If you’re out shopping for a soft tonneau cover for your truck, you’re probably wondering “Twill vs. Vinyl tonneau cover – Which one would be best?”
Well, both tonneau cover have their respective strengths and drawbacks. While vinyl is a more budget-friendly option with better water resistance, twill tonneau covers are more heavy-duty and can support greater loads.
Whether you should get a tonneau cover made of twill fabric or vinyl is ultimately a personal choice, depending on factors like your budget, requirements, and preferences. Read on for a comprehensive comparison that will help you make an informed decision.
Twill fabric vs. Vinyl tonneau cover: A quick comparison table
| Point of difference | Twill tonneau cover | Vinyl tonneau cover |
|---|---|---|
| Material | A fabric made by combining cotton and polyester | Marine-grade vinyl |
| Durability | Very durable | Slightly less durable |
| Weight | Heavier | Lightweight |
| Loading capacity | 400 lbs. to 600 lbs. | 250 lbs. to 300 lbs. |
| Special perks | Excellent weather-tight sealing | Waterproofing and reliable protection in wet environments |
| Opening styles | A limited number of opening styles - folded, hinged, and retracted) | Almost any opening style, including snaps, roll-up, one-piece solid cover, hinged, retracted, etc. |
| Maintenance | Harder to clean | Easy and quick cleaning |
| Water resistance | Low | High |
| Environmental impact | More eco-friendly with its natural fibers | Synthetic material, less environment-friendly |
| Price | Slightly more expensive | Cheaper |
Differences Between Twill and Vinyl Tonneau Covers:-
1. Material
The biggest difference between the two is the material – twill is a thick and heavy-duty fabric made by combining cotton and polyester. Vinyl, on the other hand, is synthetic. Vinyl tonneau covers are made using marine-grade material for reliable performance in wet environments.
2. Durability
When it comes to Twill vs. Vinyl tonneau covers, both materials are quite durable and highly resistant to weather elements. However, the thicker and heavy-duty material gives twill covers a longer lifespan. A high-quality twill tonneau cover can last even longer than a decade, while cheap ones might wear out in 3 to 5 years. Other factors like maintenance, weather conditions, and additional hardware used with the tonneau covers affect their longevity too.
3. Weight
Being a heavy-duty fabric manufactured by combining two different materials, a twill tonneau is naturally heavier – it can weigh anywhere from 30lbs. to 110 lbs. Vinyl covers are relatively lighter and more flexible. However, this also means that a twill tonneau cover would protect your goods better.
4. Loading capacity
Twill tonneau covers can support heavier loads, thanks to the stronger and more heavy-duty material. Depending on the quality, they offer a loading capacity of 400 lbs. to 600 lbs. on average. Vinyl tonneau covers aren’t really well-suited to carry loads and can support around 250 lbs. to 300 lbs. at most.
Putting too much load on them can potentially compromise their integrity and damage them. You can, however, increase the loading capacity by using a heavy-duty strap system and an integrated clip.
5. Special perks
Tonneau covers made of twill fabric are particularly good at providing a weather-tight seal that not only protects the cargo, but also offers improved aerodynamics. A vinyl tonneau cover, on the other hand, is made of marine-grade waterproof material. These covers can keep the truck bed dry even when driving in heavy rain and snow. Unlike twill, vinyl can also be dried pretty quickly and easily afterwards.
6. Customizability
Twill tonneau covers are easy to customize with color-matching dye and embroidery graphics, allowing you to get pretty creative. Ultimately, you can give your truck a unique and personal touch that sets it apart from the rest. While vinyl tonneau covers are available in different colors, the nature of the material makes it harder to incorporate custom graphics.
In terms of opening styles, vinyl is a much more versatile option since these tonneau covers are available in almost every opening style – be it snaps, hinged, retractable, one-piece solid cover, or anything else. However, you can only get twill tonneau covers in limited opening styles, mostly folded, hinged, or retracted.
7. Maintenance
If you’re looking for a low-maintenance tonneau cover, vinyl is probably your best choice. Since vinyl is naturally resistant to dirt and grime, you can wipe them clean in a matter of minutes or just give them a quick wash if they’re too dirty. Twill, on the other hand, is a fabric and might need to be scrubbed clean to get rid of all the dirt.
8. Price
While the prices can vary quite a lot depending on the brand, cover type, hardware options, and other factors, twill tonneau covers generally cost more than vinyl options of similar quality. However, this may not always be the case – some brands offer more expensive premium-quality vinyl tonneau covers.
Similarities Between Twill and Vinyl Tonneau Covers
- Easy installation: Both twill and vinyl tonneau covers are easy to install and the process only takes a few minutes.
- Pocket-friendly: Despite the price differences, both types of tonneau covers are much more affordable than other materials like fiberglass or ABS plastic fabrics.
- Two-third bed access: Regardless of which of the two you pick, you’ll be getting two-third bed access.
Worth Reading:-
Canvas VS Vinyl Tonneau Cover | Which is Better
Frequently asked questions
1. Are vinyl tonneau covers good?
Vinyl is a great choice if you’re looking for a low-maintenance and water-resistant tonneau cover.
2. Can you paint a vinyl tonneau cover?
While you can paint a vinyl tonneau cover, the results might not be great or long-lasting. It would be better to dye it using vinyl dye instead.
3. Can a vinyl tonneau cover go through a car wash?
A vinyl tonneau cover can go through a car wash but it’s best to remove the cover to prevent it from getting damaged, especially if the car wash uses spinning brushes.
4. Are vinyl tonneau covers waterproof?
Vinyl tonneau covers are completely waterproof, which makes them great for wet environments.
Wrapping up
Ultimately, both types of tonneau covers have their respective perks and shortcomings. Vinyl offers you better waterproofing by sacrificing protection and loading capacity. Twill, on the other hand, is a better choice if you have to carry a lot of load and want maximum protection for your cargo. Keeping these points in mind, you can buy the tonneau cover that suits your needs the best.