A tonneau cover offers dependable protection and privacy for the contents of your truck bed. After a long day of work or off-road adventures, you probably aren’t thinking about truck bed cover maintenance. These steps are crucial for keeping your cover looking great and holding up to extreme use. Follow these steps to see how to maintain the best roll-up tonneau cover and other cover styles.
Inspect Your Cover
Start your maintenance routine by inspecting your cover. A little dirt and grim is easy to wash off, but major cracks, tears or other issues need to be repaired. Depending on the area that’s damaged, you may be able to order a new part. Otherwise, it may be time to order a new tonneau cover. A few minor repairs can extend the lifetime of your cover, so it’s important to inspect your cover frequently.
Wash Your Tonneau
Washing off your cover is just as important as washing off your truck. Dirt and grime can cause scratches that reduce the look and durability of your cover. Bird droppings and tree sap are particularly corrosive and can cause serious damage to soft covers.
Gather a hose, bucket, mild soap and cotton cloth or sponge. Wash your cover just like your truck, but be sure you use a gentle soap or a vinyl cleaner on a vinyl cover. Spray off the entire cover with water before wiping off any debris with a soft cloth and soap. Rinse it thoroughly.
Dry Your Cover
While truck bed covers are designed to handle rain and other moisture, it’s a good idea to dry off your cover after washing it. This step prevents water spots from drying on your cover and causing an unpleasant look. Some covers are only water resistant, so leaving standing water on them for an extended period of time could cause unnecessary wear. Dry off your cover with a soft cloth or microfiber towel.
Tighten Hardware
Check out the bolts, rails and other hardware on your tonneau. A loose bolt can create a dangerous situation as you’re driving down the road. Extended use can cause some bearings and other hardware to dry out and stick. Check the manufacturer’s recommendations on proper lubrication for your tonneau cover.
A little lubrication on moving parts promotes smooth movement and reduces the risk of damaging your cover. Be sure your cover opens and closes fully and smoothly, otherwise there may be an issue with your hardware.
Don’t Overload Your Tonneau Cover
All truck bed covers come with a weight rating. Your truck bed itself will hold most of the weight of your gear and supplies, but you may set items on top of your cover at the job site or at your home. Overloading the top of your cover can bend the frame. It can also crack or tear the surface.
Shop for a New Cover and Cover Accessories Today
Follow these steps today to extend the lifetime of your truck bed cover. Shop for high-quality cleaning products and consider the best hard folding tonneau cover to upgrade your truck for your next project.
