If you own a ute, a tray cover is one of the handy aftermarket accessories you can purchase to make your vehicle even more functional to your needs. There are two major types of ute covers in the market and these are soft and hard covers. And although they serve the same purpose, they have lots of differences between them. Below, see what these differences are so that you can decide which cover serves your ute better.  

1.    Cost

Cost should not be the main guiding factor when it comes to buying a ute cover. However, it is one of the main differences you will notice when it comes to the two products. As expected, hard covers cost more than soft covers by a wide margin. And this is because hard covers are made of metal or fibreglass while soft covers are made of tarp. Besides that, hard covers have to be painted and installed by the manufacturer.

2.    Security

One of the main reasons why people get ute covers is so as to protect their belongings at the back. Both types of covers help in this regard but hard covers are way better where security is an issue. This is because soft covers are easier to break into. On the other hand, hard covers are not; they are mostly made of metal and most have locks for added protection.

3.    Aesthetics

Of course, you still want your ute to look good after the installation of the cover. When compared on aesthetics, both soft and hard covers offer good options. They provide a neat clean look for the tray. The only difference is that the hard covers are more customisable because they can be painted to a custom colour or fabricated in a unique shape/design – options that are not available with soft covers.

4.    Ease of use

Usage begins with installation. Hard covers have to be installed by a professional. This is often done by the supplier. Soft covers, on the other hand, are easier to install and most don't need a professional. This makes the process easier, faster, and cheaper. When it comes to day-to-day use, both covers are equally easy to use. With hard covers, you just have to lift the lid to open and lock when done. With soft covers, you can unhook, unclip or roll it back to open depending on its build design.

5.    Utility value

When it comes to utility value, hard ute covers have a slight advantage. They provide a flat rigid surface that can be used for various uses. For example, they can be used for additional storage while in transit, e.g. bikes, surfboards, etc. Also, they can be used as temporary storage space when parked. The same options are not possible with soft covers because they are delicate and could get damaged if any loads are placed on them.

In the end, it all boils down to cost and security. Your concerns about these two factors will dictate which side to lean on. For more information, contact a business such as Nans Tarps.