As the rainy season sets in, your maintenance routine for your truck may change. You might get it washed and waxed a little more often, and of course, you need to check your windshield wipers to ensure they’re still in good condition. One part of your truck that shouldn’t be overlooked is its flatbed. Most flatbeds can drain water with specialized channels built into the bed lining, but sometimes these channels get blocked and rain is left to accumulate. If this happens, it can cause serious damage, and it could even contribute to rusting on your truck. Can folding tonneau covers prevent this from happening? Find out what kind of accessories will offer the best protection.
Secure Your Flatbed
Some of the main tonneau covers you’ll encounter are made from materials such as aluminum, heavy-duty plastic, or even fiberglass. Any of these materials is a great option if rain isn’t the only thing you’re worried about. Securing your flatbed is just as important as shielding it from rain. You can do both when you invest in a tonneau cover that can easily be secured. If you ever travel with tools stored in your flatbed, it’s vital to protect them against water damage and combat the threat of theft, too.
Most tonneau covers can be secured with a lock and key closure that keeps prying eyes away from your truck. Some other flatbed covers can be installed so that they can only be opened when your tailgate is open, so if your tailgate is locked, it is effectively secured, too. Either of these options is a wise investment to ensure that anything you keep in your flatbed is safe from damage or loss. Even if it doesn’t rain very often in your area, this is a good investment in your own peace of mind.
Install a Tonneau Cover
If you’re wondering how to install a tonneau cover, don’t worry. Most hard tonneau covers can be easily installed with a few simple steps. Before you get started, though, you should check to ensure that the cover you have is compatible with your vehicle — including any liners or rail caps you may have added to your flatbed. Once you’ve confirmed this, you can proceed by opening the tailgate and positioning the side rails. The side rail should be attachable via clamps, and you may need to add shims to fill any gap in the bed rail
Once both rails have been clamped in place and tightened, you can install the rubber seal — if one is included — and place the cover over the rails. Finally, the cover can be secured in place with bolts, and you can tighten all components to ensure that it’s fully secured. At this point, if there are any additional accessories that came with the tonneau cover kit, you can install them. If you’re installing a tonneau cover that’s extremely heavy — for example, a solid hinged hard cover — get help and don’t try to do it by yourself.
