easy on/off truck caps?

valhalla360 wrote:
I've had aluminum and fiberglass.

The fiberglass could be done with 2 large strong guys but really 3 or 4 was a lot easier.

The aluminum one I could do myself in a pinch (mostly awkward to control, weight wasn't an issue). With 2 people (even not very strong), it was a breeze.

If I was buying a new cap, it would be aluminum in a heartbeat.

I needed to move a aluminum one from 1 truck to another for a trip. The guy that was to help didn't show up so I parked back to back so could walk from one to other. Turned around as I crossed the tailgates, a piece of chicken. Worked so well I didn't ask for help when I got back. Got lucky, did not damage the good truck. Don't take much wind to take control.

I have a Leer fiberglass top on my shortbed F350 secured by aluminum clamps.

I take it on and off by myself using a overhead pulley system. Takes about 30 minutes, at most, to get it off.

I've had aluminum and fiberglass.

The fiberglass could be done with 2 large strong guys but really 3 or 4 was a lot easier.

The aluminum one I could do myself in a pinch (mostly awkward to control, weight wasn't an issue). With 2 people (even not very strong), it was a breeze.

If I was buying a new cap, it would be aluminum in a heartbeat.

Yup , clamps. They make all sorts now for easy on and off. If you have room in the garage some just hook up a pully system to rase it up. Like the picture above. Clip it on , raise it up and pull out done.

Ha ha..I can remember the trouble I got in forgetting the boat was on my dad's canopy and trying to put it in the garage..lol..I have had several and I liked the framed canopy that was about six inches higher than the cab..Made a great camper but heavier ...

The aluminum is easy for two people to take on and off,the fiberglass is heavier but my son and I can take his he has now,on and off okay..I used to bolt the old ones to the rails but my latest have all been clamped on....

I bought this dodge a couple of years back and always wondered what the hooks through the cap were for. They don't leak and you really can't see them if your not looking for them so I left them. Perhaps the previous owner operated a winch to do what your describing?

my son and I remove/put on my aluminum cap all the time. easy 2 man job.
we also used "C" clamps to faster it down.

I had an aluminum cap on an 8' bed, some years back. Like BB, I used C clamps to hold it on. Two people could move it on or off (but we were younger then). I suppose a shorter cap should be a bit lighter and less awkward.

Been over 30 years, but I had a fiberglass cap that two could easily take off and put back on. Held it on using C clamps instead of screws/bolts to make it quick and easy.

Weight isn’t the only consideration. Caps are very unwieldily.