Hybrid vs. Diesel

In these days of soaring gas prices, it seems that everyone is looking to increase their gas mileage. In the past, those looking to drive the most fuel-efficient vehicle had just one option: diesel trucks and cars. Diesel vehicles use significantly less fuel than cars that run on regular gas.

There is an option to diesel vehicles. Recently, hybrid vehicles have been appearing everywhere. No longer are they just slightly odd-looking compact cars. Hybrid technology can be found in everything from compact cars to SUVs. Are you better off with the old, diesel standby or do hybrid cars really offer more?

Diesel vehicles

For years, the gas-conscious consumer chose the diesel vehicle. These earlier diesels were generally noisier, dirtier and handled the road more poorly than their gas counterparts did. In fact, five states currently do not allow the sale of diesel vehicles due to strict emissions standards.

However, this image of the diesel vehicle is very outdated. Modern diesel vehicles are much cleaner than their earlier counterparts are. Low-sulphur diesel fuel and new technology that helps trap emissions particles are making diesel engines cleaner than ever before. In addition, modern diesel vehicles handle nearly as well as their gas-powered cousins and are less noisy as well.

Fuel efficiency is still paramount when it comes to driving a diesel vehicle. With their average nine miles per gallon increase over gas-powered vehicles, diesels are a viable option for the fuel-conscious consumer.
Hybrid vehicles

Hybrid vehicles are the newcomer to the mileage game. These vehicles run on a combination of gas and electric power, and they promise vastly increased gas mileage and lower emissions.

While these vehicles deliver on the promise, there are a few shortcomings as well. The first and most glaring disappointment is that many drivers find that the advertised mileage and the actual mileage the car achieves are vastly different.

For instance, the Toyota Prius advertises gas mileage of 55 miles per gallon, according to U.S. government reports. However, when Consumer Reports magazine tested the car under actual driving conditions, the mileage achieved was only 44 miles per gallon. While this is still excellent gas mileage, it is far less than advertised.

In addition, the sheer price of hybrid vehicles can be daunting. While a diesel vehicle generally costs an average of $1000 more than its gas-powered version, a hybrid vehicle costs several thousand dollars more than a gas-powered car. The Honda Civic Hybrid base price is $4800 more than the standard Civic with the same options and amenities.

Given that the gas mileage on the hybrid is about 30% greater than on the standard vehicle, it would take an average driver at today’s gas costs more than twelve years to recoup the cost difference. However, one must consider that some of this additional cost can also be recouped with the one-time federal tax credit. In addition, some states and even employers offer rebates to those who drive hybrid vehicles.

Given that the gas mileage on the hybrid is about 30% greater than on the standard vehicle, it would take an average driver at today’s gas costs more than twelve years to recoup the cost difference. However, one must consider that some of this additional cost can also be recouped with the one-time federal tax credit. In addition, some states and even employers offer rebates to those who drive hybrid vehicles.

Get your diesel AND hybrid parts here!

Tool Boxes And A Truck Lumber Rack

There are a variety of tool boxes available today to meet your needs, differing by factors such as material, price, purpose and manufacturer.

Plastic tool boxes are great for more recreational use around the house and are the least expensive type. They are not as durable, but if cost is an issue a plastic tool box should suffice. They are not good for heavy duty professional use. Aluminum is another common material for tool boxes. It is more durable than plastic tool boxes, yet is still light weight. Aluminum tool boxes are slightly more expensive than plastic tool boxes, but they will last much longer. However, of all the materials, steel is the strongest and most durable. Steel tool boxes are best for heavy duty professional use and will endure the regular use. As would be expected, steel tool boxes are the most expensive. A power coated steel finish is best for standing up to the weather and outside environment.

In addition to the material, there are several types of tool boxes from which to choose. For instance, truck tool boxes are great for trucks with limited space in the cab to haul tools. The tool box can be safely carried in the bed of the truck. A variety of styles are made to fit different types of trucks.  Top mount tool boxes are actually mounted in the bed behind the cab of a truck. Top mount tool boxes can have single or dual lids and one compartment or multiple compartments. The style of box you choose depends on what tools and what size tools you will carry.  Side mount tool boxes mount on the side rail of the truck’s bed, though most of the box remains inside the bed. These tool boxes come in a variety of sizes to fit all sizes trucks, whether compact or a full size. The most popular tool box for a pick up truck is the crossover box. It fits behind the cab of any size truck, and most can be bolted to the bed of the truck to help prevent theft. Finally, a truck lumber rack may be a good accessory consider especially if the toolbox is hauled and/or attached to your truck. Truck lumber racks can help prevent scratching and dinging and provide a mount on the bed of the truck to carry your tools.

Delta tool boxes are one of the most preferred brands of tool boxes by professionals. The styles come in both steel and plastic. The delta champion series has a good line of crossover tool boxes, which have an insulted lid with three layer laminate increasing the durability and security. The pro-series delta tool box is a more durable box as it is made of steel and aluminum. Other brands of tool boxes include Homak tool boxes which come in plastic, metal and a plastic-metal combination. Homak manufacturer also offers a line of tool bags which may be a good alternative to the heavier, metal tool boxes.

Get your toolboxes and lumber racks here!

Diesel Air Intakes To Improve Performance

Like most diesel truck owners, you are probably always looking to improve your diesel performance. Luckily, there are many tools at your disposal to help make your truck run more efficiently as well as more powerfully. Whether you’ve been making performance modifications to your vehicle for some time, or you’ve just started, a quality intake is probably something you’ve been thinking of incorporating into your diesel performance plan.

Quadzilla

Quadzilla intakes are one of the most popular, and when you see green, you know are you are looking at a Quadzilla intake as they use green exclusively. All Quadzilla intakes are built from steel and are powder-coated wrinkle black. Quadzilla is considered superior to other brands for a variety of reasons including the green woven cotton that wears better, and has better filtering capabilities. Quadzilla also uses just two layers, instead of up to seven, which obviously allows more airflow. With Quadzilla you can see up to 35 horsepower gains, which is quite remarkable.

AFE Trueflow

AFE Trueflow is another diesel air intake that you might want to look into. If you are tired of changing your paper air filter, AFE Trueflow might be just what you are looking for. This air intake filter involves five cotton gauze layers and two non-woven synthetic layers. With the AFE Trueflow you’ll benefit from high filtration and a long service life. The AFE Trueflow has been specifically designed for your Chevy Duramax, Dodge Cummins, or Ford Powerstroke that is operating under heavy-duty work conditions. This is definitely a great buy, and a brand you can believe in.

Of course, when you mention diesel intakes, the Banks brand is one that fits right in. Banks has developed a series of intakes that will allow your engine to maximize efficiency by balancing the air and fuel ratio leading to safe engine temperatures, engine durability, fuel efficiency, and powerful performance every time. Banks has a theme of “First Air, Then Fuel” and this carries over to their intakes, which will enhance your performance every time. When you match their intakes with power chips, you’ll find that you have a great combination to work with!

Bully Dog

Bully dog is another of the obvious choices for a diesel performance air intake solution. Bully dog cold air intakes deliver more oxygen for more power, in every truck, every time. While Bully dog is known for just about every thing diesel and even Bully dog propane, it’s a brand that you can really trust and comes through every time. If you want more horsepower, a Bully dog air intake is what you need to get the job done. Even better, Bully dog has consistent prices so that you can improve your diesel performance as cost effectively as possible.

Diesel performance is definitely affected by air intake, so if you haven’t already, you should consider the intakes above to work with your diesel tuners, diesel chips, and even your diesel exhaust to improve your performance even more! You’ll be amazed at what the right air intake can do for your truck.

Get your performance diesel intake parts here!

Biodiesel Extend The Life Of Your Diesel Engine

Biodiesel can extend the life of your engine whether it is in your diesel equipped auto, truck, tractor, bus or highway rig. Biodiesel can increase the longevity of your engine by up to 100 %. Costs are reduced – whether it be for maintenance or vehicle replacement. The engine last longer , breaks down less frequently resulting in longer vehicle life spans , greater reliability and overall less vehicle costs – again be it diesel equipped auto , car, truck ,tractor or highway rig.

How can this be so? The improved lubrication properties of biodiesel over regular vehicle diesel fuel results in increased parts longevity by up to 100 %. As a result commercial vehicles may be used for decades as well as travel millions of miles. Increased engine longevity translates into reduced maintenance costs, longer life spans and overall increases in reliability.

Biodiesel is a renewable fuel derived from vegetable oils, animal fats and cooking oils that are processed so that it can be added to diesel fuel as an additive. You cannot just mash up these fats and mix them with your diesel fuel. It is not as if any old Alvero character can make biodiesel in his garage at home. If the biodiesel is not prepared properly in a qualified industrial process – the contaminants of water, glycerols and other trace elements can well clog up your fuel injectors or even an expensive injection pump. Properly done biodiesel is a safe and beneficial fuel additive – now being routinely recommended and touted by major vehicle and diesel engine manufacturers.

Prepared properly in a commercial setting. and bought commercially you can be assured that not only will the biodiesel will be safe for your engine to use – but will even give the benefits of much greater engine life , enhanced reliability and lower maintenance costs overall.

Biodiesel is added to the regular diesel fuel. The percentage added depends on the climate the vehicles or autos will be used in. In warmer climates – such as tropical or Florida type climates – a percentage mixture of up to 20 % can be used. A 20 % biodiesel percentage in a truck driven up North to Edmonton Canada in the cold of winter will thicken up in the cold Alberta winter weather.

In such a cold winter temperature a biodiesel mixture ratio of 5 % would probably be used. To increase the blends of biodiesel used commercial vehicles such as trucks and busses can have fuel heaters installed – either inline fuel heaters of fuel tank heaters.

Why go to all this trouble for biodiesel ? First of all biodiesel is a renewable resource – crops such as soybean oil or canola can be used instead of scarcer and more expensive petroleum oil based products. Using biodiesel doe mean that we use less regular diesel, however the percentages of biodiesel use are relatively small. For example most diesel manufacturers recommend only 5 biodiesel (B5 mixed wit 95 % regular diesel. Of course again in colder climates such as Edmonton Alberta the percentages may be eve less. Biodiesel is also good for reducing emissions and pollution levels of sulphur, carbon monoxide as well as overall tailpipe smog pollutants.

However as with most good things in life there are disadvantages to the use of biodiesel as a vehicle fuel additive. First biodiesel has slightly less energy than regular diesel fuel, so that the larger the percentage content of the Biodisel in the fuel – the less power the engine will have to deliver. Fortunately at the low percentages of biodiesel being used as a fuel additive this is not a major issue.

In addition biodiesel spoils with time. If the biodiesel is too be stored for a long period of time – then additional additives must be added.

As a result of its benefits to reducing petroleum oil use and increasing engine life and reliability biodiesel has a bright and emerging future in our transportation and automotive industries.

The use of biodiesel – an alternative renewable fuel, is fast on its way up.

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Truck Tool Boxes

Truck tool boxes keep your gear from getting thrown around in your truck bed. The tool box is a reliable storage area to store the gear you don’t want to get damaged. You can also lock it to protect your valuable items.

It seems some of the more sought after boxes are the ones made from diamond aluminum tread plate and those made from stainless steel. These are usually polished or powder coat finishes. Others on the market are made from molded plastic products, and steel. There are a lot of these truck tool boxes on the back of pickup trucks all over United States and Canada.

Truck tool boxes come in all different shapes and sizes to suit your needs as well as specialty boxes, storage boxes and chests you can even use at home. There are some made to sit along the side of your truck, up under your truck and even models made to fit on the tongue of trailers. If you do any type of hunting that requires a dog, there are dog boxes available that are like a kennel underneath and a place to store your rifles, guns and other gear above. You can get single lid, double lid, shallow well, deep well, low profile and more. The trailer tongue storage boxes are very convenient allowing you to store items in an easy to get at place, protected from weather and thieves.

If you have a truck tool box or want to purchase one but also want a tonneau cover don’t despair because they make tonneau covers to suit truck tool boxes. This allows you the best of both worlds.

If you buy power tools or other electronic tools and carry them in your pickup truck, I don’t have to tell you how important it is to keep them dry and locked up. A truck tool box is the perfect answer. Not only is your gear locked up but just as important it is out of sight. Most of the time thieves don’t bother with what they can’t see.

For a great investment for your valuable gear, to keep it protected from the weather, thieves or to just keep it from rolling around in your truck bed, get yourself a truck tool box. You won't be sorry you did.

Find great deals on tool boxes here!

Auto Accessories and You!

The auto accessories market is experiencing explosive growth thanks to the ever increasing number of new vehicle models being marketed all across North America. For more than fifty years consumers have been the chief benefactors of this unrelenting growth and the selection for you has never been better. Let’s take a look at some of the many automobile accessories available to auto enthusiasts like you and how you can get your hands on what you want! By definition, automobile accessories are those items [including parts] that do not come with your vehicle. Yes, in some cases you can purchase a fully accessorized vehicle, but for the sake of clarity I am defining auto accessories as aftermarket purchases only. Depending on the type of vehicle you drive, the accessories available for it will vary. The more popular the model, the more likely that someone, somewhere is making custom fitted accessories for it.

Indeed, America’s most popular vehicle – Ford’s full size pick up trucks – have more than 500 different types of accessories made especially for that truck. These accessories come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors and ultimately number in the many thousands of different items when calculated separately. The following are just some of the many accessories available to owners of Ford’s F-150 pick up truck: air deflector, air scoop, bed extender, bed rail cap, bed rails, bed wing, body armor, body kit, brake light cover, bug shield, bumper, bumper cover, bumper guard, bumper mounting kit, bumper trim, cab spoilers, car wash supplies, cargo rack, door handle, door handle cover, door panel, door sill, fender flares, fender molding, front bed cap, front bed protector, front spoiler, fuel door, graphics, grille, grille guard, grille insert, grille shell, header panel, headlight covers, headlight trim, hood hinge, hood protector, hood scoop,mirror,mirror cover, mud flaps, nerf bar mounting kit, nerf bars, push bar, rear window protector, roll pan, roof rack, roof rails, running board mounting kit, running boards, running side box board, side molding, side skirts, side step, skid plate, spoiler, sport tubes, sun shield, tail light covers, tail light guard, tailgate, tailgate cable, tailgate cap, tailgate cover, tailgate handle, tailgate handle cover, tailgate handle relocator, tailgate net, tailgate protector, tailgate spoiler, truck bed rack, truck bed side rail, valance, vent visor, visor, wheel well trim, window covers, windshield wiper, wiper cowls. As you can see the list is quite lengthy! Staggering better describes the market.

So, how did this whole business get started? Well, for the most part we have California to thank, particularly southern California. While New Jersey gave the world the turnpike and the parkway, the Golden State brought us freeways and a beach culture popularized by such groups as the Beach Boys, who sang about cars, girls, and the youth lifestyle. Sand, surf, girls, and driving go together, so if you are going to be in your car for a long time you might as well make it comfortable and personalize it, right? Thus, companies like Covercraft got started, specializing in car covers, while other companies were launched specializing in the building or modifying of entire cars, like Saleen. Yes, your choices for auto accessories are simply fantastic: you can outfit your car the way you want it to look by giving it your personal touch well beyond what the automaker had in mind. Hey, this is America: the land of freedom and individuality. Accessorize your car today!

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A Lesson About The Good Old Trucks

A man named Gottlieb Daimler built the first ever-motorized truck back in 1896. He was a German automotive pioneer who also invented the very first motorcycle, as well as the world’s first taxi. Daimler’s truck consisted of a four horsepower engine, a belt drive, one reverse speed and two speeds for going forward.

In early times, the intended use and purpose of a truck was for industrial reasons. They were used to haul things, and as new needs developed, so did new types of trucks. In early times of war, trucks were used to move ammunition and troops from one place to another, as well as to transport the injured and causalities among the soldiers.

Trucks were also invented that could be used for commercial purposes such as logging, farming, and later to mix and pour materials such as concrete. Later on, huge trucks were invented for the sole purpose of hauling other trucks and vehicles from their place of manufacture to sales centers all over the world.

Today, trucks are used for a myriad of reasons, and many different types of people own and drive them. Farmers everywhere use trucks to haul hay and small farm equipment, to move cattle as well as supplies. Those in the landscape and lawn maintenance industries also use trucks; wherein trailers are attached to the trucks in order to get lawn equipment from job to job.

Trucks are not only used for job related tasks, boating enthusiasts also utilize them. There are not many reliable cars that are going to be able to pull a large, recreational type boat, and where would you put the skis, ice chests and other necessities if the trucks’ spacious bed were not available?

Trucks are made by a number of vehicle manufacturers. There are the regular size passenger trucks that seat only two people, and the large extended cab trucks that can seat five people comfortably. There are the plain trucks that come with just the basics, and trucks that come fully loaded with every available option.

Some people enjoy the sport of four wheeling, and so they purchase trucks that allow them to drive over rough terrain and through bogs of mud! These trucks are equipped with 4-wheel drive, while other trucks not intended for this purpose would come standard with 2-wheel drive.

When in search of a truck, you will need to examine your needs, and also determine exactly what the truck will be used for. If you have a large family, then a truck would probably not make a good primary vehicle for you. However, if you need a solid piece of transportation that can be utilized to haul things around, and that you can attach a trailer to, a truck might just be a worthwhile investment.

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Keep Your Truck Bed Clean

It was bound to happen. You lend your truck to a “friend” who says they have a couple of pieces of furniture to move and it comes back to you with scratches in the bed area of your truck. It wouldn’t have been so bad had they apologized, but now you have to deal with unsightly scratches that can only make your truck’s value deteriorate quicker. Had you thought about it, you would have stuck a bed liner in your truck ahead of time to prevent the problem from happening in the first place. The above account actually happened to me as I was trying to help a young couple out with a good deed. I was warned in advance by a friend that the couple would take advantage of me and he was, unfortunately, correct. Let’s just say that it was a bitter lesson learned.
Twenty years have passed and I no longer have that old F-150. My current people mover is an SUV, so I have no open area to deal with. Yet, I likely will have a pickup truck again in the near future and I have looked closely at some of the products available to owners today, particularly bed liners. Advances in technology have brought new products on the market that either did not exist a few years ago or were too expensive for the average driver.

• Some of the bed liners you can purchase include: Spray on liners. That’s right; you can have super-thick polyurethane sprayed right into the bed of your truck. At one quarter inch thick, you can receive protection from scratches or fluid and it is completely air tight. One manufacturer says this about their product, “It's scratch-resistant, slip-resistant, and really easy to clean.” 
• Roll on liners. Similar to spray on liners, are roll on liners. Everything that I have read about roll on liners means a lot of work for the person who does the job, which typically is the truck’s owner. After sweeping and cleaning the bed free of all debris, you will then need to sand the entire truck bed as well as the sides before applying the rubberized coating. The sanding forces the coating to adhere to the bed area and I must tell you that between the sanding, masking tape, rubbing alcohol, newspapers, and particle masks, this is one smelly and messy job! 
• Installed liners. Okay, I am biased. If it were up to me, this is the product I would purchase. Option number one is too expensive; option number two is too messy; while the third option -– an installed liner -- makes the most sense to me. Still, you need to be careful in this area too as some bed liners are certainly better made than others. Look for those liners that are scratch and dent resistant, waterproof, chemical proof, stain resistant, and durable, i.e. not subject to cracking, chipping, or fading. In all, a bed liner makes perfect sense for any truck, particularly if you can put one in that covers the sides and the wheel wells. All the decent ones I have seen are nicely padded and can easily be cleaned. Learn all about the product you want before making a decision to buy.

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Baseball, apple pie, and pickup trucks – three symbols of the down-home American heartland. Americans tend to love all things American and the pickup truck is no exception. The very first pickup truck debuted, thanks to Henry Ford, in 1925. Although a bit lengthy for today's marketing standards, Ford described it as a "Ford Model T Runabout with Pickup Body." It was surprisingly similar to current pickups with an adjustable tailgate, a large cargo box, and heavy-duty springs in the rear.

Throughout the United States' short history, the pickup truck gained popularity and continued to evolve. Three years later, Ford replaced the Model T with the Model A – which was the first closed-cab pickup and included new features like roll-up side windows and a safety glass windshield. Capable of a whopping 40 horsepower (impressive at the time), the Model A sported a four-cylinder engine and three-speed transmission.

By 1931, Chevrolet stepped up and offered its first pickup model in an effort to compete with Ford. But Ford wasn't going anywhere. They countered the following year by releasing an even more powerful pickup with 65-horsepower and the Ford flathead V8 engine, a strategy that proved profitable to say the least. By 1936, there were three million Ford trucks on the road and the pickup led the industry in sales.

When the Great Depression hit, farmers needed to scale back and could no longer afford a truck for their farms and a car for their families. Thus, the need for a passenger-ready pickup was born and an Australian Body designer at Ford Australia designed the "coupe utility" -- the precursor to today's full cab pickups by marrying the front of a car body to the rear of a pickup body. The result was successful worldwide and because they were designed for work, American banks didn't hesitate to loan farmers money to buy them. Sales skyrocketed and the modern pickup became a staple of growing America.

While pickups were prevalent all over the country, Texans became particularly fond of them. Calling them "rancheros" because of their importance to Texas horse ranches, the state is sometimes referred to as "the land of pickup trucks." And rightfully so. The state of Texas actually offers a lower tax on pickup registration than it does on any other vehicle.

Portrayed as a rough and rugged symbol of the ultra-masculine American man, pickups began to make appearances in Hollywood movies from neo-Westerns to the preferred vehicle of tough guys like Clint Eastwood in "Every Which Way But Loose," and John Travolta in "Urban Cowboy." And when a symbol of America emerges, politics are right behind, ready to exploit it. In a campaign speech, presidential nominee hopeful Fred Thompson even described his opponent's faults by saying, "He hasn't spent enough time in a pickup truck," suggesting his opponent had trouble connecting with the "real" America. Even President George W. Bush – a proud Texan – has been observed driving around his ranch in a pickup.

Pickup trucks are no less popular today. Car companies find that while car sales in the U.S. are less stable, the pickup truck holds its own. Even companies like Isuzu now offer only high-performance pickup trucks (two models – the i-290 and i-370) and a single SUV model. Although people tend to love their SUVs and their flashy sports cars, pickup trucks continue to hold on as one of the best selling American vehicles. And from what we surmise, apple pie isn't going anywhere either.

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Applying For Truck Permits

Applying for truck permits can be a big hassle, especially if you don't know the right place to go to, and the rules and regulations of getting a license issued in your name.

There is a lot of paper work involved, and you have to comply with many legal formalities. Truck drivers and heavy duty vehicle owners seek companies and organizations that can assist them to get permits issued in their name. Hence, as the demand and supply function behaves, we see many agencies that provide this service, popularly referred to as a truck permit service.

The agencies providing the truck permit service have to comply with the rules and regulations laid down by the authorized body.

Most of the companies provide the following services to the clients looking for truck permits.

Interstate Truck line Permits - The organizations assist individuals to acquire interstate Truck permits. This is necessary for heavy duty vehicles running on highways and carrying goods.

Temporary Truck Permits - the formalities, involved in getting a valid license are many, therefore, it takes a couple of week or sometimes even moths, to get a permanent license. Truck permit service providers help in getting temporary trucks permits issued in their client's name.

SSRS or Single State Registrations - As the governing authority may demand, the trucks operating in particular areas have to comply with Single State Registration regulations.

Compliance with FMCSA/MC rules and regulations - All forms have to be duly filled out, and it is to be ensured that the heavy duty vehicle operator has complied with all FMCSA laws.

Driver's Examination and Licensing Programs - The truck permit service providers play an important role in this aspect, they guide the drivers through out the examination program, and ensure, that a license is granted to them.

Drugs and Alcohol testing programs. - This is one of the most important aspects of the licensing program for the drivers.

Road Taxes, heavy duty vehicle operating permissions. - Before truck permits are granted, all road taxes and similar dues have to be cleared and heavy duty vehicle operating permission is required from the concerned authorities.

Another factor to consider when applying for a truck permit is the local, state, and federal fees involved.  Many times you may be better off registering for the permit via another route so as to avoid the excessive fees that some areas charge.

Whatever type of truck permit you are applying for though be sure and complete all requirements so you do not get yourself in legal trouble.

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4 Reasons Why You Need A Tonneau Cover

Installing a quality tonneau cover on your pick up truck is a great idea that can only enhance your truck’s look and value. You can shell out a little bit of money and get a cover that looks no better than a tarp or you can pay a lot of money and get a tonneau cover that really makes a statement. In the middle area -- where most consumers shop -- you can find more than a few sensibly priced designs that are sturdy, long lasting, and eye-catching. Some covers look cut-rate -- and they are, while others look costly -- but they really are not. For the most part you will pay less for a soft-top tonneau cover than for a hard-top cover, therefore it becomes a matter of personal taste as to which cover you select.

Simple to maintain The way you wash your truck is the way you will clean your tonneau cover: just be careful not to use a car tire or dashboard cleaning agent on it. Simply follow the manufacturer’s recommendation on how best to maintain your cover. Most any auto supply retailer should stock products expressly developed for maintaining a tonneau cover.

Secure for your stuff If you regularly carry valuable merchandise in your truck bed, consider purchasing a locking, hard shell tonneau cover. Covers such as those made by Truxedo or Extang are designed with your security requirements in mind and will keep probing eyes from seeing what is in the back of your truck.

Enhance your truck’s overall value If you keep your truck looking and running its best, a premium tonneau cover will only boost your truck’s value. When it comes time to sell you truck, you should be able to command a better selling price.

Save on gas Today’s high gas prices mean you must think of innovative ways to save on fuel consumption. One way you can achieve decent savings -- as much as 10-15% -- is to have a tonneau cover installed. With a tonneau cover in place, wind drag is significantly reduced: the less drag on your truck, the better your fuel economy will be. Most tonneau covers come with a one year limited warranty which should be sufficient for you. A reputable online auto parts wholesaler can give you detailed information about the various product offerings, care and maintenance instructions, prices, shipping and handling information, and more.

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