Are Tonneau Lock Cylinders Worth It?

Tonneau covers must be one of the most useful truck accessories out there. These amazing protective covers, made with lightweight yet sturdy materials, can save you a lot of trouble. They protect your truck bed from dirt, snow, rain, leaves, and more.

Key Takeaways:

• Tonneau lock cylinders enhance the security of truck beds, offering protection from potential theft, tampering, and environmental elements.
• Apart from basic protection, tonneau cover lock cylinders improve a truck’s aesthetic appeal, aerodynamics, and resale value, signaling a well-maintained and value-added vehicle.
• Tonneau covers come in both hard and soft types with variations like retractable, roll-up, hinged, and foldable. The presence of a lock cylinder is compatible with these variations and adds to the cover's effectiveness.
• While tonneau covers with lock cylinders offer enhanced security, they are not foolproof against determined thieves with tools. Regular maintenance is needed to ensure they remain effective and look good over time.

But what about tonneau cover lock cylinders? They are absolutely worth it because if your tonneau cover can lock, it's better protected from the weather as well as potential thieves. Having cylinder locks has its benefits, that's for sure.

Both hard and soft tonneau covers can have locks to secure your truck's tailgate better from unwarranted attention, be it from shady individuals or nature itself. If your cover has locks, you can leave equipment or other items in the vehicle instead of carrying them with you all the time. It's a very convenient feature to have, although you might find that different covers offer varying degrees of security.

What Are Tonneau Lock Cylinders?

A tonneau cover lock cylinder is a mechanism that allows you to lock the tonneau covers on pickup trucks or similar vehicles. Installing lock cylinders can help protect your tailgate or truck bed from falling leaves, rain, dirt, and even thieves if you're leaving something inside the truck bed.

Of course, it's hard to beat a crowbar, but not many car thieves actually use them to get what they want. And sometimes, a high-quality anti-theft lock cylinder on your tonneau cover is all it takes to deter a perpetrator.

The lock cylinder itself has a few crucial parts: the cylinder itself, tumbler pins, lock housing, and tailpiece or cam. But all you really need to know is that the tonneau lock cylinders enhance the security of a tonneau cover, ensuring that the cargo underneath remains safe from theft and tampering. They are especially handy for people who like to camp or those who keep their equipment or valuable items in the truck bed.

Why Do Tonneau Covers Have Locks?

Tonneau covers have locks for several reasons, all of which revolve around consumer needs and expectations. The covers themselves are designed to protect the cargo and the truck bed area from getting dirty. However, most covers come with locks of some sort to offer additional protection and security.

Even if you don't store anything of value in your truck bed, having a lockable tonneau cover can offer better protection from the elements. This helps prevent rust, corrosion, and damage in the long run.

If you're seeking more privacy, a tonneau cover with lock cylinders is a perfect option for you. It will keep the contents of your truck bed hidden from prying eyes. However, some might argue that a locked tonneau cover attracts unwanted attention to its contents. For others, it provides peace of mind. If you find yourself frequently parking in unfamiliar or potentially unsafe areas, a lock on your tonneau cover can provide added confidence.

And let's not forget that it's not just a decorative accessory. High-quality tonneau cover cylinder locks are designed to frustrate thieves. They can actually protect your property by reducing the chances of tampering.

5 Reasons Tonneau Lock Cylinders Worth It

Besides their direct application, tonneau cover lock cylinders also add value to your covers in their unique ways. Here are just five most obvious reasons you should install cylinder locks or get lockable covers for your truck:

Locks Protect Your Luggage

Tonneau lock cylinders create an extra layer of protection for your luggage and equipment. They make sure the cargo is safe during transportation and parking. A locked cover also provides better protection from rain and debris.

Aesthetic Appeal

Locks help you add a sleek and finished look to your truck. It seamlessly integrates with the design, enhancing the vehicle's overall appearance.

Styling Versatility

Since there are many different cover options available, you can pick any of them without compromising security. Locks are compatible with any tonneau style. But they will be less or more safe depending on the materials used.

Better MPG

The sleek shape provided by a tonneau cover locked in place improves your truck’s aerodynamics. With less resistance from wind, your engine doesn’t have to compensate for it, consuming more fuel.

Resale Value

Some modifications decrease the resale value of a vehicle, but not this one. Potential buyers often perceive such additions as value propositions, acknowledging the benefits of security, aesthetics, and functionality it offers.

Why Use Tonneau Lock Cylinders?

The tonneau cover, as it is, can only provide a basic level of protection from the environment. But if you add a lock cylinder, you can enhance the security of your truck bed. It will shield your vehicle both from the weather and from intruders. Not just people, but maybe a few curious raccoons as well, depending on which state you live in.

However, the main reason to install tonneau covers with cylinder locks is to deter car thieves from whatever you have inside your truck bed. The tonneau cover hides your property from curious glances and sticky fingers alike. Its lock cylinder makes it very hard, if not impossible, for thieves to get their hands on your stuff.

But even if you don't leave anything inside your truck bed unattended, there is more that locked tonneau covers can offer. When you are transporting equipment, goods, or simply your personal belongings, a tonneau cover with cylinder locks can keep everything in place. It prevents your stuff from flying around in the truck bed.

So, all things considered, a tonneau lock cylinder is well worth it. It is a good investment in the longevity and durability of your truck bed and the security of your property inside of it.

Types of Tonneau Covers

There are so many different types of tonneau covers, depending on the materials and shapes. Each has unique properties and advantages:

• Hard tonneau covers
• Soft tonneau covers
• Retractable tonneau covers
• Roll-up tonneau covers
• Hinged tonneau cover
• Foldable tonneau covers

Tonneau covers come in two main types: hard and soft. Hard covers are made from materials like fiberglass or aluminum, offering better security and protection. Soft covers are typically made of flexible materials like vinyl, providing a lightweight and less expensive option.

Within these main categories are four subtypes: retractable, roll-up, hinged, and foldable. Retractable covers are made of aluminum and can easily open and close. Roll-up covers, primarily made of vinyl, are popular and can be easily rolled up.

Hinged covers offer optimal protection and are typically made of aluminum. The foldable covers are versatile, available in both hard and soft materials, and can be folded in multiple layers.

Disadvantages of Tonneau Covers

But we cannot talk only about the good stuff, can we? Tonneau covers also have some drawbacks. First of all, even with cylinder locks, the tonneau cover cannot seal your truck bed from moisture and dust completely. The dirt and water will get in somehow, regardless of how tight you close it.

Secondly, it's no Fort Knocks. Tonneau covers, cylinder locks or not, are just not that durable. And they could never withstand an ice pick or a crowbar. If the thieves get really persistent, they can still get in and still your valuables.

Tonneau covers also require maintenance. Just like any other part of your vehicle, they need to be regularly checked, cleaned and fixed. Some tonneau covers, particularly those made from fabric or vinyl, may require regular maintenance to keep them looking good and functioning properly.

9-Step Installation Guide for Tonneau Covers

Installing the tonneau covers is really simple. Just follow this guide and you'll be fine.

• Clean and dry the truck bed before you start. Make sure you have all the tonneau cover parts: clamps, rails, and the cover itself.
• Now it's time to place the reals of both sides of the truck bed. Ensure they are evenly lined with the top edge of the truck bed and clamp the rails down temporarily to keep them in place.
• Starting at the cab end, space the clamps evenly along the rail. For most trucks, three clamps per side are standard: one near the cab, one in the middle, and one near the tailgate.
• Tighten the clamps using a wrench but avoid over-tightening to not damage the truck bed.
• Installing the tonneau covers is really simple. Just follow this guide and you'll be fine.
• Unfold or roll out the tonneau cover from the cab towards the tailgate until it aligns with the rails on both sides.
• For roll-up covers, tie the front straps. Make sure foldable covers are spread out and match the sides. For retractable ones, ensure the storage part is tight at the front and it rolls back easily.
• Check the tonneau cover to ensure it's tight and smooth, with no bumps or folds.
• Open and close the tailgate to ensure it doesn't interfere with the cover. And test the lock mechanism to ensure it works correctly.

Do not go blindly into the installation process. Every tonneau cover comes with an instruction, and you should carefully study it before you start.