Most retractable truck bed covers compose of aluminum panels that are powdered coated black or covered in a vinyl. The powder coat paint and the vinyl are weather resistant layers to further increase the longevity of the truck bed cover. The panels run side to side between the trucks bed rails and roll back into a storage unit when retracted in. Some of the retractable truck bed covers feature a laminated weather resistant padded polymer which gives the panels a soft look that is resilient against the elements.
The retraction of the truck bed cover is aided by the guide system which is positioned at the inner face of the truck rails. Once retracted, the panels are stored in a canister unit which is mounted to the front end of the truck's bed. If your retractable truck bed cover is even worth it's weight in salt it will feature a heavy duty tension string which is used to aid in the retraction of the truck bed cover and minimize the rattling caused by the panels being stored into the holding canister.
The panels that make up the actuall truck bed cover are strong, so strong in fact that they can hold a distributed weight of 200 lbs. This means that no matter how much snow you get your cargo will be protected. Now you might be wondering how this truck bed cover handles rain. While many types of truck bed covers allow a little rain here and there to slip through, retractable truck bed covers are designed to guide the access rain water into the rails, down the rails and into the storage canister where it is then leaked out via hoses.
Another great feature of retractable truck bed covers are their enhancement in style; regardless of what kind of muck or hard working tools are placed in the back of your truck, including a few soda cans, you can easily cover the bed of your truck and go anywhere with out people giving second thought. Lets not forget that when your truck truck bed cover is closed the streamlined aerodynamics increase your fuel economy, obviously from that alone you can understand why a truck bed cover is an investment that pays for itself.
One of the most important features of any truck truck bed cover is the ability to secure your cargo from theft, many retractable truck bed covers feature heavy duty locks which would make it extremely difficult for a thief to break into the bed of your truck with out making some serious noise. Again, a lock keeps honest people honest and the truck bed cover alone instills an "out of sight, out of mind" which aids in the deterrence of a thief even attempting to victimize your truck.
So in conclusion, retractable truck bed covers are definitely a great investment that not only pay for their selves, but also will make your ride look much better. Protect your cargo, save money and look great with a retractable truck bed cover.