The Best Retractable Tonneau Covers

The reason most truck owners choose retractable tonneau covers is that they give instant access to your pickup bed without removing the cover. With the cover closed your gear is fully protected. When you unlock the cover and turn the latch the cover retracts into a canister, giving you full access to the contents of the bed. Flush top designs also increase gas mileage-between seven and fifteen percent.

The sleek Pace Edwards JackRabbit is the gold standard of retractable tonneau covers. The JackRabbit Full Metal has powder-coated interlocking aluminum panels, while the original JackRabbit has aluminum panels with a vinyl overlay. The Pace Edwards Speed Clamp attaching system makes installation easy, with no drilling. JackRabbit covers have Continuous Tension Springs that take very little effort to close. A weather-sealed latching system allows the cover to be latched every 12 inches.

The Pace Edward Bedlocker is the best of the best. This innovative retractable tonneau cover has the strength and versatility of the Full Metal JackRabbit plus remote controlled opening and closing. You can wire the Bedlocker remote control to lock your power doors, providing complete remote security for your pickup. The electrical remote control lets you lock the Bedlocker in any position. The Bedlocker has a powerful motor drive and a manual release option to use if your truck loses power.

Pace Edwards still carries its original retractable tonneau cover, and has upgraded it to make it even better. The cover now includes standard lock covers that protect the lock cylinder. Special grooves in the rails make it easier to install.

If you want to carry recreational gear above the cover, you can do that with explorer series rails. Black power-coated extruded aluminum rails have keyhole style channels that make it easy to install interchangeable sport or utility mounts with no drilling. You can order these special rails in place of the standard rails that come with JackRabbit and Bedlocker retractable tonneau covers.

Another handy upgrade is an electric tailgate lock that locks your tailgate whenever you lock your power doors. A plug-and-go wiring harness makes it easy to install. If you don't have power doors, a switch kit option means you can still lock your tailgate and secure your contents.

While no retractable tonneau cover is 100 percent water proof, Pace Edwards covers have drain tubes located at the base of the canisters that direct water to the outside of the truck. To keep the drainage system working at its best, clean the drain tubes if they become clogged and clean out the canister every once in a while.

Proper installation of the cover helps keep contents dry. Also, it's important to open and close the cover periodically to keep it operating smoothly. To avoid getting snow in the bed, sweep snow off the cover with a broom before opening the cover. If there's ice on the cover, smack the middle of the cover with your hand to break up the ice and make it easy to brush off. Don't use anything but your hand to smack the ice or you could damage your tonneau cover.

Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International, one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing companies on the web.
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Truck Bed Covers - Too Extreme?

Truck bed covers protect, but they also enhance and protect the looks of pickups. You can just get the basics or choose the premium version. Read on to see the contrast of the low-end covers and the most expensive, top-of-the-line tonneaus.

Low Price Tonneau Covers

For basic truck bed covers, look at soft covers first. Many brands include soft cover options. Extang is one example worth looking at. Soft covers consist of a heavy vinyl cover, but the shape and configuration of the covers vary widely.

Most commonly the covers are simple roll-up sheets. That means to access the bed, the cover rolls forward completely out of the way. What you look for is a closure design that's easy to use. Snaps are common as the closing method. As you have probably experienced, snap closure can be major aggravation. The snaps always in the wrong position. It's either placed so it's impossible to close or it's too loose and the cover isn't tight enough.

That's why it's best to look either at velcro closure and other methods. Also, closely examine how the cover mounts to the bed rails. Often the mount is clamped on and consists of metal rails that form the frame for the tonneau. It is surely easier to deal with clamp mounts rather than screw-type mounting.

You do have other choices for soft covers than just the basic roll-up designs. Soft covers come as tilt-up models as well as fold-ups too. Each has advantages, but for low cost and easy use, it's hard to beat the simple roll-up covering.

Speaking of cost, the simplest soft covers set you back very little. There are so many manufacturers, the competition must benefit the consumer.

Best Tonneaus

Looks and security favor the better covers. Any cover increases security since whatever you're hauling remains out of sight. But some covers turn truck beds into a virtual locked vault. The metal retractable covers do just that and are possibly the very best cover if you don't mind the price tag.

Instead of vinyl, the best covers offer aluminum sheets for covering you bed. The sheet rolls hide to the front of the pickup bed when not in use and store right in a metal can completely out of the way. Though the retractable feature is easy enough to operate manually, the premium option includes electronics. That feature offers push-button open and close for remote control bed cover operation.

Talking about luxury, open the bed for use as you walk toward your truck across the parking lot. And why not, if car trunks open by remote control, why not a truck bed. Since in effect a metal retractable bed cover is just about like a giant, locking truck trunk anyway.

Just like soft covers, retractable covers mount low and are little if any above the top of the bed rails. The look is a low-profile look that is not very noticeable and finished to complement the look of any pickup.

Soft truck bed covers offer just basic protection for cargo and bed paint. But that protection costs just a fraction of what the best retractable covers will set you back. Retractable covers offer vault-like security plus easy to use convenience but at a luxury price.

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Selecting the Best Retractable Tonneau Cover

The trend of customizing light trucks with specialty equipment may be one you've enjoyed indulging. But did you know there's a single accessory that can add style, security and versatility to your truck? A retractable tonneau cover lets you ride in style while protecting whatever you're hauling.

Here are three quick tips for selecting the right one for your vehicle.

Look for Versatility

By allowing you to access your load without cumbersome tonneau removal, a retractable tonneau cover lends real versatility to your light truck. While selecting a cover for your truck bed, opt for features that allow you to load and go quickly.

Remote-controlled retractable tonneau covers like the Pace Edwards Bedlocker give truck owners unparalleled ease of use. The push of a button sets the cover gliding down custom rails, giving full access to whatever is in the bed of the truck. If your truck bed is high traffic, make it even more versatile with a cover you control remotely.

Insist on Security

If you're like most light truck owners, you want to know that what you're hauling is secure. Full metal retractable tonneau covers built from aluminum panels offer improved security as well as style. Combined with remote controlled locking features like those found on the Pace Edwards Bedlocker, your truck becomes virtually tamper-proof.

Also look for "latch and lock" features that let you lock down the cover at intervals along the rails. This allows you to keep the bed secure, even with an irregular-shape load. Pace Edwards covers, in particular, seem to offer this feature in several models, especially the JackRabbit.

One more reason truck owners install tonneau covers is to protect the truck bed from the elements. With the right features, like interlocking panels and drain tubes to draw moisture away from the top, you can eliminate most of the damage rain, ice and snow cause to your truck bed.

Focus on Style

Even if you use your light truck constantly for hauling, there's no reason to sacrifice style. Today's retractable tonneau covers offer sleek styling as well as load security.

Look for durable finishes like powder-coated aluminum to insure a tough, good-looking cover. Another good option is a vinyl polymer cover built on an aluminum frame. Both materials are tough enough to withstand years of use without showing the wear.

While you're shopping, ask about low-profile tonneau cover models. These provide a flush fit that hides the hardware, so they won't detract from a great looking truck. Some truck owners prefer the classic good looks of an "old school" roll-top cover. Take the time to find a style that adds class to your truck's profile.

By the way, not only will a retractable tonneau cover improve your truck's looks, it can also increase your gas mileage. An independent wind tunnel study by the Specialty Equipment Market Association proved that adding a tonneau cover can decrease the drag factor in almost every truck model.

Installing a retractable tonneau cover is always a great investment for truck owners. With some careful shopping, you'll find a cover that gives you greater versatility and load security while preserving your truck's smooth styling.

Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International, one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing companies on the web. Learn more about Selecting a Tonneau Cover.

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Mudding Trucks Come in All Shapes and Sizes

Some stay with more of a stock design for their off road experience. These generally look a little better as mudding activity is the end result. Some of the stock designs are not to bad.

Mudding trucks are available in many shapes and sizes. Some are jacked up monster trucks that may require a ladder to climb into. They will usually have high performance engines that Nascar would be proud of. You can tell if it has been a good weekend as they are usually covered in mud. A bad day mud-slinging is better than a good at work.

Tires are a very important tool in mud boggin. A large tire helps to give the truck a little more lift. Also some tires have raised ridges that helps to find something to grab onto. Do not have the tire over inflated as this will make the tire to hard. A softer tire helps in the grabbing process.

Keeping the air intake system clean is very important. The air cleaner housing should be washed thoroughly after each outing, and the air filter should be in new condition. Some mud slingers are using a filter that can be cleaned after every mud slinging outing.

Air intake systems that are extended out above the windshield helps keep the filter and inside housing free of unnecessary debris. As any excess material in the cylinder will score the rings and cylinder wall and reduce power and lead to oil consumption. Maintaining a clean air intake system is very important.

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S W Allen Mudding Trucks Blog http://muddingtrucks.net/ Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=S_W_Allen

Advantages of Open Auto Transport

When shipping or transporting a car, many auto transport companies will offer the option of open auto transport or enclosed auto transport. The most important thing that people decide which mode of auto transport to go with is the cost involved. A driver of an open auto transport company determines his price per vehicle based on the route he is driving. Enclosed drivers price per vehicle is based on miles driven; the more miles traveled the cheaper per mile. The rates for both types of car carriers are typically driven by fuel prices.

If you are planning to shift your home to a new destination, there are lots of difficulties. You may be worried as to how would you transport your vehicle at an affordable rate. Your problem can be solved by hiring an auto transport company for shipping your vehicle. Many people have started using vehicle shipping more by more, because of the high cost of gas. If you are moving 1,000 miles and your car has poor gas mileage, you can end up paying hundreds of dollars for gas. A lot of extra money is being shelled out to cover the cost. But if you use auto transport service, you end up paying less compared to cost on gas and normal wear and tear expenses. One more possibility is that when you drive down your vehicle instead of shipping you may incur certain damages. In order to avoid this you can transport your vehicle.

Open auto transport services can be afforded by many people because it is economically priced. If you have spent time on US highways, you would have seen such open trailers at work. These trailers have one or two open air levels on which cars are loaded and secured. Open carriers can carry nearly 8 to 10 cars at a time. These trucks are nearly 75 to 80 feet long and about 14 feet high. Because of its massive size, these trucks are allowed only on limited roads and they ply only on roads which do not have low trees or low clearance bridges. Open auto transport carriers are the most common method of auto transport to transport new cars from the factory to the showroom or various places.

Open trailer is the least expensive form of auto shipping and by far the most common method. Enclosed auto transport is typically 25% to 50% more expensive than open auto transport. This method is also of industry standard and will provide more options and is likely a faster pick-up delivery window. Some of the drawbacks of open auto shipping are exposure and security. Exposure means the vehicle is exposed to sun, heat, snow etc. If your vehicle is not protected by sunlight or rain, chances are that your paint may be removed. Security is another major concern. If you have expensive products like high-end stereos or other expensive electronics item then chances of getting them stolen are higher in open auto transport. In open shipping you can request the shipping company to ship your vehicle on the top rack and/or immediately behind the truck.

Nisha is a Copywriter of Auto transport. She's written many articles in various topics. For more information visit:car shipping. Contact her at malar.article@gmail.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nisha_Sabbik

Tonneau Covers - Improve Security With a Truck Tonneau Cover

Installing a tonneau cover onto the bed of your truck is a simple solution to two fundamental issues: how can you keep cargo secure from theft and also protect it from the harsh elements of nature. Of course there are multiple types of tonneau covers to consider, each with its own set of advantages and disadvantages.

• Roll-Up Tonneau Covers
It used to be that a roll-up tonneau cover was great for keeping your things out of sight but didn't really offer all that much protection. Well things have certainly changed. Now you can get a roll-up tonneau cover with a locking device just as strong as any other tonneau cover. It is made of a softer, more pliable material that allows you to easily roll back the cover whenever you need to get something. This gives you the added bonus of only rolling it up a certain amount to get access to what you need. Of course, the softer material also means that it's not going to be able to handle as much of a weight load as other tonneau covers. However, it is also most likely your cheapest option.

• Folding Tonneau Covers
A folding tonneau cover provides similar flexibility to a roll-up tonneau cover with a little more support. These covers are built so that they can fold up in three or four segments, which is a faster and more precise way to gain access than having to roll up the material. A previous disadvantage was that the tonneau cover would stop with the last segment, leaving you with only partial access to your truck bed. These days, however, you can find folding tonneau covers that go the extra mile and fold up to rest against the rear window, granting you full access. However, their weight load is going to be similar that of a roll-up tonneau cover, which is slightly less than other options.

• Retractable Tonneau Covers
A retractable tonneau cover offers the easiest access to your truck bed. It glides smoothly back, allowing you complete access with almost no effort. Plus, most retractable tonneau covers come with a number of locking positions, so you can determine exactly how much you want it to open. This heavy-duty option provides some of the best weight support, so almost no amount of snowfall can take it down. Of course all the extra support and ease comes with a price - this is likely to be the most expensive option.

• Hard Tonneau Covers
Hard tonneau covers use hinges to grant you access to the bed of your truck. From the back of the truck, all it takes is one hand to lift it up and let the hinges catch and support it while you load or unload your cargo. The one-piece construction gives it basically the heaviest weight capacity of any tonneau cover. Of course, the fact that you tilt the tonneau cover up means that access to the part of the truck bed closest to the cab will be limited; it doesn't make it impossible, just a little more awkward.

No matter which tonneau cover you end up choosing, you can rest assured that it will be incredibly weather resistant and keep your cargo safe from possible theft.

Transamerican Auto Parts has been a leading provider of tonneau covers, Jeep tops, lift kits, and other off road vehicle parts for over 40 years. Learn more about how a tonneau cover can benefit you athttp://www.4wheelparts.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kevin_B_Jones

Folding Tonneau Covers - Really Beneficial?

Folding tonneau covers are offered for pickups of every make and model. There exist numerous varying styles of folding tonneau covers in today's automotive aftermarket. Often they're constructed from aluminum or vinyl with metal cross supports. The greater the number of panels a folding tonneau cover is comprised of, the smaller the space necessary for storage. The majority of covers fold from the tailgate to the front of the bed, though a few models feature panels folding in the reverse direction, granting access to the truck bed from the sides. Nearly all folding tonneau covers require an investment between $400 and $700 ... occasionally more.

Both aluminum and vinyl folding tonneau covers attach to the truck bed using stainless steel rods. The vast majority of such rods call for a little drilling along the bed rails, while others simply snap into the truck bed using drill-free clamps. When installed, the aforementioned hardware firmly holds the covering over the truck bed. Just about all folding tonneau covers provide locking mechanisms above the tailgate used to lock both cover and tailgate, making larceny extremely challenging. Folding covers constructed from either type of material are lightweight and simple to maneuver. And, each separate panel, even aluminum models, weighs but a few pounds.

Covers using additional panels fold into an even smaller area, allowing for even greater access to the truck bed. Most of these tops can be taken off in order for the entire bed to open. That said, it is equally practical to be able to leave the cover in-place and still access the entire truck bed. Many foldaway tonneau covers can be maneuvered so that, when folded, they are stacked, resting on one panel right behind the cab of the truck.

Again, as more panels are folded into an out-of-the-way position, more of the truck bed becomes easily accessible. A number of models feature the hinges in the middle, running front-to-back, allowing users to gain easy access to the truck bed from each side. This style of cover typically has two panels, each one supported in the upright position with some manner of gas shocks.

All that said, folding tonneau covers are the perfect complement for truck owners who need quick and easy access to their truck beds without sacrificing the peace of mind and security of a tonneau cover.

Eric Weeks has been one of the internet's leading experts on the folding tonneau cover and folding truck bed covers since 2001. Visit these sites now to learn how you can take advantage of this technology that can safeguard both your vehicle and your belongings while improving your gas mileage by as much as 10 - 12%. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eric_Weeks