Tonneau covers have become very popular pickup truck accessories over the past twenty years thanks to their functionality and sleek, clean appearance. Knowing which truck bed cover to buy can be a difficult decision, but we're here to help with answers to some of the most frequently asked questions before and after purchasing a cover, including how to install, remove, and clean a tonneau cover.
1. What is a tonneau cover?
2. What does a tonneau cover do?
3. How does a tonneau cover function?
4. What are the benefits of a tonneau cover?
5. Do tonneau covers save gas and improve mileage?
6. Do tonneau covers fit the same for most pickup trucks?
7. How do I measure my truck box to find the correct tonneau cover size?
8. What is the best tonneau cover for my truck?
9. How do I install a tonneau cover?
10. Do tonneau covers lock in place?
11. How do I remove and store a top mounting tri fold tonneau cover?
12. How do I clean a tonneau cover?
13. Can a tonneau cover go through a carwash?
14. What are the advantages of a Black Series tri fold tonneau cover?
15. Which pickup truck models do Black Series tonneau covers fit?
16. Where can I buy a Black Series tri fold tonneau cover?
1. What is a tonneau cover?
A tonneau cover is a popular pickup truck accessory that is placed over a truck bed to provide security for cargo and protection from the elements.
Truck bed covers can be either top mounting, where they sit along the sides of the truck box, bulkhead and tailgate, or lay flush with the sides of the truck box. A tonneau cover can be either a soft or hard top, constructed of strong leather-grained vinyl, aluminum, steel, or fiberglass, and will either fold, roll, tilt, or retract in order to provide access to the truck bed.
For more information, please visit our full length post on how to choose the best tonneau cover for your truck.
You can also purchase your own tonneau cover today on the Strictly Auto Parts marketplace and receive free shipping within Canada.
2. What does a tonneau cover do?
Tonneau covers are designed to physically cover the top of a truck bed or box in order to provide security for any cargo or tools placed inside the bed, as well as keeping it safe and dry from the elements, all while complementing the exterior design of your pickup truck.
3. How does a tonneau cover function?
A truck tonneau cover functions by either folding, rolling, or retracting, typically starting from the tailgate and moving towards the back third of the truck bed, closest to the bulkhead. A solid, one piece tonneau cover will tilt upward, starting at the tailgate, usually locking in place at a 45 degree angle. A tonneau cover will remain in place with either a locking or clamping mechanism, or with an additional rail system that’s installed along the truck’s existing bed frame.
There are many truck bed cover options available on the market. To help you decide which one is right for you, please read our full length post on how to choose the best tonneau cover for your truck.
You can also purchase your own tonneau cover today on the Strictly Auto Parts marketplace and receive free shipping within Canada.
4. What are the benefits of a tonneau cover?
As a best selling truck accessory for the past twenty years, there are significant benefits to owning a tonneau cover for your pickup truck. One of the greatest benefits of a well constructed truck bed cover is the protection it provides cargo placed inside the truck bed with a weather-tight seal, keeping it safe and dry from the elements, including rain, snow, dust, wind, and the sun’s strong UV rays.
Equally important, tonneau covers help prevent theft by removing easy access and visibility inside the truck bed when the tailgate is closed. Hard top tonneau covers offer added protection from theft with solid aluminum or steel panels that serve as barriers to simple break-ins when the tailgate is locked.
A well designed tonneau cover will also give a pickup truck a clean, sleek appearance with a smooth, black vinyl covering or black aluminum panels to complement the vehicle’s exterior finishes.
From functionality to aesthetics, a tonneau cover is a great addition to any pickup truck. Get your own tri fold tonneau cover today at the Strictly Auto Parts marketplace with free shipping available in Canada.
5. Do tonneau covers save gas and improve mileage?
6. Do tonneau covers fit the same for most pickup trucks?
Although many truck box sizes may appear similar, there will be subtle differences in both length, width and fitment across pickup truck manufacturers. For instance, a 6.5 foot truck bed cover designed for one manufacturer’s make and model, such as the Ford F-150, may not fit another 6.5 foot box, eg. GMC Sierra.
Some truck manufacturers such as Honda, Nissan, and Toyota often include a built-in utility track along the sides of the truck’s bed frame, which can require additional attachments or metal brackets in order to fit and lock in a tonneau cover.
So it’s crucial you purchase a truck bed cover that specifically states that it fits your pickup truck’s make, model, year, and box size. Start by measuring your truck box and search for a tonneau cover that's designed for your truck.
Get your own tri fold tonneau cover today at the Strictly Auto Parts marketplace with free shipping available in Canada.
7. How do I measure my truck box to find the correct tonneau cover size?
Most pickup truck manufacturers have unique truck box sizes so it’s important to know your truck bed’s measurements before purchasing a tonneau cover.
Measure your truck bed.
- Use measuring tape to measure both the length and width of your truck bed.
- Starting from the inside of the bulkhead, measure down towards the inside of the tailgate.
- Now measure from side to side, at both ends of the truck bed, as most trucks taper off on one end and are not perfect rectangles.
Match your measurements with the manufacturer’s truck box sizes.
- Each pickup truck manufacturer will have two or three standard sizes for their truck’s boxes, which can vary slightly in length or width from one vehicle generation to the next; some may vary by a few inches depending on where it’s measured as they include part of the bulkhead or tailgate.
- Once you know your truck’s box size and measurements, search for a tonneau cover online that’s specifically fitted to your truck’s make, model, year, and box size.
8. What is the best tonneau cover for my truck?
There are many truck tonneau cover options available on the market, so knowing which one best suits your needs, truck box size, and budget, are all necessary to get you road ready with a well constructed truck bed cover. From soft and hard tops, to folding, rolling, and retracting tonneau covers, we have you covered in our full length post on how to choose the best tonneau cover for your truck.
The installation process can vary between types of truck tonneau covers and even by manufacturer or brand, but most follow some basic steps.
- Apply the weather strip seal;
- Place the cover on the bulkhead;
- Perform a test fit;
- Secure the front clamps;
- Secure the rear clamps
Read our full length tonneau cover installation guide for a simple step by step guide for both top mounting and flush mount truck bed covers to get your truck ready for the road in no time.
For further details on how to install a Black Series tri fold tonneau cover at home, please reference the installation video guide found at the links below.
How to Install a Black Series ST1 Soft Trifold Tonneau Cover
How to Install a Black Series HT3 Hard Trifold Tonneau Cover
10. Do tonneau covers lock in place?
Truck tonneau covers remain in place with either a clamping or locking mechanism, typically with metal or hard plastic brackets or clamps that lock or snap into the bed frame.
The mechanism will vary depending if it’s a top mounting tonneau cover or flush mounting along the sides of the bed frame, bulkhead, and tailgate. Retractable tonneau covers often include a key lock close to the tailgate to provide added security, however, this also increases the risk of requiring professional repairs if the key or lock ever jams.
Make sure to find a manufacturer that provides a lifetime warranty on the clamping or locking mechanism to ensure your tonneau cover remains in place and is safe for the road.
11. How do I remove and store a top mounting tri fold tonneau cover?
- Open the tailgate.
- Release the two rear clamps.
- Fold the cover forward, and secure the clamps in the storage position.
- Fasten both safety buckles.
- Release the two front clamps and secure them in the storage position.
- Close the tailgate.
- The soft top tri fold cover can typically be taken off the truck by one person, however, it's ideal to remove a hard top tri fold cover with the help of a second person to reduce the risk of dropping the cover.
- Finally, store the cover in a garage, locked shed, or storage unit to reduce the chance of theft, while keeping it dry and out of the sun.
12. How do I clean a tonneau cover?
A well constructed hard top tonneau cover can be cleaned at home using water and select car care products that are safe to use on your vehicle’s exterior paint.
Most soft top tonneau covers consist of a leather grained vinyl covering, so please use a product that can clean and condition vinyl without damaging the material.
Petroleum and silicone based cleansers should NOT be used on vinyl as it can break down the material.
Steps to cleaning a tonneau cover:
- Start by washing away any fresh dirt, dust, or salt residue with some water and a very small amount of foaming or liquid basic soap.
- Rinse away all soap residue and wipe it down dry with a microfiber cloth.
- Once dry, we recommend using a cleanser safe for vinyl fabric such as Wolfsteins Pro-Series Premium Tonneau Cover Cleaner or Soft Topp Jeep Fabric & Vinyl Cleaner to remove the tougher stains.
- Apply a small amount of cleanser using a premium microfiber pad, starting with a small test patch, then work it across the cover.
- Remove any excess cleanser using a premium microfiber cloth.
Once the cleaning process is complete, we recommend using a leather conditioner or vinyl protectant such as Wolfsteins Pro-Series Premium Tonneau Cover Vinyl Protectant or Masterson’s Leather Conditioner which are specifically designed to nourish and help restore the original colour and feel of the material.
Masterson’s Leather Conditioner protects against cracking, fading, and discoloration from the sun’s harmful UV rays. The water-based formula is easy to apply and delivers dry-to-the-touch results.
- Apply the conditioner using a premium microfiber pad, working it into leather pores to restore and protect the vinyl.
- Remove any excess conditioner using a premium microfiber towel and you're ready to go.
13. Can a tonneau cover go through a carwash?
Yes, a well designed tonneau cover, particularly a hard top truck bed cover constructed of aluminum, can withstand a basic car wash. However, please ensure the clamps and other locking mechanisms are properly secured prior to entering the car wash to prevent water from entering the truck bed.
Avoid premium car washes, particularly when a soft top tonneau cover is placed on your truck as most washes include wax coatings that are not ideal for leather grained vinyl.
If your truck bed is empty, our recommendation is to simply remove a soft top tonneau cover from the truck if a premium wash for your vehicle is desired. Cleaning products designed specifically for vinyl are ideal for cleaning and maintaining your soft top truck tonneau cover at home.
We recommend using a cleanser safe for vinyl fabric such as Wolfsteins Pro-Series Premium Tonneau Cover Cleaner or Soft Topp Jeep Fabric & Vinyl Cleaner and Protectant Kit to clean and maintain your soft top tonneau cover.
Wolfsteins Pro-Series Premium Tonneau Cover Vinyl Protectant or Masterson’s Leather Conditioner are great choices for maintaining and restoring your vinyl soft top cover with their simple water-based formula that are easy to apply and delivers dry-to-the-touch results.
14. What are the advantages of a Black Series tri fold tonneau cover?
Not all truck tonneau covers are designed with the same standards of quality and durability, nor offer the same simple installation process. Superior quality tonneau covers such as Black Series tri fold covers are engineered to withstand the harshest Canadian weather.
Constructed using a strong aluminum frame and leather grain vinyl covering, Black Series soft tri fold covers also include a weather-tight Q-seal gasket and front flaps around the base of the cover to keep it dry and prevent moisture and dirt from entering the truck bed.
A Black Series hard tri fold tonneau cover is constructed with a one inch thick aluminum frame and heavy-duty aluminum panels to provide superior strength, durability, and maximum protection for your precious cargo. It also includes weather-tight seals on all sides and hinges to provide protection from all weather conditions.
Finally, as a top mounting tonneau cover, installation is easy. Black Series covers come fully assembled with easy lock and release safety clamps that provide quick access and security for your truck box year round.
Get your own tri fold tonneau cover today at the Strictly Auto Parts marketplace with free shipping available in Canada.
Black Series tri fold tonneau covers are designed for a wide range of pickup truck models including Chevy Colorado & Silverado, Dodge Ram, Ford F-Series & Ranger, GMC Canyon & Sierra, and Toyota Tacoma & Tundra.
Each vehicle manufacturer will have two to three standard sizes for their truck’s boxes. Most model variants will fit, but please note that added accessories such as roof racks and tool boxes will change the box size and prevent the truck bed cover from fitting or locking in place.
Visit here for a complete list of truck bed sizes and model years for Black Series soft tri fold tonneau covers and hard tri fold tonneau covers, available on the Strictly Auto Parts marketplace with free shipping in Canada.
16. Where can I buy a Black Series tri fold tonneau cover?
Once you know your truck’s box size and measurements, search for a tonneau cover that’s specifically fitted to your truck’s make, model, year, and box size. Get your own Black Series tri fold tonneau cover today at the Strictly Auto Parts marketplace with free shipping available in Canada.
You can also Contact Us at one our two warehouse locations in Markham, Ontario, or Calgary, Alberta, where we offer free curbside installation for all in stock tri fold tonneau covers. Please call ahead before visiting to ensure availability.