This past September, GM Authority discovered that General Motors patented a new tonneau cover system for pickup trucks that included a built-in cargo divider. The question now is, which GM truck will get the innovative new cover, and when.
The patented cover consists of two primary parts – a tonneau panel to cover the truck bed, and a movable flap on the inside of the cover that can be deployed to divide that space.
As we stated back in September, we can see this new tonneau cover and divider on any GM truck – whether Chevrolet’s 2019 Silverado and 2019 Colorado, or GMC’s 2019 Sierra and 2019 Canyon.
If forced to make a bet, we’d have to pick the GM full-size trucks – the Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra – as offering the innovative tonneau cover first, simply because they are more profitable and sell in significantly greater volumes than their smaller midsize cousins – the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon. As such, it might be more financially beneficial for The General to introduce the new tonneau cover on its full-size trucks, especially given that the kit will likely be offered as an option – one that’s either factory-installed or offered as an official accessory.
Any GM truck equipped with such cover would reap multiple benefits: a concealed and protected truck bed, along with improved aerodynamic performance and reduced drag. The cherry on top is certainly the divider/flap which, when in use, helps keep objects in the forward compartment hidden and from sliding into the rear compartment. And despite the availability of various aftermarket tonneau covers, a factory option is always welcome.
It’s really anyone’s guess as for when GM would introduce the patented feature as an actual option, if ever. That said, it can do so at any time – be it today, a year from now, or thereafter.
Stay tuned to GM Authority as we bring you round-the-clock coverage of Chevy news and GMC news.
Comments
Don’t see the huge benefit from the separation.
Factory fit could/should be a benefit, but dependent on greedy pricing from GM.
The addition here would give more flexibility from GM but there is a very competitive cover market out there already.
As for Aero the trucks are already designed to keep the air flowing over the bed. The back of the cab flows the air beyond the tailgate.
As to what truck why not both? It just takes a different size as both beds are similar design. You already have to size for length already.
this cover isn’t a huge bragging point
what i’d like to see is a more integrated cover, similar to the recent High Desert tonneau. Only flush mounting and no ‘sport sail’. Tri-fold integrated into the bed rails, instead of an add on like other aftermarket covers which because they are add on aren’t waterproof. would be great to see a factory sealed unit
Been using an Access roll-up tonneau cover for the last 15 years, cargo has never gotten wet. accesscover.com
I’m picky when it comes to tonneau covers. I have a BakFlip Fibermax, it’s a trifold hard cover. That’s what I need, it can be driven with it partially folded back, or folded up all the way. It sits flush. You can put weight on top of it. It’s secure and locked (with a locking tailgate). And it’s 99% weather proof. If there is high winds in a rain storm some water may get in and past the covers drainage system, and same if I park on a steep hill facing down hill.
Having both a factory designed cover and tailgate that seals like a trunk would be great.