Soft vs Hard Tonneau Covers
Thursday, November 14, 2024
If you're trying to decide what type of tonneau cover is right for you, the two main options are hard and soft covers. Within those two categories, there are other options like rolling, folding, retractable and one-piece.
Before you decide how you want your tonneau cover to function, you must decide whether a soft or hard cover fits your needs.
In short, soft covers are generally less expensive and easier to install than hard covers, but hard covers are usually more durable and offer better security for the items in your truck bed. Let's take a closer look.
Soft Tonneau Covers
Advantages of a Soft Tonneau Cover
If you have a tight budget, a soft tonneau cover might be the better choice as these types typically cost less than hard covers. A soft cover is also lighter than a hard cover, making it easier to install and remove.
If easy access to your truck bed is a priority, then soft covers are often better for this due to rolling and folding styles. A common criticism of soft covers is that they're less durable, but soft covers come in many materials that can be nearly as durable as hard covers.
Drawbacks of a Soft Tonneau Cover
Probably the main drawback of a soft tonneau cover is that it's less secure than a hard cover. Even the thickest material of a soft cover can still be compromised quicker than getting past a hard cover. Hard covers often have locks on them, making it harder still to break into one.
Source: Reddit
Depending on the material of a soft cover, they may be less resistant to the elements and harsh weather.
Hard covers are undeniably stylish, while it's sometimes more difficult to complete a seamless look for your truck with a soft cover. In other words, it looks like a soft tonneau was added on whereas a hard tonneau looks like it was custom-designed to match your truck perfectly.
Hard Tonneau Covers
Advantages of a Hard Tonneau Cover
Even though hard tonneau covers are usually more expensive, the tradeoff is that you're getting something secure and durable to protect your truck bed. Many hard covers come with locks to increase security. Compared to soft covers, hard covers have a more stylish look.
Drawbacks of a Hard Tonneau Cover
For some buyers, the biggest drawback of a hard tonneau cover is the price. However, other drawbacks include the weight of the cover and fewer options for opening it. If you plan to remove your tonneau cover often, a hard cover makes this more difficult due to its bulk.
Hard covers have limited ways to open and often must be unlocked to access the bed.
Tonneau Cover Buying Factors To Consider
Choosing between the two types of tonneau covers largely depends on what you need and your budget. The following is a breakdown of three top buying considerations and how each type of cover matches up.
Security and Durability
If your primary reason for buying a tonneau cover is to have a secure place to store your cargo, then a hard cover would be the better choice. Hard tonneau covers provide more security due to construction from materials like fiberglass or aluminum.
They often come with locks as well. Soft covers are usually made from materials like vinyl or canvas. While these materials can be durable, they're not difficult to break into.
Similarly, soft covers tend to be vulnerable to UV rays, strong winds, and heavy snowfall. A hard cover can easily withstand the elements due to the stronger materials used. If you live in a place with extreme weather or you need to transport heavy cargo, a hard cover is usually the better option.
Source: F150Forum.com
Easy Access and Installation
Due to their lighter weight, soft covers are easier to install with a clamp or Velcro system. You can generally roll or fold them back to get full access to your truck bed. On the other hand, hard covers are very heavy and may require professional installation.
Some hard covers do have better accessibility through folding panels, but this isn't always the case. If you need full bed access and want to remove your cover frequently, a soft cover is probably the better choice.
Affordability and Style
Soft covers are generally more affordable upfront if you have a tight budget. However, it's important to remember that you may have to replace the cover more often due to its less durable nature vs a hard cover.
Hard tonneau covers may cost more to start, but they may save you money in the long run. If a stylish appearance is a concern, hard covers tend to have more aesthetic appeal than soft covers. Which cover works for you here really depends on your budget and style preferences.
Enthuze soft roll-up tonneau cover on a RAM 1500 Rebel
Enthuze Tonneau Covers
Enthuze offers convenient options for tonneau covers with a soft roll-up cover, a soft tri-folding tonneau cover, and two styles of hard tri-folding tonneau covers. The R-Series hard tri-fold cover removes the drawback of bed access as it folds back three panels to the cab of your truck.
Enthuze R-Series hard tri-fold tonneau cover
Enthuze soft covers are constructed to be durable and flexible with weather-resistant vinyl attached to bolt-on aluminum rails. The roll-up soft cover offers the easiest bed access, while the tri-fold soft cover is the most secure with strong resistance to tearing, stretching, and fading.
If you need a tonneau cover to protect cargo in your truck bed, you can count on Enthuze for both hard and soft covers to choose from. Enthuze truck accessories are tested against rigorous quality standards before using the Enthuze name.
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