Product Comparison: ACCESS Original and ACCESS TonnoSport Roll Up Tonneau Covers

When there is such a wide variety of products available to choose from, sometimes it's hard to make a decision. That's why, at Auto Truck Depot, we operate this blog. We want to make your shopping experience as quick and painless as possible and leave you excited and happy about the tonneau cover you've purchased for as long as you own it. Sometimes, choosing between brands can be tough, and other times choosing between models within the same brand can be hard.

So, in this article we are going to lay out the differences between two very popular tonneau covers in the same style and brand. What is the difference between the ACCESS® Original Roll-Up Cover and the TONNOSPORT® Roll-Up Cover?

ACCESS Original Roll-Up Tonneau Cover

The obvious difference is the price. The Original is a premium tonneau cover while the TONNOSPORT® is an economically-priced model and their costs reflect a difference in features. 

ACCESS TonnoSport Roll-Up Tonneau Cover

Consider the following:

Each cover offers a different look, or aesthetic, for your truck bed. The Original is an increased-capacity tonneau cover designed to sit one and a half inches above the bed rail, giving you extra room for cargo.  The TonnoSport is engineered with a low profile design that sits only half an inch above the bed to give your vehicle a more sporty, trimmed look at the cost of the extra inch height.

The Original has an exclusive SLANTBACK REAR DESIGN that tapers down over your tailgate for an improved seal and a more aerodoynamic style, while the TonnoSport, already designed with a slim look, ends abruptly at your tailgate.

The Original has a series of rails and bows that are painted black to match the colour of the vinyl and help give the cover its height. The TonnoSport has silver aluminum flat bars that help keep its low profile and minimize construction cost to save you money.

The ACCESS Original features the patented AUTOLATCH II Dual Locking System which allows you to release both side locks with one smooth motion, increasing ease of use while maximizing security. The TonnoSport has a simpler trigger latch mechanism with two slide locks.

The Original has two premium storage straps with cab guard design at the front of your bed to more securely store the cover when it's rolled up. The TonnoSport features a single QUICK CLIP Storage Strap.

The ACCESS Original also includes an Element Seal Gasket for extra protection from dust and moisture at the front bulkhead, a feature lacking in the TonnoSport.

While it is obvious that the Original has a larger number of more premium features, the cost is definitely a consideration. The TonnoSport is still a high quality, reliable cover. Both feature tension adjusters for the vinyl that don't require tools, with slightly different designs.

They also both boast the same double-coated, UV protected vunyl used in all ACCESS® Brand Roll-Up Covers to ensure a long lasting top that will keep your truck bed protected.

Auto Truck Depot

107, 42 Ave SW, Calgary, Alberta

Toll Free: 1-855-253-4330

Local: 1-403-253-4330

info@autotruckdepot.ca

www.autotruckdepot.ca

How to Install Your Tonneau Cover

Tonneau covers are a great addition to any pickup truck. Perhaps you’re thinking about purchasing a tonneau cover for your vehicle and want to be sure of the installation procedure prior to making the investment, or maybe you already have one that you’re preparing to install yourself. Either way, let me share some knowledge about how to install your cover!

Tonneau covers are usually installed with a simple clamping system that attaches the cover to your bed rails. There is no drilling or modification necessary, so even if your truck is leased, you have no worries about voiding any warranties or causing any unnecessary damage.

It is important that the rails are straight, since the cover will fold open and rest on these rails. If the rails are uneven, the cover might not close or seal properly. Soft Roll-Up covers often roll out and seal along the rails with Velcro, and Hard Tri-Fold tonneau covers often include latches that secure the cover to the rails. If the rails are not positioned accurately, you risk jeopardising the security of your truck bed.

Once the rails are installed, the rest is a breeze. The cover will generally latch or secure on starting at the cab end of your truck bed and roll or fold forward. The average installation time of a cover ranges from 15 minutes to an hour, depending on your skill level, the tools you have, and the type of cover you're installing. Some covers can be removed from the rails easily after the installation, allowing you to take the top on and off at will without having to do the full installation again.

Most tonneau cover installations are similar, but there are slight variations between different covers, so you might want to check the installation guide for your specific cover before attempting to install it yourself. All of the tonneau covers we sell on our website include installation guides and videos, which can be found in the product descriptions. If you plan on purchasing a tonneau cover, you may want to check out the installation guide for that specific cover. If you’re planning on buying a tonneau cover, but haven’t picked one out yet, take a look at these different tonneau cover categories.

       

Auto Truck Depot

107, 42 Ave SW, Calgary, Alberta

Toll Free: 1-855-253-4330

Local: 1-403-253-4330

info@autotruckdepot.ca

www.autotruckdepot.ca

How To Keep Your Vehicle Looking Brand New

There are numerous preventative measures you can take to be sure your vehicle is protected throughout the seasons. These become especially useful as winter arrives and your vehicle is exposed to road salts and other harmful elements. Here are some things you can do to prevent rust and corrosion from deteriorating your vehicle.

1. Rust Proofing

Rust proofing, if done every year, can add years to your vehicle's life by preventing the start of rust from ever forming. This is especially useful to new vehicle owners, or those who've had their vehicles repainted. 

Rust proofing is done with a light liquid, pressurized spray that is designed to stop rust from forming. The spray is applied to inside body sections and hidden areas of your vehicle, such as joints, fold, seams and spot welds. These areas are highly vulnerable to rust formation, and rust proofing prevents it from starting.

2. Undercoating 

Another highly vulnerable area for rust formation on your vehicle is the undercarriage. The undercarriage of your vehicle is routinely exposed to gravel, salt, rocks and other road debris that will cause harsh damage if left unprotected. 

Undercoating is a rubber and petroleum based product that's applied to the undercarriage and wheel wells of your vehicle. There are 3 components that make up undercoating.

• Latex Rubber - this lets the coating move and expand to adjust to changing temperatures
• Plastic Resin - this increases the durability and lifespan of the product
• Tar - provides sealed protection against moisture, salt and other debris that has a potential to cause rust. This also makes your ride smoother by creating a barrier against rocks and road noise

Undercoating will ultimately increase increase the life of your vehicle while simultaneously making your ride smoother and more comfortable. This treatment only needs to be done once, because undercoating is guaranteed for the life of your vehicle.

3. 3M Paint Protection

We've covered how to protect the hidden areas of your vehicle, such as seams, welds and the undercarriage. The next step is protecting the paint and outer surfaces of your vehicle with 3M paint protection. 

A clear film is carefully applied to the vehicle's surface, including challenging grill work, wheel openings, bumpers and other areas that require extra safeguard.

• Provides a clear, virtually invisible urethane protective coating
• Shields against stones, sand, bugs and road debris
• Boosts vehicle trade in value
• Lifetime guarantee for as long as you own your vehicle

The film is virtually invisible and acts as a shield against moisture and other debris to help keep your vehicle looking new for years to come. 

Auto Truck Depot

107, 42 Ave SW, Calgary, Alberta

Toll Free: 1-855-253-4330

Local: 1-403-253-4330

info@autotruckdepot.ca

www.autotruckdepot.ca

How To Choose the Right Tonneau Cover

A tonneau cover is one of the most important accessories you can get for your pickup truck. These truck bed covers aren't only stylish, but they serve a multitude of purposes, such as protection against weather, security for your cargo, and they can even save you gas mileage, just to name a few.

An open pickup is constantly exposed to the elements, which can damage your cargo, increase wear to your truck, and not to mention the damage of lingering water in your truck bed. With the right tonneau cover, you can prolong the life of your truck and increase the value it provides.

The question then becomes, how do I choose the right tonneau cover?

One major aspect to consider is weather. What conditions are you most likely to encounter, and how can your tonneau cover help? Every cover provides UV protection and prevents debris from entering your truck bed, but if moisture getting into your truck bed is an issue, you may want a cover with good weather seals or advanced drainage tubes that lead water out of the bed like the UnderCover Flex.

If you have to deal with heavy wet snow routinely, you are more likely going to want a hard tonneau cover that can stand up to the weight. 

If security is your priority, a hard locking tonneau cover like the BAK Revolver X2 Roll-Up tonneau cover may be an option for you. The Revolver X2 hard aluminum roll-up tonneau cover provides unprecedented strength, security, and simplicity for your truck bed, and with its no-profile design, it looks better than ever. This tonneau cover is made up of secure, automatic, rotational locking rails that secure the entire length of your truck bed on each side. The Revolver X2 can be easily rolled up with one hand to provide 100% truck bed access, and without blocking your rear view window or restricting access to stake pocket holes.

Tonneau covers have been proven to save gas mileage by increasing airflow and reducing drag. The more aerodynamic the tonneau cover, the more gas you will save in the long run, so if this is a consideration, you may want to look at tonneau covers with a low-profile design like the Roll-N-Lock M-Series, where the cover runs along a track flush with the truck bed.

Some of the most important points to bring up are style and functionality. There are so many styles to choose from, and it is all based on your own personal preference and what you think will look good and function well with your truck. Try to choose a cover that works with your lifestyle. Do you need full truck bed access often, or ever? What kind of cargo will you be hauling regularly? How secure does it have to be? These are all elements that are important to consider when looking at tonneau covers. At Auto Truck Depot, we carry the highest quality brands, so once you pick one you'll have it for a long time. Let us help you make the right choice the first time.

Auto Truck Depot

107, 42 Ave SW, Calgary, Alberta

Toll Free: 1-855-253-4330

Local: 1-403-253-4330

info@autotruckdepot.ca

www.autotruckdepot.ca

Dodge Pickup Truck Cab Syle Guide

When purchasing a tonneau cover or other truck bed accessories for your Dodge Ram pickup truck, you will often need to know the cab style. In this installation of our Cab Styles series, I will walk you through all of the information you'll need to properly identify your truck's cab style.

Dodge Ram Pickup Truck Cab Styles

1. Regular Cab

A regular cab has two doors (one on the passenger side and one on the drivers side). There are no back seats.

2. Quad Cab (Old Style)

A super Cab has four doors. The front door has to be open to open the back door and the back door opens in the opposite direction.

3. Quad Cab (New Style)

A new style Quad Cab has 4 doors that all open in the same direction. There are door handles located on the outsides of all 4 doors.

Auto Truck Depot

107, 42 Ave SW, Calgary, Alberta

Toll Free: 1-855-253-4330

Local: 1-403-253-4330

info@autotruckdepot.ca

www.autotruckdepot.ca

Rundown: Willmore Nerf Boards, Style and Functionality

Today we had the opportunity to install a set of Willmore Nerf Bars on this Ford F150. There is something aesthetically pleasing about a pickup truck with Nerf boards or tube steps, and this truck in particular has a more complete, finished look.

These full-length Nerf boards are constructed of mirror-polished T-304 stainless steel and complete with an aluminum top. They are extra wide, which makes them safer and easier to use when using them to get in and out of the vehicle, and it also gives them a distinct, sharp look.

The reflective bright finish and wide surface of these Nerf boards suits this vehicle particularly well. Auto Truck Depot carries a large selection of Nerf boards, tube steps and running boards so you can match the style of your vehicle exactly. 

To get your own set of Nerf Bars, Tube Steps, or Running Boards installed, contact us at:

Auto Truck Depot

107, 42 Ave SW, Calgary, Alberta

Toll Free: 1-855-253-4330

Local: 1-403-253-4330

info@autotruckdepot.ca

www.autotruckdepot.ca

Professional Auto Detailing from Auto Truck Depot

As well as being a primary retail outlet for automotive parts and accessories in Canada, Auto Truck Depot is also a convenient location for protective services and vehicle treatments such as professional detailing.

Auto Truck Depot provides full interior and exterior automotive detailing to enhance and protect your vehicle. Our full service includes a cleaning and polishing inside and out to leave your vehicle looking flawless. We provide a full cleaning of windows, dash, vents, console; vacuuming and shampoo of upholstery and carpets, and full waxing of all painted surfaces. We will clean your engine, clean and wax your wheels, polish all chrome surfaces, and leave your vehicle looking showroom new.

SILVER:

• Hand wash exterior
• Full exterior waxing
• Vacuum carpets, mats, seats and trunk
• Detail dash, door panels, rockers and console
• Clean windows
• Shine tires
• Air freshener

GOLD:

• Hand wash exterior
• Pressure wash door jams, fender wells and floor mats
• Degrease engine, wheels and tires
• Vacuum complete interior and trunk
• Shampoo carpets and seats
• Detail dash, console, door panels, glove box, rocker panels and weather moldings
• Clean windows
• Full hand wax and tire shine
• Air freshener

PLATINUM:

• Hand wash exterior
• Pressure wash door jams, fender wells and floor mats
• Degrease engine, wheels and tires
• Vacuum complete interior and trunk
• Shampoo all carpets, seats and trunk
• Detail dash, console, door panels, glove box, rocker panels and weather moldings
• Treat all leather and weather moldings
• Scotch guard seats
• Polish, hand wax and chrome wheels and bumpers
• Tire treatment
• Complete vacuum
• Clean windows
• Full hand wax and tire shine
• Air freshener

Take a look at some of our other automotive protection and care services such as 3M Paint Protection, Window Tinting and Undercoating.

If you have any questions, or wish to book and appointment, you can get a hold of us at:

Auto Truck Depot

107, 42 Ave SW, Calgary, Alberta

Toll Free: 1-855-253-4330

Local: 1-403-253-4330

info@autotruckdepot.ca

www.autotruckdepot.ca

WASPcam: The Next Level in Action-Sports Cameras

If you've heard the iconic name Go-Pro, you already know what an action-sports camera is. These unique devices are known for their durability and water-tight cases that let you film anywhere, even under water. As new models of these cameras come out, the features only increase, and WASPcam is doing some stuff that's worth checking out.

The WASPcam TACT Action-Sports Camera records HD video up to 1080p30 and takes still images up to 12-megapixels. The camera has built-in Wi-Fi, allowing yo to connect your camera to an iOS or Android device for live viewing, recording or sharing. The WASPcam TACT Camera includes a wireless wrist remote that is able to control video and photo recording up to 15 ft. away. The TACT is waterproof up to 98 ft. without requiring an additional waterproof case. The camera has a 1.5-inch LCD viewing screen and includes features like cyclic recording and auto looping.

If you need a little bit extra, the WASPcam Gideon Action-Sports Camera records HD video up to 1080p60 and takes still images up to 16-megapixels. The camera has built-in Wi-Fi, allowing you to connect your camera to an iOS or Android device for live viewing, recording or sharing. The WASPcam Gideon Camera includes a wireless wrist remote that connects via RF (Radio Frequency) and is able to control video and photo recording up to 15 ft. away.

Please contact us if you have any questions!

Auto Truck Depot

107, 42 Ave SW, Calgary, Alberta

Toll Free: 1-855-253-4330

Local: 1-403-253-4330

info@autotruckdepot.ca

www.autotruckdepot.ca