Automotive Trucks information on net.

When I purchased my first truck, a showroom new 1985 Ford F-150, it was a basic offering needing some serious upgrades. One of the first products I purchased was a snap-on tonneau cover that adequately covered the truck's eight foot bed. Although I did not have the truck for long, it proved to be one of my favorite "add-ons" and it actually saved me some money. If you're shopping for a new tonneau cover there are some important things for you to keep in mind before finalizing your purchase. Let's take a look at five of them.

You get what you pay for! A tonneau cover can be had cheaply or it can cost you a small fortune. In the middle area, where most consumers shop, there are several reasonably priced models that are durable, long lasting, and attractive. Some covers look cheap -- and they are, while others look expensive -- but they really are not. Generally, you will pay less for a soft-top tonneau cover than for a hard-top cover, so it becomes a matter of personal preference which style you decide to buy.

They are easy to maintain. Quite true! For the most part, if you are washing your truck, you will clean your cover the same way. However, do not use the car tire or dashboard cleaning agents on your cover. Manufacturers such as for the Extang Tonneau Cover will have specific care instructions for you to follow. Your local auto supply store should carry products specifically designed to help you clean and shine your tonneau cover.

You will reap security dividends. Even a soft, non-locking tonneau cover is better to have on your truck bed than no cover at all, as tempting items are kept away from thieves' eyes. Still, if you carry valuable merchandise, consider a locking, hard cover version. Covers such as those offered by Truxedo Tonneau Cover can meet your security requirements.

Resale value will be strong. If you take good care of your truck and outfit it with a premium tonneau cover, you will be able to command a good resale value when it is time for you to sell your truck.

Decent fuel savings. With gas prices surging, one way you can save as much as 10-15% at the pump is to have a tonneau cover installed. Wind drag is greatly reduced when your tonneau cover is securely in place.

Most tonneau covers come with a one year limited warranty, which should be adequate for you. Your online auto parts supplier can provide detailed information about product offerings, care/maintenance, prices, shipping/handling information, and more.

If you are a pick up truck or SUV owner, one of the most popular accessories for these types of vehicles are running boards. Running boards are particularly useful as they allow easier access to your truck’s cabin in addition to simply “lookin’ good”. You can outfit your vehicle yourself with running boards by following three simple steps. Depending on the brand of running board you purchase, the procedures involved may vary somewhat.

Lund running boards are industry hot sellers and the company helps make installation a breeze by outlining how to get the job done:

1. Insert the square head bolts into the extruded channels on the underside of the board, then attach the Multi-Fit brackets loosely with supplied washers and nuts.

2. After determining mounting position on the truck, the end caps and step pads are attached with matching black rivets.

3. Mounting methods vary slightly with application. Multi-Fit Running boards are bolted in place with clip nuts and bolts at factory holes. Tighten after determining alignment is correct.

That’s it! Before you know it your running boards are securely in place and ready for use.

When shopping for running boards, please note that the quality of the products marketed can vary. A top of the line running board such as those sold by Lund or Westin running boards is typically made out of tough polymer materials or diamond plated aluminum and will, therefore, adequately hold your weight and resist deterioration. You can order running boards that light up, choose boards that have a wide step area, and even select running boards that allow you to paint the shell yourself.

Running boards are made for SUVs from the Kia Sorento to the Ford Expedition, and for trucks from the Toyota Tacoma to the GMC Sierra Denali. Mounting kits are usually sold separately, so before completing your order make sure that all the parts as well as instructions are included with your shipment.

By shopping with a reputable online retailer and installing the running boards yourself you can save plenty of money and have the satisfaction of knowing that you did the installation.

Pickup Tonneau covers are a versatile way that owners can add security and style to their truck. The market is saturated with a variety of models with features to fit the diverse needs of pickup truck owners. Prices vary greatly depending on the model and the features offered. Some basic models sell for a little over one hundred dollars while more elaborate editions can retail at close to a thousand.

For the many people who use their trucks to carry heavy-duty cargo, a hard top Tonneau cover is often the right choice. Hard tops provide security to items in the bed, and locks protect against theft they will protect cargo from rain, wind and sunlight. Most hard tops are made of fiberglass or aluminum and steel.

A soft-top Tonneau cover is another option. These covers are usually made of high-grade vinyl and are designed to withstand rain, wind, and sunshine. Soft tops are extremely lightweight and easy to attach to the truck bed. Most soft top Tonneau Covers for pickups can be easily retracted into a storage device right behind the truck’s cab.

Truck Tonneau covers can increase a pickup’s speed by cutting down on wind resistance. When one of these devices is installed on a truck, they cover the bed and do not allow wind to push against the tailgate. Without Tonneau covers for pickups, drivers must either drive with the tailgate open or remove the tailgate and replace it with a net to avoid wind resistance. Both of these options leave the bed’s cargo free to shift while the truck is in motion, and items could fall out of the bed while the truck is moving at high speeds, which is especially dangerous on the highway or other high traffic areas.

There are several types of tarpaulin (tarp) systems for trucks that make covering a truck’s cargo easy. The most popular tarp systems are front to back or side-to-side systems. All of these systems secure cargo in the bed of the truck easily and safely.

Front-to-back tarp systems feature long metal arms that hold the tarp in place. Some tarp systems have the tarp roll up into a cylinder behind the cab when it is not covering the bed, while other systems position the rolled-up tarp up over the truck’s cab. Front-to-back systems can be either manual or automatic. Automatic tarp systems have a switch in the cab that the operator flips to maneuver the tarp into place. The tarp is then pulled over the bed and secured at the rear by the metal arms. Manual systems are similar, but feature a crank that the operator turns to move the arms and the tarp into place. Automatic front to back systems cost at least $650 plus the cost of the tarp. Manual systems are significantly less expensive, starting around $150 plus the price of the tarp.

Side-to-side tarp systems are not as widely used as front-to-back systems, but they are just as secure. Side-to-side tarp systems operate on the same principles as the front-to-back systems, with metal arms pulling and then securing the tarp in place. Side-to-side systems also come in manual and automatic models, just as with the front-to-back models. Interested consumers should contact a local seller or an online vendor to find out what a custom side-to-side tarp system will cost for their truck.

Tarp systems make it much quicker and easier to secure loads in the beds of trucks. Whether one uses an automatic or manual system, tarp systems are a good investment.

Truck tire chains can be purchased for everything from a pickup truck to an 18-wheeler. Drivers can find a chain to fit just about any need, spanning every size and style, and desired performance.

Single highway truck chains are recommended for highway use on trucks, buses, and RVs. For trucks that see more off road action than highway time, single V-Bar reinforced traction chains are recommended. This type of chain is available for light trucks, heavy trucks, busses, and RVs.

Of course, studded truck tire chains are always a good choice for off-roading. Drivers should first make sure that studs are legal in their state. If they are, studded cross chains provide one of the best options for off-road traction. Single studded truck tire chains can be purchased in 6, 7, or 8 mm. Dual triple studded tire chains are also available in 6, 7, or 8 mm.

For dual tires that are more accustomed to highway driving, dual triple truck, bus, and RV chains are recommended. The V-Bar is also available for dual tires. For vehicles with minimal clearance between dual wheels, dual mount chains are built without a center chain.

Finally, wide base chains are available for vehicles that have minimal clearance between wide base tires. Whether driving a light truck, heavy duty truck, bus, or RV, truck tire chains are available for every condition.

Trucking companies are at a cross roads, fuel costs are $3.00 per gallon for diesel in many places. This puts a huge stress on the transportation sector and that stress can be felt in increased costs on every product or service delivered by truck. As most truck drivers like to point out; if you bought it, then it came by truck. In other words everything will cost more as those costs are passed onto the all of us.

Truck trailers move a lot of air, which takes a lot of energy. That energy costs fuel and those additional costs are an over all tax on society since everything we see, everywhere we go was delivered by a truck. Much of the disruption of air occurs behind the trailer and aerodynamic models show that by eliminating this drag we can increase the efficiency. There have been many NASA Wind Tunnel type computer models showing this and several companies which have build rounded rear aerodynamic cones to taper off the boxy dimensions of those tractor trailers. I have another idea.

Truck mounted forklifts can make transportation of goods and materials much easier. A truck mounted forklift insures that the truck driver won’t have to waste valuable time waiting for someone to unload the cargo once it is delivered to its destination. Truck mounted forklifts are mounted on the truck during the transportation of the materials. Once the cargo is delivered, the truck driver can unload it independently and not have to wait for anyone to help. The truck driver just disengages the forklift from the truck, unloads the cargo, reconnects the forklift, and is free to leave.

A company called Moffett-Kooi invented the first truck mounted forklift in the Netherlands nearly 40 years ago. Their original idea was to create a way for truck drivers to independently unload their cargo of tulip bulbs to farmers. The early models of truck mounted forklifts have since evolved into revolutionary tools that save businesses an immeasurable amount of time and money.

The forklift is nearly always attached to the back of the truck. Sometimes the forklift is secured in the bed of the truck, but this is fairly uncommon. The forklift is usually attached to the back of the truck by sliding the forks securely under the bed. The forklift is further secured with hooks, chains, or latches that keep the forklift from shifting or moving when the truck is in motion. Trucks must be high enough off of the ground to allow the forklift to be suspended in the air, and the rear axles need to be far enough away from the back of the truck for the front wheels of the forklift to be able to fit under the truck. It is important that truck drivers have a professional install a truck mounted forklift system to insure it is compatible with the truck.

Nissan hits hard when they remodel their vehicles. The new Frontier is no exception. This truck finally has the power and looks to rival any of the competition. I wanted to help you in your shopping by pointing out the features I saw the other day on my test drive.

The 4.0 DOHC V6 puts 265 hp down and 284 lb-ft of torque. It feels like it can pull a house down. The new engine has an aluminum block and is very smooth. The 4-cylinder is no slouch. It puts down 154 hp and is much more balanced for a smooth like comparison to the V6.

The new, boxed frame is similar to the big brother Titan’s full size frame. The welded in cross members add to the midsize trucks rigid handling. Nissan went all out. This truck has a double wishbone suspension and leaf spring rear suspension. Drives like a car in the city, but the structure of a big truck for work or off road time. Speaking of off roading – your 4x4 guys will like the 10.1” of ground clearance. Nothing is hanging down anymore. Add a skid plate to the 4WD model and some optional off road tires and you are ready to climb a hill with just the push of a 4WD button.

Technology was put into this bad boy, too. 4 wheel limited slip so that the wheels don’t loose traction and a vehicle dynamic control. It keeps your truck in control by braking and engine controls to help maintain total vehicle control. Of course, it may not prevent an accident, but it sure could help on a rainy day.

My friend got the NISMO Frontier. It has the off road package and some special graphics along with Bilstein shocks. The interior was a unique as were the wheels. His was an automatic, and although he doesn’t take it off roading, it sure did ride nice and it wasn’t that much more with all of these options. He had a bed protector and the utili-track bed rail system. The tie down locations were limitless. It has two glove boxes. Yes, in the front where you only get one. The Nissan also had neat under seat storage and the front passenger seat folded up to provide a desk type surface.

If your currently shopping for a new truck you know it can be a bit confusing. I'm sure most of you have your favourite manufacture, but are unsure of just what your options may be. The following article should help you get started in the right direction for buying your new truck.

The first thing to decide is the size of the truck you want. This isn't a very difficult decision. You will either need a compact truck or a full sized one. This all depends on your needs and your budget.

The price of a new truck can range from fairly affordable to very expensive. For a good truck with few options you are probably looking at around $20 000. On the other hand a full sized truck that is fully loaded could come in at $40 000 or more.

The engine in a truck will be very important. Small trucks will always have a V6 engine that is fairly easy on gas. Full sized trucks will usually have a V8 and will probably burn up gas quickly. If you really need lots of power for towing you can also get a diesel engine.

Over the past few years the capacity of people a truck can hold has become very important. All manufactures have done major designer overhauls to hold more people. Here is an overview of what is out there.

Regular cabs: This is your standard truck. These can hold a small number of people. You wont get anymore then 3 in the truck and really two people will be enough.

Extended Cabs: The extended cab will allow you to carry more passengers as long as you have a full size version. For the most part these can be good for carrying extra cargo.

Crew cabs: These are a pretty good replacement for a car. You will get 4 doors and can seat 5 or 6 people.

The last thing you will need to know is how long of a bed you will need. Most trucks now of days only have a 6 1/2 bed. There are some longer ones available up to 8 feet.

Currently we use electronic monitoring devices to see inside of truck trailers and cargo containers, not all of them, as we do not have the resources, but suspicious ones. We use these scanning systems to looking into border crossing trucks and questionable shipping containers. This works pretty well. However with the future of new materials we will be able to view the inside of containers and trucks using a device which sends and electrical pulse towards Truck Trailers and Cargo Containers, which have been made out of Carbon Nano Sheets, the material will remain opaque until which time a certain frequency is introduced. These carbon nano tube constructed sheets will be 50 times the strength of steel and as thin as a few sheets of paper. I propose we make these carbon nano tube sheets with visible manufactured memory technologies, which give us a product, which will become literally invisible or transparent upon introduction of a certain frequency.

Cold temperatures increase wear on several auto parts, especially the starting and engine system parts. If you are living in an upland, maintaining a vehicle must be hard during winter and fall, but this should not dishearten you because there are many ways to prevent inconveniences that may result from extreme weather conditions. One is to replace worn out parts in your vehicle with tough and durable replacement auto parts.

One of the leading auto parts dealers in the country today, Auto Parts Discount, proudly features best replacement parts for Dodge pickup truck and other Dodge vehicles. Here you can find the affordable deals on top quality Dodge parts that can help you avoid distressing and life-threatening winter breakdowns.

The easiest and most convenient thing for you to do is to make your windows, doors and windshield air- and watertight. Dodge parts offered here at Auto Parts Discount include Dodge weatherstrips for windshield, front glass, front and rear doors, vents, rear gate, tailgate, run glass channel and cabs. They are made from high quality rubber, plastic and chrome and are designed to endure abrasion and can withstand extreme temperatures and moisture build up.

Extremely cold weather also takes its toll on your Dodge wheels and tires, belts, hoses and other auto parts of the electrical, ignition and cooling systems. The battery would require more power to start the engine—up to five times more than the usual starting power, so you also need a dependable alternator that would supply it enough power.

Check on the connections in the electrical system to ensure everything’s in proper working condition. Also, check on the distributor, the condenser and distributor cap in the ignition system as any damage or moisture build up can make starting more difficult. Before you drive your car to your destination, let it warm up first so that the fuel can circulate, especially around the engine.

Having enough lights in your car is also very important, especially when it’s too foggy or when it’s snowing heavily outside. Aside from your Dodge headlights, you must also have fog lights and off-road auxiliary lights to light up your way and keep your truck visible in the dark.

Risks of meeting road accidents are higher during the cold months, so you have to secure yourself and your vehicle. If you need to replace worn out parts, don’t think twice; however, make sure to get them at trusted auto parts dealer like Auto Parts Wholesale. Also, be extra careful while driving. Keep your speed down as much as possible to avoid misfortunes on the road.

Currently we use electronic monitoring devices to see inside of truck trailers and cargo containers, not all of them, as we do not have the resources, but suspicious ones. We use these scanning systems to looking into border crossing trucks and questionable shipping containers. This works pretty well. However with the future of new materials we will be able to view the inside of containers and trucks using a device which sends and electrical pulse towards Truck Trailers and Cargo Containers, which have been made out of Carbon Nano Sheets, the material will remain opaque until which time a certain frequency is introduced. These carbon nano tube constructed sheets will be 50 times the strength of steel and as thin as a few sheets of paper. I propose we make these carbon nano tube sheets with visible manufactured memory technologies, which give us a product, which will become literally invisible or transparent upon introduction of a certain frequency.

A police car driving down the road, a weigh station or border crossing will have these frequency systems set to look inside upon entering the inspection stations or while driving if it is felt necessary. All truck trailers and cargo containers thru attrition and by 2020 would be required to be made out of such materials if they crossed our nations borders. Although this technology is not completely available yet, it is well within the potential attributes of such materials and within the realm of possibilities, therefore I suggest we start thinking on it.

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.

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.

The truck wash industry and rail car cleaning sub-sector use lots of chemicals to clean. Here is a horrible story of what happens when businesses allow their employees to remove chemicals from the property. Not more than a year ago an employee took homes so Hydrofluoric Acid, he intended to use it on some car parts to clean them. He put the chemical in a water bottle and took it home. He wanted to keep it cool, because it is a dangerous chemical so he put it in the refrigerator. His roommate was thirsty when he later came home from work and accidentally; Yah you guessed it. He drank it.

Being in the carwash business I heard the story, which is true and thought of the company in question and realized that this is not their first serious with regards to their use of hydrofluoric acid. The other lawsuit I had heard of was with rear view mirrors on trucks on freightliners by an OEM supplier, do not know if they decided to file or not. The company was not a franchise like our company, (truckwashguys.com) but they have a lot of locations.

Can you even imagine such a situation? That certainly is a terrible story? Drinking hydrofluoric acid internally? You would think you would smell it first? It is bad enough if you get it on your skin. I have before it makes a rash that will not quit, very painful, bad news, mean stuff. For their sake I hope the employee is charged with criminal negligence or murder rather than the company taking the hit? I can see a motor-head type employee stealing it for cleaning parts on an auto project, but surely they train their folks on how serious it is and dangerous? That is simply crazy stuff indeed.

How does one accidentally drink HF? Oh my god that is not even funny, I do not even believe he would qualify for the Darwin Awards? Well at least it probably killed him quickly? What a way to go? There are labels all over such products? But once the employee put it in a regular water bottle that blows the safety label warnings. I wonder if it was murder as it sounds like hanky panky, accident? Think on this, do not let chemicals off the property in your truck wash.

If you own a pickup truck or SUV chances are your vehicle looks quite a bit different than from the day that you bought it home from the dealership. I’m not talking about wear and tear, scratches or dings, or any other thing that may have happened to it over the course of time. Rather, I am suggesting that you have customized it to look the way you want it to look. Let’s take a peek at some popular accessories on the market for pickups as well as for SUVs.

There are literally hundreds of after market parts and accessories available for trucks and SUVs. The following list is an alphabetical example [well, almost] of add-ons for your consideration:

Air Filter – Reusable air filters are growing in popularity as motorists see both the performance and environmental benefits of using one.

Bed Mats – Scratches and stains are a thing of the past with a properly installed bed mat on any pickup truck.

Car Bras – Also known as hood protectors, many truck and SUV owners are opting for this important accessory to keep their vehicles free from flying debris as well as to give their vehicle a custom look.

Dog Box – Even poochie needs his place. Especially a great idea for protecting your GMC Yukon from pet hair and dander.

Engine Module – Looking for more power? An engine module will allow your truck or SUV to obtain higher horsepower and acceleration.

Fender Flares – Going for a custom look? If so, fender flares are the way to go and they offer additional coverage for the fender area too.

Grille Guard – Especially helpful if you have to round up cattle or want to offer extra special protection to your front end.

Hitch – Great for towing!

Intake Tube – More air for your engine, means more power.

Jumper Cables – You never know…

Knock Sensor – Not really an accessory, but listed because I needed a “K” to complete the example.

Liquid Tank – When you just have to keep it all cool…

Mud Flaps – A cool as well as useful accessory to keep your wheels looking great.

Nerf Bars – Tubular free form bumpers beat out stock bumpers every time.

Overhead Storage – Hey, you have to store your firearms somewhere, don’t you?

Performance Chip – A great way to crank out more horsepower and thrust.

Q – Not much use for this letter, is there?

Running Boards – Sometimes you need something more than a pole vault to enter your 4 x 4.

Seat Covers – Custom fitted seat covers can protect your seats from rips, tears, and stains.

Tailgate Door – Remove the door and go with the net. Keeps everything in its place.

Umbrella – You’ll need one to get from your truck to your home.

Vent Visor – Keeps the water from drenching you while exiting your GMC Suburban.

Winch – You just never know when you’ll get stuck…

X+Y+Z - Okay, close enough. They don’t name hurricanes with these letters, so why should accessories be any different?

If you were to fully accessorize your truck or SUV with all of these parts you would pay thousands of dollars for the privilege. Your vehicle would also look overdone too! Of course, it would be better for you to be selective and choose those accessories that mean the most to you. Shop an online wholesaler of automobile parts and accessories for the best prices too.

Specialty trucks can be a large investment and may not be used very often; for these reasons, they should be protected from the elements when not in use. The purchase and use of a high quality truck cover should be considered to shield them from dirt and dust, animals and even people.

1- One of the first things to consider before actually purchasing a truck cover is quality. This is a case where it is wise to buy the best that you can afford, do not cheap out on a truck cover. A high quality cover will protect your truck from UV rays, rain, dust even falling objects and animals.

2- Look for a cover that is made of a breathable material. The cover should be lightweight and although not waterproof, it needs to dry out quickly after getting wet. If the cover is not breathable and holds in moisture, it can be detrimental to the paint job and increase the chance of creating rust.

3- Padding is very important when searching for the perfect truck cover. More is better here. The more padding that a cover has, the more protection it can offer your truck from all sorts of falling objects, from golf ball sized hail to golf balls whacked by the neighborhood kids. Padding is too important to overlook, be sure that the cover you choose has several layers for adequate protection at all times.

4- If you can afford it, get a custom cover for your truck. A custom cover is made to your trucks specific size and shape, while a generic cover will more than likely do the job, a custom cover will stay in place and not shift because of strong winds and time. Another advantage of getting a custom cover made is that it can have the extra padding added, be made in a color or pattern that you prefer it can even be customized with a name or picture.

5- The most important thing to remember when getting a cover for your truck really has nothing at all to do with the cover. The most important tip is to make absolutely sure that the truck is clean. It needs to be as free of dirt and dust as possible when the cover is put on, this will help to avoid scratches and scuffs in the paint.