Steel truck covers are arguably the most popular covers among truck owners who want to get the most out of their vehicles. Not only is the steel durable, but it provides adequate protection to the materials below regardless of the weight on the cover itself. However, steel truck covers vary from brand to brand, and it can be challenging finding the right cover for your needs. This article highlights critical features you should look for in a steel truck cover top.
Friction Engravings
Ideally, a steel truck cover is meant to protect materials on the backside of a truck. However, truck trays can only accommodate so much material. If you want to carry more materials, the only option you have is to tie the load onto the top surface of the cover. However, the additional space is only useful if it can prevent materials from sliding side to side while in transit. Therefore, you need to examine the top of the steel cover and look for engraved patterns. The markings help increase the friction between the materials and the cover, thereby ensuring that a load stays put during transport. If the surface is smooth, then you might as well carry only items that fit the truck's tray.
Tri-Fold Cover
Although steel covers are relatively heavy, manufacturers have come up with various opening systems that make handling less challenging. Most steel covers feature a double fold where two halves connect in the middle via a hinge system. Therefore, rather than lift the entire steel cover, you only lift one half, which makes the effort lighter. However, if one half of the steel cover were to get damaged, you might need to replace the entire half. A better option is a cover that features a tri-fold. The type has the cover hinged at two different points, consequently dividing the cover into three equal parts. It further reduces the amount of weight the truck driver has to deal with when opening and closing the cover. Additionally, replacing one damaged part is not challenging because they are much smaller and, therefore, lighter.
Strong Weather Seal
The weather is not always going to be on your side when transporting materials. It is for this reason that you should get a steel truck cover that has a robust weather seal. The seal helps protect the materials under the lid from getting wet, especially during storms. Once the top is locked in place, you don't need a secondary accessory to prevent water from getting into the covered compartment. It saves you the money you would have otherwise spent on replacing damaged materials.
For more information, contact a supplier of tonneau covers.