My DW prefers the Truck cap, I favor a solid Tonneau because it looks cool!I have my own ideas about some of the pros and cons. Apart from the extra load carry height and any fuel economy 'savings' are there any other things I should consider. Off course a good locking system.It will probably live 100% on the truck. I know we will carry all that weight around. Also considering a slide out tray. Will save my back a bit. (These two 'extras' sure make it difficult to fit a fifth wheel hitch at the same time :B )From my research so far, I'll probably go for an ARE of some sort, if Tonneau it will be with the scissor action for better bed sealing.Unless you can provide me with solid information, I'm afraid my DW will win. But then a happy wife ............ :)Thanks Guys.Brian and Esta.

Sorry but I like my cap but either way I agree with the choice of an ARE. Busted the back glass and frame on my 6 year old cap and they got me a new replacement right away.

It appears you have already weighed the pros and cons of each. Purchase what BEST suits your needs from a practical standpoint. I never buy anything just because "it looks cool".Myself, I prefer a cap because I carry a lot of things in the truck bed when we travel. I think A.R.E. caps are an excellent choice, if you go the cap route. My present A.R.E. is now six years old and still looks like new.

Canopy= has to be removed to tow a fifth wheel, more dry storage space when not towing, totally exposed bed when camping with a fifth wheel.Hard tonneau= easily folds for towing, secure storage when camping, no need to remove it for hauling trash, better rear visibility when not towing.

It really depends on what YOU will be carrying in the truck bed. I've had both; my previous truck was a short bed with a cab-height shell. I loved it.My current truck is a long bed with a hard one piece tonneau (with electric lock tied in to the doors), and I pretty much hate it. My generator barely fits under the tonneau, which is fine, but I'm on my hands/knees to get anything from the front of the bed, can't carry anything taller than the bed sides without removing the cover or hauling it on a trailer, it's generally a pain in the butt. It looks nice though. I'm keeping an eye out for a good deal on a shell and selling this tonneau because it is what I need. I will say that the electric lock on it is a must have!

Topper (solid) or Cap ? | Good Sam Community

Bumpyroad
Explorer
Nov 12, 2014
ESTA is right
bumpy
boogie_4wheel
Explorer
Nov 12, 2014
It really depends on what YOU will be carrying in the truck bed.

I've had both; my previous truck was a short bed with a cab-height shell. I loved it.
My current truck is a long bed with a hard one piece tonneau (with electric lock tied in to the doors), and I pretty much hate it.

My generator barely fits under the tonneau, which is fine, but I'm on my hands/knees to get anything from the front of the bed, can't carry anything taller than the bed sides without removing the cover or hauling it on a trailer, it's generally a pain in the butt. It looks nice though.

I'm keeping an eye out for a good deal on a shell and selling this tonneau because it is what I need. I will say that the electric lock on it is a must have!
donn0128
Explorer II
Nov 12, 2014
Canopy= has to be removed to tow a fifth wheel, more dry storage space when not towing, totally exposed bed when camping with a fifth wheel.
Hard tonneau= easily folds for towing, secure storage when camping, no need to remove it for hauling trash, better rear visibility when not towing.
3oaks
Explorer
Nov 12, 2014
It appears you have already weighed the pros and cons of each. Purchase what BEST suits your needs from a practical standpoint. I never buy anything just because "it looks cool".

Myself, I prefer a cap because I carry a lot of things in the truck bed when we travel. I think A.R.E. caps are an excellent choice, if you go the cap route. My present A.R.E. is now six years old and still looks like new.
Hondavalk
Explorer II
Nov 12, 2014
Sorry but I like my cap but either way I agree with the choice of an ARE. Busted the back glass and frame on my 6 year old cap and they got me a new replacement right away.

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