Even in this day and age of ever rising gas prices, pickup trucks remain immensely popular with the American public. That's because pickup trucks are practical and versatile vehicles that get the job done. They are also cool. If pickup trucks have one problem, it's that they leave their cargo unsecured and exposed for all to see. That's not a big issue most of the time, but there are situations where it'd come in handy to have some protection and have things hidden away from prying eyes. That's why about a fifth of all pickup trucks in the US and Canada have some sort of a lid over the bed, and a good number use retractable tonneau covers.
Where does the term "tonneau" or "tonno" come from? In French a tonneaux is a vehicle with square body and a rear entrance. The term was then more generally adopted to describe the after part of a vehicle's body that has an entrance at the rear. And somehow, we came to call the cover for such an opening a tonneau. Go figure. But call them truck caps or truck bed covers, tonneaus make a lot of sense. Did you know they also come in many different types and styles?
As far as I am concerned, retractable tonneau covers are the most practical. With a retractable tonneau, there is no cover to put on or take off. The whole thing slides along rails attached to the sides of the bed and then simply retracts and rolls up into a canister mounted low behind the truck's rear window. The canister is very compact (less than 10 x 10 inches) and hardly cuts into the cargo space. This way, you have protection when you need it and a full, open bed when it doesn't matter or when you have bulky cargo.
What many truck owners don't know is that a truck tonneau can come in several different types. The most economical models are manually operated roll tops. The cover consists of interlocking aluminum slats that are either powder-coated or laminated with vinyl. The vinyl-coated slates make for a softer automotive look whereas extruded full-metal slates provide extra strength.
For easier operation, systems like Pace Edwards' "JackRabbit" have a continuous tension spring so that the roll top retracts all by itself. It can be locked into various positions and to close it again there's a strap. For ultimate ease of use, get an electric model that can be operated with a switch inside the cabin or with a remote control that looks like a standard key ring fob. They cost a bit more, but it just doesn't get any more convenient.
There are other things to look out for in a retractable tonneau cover. For example, you may not want to drill holes that later rust. Some covers use special clamps for drill-free installation. If looks matter, go for a product with a neat flush top design that integrates into the design of your truck. If you want to hide valuable items under a tonneau but also carry large equipment, look for a removable rigging system. Some tonneaus have special grooves for the rigging to slide in. If security is a primary issue, there are systems like the popular Pace Edwards BedLocker that come with remote controlled electric tailgate locks.
As if you'd need yet another reason to add a retractable tonneau cover to your truck, driving with a closed tonne can actually improve gas mileage from three to ten percent. With today's fuel prices, that can add up.
I really love my truck. Some would even label me a truck maniac, but when they do, I take it as a compliment. I got my Ford F150 for my 21st birthday, and from that point on we were inseparable. I did everything in that truck. I mean everything. If I ever get married, I want to somehow contrive to have the ceremony in the truck. But I doubt I’ll meet a chick who understands me, so I’m having my lawyer work on a way for me to legally marry a vehicle. But once, there was a time when I thought we would be separated forever….
On my 22nd birthday, my friend Mike convinced me to go to Tijuana. I had lived in San Diego for a time, but I never had the courage to venture across the border. He told me it was the promised land for those with dollars. He painted vivid pictures involving nonstop partying, giant burritos and Coronas aplenty. Needless to say, I was sold. We piled into my Ford and we were off.
In a surprisingly short amount of time we reached the border. Mike suggested that we park on the US side and then walk across. But I would have none of it. The thought of being in a different country than my beloved was unthinkable. He reluctantly agreed, and we slowly drove through the checkpoint. Crossing the border was pretty uneventful, but when we reached the other side, I was shocked. The difference between the US and Tijuana was extreme. It was much dirtier and slum-like in Mexico, and yet there was a charm to the place. We parked by the side of the road and started to wander. I bought some turquoise rings that I didn’t need and then began to consider buying a pet monkey, or perhaps a burro. I walked a little more past various vendors and then took a turn into an alley. All of a sudden I noticed I was being followed by a scantily clad Mexican woman. She approached me and suggested we go somewhere private.
I started to laugh. “Senorita please. There’s no way you can tempt me. Look at what I have waiting for me." I pulled out my wallet and began to show off photos of my shiny metal lady. She seemed very interested in the photos, and asked Ford related questions in broken English. Then, all of a sudden, a street urchin appeared. He ran towards me, and with one flying kick to the nards, laid me low. The woman grabbed my wallet and she and the urchin jumped on a motorbike and raced away.
When I recovered, I staggered around until I found Mike. When he heard my story, he was concerned and suggested we jet. We walked back to our starting point and I stopped in shock. Worse than any kick to the groin was the site which confronted me. My truck was gone! An unearthly shriek issued from my mouth and I fell to the ground unconscious. When I came to, I looked around groggily wondering what had happened. I suddenly realized I was riding in vehicle and Mike was driving. “What happened�", I began, then I realized we were riding in my truck!
“What happened?" I asked. “How did you get it back?"
Mike told me that he had found a shady Mexican dealer who offered to give the truck back in exchange for five hundred US dollars. “By the way man, you owe me $500."
So I lost some cash and didn’t buy a burro, but at least I had regained all that mattered to me. The wedding is in June!
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