Topper for Truck

I like them because they keep things dry and secure. I don't like them because they eat into the payload. Not a problem for the 3/4 and 1 tons, but 1/2 ton operators are normally looking to keep as much payload as they can.

wrenchbender wrote:
I prefer a tonneau cover to a shell. With a rake with a 6ft handle I can retrieve just about everything without climbing in.

I use something similar. I took a telescoping painters handle and put a small hook on the end. It stays in the bed of the truck under the tonneau all the time.

If I had a dedicated rig just for pulling the TT, I've thought about getting a commercial utility bed for the back of a pick-up. Having all those exterior storage doors would be sweet! Fishing stuff on one side, camping stuff on the other!

I prefer a tonneau cover to a shell. With a rake with a 6ft handle I can retrieve just about everything without climbing in.

Here's another thought ... I drive a 3500 duly. Even when the topper is NOT on the truck, I still have to climb into the bed, via the tailgate, to get anything out of the front of the bed. The sides are just too high to reach over, and with fat dual fenders, it even more impossible to reach over. So actually, there's no difference between crawling in the bed with no topper and crawling in the bed with a topper.

If you have a duly, especially with the higher sided bed rails like the newer trucks come with, accessing from the ground along the side is just about impossible. So those flat covers are really no advantage. And actually, I would think removing them, or folding them back would be difficult too, because you've got to either climb up on the tail gate to get started or use a ladder from the ground. Those fat fenders just make accessing the bed, or the side of the truck difficult, if not impossible.

That's another reason for the side tool boxes that work so well. By the way, my last truck... the shell was never removed until I sold it. My current truck, I've taken it off twice ... only to get the bed liner sprayed and the second time when I had to get the fat fender fixed because I got a dent in it.

If I need height for hauling something, I have a 6 x 10 bed utility trailer. If I really need the height in the bed of the truck, I can take the shell off. On a 3500 duly, the weight of the shell is insignificant.

Just my 2 cents worth of thought here.

Bakflip F 1. Secure and you can use any part of your truckbed when you need it. You can google for more info.

I bought a raised cap for my F-150. I would not be without one. However it cost $1300.00 and weights 200 + pounds. It has to be figured in as part of the max cargo weight.

Since I use my TV on a daily basis, I like it for keeping things high and dry.

Also with the height of the 4x4 TV the raised portion of the cap clears the garage door by about 1 1/2 inches. That was poor planning on my part but sometimes you get lucky.

If you are going to buy a canopy get a snugtop.

I spent 6 months looking at different canopys and all the rest were just junk at the end of the day. Snugtop is very well built fit and finish along with paint color.

I also went through the backflip cover all 3 leaked total overpriced junk. Undercover was better. But still not near as useful as a canopy.

Also look into getting a bed rug this makes it easier on the knees and helps loads from sliding around.

You may want to check your numbers on payload, GVWR, tongue weight, etc.

Many of the posters saying go for it, are driving 3/4 and 1 ton trucks. They have plenty of payload to carry their tongue weight and have stuff in or on the truck bed. I too, say go for it, if you have the capacity to carry the weight. You are talking about 3 - 400 (maybe more) extra pounds, with cap, generator, bikes and chairs, etc.

My previous setup was a Nissan Titan (with a 200 lb cap) and a 30' TT. When I added the weight of my trailer tongue (950 lbs), WD hitch, the cap, myself, and my wife, my payload was almost maxed out. Another passnger or a generator would have put me over. It was a good excuse for mother in law to not ride along.

I've always had caps on my truck. I wouldn't be without one. There are times when it's convenient to NOT have the cap on, but overall, the utility of having one outweighs the handful of times when you don't want one. If you have a way of quickly removing it, like a rack or hangers in your garage, removing it easily just adds to the allure. The first ones I had were high rise in the rear, and the currrent one isn't. I find I miss the extra space to get in and out of the rear, but it isn't a huge deal. I've had Leer, and current is ARE. I like the ARE better. Seems better built and lighter. Look to lose about 150-180 lbs off your payload rating for the weight of the cap.

I've always had one on my trucks. Current is a over cab high ARE. I have a compartmented platform in the back so I can store stuff under and when I rough it without the trailer I can sleep in the back. Racks on the top carry a 12' jon boat. I usually have a lot of fishing gear and boat gear in the back when pulling the trailer on vacation. Nice dry secure storage. I solved getting stuff from the front by a 6' long stick with a hook. I can get most stuff out without climbing in the back.