Tonneau Covers are undoubtedly one of the most useful accessories you can buy for your pickup truck - providing protection from weather, increased security, better gas mileage and sleek styling. As a premium retailer of aftermarket truck accessories we offer a comprehensive range of choices for Tonneau Covers, making it easy to find a cover that suits your specific needs - from the popular and durable Retractable Tonneau Cover to the easy-to-use and economical line of Access Roll-Up Tonneau Covers.
With so many types and styles of Tonneau Covers to choose from, selecting one that is guaranteed to fit your truck can be bewildering, especially when U.S. light-duty truck makers produce about 20 variations of the truck cab. In addition, some Tonneau Cover manufacturers make products that only fit certain cab types or a particular make of truck. The differences between truck bed sizes across manufacturers can be as little as a few centimeters, and even the slightest difference in size can compromise the fit, security and protection of your Tonneau Cover.
To find your cab size, look in the manual that came with the truck for a clear classification or moniker such as crewcab, extended cab, or short cab. If you don't have a manual, you can find the cab type on the vehicle manufacturer website, or take the measurements of the bed length yourself. To do this, simply take a tape measure and extend it from the bulkhead, or front of the truck to the inside of the tailgate, as seen in the photo to the left. Most tape measures should have foot notations to help with the conversion, but in case yours' does not, write the total amount of inches of your truck bed down and divide it by 12. Note that your result may be slightly different from what the Tonneau Cover manufacturer lists for the vehicle, as some round off the length (e.g. The Tonneau Cover length advertised for a Dodge Dakota Crew Cab size says 5.4 feet, even though the actual measurement of the bed is 65.3 inches, or 5.44 feet). Once you have acquired this information, select your make and year/cab type from the drop down list on the 4 Wheel Online website.
Under some circumstances, simply finding the cab classification may not safeguard a proper fit. For example, if you have a toolbox on your truck, you will need to choose a cover built specifically to accommodate this feature. Under no circumstances should you make modifications to the Tonneau cover, as this will both void the warranty and make the cover non-returnable. Additionally, if your truck contains a liner that rises over the rail, it may squeeze the width of the Tonneau, which may affect the fit. To avoid these complications, be sure to check that your Tonneau Cover is bed-liner compatible with the manufacturer or in the features listed on 4 Wheel Online before making your purchase.
Considering these details before you make a Tonneau Cover purchase will save you time and money, as well as make certain you find the right cover for your needs. To find out more about the different Tonneau Covers and products we offer, check back on our articles page regularly and visit our blog.
Posted on December 28th, 2013