Let’s be honest: not every ute owner wants to do a canopy conversion. For many owners, factory ute tubs have more than enough cargo capacity for everything from a bedload of tools and construction materials, to a full complement of off-roading kit, including a cooler and a spare wheel, all at no extra cost.

The downside of keeping your ute’s factory cargo bed, however, isn’t as much about space as it is safety. A tailgate alone may be enough to prevent cargo from flying off the tail of your ute, but from overhead, there’s nothing to protect your gear from prying eyes, sticky fingers, or exposure to the elements. That’s why if you want to keep your OE tub, but also want to feel comfortable leaving your gear on the truck, a tonneau bed cover is what you need for your cargo area’s all round security.

Protect Your Cargo Area With Tonneau Bed Covers

Whether it’s on the road, at the job site, or in their driveway, ask any ute owner who hasn’t done a canopy conversion what their number one priority is and they’ll tell you that it’s keeping the contents in their cargo bed safe. Fortunately, there’s a wide selection of top-quality retractable tonneau covers available for just about every single-, or dual-cab ute sold in Australia.

Today’s pickup tonneau covers are nothing like the soft-fold covers from a generation ago that were prone to stretching, fading, and tearing. These custom aluminium roller covers offer the best in reliable, heavy-duty cargo bed protection without disrupting your vehicle’s natural lines or aerodynamic profile; and if you’re undecided about what they have to offer, you only need to look at their benefits.

• Intelligent engineering. High-quality tonneau truck covers lock firmly into your vehicle’s bed rails, and feature a captive spring design that prevents them from opening or loosening, either accidentally or unintentionally.
• Sturdy construction. Aluminium bar casings, stainless steel fasteners, and EPDM rubber seals make for a perfectly sized and fitting cover that’s both durable and long lasting.
• Superior protection. A high-quality powder-coated finish and an IPX6 rating offer uncompromised protection against impacts, and wear and oxidation, as well as high pressure, and heavy sprays of water.
• Electronic convenience. With a choice of either adjustable manual, or remote-controlled retraction, today’s tonneau bed covers provide a level of ease and accessibility that has more in common with the cargo area of a luxury SUV than the tail end of a work vehicle.
• OE appeal. Looks matter, and sleek truck tonneau covers let you keep your ute’s stock profile and appearance, while still making it possible for you to give your cargo area maximum protection.

With their superior framework and straightforward assembly procedures, today’s tonneaus also install easier than their considerably less reliable, stretch-to-fit predecessors. They mount quickly into position, even if you already have a tub liner installed, and integrate perfectly with sport and cross bars, and roof and ladder racks.

Bed Covers Offer Cost and Comprehensive Fit Advantages

Although prices can vary considerably, it’s no secret that new tray/canopy combinations are expensive. And depending on the type of ute you own, and how extensively the canopy needs to be wired, your installation costs can easily add a further 30% to a final price tag that could easily end up costing more than $10,000 AU. You can buy top of the line electric tonneau covers for sale, however, complete with the retractable aluminium lid, the fitting kit, and the electric motor all for under $2,500 AU.

The fact is, unless you’re a tradie who absolutely needs a tray-sized work platform, holding onto your OE tub and covering it with a tonneau is going to be your most cost effective option. And with long- and short-bed options available for most tonneau cover models, they’re available for a full range of Australia’s most popular utes, including:

• GMC Sierras, Chevy Silverados, and Chevy Colorados / Isuzu D-Maxs;
• Ford F-150s, PXs, PX2s, and PX3s Rangers, Next Gen Rangers, and Mazda BT-50s;
• Toyota SR5s, N70 and N80 Hiluxes, and Hilux Rugged-Xs;
• Ram 1500s and 2500s; and,
• Nissan Navaras and NP300s.

With an average weight of only 50kg, a lightweight tonneau cover also weighs up to 250kg less than even the lightest tray/canopy combo. It’s a saving that you’ll instantly notice in fuel consumption and towing capacity, especially if you find yourself battling a strong headwind or towing a heavy trailer.

Retractable Security That You Can Count On

Regardless of the type of ute you own, being able to secure your cargo is your first priority. Australia’s persistently high rate of motor vehicle thefts and break-ins, however, even from in front of owner’s homes, means that if you’re choosing to keep your OE tub, you want a tonneau cover that’s built to withstand tampering or an attempted break in.

Not only are today’s premium quality tonneau covers for pickup trucks engineered to work together with the OE tailgate latch, but their secure interlocking construction is designed to resist all but the most aggressive assaults. The retractable action of a remote-controlled electronic tonneau cover for sale also helps secure cargo by giving you the ability to:

• Safely and solidly lock your tonneau in the closed position;
• Operate your tonneau entirely in “hands-free” mode at any time; and,
• Fully or partially open or close your tonneau, in either auto or manual mode.

For maximum security, a proximity alarm with a built-in G-sensor is the ideal option for detecting shocks or impacts that would indicate an attempted break-in. It’s the ultimate bit of protection you can invest in to ensure that your ute stays free from unwanted intrusions.

The Final Word

At the end of the day, while the ute tray/canopy conversion is a hallmark of Aussie automotive customization, the fact is, there are plenty of ute owners who simply don’t want the cost and inconvenience of replacing their OE tubs. Sacrificing the security of their cargo doesn’t have to be a part of the equation though, which makes keeping the bed covered more important than ever.

That’s why if you own a ute and you’ve decided to keep your factory tub, retractable tonneau covers provide you with the flexibility you need to keep your cargo bed secure. They’re proof that you don’t need to invest in a canopy conversion to get the most out of your ute.