their lid-like joints. They either roll up onto a reel or fold up into a couple of sections. The hard folding tonneau covers are built from fiberglass, aluminum, or polypropylene. As you can see, all these materials are strong. You cannot cut or pry into them unless enormous pressure is applied.
The heavy-duty construction of hard tonneau covers makes them a good option for holding down cargo. Hard tonneau covers even come with a lock to provide higher security. This is why most cargo businesses prefer hard tonneau covers.
Advantages of Hard tonneau covers
There are quite a few advantages of using hard tonneau covers. Let’s take a look at them-
Security –
Hard tonneau covers are mostly known for their security benefits. Anything stored under them is locked away safely because hard tonneau covers have a highly reliable locking system. Only the one with the key can access the cargo lets inside. These covers work similarly to a vault keeping your stuff safe.
Strength –
We have already discussed that hard tonneau covers are made from heavy-duty materials like fiberglass, aluminum, or polypropylene. This heavy-duty structure allows you to carry heavy items.
Customized finish –
Hard folding tonneau covers are famously known for their perfect appearances, which can make your truck look better. However, you do have the option of customising them. You get the freedom to choose the finish, pattern, and shades to match your truck. These customisable options make tonneau covers a high-end alternative. The final look of your truck after the tonneau covers will surely grab the attention of the passers-by.
Disadvantages of Hard tonneau cover
We have already discussed the advantages. But that is not the end. Hard folding tonneau covers do have some drawbacks. So let’s take a look at them.
Less flexible –
Any truck owner would love the robust look of a hard tonneau cover. But these hardcovers are harder to open and close every single time. They are not flexible enough to be opened with speed and convenience.
Cargo loading is complex –
The hard tonneau covers might be beneficial for securing your cargo, but they get in the way while loading cargo. You have to take off the cover to get full access to the truck bed. This means the cargo loading might take more time than usual.
Expensive –
The heavy-duty construction makes the high price of the hard tonneau covers very obvious. Moreover, if you are looking for a customised printed hardcover, the price will go up. So if you are looking for a cheaper version of tonneau covers, this is not the product for you.
What is a soft tonneau cover?
Let’s get into the details of soft tonneau covers. The soft tonneau covers have a roll-up structure which is very easy to handle. The soft roll covers are made from flexible materials like cloth and vinyl. On the inside, there are rib-like elements that help keep the covers rigid. But you don’t have to worry about the outer structure, which is kept tight with a more robust aluminium frame.
Besides roll-up soft covers, there are also some soft covers with a snap system for opening and closing. But the snap system soft covers are not very popular as they require an extra installation step for the snaps through drilling and adhesive.
Advantages of Soft tonneau cover
Soft tonneau covers are popular among people mostly because they are easy to use. So let’s get into the other advantages of soft tonneau covers.
Easy to use –
Soft tonneau covers are easily foldable materials, so you can easily fold them when you need more space. Also, they are quite lightweight in comparison to the other alternatives. They don’t take a lot of energy to open them up numerous times.
This is one of the reasons people with cargo businesses love them. The good news is that the latest technology in tonneau covers allows you to remove the cover by pressing a button quickly. This is why soft tonneau covers are gaining popularity every year.
Economical –
Soft covers have a straightforward structure, which is why they are available at a great value.
Fitting –
The best thing about these covers is that they can easily fit on the truck’s back. They perfectly cover the area and reach each corner with perfection. Of course, this also means you will not have to put in extra effort or cash to fit them in place. Perfect fittings like this can protect your truck bed from snow and rain.
Disadvantages of Soft tonneau cover
Although soft tonneau covers have many advantages, they have some drawbacks. Let’s take a look at the disadvantages of soft tonneau covers.
Easily accessible –
This feature might benefit you, but it also has a disadvantage. Soft tonneau covers are easily accessible to the owner, but also to everyone else. There is not a good way to lock them. This is a significant problem with soft tonneau covers, but you can avoid this risk by looking for soft tonneau covers that come with a locking mechanism.
Not compatible with certain weather conditions-
Yes, soft tonneau covers can easily perform well with weather changes. But they do not perform well under adverse weather conditions like extreme cold or snow because they get very stiff and can crack. You shouldn’t open a soft tonneau cover at all when it is extremely cold.
Security –
When discussing security, the prize goes to hard tonneau covers, which are much more secure than soft covers. The hard covers have a sturdy structure along with an anti-theft locking system. This makes them hard to break into, while soft covers are made of cloth and vinyl, which are easy materials to break through. If you prefer security, your option must be hard tonneau covers.
Usage-
We have already discussed that soft tonneau covers can fit the back of your truck perfectly. It is advisable to use caution when putting the cover over sharp or pointed objects that could create punctures in the cover. While this can happen it is more rare. I have had mine for 4 years now with no tears or rips.
On the other hand, hard tonneau covers can withstand harsh weather conditions. But in the case of awkward-shaped cargo, it is better to use soft ones because the hard tonneau covers won’t be able to adjust to different shapes.
Value –
If you have a small budget, then soft tonneau covers are exactly what you need. Hard tonneau covers are costly because of the materials used to build them. On top of that, the price will go higher if you are looking for any customization on hard tonneau covers.
Weight –
It is obvious that hard tonneau covers are heavier because of the material used to make them. Whereas soft covers are much lighter. This makes hard covers challenging to handle and the installation and handling process for soft covers a lot easier.
Aesthetic –
Hardcover is the best option if you are looking for a rugged look on your truck. They also come in customised color and finish options. On the other hand, soft tonneau covers provide a smoother look but do not provide the customization option.
Hard vs. soft tonneau cover – Which One is For You?
Getting the right tonneau cover for your truck depends on your needs and preference. Both hardcover and soft covers have various advantages and disadvantages. You have to analyze both and come to a decision carefully.
If you need security for your business or goods, then you should go for hard tonneau covers. Tonneau Hardcovers also come with customization options that can make your truck stand out from others. This is a perfect combination for companies requiring security and customization for branding requirements.
Soft covers, on the other hand, are helpful while loading and unloading simple cargo. But it is harder to operate them in heavy snow or rainfall. Now it is your turn to decide which suits your needs best depending on the type of work you do and what your business needs. Both soft and hard tonneau covers can last a long time if cared for properly.
Head over to our best f150 bed covers if your ready looking to buy one for your truck.
