Types of Flat Covers Flat bed covers are manufactured from either a hard or soft material and will be either locking or non-locking. The flat cover category encompasses: soft tonneau covers, roll-up covers, soft and hard folding covers, retractable covers, high impact plastic and painted fiberglass lids. Popular manufacturers include: BAK, Extang, Access Cover, Retrax, Undercover, ATC, and Century. Flat covers work best for individuals where: 1) the height of their cargo will fit into the existing bed space; 2) the height of their cargo is taller than what would fit under a truck cap. Flat covers are also popular with truck owners who want to keep the original vehicle style lines and driver’s visibility unchanged. Roll-Up covers also protect the truck bed from the elements, keep the cargo out of sight and provide easy access for hauling taller items. Roll-Up Covers have a frame that clamps to the truck bed without drilling, but there are significant material and design differences between this type of cover and a standard soft tonneau cover.
When comparing an Access Roll-Up Cover and a standard tonneau cover, the Access is an “all season cover.” The Access Cover features a vinyl coated surface on both sides of the cover and a rear rail tensioning system that allows the cover to be re-attached even in extreme cold. The rear rail locks into the side framework offering additional security when the vehicle is equipped with a locking tailgate. These features are not found in a standard tonneau cover. Soft and Hard Folding Covers Folding covers have grown in popularity in recent years because of their ease of use. Soft folding covers, like the Extang Trifecta, allow for easy truck bed access and cover removal. Hard folding covers, like Extang’s Solid Fold and the BakFlip G2, feature the same ease of use, but also add an element of security when the vehicle is equipped with a locking tailgate. Depending on the specific cover, these may sit above the truck bed or relatively flush giving a clean appearance.
Because these covers provide easy access to the truck bed, they are especially popular with truck owners who routinely carry taller cargo. Truck owners with ATV’s appreciate the BakFlip G2 and its ability to provide almost complete access to the truck bed without cover removal. Retractable covers are unique in that they retract into a canister at the front of the truck bed. They also are available in a wide assortment of different materials. The cover exterior can be a vinyl, aluminum or polycarbonate surface over a retractable reinforcing structure. For example, the Retrax Retractable Cover has tempered aluminum i-beams imbedded into the polycarbonate sheet for strength. These covers are relatively flush providing a clean appearance. Retractable covers provide locking security and the benefit of a cover that doesn’t require removal for truck bed access. Truck owners with in-bed fifth wheel and gooseneck hitches can do their towing, reach their destination, unhook their trailer and close their retractable cover securing the truck bed.
Some retractable covers can also be secured when partially open – a feature not typically found in other types of truck covers. High Impact Plastic Lids High impact Plastic Lids – the industry leader being Undercover – are one of the most popular choices in a flat locking cover. When locked, the cover secures the truck bed and prevents the tailgate from being opened. The Undercover is lightweight, easy to remove, very strong and durable. The cover weighs less than 60 lbs and can be removed in minutes providing complete access to the truck bed. The Undercover includes wall mount hardware for storage when the cover is off the truck. This Undercover is popular with the truck owner that wants a locking flat cover that is easy to remove when hauling taller cargo. The cover has clean lines and a black textured finish that complement any truck. Painted fiberglass lids are popular when the truck owner wants a cover in the same color as the truck. Our fiberglass lids are from SNUGTOP, Century, and ATC and are painted with an Axalta (DuPont) Automotive finish.
With the painted fiberglass lid, the cover looks like it came with the truck. Fiberglass lids weigh approximately 110 lbs and are removable. Some models have quick release hardware allowing easy removal of the lid while leaving the framework on the truck bed. Others are mounted to a framework and are removable by releasing mounting clamps, and lifting the cover with framework from the truck bed. When the cover is closed and locked, it secures the truck bed and prevents the tailgate from being opened. Fiberglass lids are reinforced for strength and durability.A mattress that was improperly secured to a truck simultaneously caused a motorcycle accident, and broke the rider's fall. Dash cam footage from another motorist captured the incident, which occurred in Lopburi, Thailand, on April 25 according to a translated version of the YouTube description. The motorcyclist was riding on the road's left shoulder, shortly behind the pickup when the mattress flew off the truck and smashed right into the motorcycle.
SEE ALSO: Dash cam footage shows terrifying near-miss with tractor-trailer The rider can then be seen putting down the bike as the mattress hits its front tire. Fortunately, the rider falls right into the mattress cushioning, his fall. According to the YouTube description, the rider was uninjured, thanks to the comfy landing pad. Surprisingly, this isn't the first time a mattress caused an accident while also breaking someone's fall. In 2014, a similar incident occurred where a mattress struck a cyclist, providing a cushy landing. Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments. Enter code "WT271" to register for your free pass to the Work Truck Show in Indianapolis! We Have a Winner Meet our Win-A-Truck sweepstakes winner You never settle in your work, so neither do we. Built for hard work See why more work vehicles in North America have Knapheide on their side. What does it mean to never settle? There’s a certain type of worker out there who never settles for second best when it comes to the work they do.
That’s why we never settle when it comes to building high-quality products to help make that work go easier. You never settle in your work. And at Knapheide neither do we. Since 1848, Knapheide has provided customers with high quality, work-ready transportation solutions. Today, The Knapheide Manufacturing Company is North America's most popular manufacturer of truck bodies and truck beds. There are more work trucks on the road today with "Knapheide" stamped on the truck body than any other manufacturer. We take great pride in providing customers with the highest quality service/utility bodies, platform bodies, gooseneck bodies, dump bodies, mechanics trucks, fuel/lube trucks, and water trucks in the industry. Trust the name that has been in the business for over 169 years, choose Knapheide. Knapheide Customers:Stories Behind the Work See how Knapheide customers never settle in the work they do and how Knapheide products help make that work easier. For six generations, Knapheide has provided customers with high-quality, work-ready transportation solutions.