Retractable Tonneau Covers: Are They Worth the Investment?

May 24, 2023May 5, 2023 Heather Fishel 0 Comments retractable, Retrax, Tonneau Covers, Truck Accessories, truck bed protection

A tonneau cover makes a great addition to any pickup truck, offering protection from the elements, added security, and plenty of styling and functionality. Retractable tonneau covers, in particular, are an attractive option, since they operate like a small garage door for your truck bed. Easy to open and close, they’re very secure and allow convenient access to as much or as little of your bed as needed.

However, retractable covers can also come with a significant upfront cost – begging the question: Are they worth it?

While any tonneau cover can cost you a pretty penny, with many options cresting $800-$1000, retractable models sit solidly in the $1,000-and-up range. This isn’t just an ‘add-on,’ it’s an investment for (and in) your truck.

So, just how worthwhile is a retractable tonneau cover? Well, let’s take a look at all of the ways one of these handy covers can actually save you money – and offer additional benefits.

Better Gas Mileage

If you’re tired of paying high prices at the pump every time your truck needs gas, a retractable tonneau cover might just help.

According to a 1997 research study conducted by the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), adding a tonneau cover to a pickup truck can reduce drag by 11.8%. The improved aerodynamics can, in turn, boost fuel economy from 16 MPG to 17.8 MPG – giving you more bang for your buck. Over time, this can make a noticeable difference in your expenses, especially if you’re on the road frequently.

If you’re looking for more recent data, SEMA repeated the study in 2007 on multiple types of covers and found that drag was reduced by 6.5% or more with the addition of a tonneau cover. So, on average, these findings suggest that you can expect about a 5.73% reduction in drag, or about a 1.8% improvement in fuel economy.

Reduced Maintenance Costs

While you already take good care of your truck’s exterior with regular maintenance, washing and waxing, adding a retractable tonneau cover can offer additional protection — particularly for your bed.

Because your truck’s bed is open and exposed without a cover, it can take a beating from the elements. Constant exposure to sunlight, as well as harsh and shifting weather like heat, freezing temperatures, rain and snow, can all chip away at the bed’s paint, durability and metal construction.

When you add a retractable tonneau cover, however, you’ll cover up this vulnerable area of your pickup. The cover will be the component that takes the heat (sometimes literally!), protecting the bed itself from the elements.

This can save you money over time, as you won’t need to spend on fresh paint, bed repairs and other weather-related woes that can eat away at your truck’s cargo-carrying capability. Plus, when you invest in a retractable tonneau cover that’s made with durable, high-quality materials, you won’t even need to worry about repairing or replacing the cover for years – and many are backed by lengthy warranties.

Secure, Protected Cargo

Your truck bed isn’t just exposed to the elements. Its open nature also means anything you’re carrying inside the bed is also left available to other risks – like theft. Anyone can reach right inside your truck and walk off with anything you’ve left inside, leaving you bearing the cost of replacing those items (not to mention, the frustration of being robbed).

While every type of tonneau cover offers its own level of protection, retractable tonneau covers are particularly secure. They sport a very durable construction – usually, reinforced polycarbonate or heavy-duty aluminum slats – which not only stand up well to impact resistance and weathering, but also prying eyes and sticky fingers.

Most options also offer added security features like tailgate locks, helping to reduce the risk of finding your expensive equipment, tools and other types of cargo missing.

Increased Resale Value

Lastly, when it comes to the question of whether or not a retractable tonneau cover is worth investing in, it’s important to look at the resale value of your truck with one installed. These high-quality covers can actually add value – meaning they can help you potentially sell your pickup for more money, should you decide to do so down the road.

A retractable cover isn’t a cheap investment; it’s a significant upgrade to any truck, especially when you opt for one with sleek styling, convenient functionality and hard-to-crack security. But the fancier and more beneficial the cover is, the more potential value-add it offers.

For example, some retractable tonneau covers – like Retrax’s Powertrax models — feature electronic key fob capability, meaning you can pop the bed open with the push of a button. Others work with track and rail systems so you can customize not only your bed cover, but also additional accessories you need to haul gear and goods.

Ultimately, the retractable cover you choose will become an added upgrade that bumps the resale value of your truck up by anywhere from hundreds to thousands of dollars.