Thousands of truck owners enjoy the benefits of convenient tonneau covers. Many are now saving lots of time by opting for a retractable tonneau cover. Retractable tonneau covers carry all the same advantages as regular covers, but without the hassle of manually installing and removing the cover every time you want to use it.

What is a Retractable Tonneau Cover?

A retractable tonneau cover (or tonno) slides along rails that are attached to the sides of the truck bed. When you need to cover your truck bed to protect items or just for the sake of having a bed cover, the retractable tonneau cover provides a timesaving, durable alternative to traditional tonneaus. It fits securely over the truck bed and gives protection from the weather elements such as wind, rain, or snow while safely securing items stored in the bed of your truck. A tonneau cover also keeps valuable items out of sight to reduce the risk of theft.

There may be times when you don't want or need a tonneau cover. One example is when you need to haul bulky cargo or want to leave the bed open to air out. A retractable tonneau cover simply slides back and rolls up into a compact canister that's less than 10 x 10 inches. The canister is mounted behind the rear window of the truck and just barely cuts into your cargo space.

Save on Gas

Among the many benefits of owning a retractable truck tonneau, it also helps you save on gas. Truck tonneaus can improve gas mileage by as much as three to five percent on average. According to a study on tonneau covers by the Department of Mechanical Engineers at Western New England College, adding a tonneau cover is the best way to improve gas mileage on pickup trucks.

When a tonneau cover was added to a Dodge Ram, the study showed an eight-percent gas mileage savings! And what's the reason for this savings? It's simple. Tonneau covers reduce aerodynamic drag for pickup trucks, allowing the air to flow up and over the tonneau cover instead of downward into the bed of the truck and then back up over the tailgate.

Types of Retractable Truck Tonneaus

Retractable truck tonneaus come in various designs to fit everyone's needs and budget. There's the JackRabbit, which has a continuous tension spring so the roll top can retract on its own. The JackRabbit tonneau cover enables you to lock the cover into different positions and then close it again with the use of a simple strap. There are also electric models, which can be operated easily using a switch in the truck's cabin or even a remote control device. Electric models can be more costly, but the convenience and ease of use make these well worth the added dollars!

If you're on a tight budget, the manually operated roll top costs less but is still a time-saver. This type of retractable truck tonneau cover works using interlocking aluminum slats, which are either laminated with vinyl or powder-coated. Though it requires a little more effort, this type of cover is still more convenient than those that have to be completely removed and installed each time you want to use them.

When choosing a retractable tonneau cover, look for a cover with a flush top design that blends well with your truck's shape. Opt for a truck tonneau with special installation clamps if you'd prefer not to drill holes. To secure valuable items in your truck bed, look for a tonneau with an electric tailgate lock such as the Pace Edwards BedLocker. The lock is easy to use with remote control and can help keep your valuables safe while on long trips or while parked in public areas.

It's now easier than ever to shop for retractable tonneau covers online. You can find all these styles at affordable prices to fit your type of truck. Look for online retailers that sell quality products such as JackRabbit, Full Metal JackRabbit, the original Roll-Top-Cover, and BedLocker. Never waste time again with covers that have to be physically installed and removed for every use. Go online today to start saving time and gas with a retractable tonneau cover.

For more information and informative related articles and links about this subject matter and content, please visit Majon's Automotive directory: http://www.majon.com/directory/Automotive

About the Author

Chris Robertson is a published author of Majon International. All Rights Reserved. Copyright 2008 (Wed Oct 01 2008) Majon International. Majon International is one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing and internet advertising companies on the web. Visit their main business resource web site at: http://majon.com