Topper for Truck

[augustpilot]

Have 2014 Dodge pu. New to trailer, could use more room for chairs, generator bikes, etc. thinking of a fiberglass topper, looking for pros and cons from owners.
Thanks

[Dragonfly]

I would like to have a work top with side access storage like shown in other posts. However, we use the truck as an "escape pod" leaving the camper behind when we want to go off road or into areas where a trailer isn't convenient. Thus we need to open the windows, with screens for ventilation. We have a camper couch back there which folds flat and sleeps two. When upright, half the truck bed and the top of the couch is available for stuff as well as space under the couch. When disconnecting from the trailer we just move a few things from the truck bed to the trailer floor and we are free to off road roam. I sometimes wish that have bought the side mounted, swing open doors but they were expensive. On the other hand, with the trailer attached, that kind of door can get in the way.

[myredracer]

Another happy Snugtop owner here. Good pricing and good quality. Have the cab high version, smoked glass all 'round and folding forward window. About $1600 installed.

Some brands seem very overpriced. Don't get one unless it's got the overlapping lip where it sits on the bed. A fold-down forward window is a good thing to get so you can clean the glass. I think someone above mentioned weight. If you are concerned with the affect on payload capacity, they weigh in at something like 200 lbs for an 8' bed.

With our smoked glass, it's very difficult to see through two layers of it when looking in the rear view mirror. One of these days, I'm going to get clear glass installed in the forward window.

I'm used to hearing these things called a canopy.

[GrandpaKip]

I have an aluminum ARE cab height topper with opening windows on the sides. The color is close to that of the truck. It's light enough to take off by myself and doesn't eat into my payload very much. The side windows allow me to reach anywhere in the bed. I put racks on to carry 2 kayaks. I like being able to lock it up. All in all, I'm happy with it.

[PenMan]

augustpilot wrote:
Hello Penman,
What is difference in fiber she'll and topper, thanks. Thought both were cab height

I might be using the wrong term. Mine is a hard shell that adds about 6" to the bed height. If I were doing it over again, I would get one that is cab height. As others have mentioned, you have to check the weight which in my case would be fine. In either case I would definitely want the bed slide like I have now.

[PenMan]

augustpilot wrote:
Hello Penman,
What is difference in fiber she'll and topper, thanks. Thought both were cab height

I might be using the wrong term. Mine is a hard shell that adds about 6" to the bed height. If I were doing it over again, I would get one that is cab height. As others have mentioned, you have to check the weight which in my case would be fine. In either case I would definitely want the bed slide like I have now.

[Farm_Camp]

I like mine, but, it's so tall that I cant get into the garage, many parking structures, and some car wash facilities... I've had covers and now this shell. I like the shell but you have to consider you own personal wants/needs.

[Community Alumni]

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.

[AirForceAngler]

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!

[wrenchbender]

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

[DutchmenSport]

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.

[CKNSLS]

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

[rbpru]

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.

[Fast0ne]

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.

[handye9]

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.

[mosseater]

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.