If you own a pickup truck, then a bed cover should be on your short list for improvements to your vehicle. Driven Sound and Security knows this category well and will work with you to find a cover that best fits your needs.
Bed covers are broken down into two main styles, hard and soft. Within these two styles are several different types, so here is a good primer on all of the differences.
Soft Bed Covers
Soft bed covers are where it all started decades ago. In the beginning, there was a black vinyl cover that was attached to snaps that were screwed into the sides of your bed. We have come a long way since then. Nowadays, the covers are held in place by a rail system that runs down the side of your truck and is held in place using clamps that rarely require drilling. The advantage of a soft cover is price and weight. If you need to get some protection from the elements and to keep people from looking at your cargo, these covers will do a decent job at that while not breaking the bank. They are also lightweight, so they are easy to handle. The major downside is that only a piece of vinyl stands between your cargo and the outside world. If security is a major concern, move right on down to the hard-covers section.
Soft covers come in several different styles. Years ago, you were limited to a rollup cover. When you wanted to access your bed, you would simply fold down the tailgate, release a lever and start rolling up the cover. If you needed to drive the truck with the bed open, you could secure the cover up against the cab. As hard-cover styles became popular, the soft covers became available in folding and hinged designs, mimicking the styles of the hard covers.
Hard Bed Covers
If a hard cover fits into your budget, we would highly suggest one of these styles. You get the utmost in security as well as great protection from Mother Nature. Here are the different designs that we offer at Driven Sound and Security.
One-piece Hinged Cover
One-piece hinged covers are where it all began with hard covers. In the beginning, they were made of fiberglass and could be painted to match your vehicle. They wrap around the sides of your bed for the ultimate in weather protection. They are easy to open and close as they use lift struts, just like the hatchback on a car. The downside of the fiberglass covers was weight. They were big and bulky, and you needed two people to remove them. Then along came composite covers. They weigh almost half of the fiberglass style while still having all of the same benefits. These covers come in a black finish, but we can paint them to match your truck for the ultimate in styling. If your major reason for buying a bed cover is protection, this may be the cover for you.
The two main things you need to consider with a solid, hinged cover is that bed access near the cab is limited. And, if you are out and about and need to use your whole bed to carry something big and bulky, you will have to find a place to store your cover.
Folding Covers
The drawbacks to the solid bed cover are what led to the folding covers. They are typically designed in three-piece panels that flip up, allowing easy bed access. Some of them are designed to be completely removable in just a few minutes, and can be set inside your bed beside your new cargo. We are fond of the styles that fold up against the rear window of your vehicle, giving you unimpeded bed access and never having to be removed. Some of the covers sit flush with the bed rails for a sleek look, and some sit on top of the rails themselves. These covers offer great security and good weather protection.
Rollup-Style Covers
Rollup-style covers continue to gain in popularity. They offer the security of the one-piece solid design while giving the customer whole bed access. A small canister is securely mounted up against the cab of the vehicle and stores the bed cover when it is retracted. The cover can be locked into position in many different spots, from fully open to partially closed. The rollup covers have a classy, elegant look and are the easiest to operate of any of the solid covers. If you are looking for the ultimate in bed security and want easy access to your whole bed, this may be the perfect cover for you.
The only drawback for some people is the canister. It will take up a small portion of your bed, up close to the cab, so you have to be mindful of that.
We Offer Professional Installation On All The Bed Covers We Sell
Driven Sound and Security spends significant time on researching and testing the products we offer our clients, so you can rest assured we only offer the best-value, highest-performing covers. And when it comes time to have your cover installed, our technicians are highly skilled and will treat your vehicle with the utmost care.
We invite you to stop by our facility with your truck and get to know us better. We will work with you to find the best solution for your needs.
You can also contact us here for more information about any of our products and services.
