Tips on How to Maintain Your Tonneau Cover Throughout Harsh Winters in Canada

When it comes to keeping what’s inside your truck bed protected from the elements, nothing beats a tonneau cover, particularly in places like Canada where winters can be especially punishing. However, while your tonneau cover is putting in the work to keep your gear safe and dry, what’s protecting it from damaging snow, sleet, and frost?

How to Care for Your Tonneau Cover

The good news is tonneau covers are built tough. They were designed to be rugged and extremely durable so caring for them is pretty low maintenance. But they aren’t maintenance-free and if you want your tonneau cover to last you’ll need to put in a little effort.

Keep Your Tonneau Cover Clean

But how can you possibly keep anything clean in the winter? As soon as you pull out of the driveway you’re hit with rain and mud or snow and slush or whatever else Mother Nature is throwing your way. While it’s true that keeping your tonneau clean on a day-to-day basis is unlikely, periodically scrubbing off the layers of built-up grime will make a difference in the performance and longevity of your cover.

Cleaning is easy, all you need is a sponge (treat it like your truck and avoid anything abrasive) and some automotive soap. After cleaning, dry it with a shammy or microfiber cloth to prevent water spots and keep the finish looking good.

Keep an Eye Out for Wear and Tear

Winter roads can be brutal, and not just for your truck but also for your tonneau cover. Between road vibrations, freezing temperatures, and flying debris, damage can happen. Make a point of periodically giving your tonneau truck bed cover a once-over looking for any signs of visual imperfections like scratches and dents as well as mechanical problems such as

loose clamps and mounting bolts or sticking.

If you do uncover any issues with your tonneau cover make sure to address them sooner rather than later. Winters in Canada are punishing, and minor repairs can quickly escalate into major headaches if you put them off for too long.

Keep Moving Parts and Seals Well Lubricated

Winter can make moving parts sluggish and cause rubber seals to freeze, which is not ideal when you need quick access to your truck bed nor is it healthy for your tonneau cover. To prevent damage or performance problems make sure to keep moving parts like rails, locks, hinges, and seals well-lubricated throughout the winter.

Use a silicone-based lubricant spray (unless otherwise specific in your user manual) and apply where needed wiping the excess away. Just a few drops here and there every once in a while is all it takes!

Keep Snow from Pilling Up

While tonneau covers are designed to handle the weight, snow is heavier than you might think, and when those layers start to pile up it puts a lot of unnecessary stress on the cover and its mounting hardware. To avoid having to chip through layers of frozen snow, just make it a habit to clear snow off your tonneau cover as soon as possible after a storm. Not only is clearing snow off your tonneau good for the cover, but it’s also hugely beneficial for all the cars driving behind you; it’s your chance to be a good truck owner and a good citizen!

Keep the Cover Extended

Cold weather can make certain tonneau covers, like those made from vinyl, for example, shrink or lose their form. If you keep your tonneau cover folded or rolled up for long periods over the winter, it might be difficult to put it back into place. To avoid this scenario, keep the cover extended to its full length whenever possible. Not only will this help maintain your tonneau cover, but it will also keep your truck bed from filling up with snow.