Ford F-150 folding & rolling tonneau covers are being manufactured in a myriad of designs to serve every individual truck’s and job’s criteria flawlessly. Hence, finding the cover which can best suit your F-150 model and job type can become a pesky task. Therefore, to help you find a tonneau cover which will best suit your truck and tasks, here are 3fundamental steps to follow when comparing different tonneau covers:
Truck beds are universally designed in three standard sizes, i.e., short bed, regular bed, and long bed. But, the exact shape and size of a tonneau cover depend on the brand it is made by, the year it was made, and the style it is designed in.
Based on its style and structure, you may have to measure your bed differently. Some tonneau covers fit over the truck bed’s inner edge while others may fit from the outside of the bed.
To find the best one that fits, visit the ‘Product Details’ section of every cover to check the right dimensions and match it with your truck bed’s dimensions.
If you don’t usually need to use the entire truck bed, you can opt for a folding tonneau cover to simply fold up the first one or two sections without exposing the other half of the bed.
In addition to providing the benefits of a folding cover, a rolling tonneau cover allow more precise opening control and helps you used only the necessary amount of space that you want to use.
With an automated retractable tonneau cover, you won’t have to worry about holding up the cover, and you can use the bed strategically from the tailgate to bulkhead.
A typical tonneau cover should also be compatible with the accessories you may use along with it in the future, such as bed rails, tie downs, sports bars, headache racks, light bars, or bike racks.
If you already have or are planning to fit in a toolbox in your truck bed, keep in mind that not all tonneau covers may be integrated for it.
If you need to secure your cargo in the bed for multiple days or are carrying expensive packages, make sure to choose a cover with a pre-installed locking system or one that allows the separate installation of locks.
Do’s:
Do Regularly Inspect your and all its parts for nicks, bumps, dings, debris, looseness, scratches, and corrosion as these issues can gradually degrade your cover’s lifespan. Doing so will also save you from spending extra bucks on maintenance or replacement in the future.
Do Secure All Fasteners and clamps that hold the cover in place frequently to prevent it from cracking or loosening due to vibrations or load when you drive. Ensuring that all bolts and mounting hardware are precisely fastened is equally vital.
Do Apply Protectants over the cover, the plastic rim around the bed, bumper, and tailgate as all F-150 folding and rolling covers are prone to weather damage. The bed rails also require timely lubrication to prevent jamming or jerking of the cover while sliding. You may use lithium grease to lubricate all locks and moving locking parts.
Don’ts:
Do Not Wash The Cover Harshly with dry, rough cloths or hard bristle brushes. Instead, use a microfiber scrub or a soft bristle brush for gently cleaning the cover and dry it off with a microfiber towel.
Do Not Overload The Truck Bed with large, overweight objects as it can make your bed cover saggy and loose over time. Check your cover’s load capacity as mentioned in its manual, and try to distribute your cargo’s weight across the bed evenly.
Do Not Keep The Truck In Harsh Weather For A Long Time as these vinyl and hard plastic tonneau covers for F-150 are prone to sun damage under direct sunlight, and the formation of mildew and mold in cold shaded places. Hence, make sure your truck isn’t parked in one place for several days.
How To Keep Your Ford F-150 Truck Germ-Free During And After The COVID-19 Pandemic
Be it harsh weather conditions or a pandemic breakout; due to the nature of your work, you’ll frequently come in contact with people and touch different interior parts of your truck, which can potentially become a source for various viruses and germs to accumulate and transmit. However, you cannot sabotage the quality and durability of different truck parts and covers by randomly using any chemical to clean or disinfect their surfaces. Hence, here are some tips you can follow to disinfect your truck and its parts from time to time and stay safe at work:
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