Truck Cap vs. Tonneau Cover: Which One Should You Choose?

As a truck owner, you already know that one of the biggest advantages of a truck is transporting items with ease. The large space in the truck’s bed makes it the perfect tool for quickly getting things from one place to another, but you also have to ensure that your cargo is adequately protected from the elements. That’s where the truck cap vs. tonneau cover discussion comes into play. Whether you’re considering hard vs. soft tonneau cover or one of the various pickup truck bed cover caps, the number of options that you’ve probably come across can quickly become overwhelming.

To help you make sense of the tonneau cover vs. camper shell debate and help you make the most informed decision possible, let’s look at how these options differ, which one might work best in your situation, and the pros and cons of each.

Truck Cap vs. Tonneau Cover: What’s the Difference?

Even though both the truck cap and the tonneau cover serve a similar purpose, there are significant differences that you need to understand if you want to make the right choice. Let’s compare the tonneau cover vs. camper shell below.

• Installation Difficulty. The ease of installation is an essential factor to consider when comparing a truck cap vs. tonneau cover. While both options will prove beneficial once installed, you need to know which one will be simpler to install to minimize the risk of damaging your truck. In this regard, the tonneau cover comes out on top, as it’s much easier to put together on your own.
• Functionality. Another key difference when considering the truck cap or tonneau cover is how they function. For instance, while a truck cap can be more spacious at first glance, the tonneau cover can be quickly rolled up, allowing you to fit bigger items whenever you need to.
• Style. Finally, you can’t ignore the style difference between truck cap vs. tonneau cover. While it is a matter of taste, the tonneau cover maintains the more authentic “truck” look than a truck cap, which basically turns your truck into an SUV.

Hard vs. Soft Tonneau Covers: Which Option Best Fits Your Truck?

If you decide that the tonneau cover is the right option for you, there will be another important decision you’ll need to make. You’ll need to figure out whether you want a hard cover or soft cover tonneau, and the decision will come down to a few key factors.

For instance, if you want to ensure maximum security for your truck bed, a hard tonneau cover makes more sense. Even though both will prevent anyone from seeing what’s inside, the hard cover is more difficult to break into and provides an additional layer of protection.

Another critical consideration is the ease of access. While hard covers are relatively quick to move out of the way, some soft tonneau covers can also work well, especially if they have a roll-up or retract functionality. Keep in mind that soft tonneau covers are more likely to suffer damage and won’t last as long as a hard cover. 

Finally, cost might play a deciding role in the type of tonneau cover you end up going with. Soft covers are a bit cheaper, although the cost will also depend on the other features, ease of use, and security of the specific model.

The Pros and Cons of Truck Caps and Tonneau Covers

The only way to make a confident decision when comparing a truck cap vs. tonneau cover set up on a truck is to look at the pros and cons of each. 

Truck Caps 

Pros

• Can give your truck an SUV-type look that can be appealing depending on your preferences.
• If you like car camping, it makes for a spacious and comfortable sleeping place and gives you and your family more flexibility when on the road. 

Cons

• A significant drawback of pick up truck bed covers caps is that if the cargo doesn’t fit in the truck cap, you can’t transport it.
• It makes the truck much bulkier.
• It is difficult to install or unmount on your own.

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Tonneau Cover 

Pros

• Maintain the signature truck look.
• Quick access to the truck bed.
• Ability to fit large cargo by rolling up the tonneau.

Cons

• Soft covers can be less secure than a truck cap.

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Truck Cap or Tonneau Cover: Which is the Better Choice?

At this point, you’re probably ready to decide on the tonneau cover vs. cap. And even though you can’t really go wrong with any option, there’s a reason why more truck drivers are choosing the signature tonneau cover look.

The flexibility when transporting cargo, the ability to quickly access the bed, and the aesthetics that maintain the look of the truck are all strong arguments for choosing a tonneau cover.

The Bottom Line

Finding a way to protect your truck bed and keep the cargo safe is an integral part of realizing your truck’s full potential. And at Peragon, we are ready to provide you with top-quality truck bed covers that will meet all of your requirements. Proudly made in the USA and offering unparalleled customer service, we offer free shipping directly to your door.

To learn more about our selection, email sales@peragon.com or call 877-473-7246 today!