How To Get the Most Out of Your Truck Bed

There’s no denying that trucks are one of the most useful vehicles you can own. They can carry cargo, pull trailers, and transport passengers. The choice to own a truck often comes down to efficiency, and one of the primary benefits to having a truck is the bed. So, we suggest protecting your assets and maximizing the use of that soace

There are mountains of products available designed to accessorize your truck bed, the problem is wading through them to find the ones you need. In this article, I will help walk you through all of the potential problems that you could encounter and some of the best ways to avoid them and maximize the efficiency of your truck bed space.

Let’s start with some examples of common issues you may run into and some available solutions.

1. Your truck bed has been damaged from hauling cargo

This problem is not only aesthetic, but can accelerate damage beyond repair. Nicks and scratches in the protective coating can soon result in the spread of rust.

Solutions:

Truck Bed Mats

Truck bed mats are easy to install, cheap, and provide protection to the bottom of your truck bed and tailgate. The only downside to these is that the sides of your truck bed remain exposed.

Plastic Bed Plastic Liners

Plastic bed liners are quick and easy to install and provide full protection of your truck bed. They are made of high-density polyethylene, so they won't chip, crack, or fade during even the most extreme weather conditions. The liner’s one-piece construction provides additional protection against chemical leaks, since there are no seams or cracks. Take a look at our Bedliners.

Truck Bed Spray Liners

Spray liners provide a clean, permanent solution for protecting your truck bed. The Polyurethane Spray is applied to every mould and curve, providing a watertight seal, and the ultimate protection. Spray liners provide a textured, non-skid surface, and with no loss of cargo space.

      2. Your cargo is exposed to the elements

Covering your cargo and protecting it from the elements can be easy with a tonneau cover, and there are many types so suite your specific needs.

Solutions:

Soft or Hard Roll-Up Tonneau Cover

Roll-up tonneau covers are a great addition to your truck bed, allowing you to cover and protect the cargo being stored or hauled. They easily roll up, providing full access of your truck bed without removing the cover, and they look slick. Take a look at our Roll-Up tonneau covers.

Soft or Hard Tri Fold Tonneau Cover

These covers provide exceptional protection, they look great, and are easy to use. The tri-fold design allows for easy access. Many of these models are also insulated to protect your cargo from extreme weather conditions. Learn more about Tri-Fold Tonneau Covers.

Hard Once-Piece Tonneau Cover

One piece covers are solid, they protect your cargo, and they are easy to install. Once installed, they provide easy access to your cargo. Hard covers are by far the strongest of the bunch, but they do come with their own drawbacks. Find out about our Hard Top Tonneau Covers.

3. There’s no way to prevent theft

Solutions:

Tonneau Cover

Many Tonneau covers are designed with locking systems to protect your storage. Your cargo can be easily stored, locked and protected with the right cover. We have a large selection of Tonneau Covers to choose from.

Truck Boxes

Truck Boxes come in all shapes and sizes to meet your specific needs, and they are designed to hold and protect your belongings. Many of these boxes are designed with advanced locking systems and are constructed of tough aluminum. They come in all shapes and sizes to match any need.

4. Organizing your storage is difficult

Solutions:

Truck Boxes

Multiple lid truck boxes allow you to organize and store your cargo, provide security for your belongings, and allow for easy access. There are many different box styles and shapes to suite your specific needs, and to help you organize your belongings. Many of these boxes are even designed to utilize and increase storage space, such as the UnderCover SwingCase, made to fit over your wheel well.  

Tool Boxes

Tool boxes are a great way to enhance your storage by providing a secure, organized space for tools and other belongings. Many of these boxes are designed to increase otherwise unused spaces to leave you with as much room as possible. The compartments in these boxes improve how you are able to organize your storage, and provide additional storage space.

Now that you have a basic idea of the problems that can come with truck beds, you can more accurately decide which accessories are right for you.

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

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

Prepare Your Truck Bed for Winter with a Tonneau Cover

Hauling cargo safely is always more difficult in the winter. Freezing rain, moisture, ice, and snow can be threatening to your cargo, but there are various ways to protect your truck bed from the elements, and one of the most popular methods is with a tonneau cover.

A tonneau cover will protect your truck bed from moisture, rain, and snow to keep your cargo safe and dry. It will also add another level of security to the cargo you're hauling and make your life a little easier. Auto Truck Depot carries a wide variety of tonneau covers so you can get exactly what you need. Here are some examples, and the benefits they provide.

Tri-Fold Tonneau Covers

Tri-Fold tonneau covers consist of three folding panels that cover your truck bed. Many models of Tri-Fold tonneau covers, such as the BAKFlip G2, have panels that lock into multiple positions, so you can drive with it open, shut or in between. The folding panels keep your gear safe from the elements while at the same time adding security for your cargo. The panels can be opened to provide truck bed access when needed. For the most part, these tonneau covers have heavy duty powder coated aluminum panels to provide unprecedented strength and security for your truck bed, although soft tri-Fold tonneau Covers, like the Extang eMax are also available. 

Roll-Up Tonneau Covers

Roll-Up tonneau covers like the Access Original Roll-Up Tonneau Cover are popular because they are easy to use, lightweight, they look great, and can fold up to provide 100% truck bed access. 

There are various hybrid roll-up tonneau covers that have all the benefits of a soft roll-up and hard tonneau cover in one, like the BAK Revolver X2. The Revolver X2 is made up of 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.

Retractable Tonneau Covers

Retractable tonneau covers retract into a canister at the cab end of your truck bed. They operate on a bearing system, and some are even controlled via remote. Retractable covers like the Roll-N-Lock M Series opens and closes smoothly, and interlocking hinges allow for a smooth operation. Interlocking hinges increase this covers strength while adding to its smooth operation, and with an automatic tailgate lock, you will never have to worry about the security of your truck bed.

Hard Tonneau Covers

Last, but not least, are Hard One-Piece tonneau covers, which are constructed of a single solid piece and provide the most security of any tonneau cover. The UnderCover LUX is a strong, lightweight, and attractive hard tonneau cover. This cover is made of a durable, lightweight ABS composite material that exceeds any fiberglass hardtop cover. The cover features a single point lock control that operates both locking hinges to make getting in and out of your truck bed simple and secure. The clean, low profile design looks sleek and enhances fuel mileage, and with this cover's full perimeter seal, your cargo is completely protected from the elements.

Seal Your Truck Bed

Once you have decided on a tonneau cover, the next step is making sure your truck bed is completely sealed from moisture and debris, which can be done with Extang's Maxseal Tailgate Seal. MaxSeal keeps debris, dust, rain and snow out of your truck bed and is easy to install. MaxSeal comes in a universal length and can be used on any Year, Make, or Model, with any lid, tonneau or top. MaxSeal is made of industrial strength all-weather rubber that is sure to last through even the most extreme conditions.

Auto Truck Depot has a wide range of products available to help you seal up your truck bed for winter, no matter what truck you have.

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