After seeing the pics in the “post your ride” thread, I see I’m not the only one that doesn’t have a topper or cap on my trucks. Of all the trucks I have owned over all the years, only one had a topper and I hated it. Everywhere I drive puts me on 3 and 4 lane interstate highways and lane changes were always harder to navigate because of the loss of visibility. A cap made hauling fire wood a pain in the arse and it seemed anytime I had to unload the back of the truck I was crawling on my hands and knees up to the front of the box. Also, I could never lower a load into the back of a truck using a fork lift when I had a topper so I have never got another topper. The negative is that I live in snow country and my trucks sit outside so the bed is less useful in the winter unless I shovel it out. As well as having to tarp a load that might blow out of the truck bed. What are you guys and gals using on the beds of your trucks to cover your loads?? I have attach points on the top rails for a spider net cargo cover but it doesn’t help in the rain and snow. I’m looking for a bed cover and so far it seems the cloth roll up version make the most sense for my usage. I’m also done with short box trucks and won’t buy anything but a full size box now.
RC, not minen, but y neighbor has a snapon (seems to be vinyl impregnated fabric of some kind with removable lateral (slightly arched) supports. Low profile, but not sure if it would hold up to a heavy/wet snow. Minutes to snap/unsnap to rails on the edge of the bed.
I can put the cap on and take it off by myself. The procedure isn't pretty, but it's fairly quick and simple. (If I can, surely it wouldn't be a problem for you.) If Kendall is around, it takes us maybe five minutes to undo the clamps and lift if off. Same for putting it back on. I had a roll up bed cover. It sucked compared to the hard topper.
I've got an "Undercover" brand tonneau cover. Mount the brackets and drop the super light weight cover into place. It can be removed or installed in less than a minute. Locks and operates just like a heavy fiberglass tonneau cover.
I have the Extang Trifecta on my Titan. It's a 3-fold (hence the name) tonneau cover that locks from underneath. Only problem is the security factor but the easy on-off is a huge plus for when I'm taking my kayak somewhere or hauling a load. Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2
Taking a cap on or off is not at all an issue. Its all the negatives with having it on that I can't tolerate which has me looking for better options.
I had an aluminum shell on my old Toyota. I kept a mattress back there and it was great during the season for catching a snooze during mid day. I worked mid shift and would get off and hunt til 10:00, grab a snooze til around 2:00 and then get back in my stand. I could take it on and off with a screwdriver in about 3 or 4 minutes on the off chance something wouldn't fit.
Umm... that's why you take it off when you don't need it. As for visibility... I easily drive in heavy traffic/interstates with a cap on my truck and often pulling a 30' trailer with an 11' tall, 8 foot wide pontoon boat. (from rail to rail it's closer to 9' wide... but don't tell the cops) Unless your cap had no windows, you should be able to see just fine. (and there are always those reflective things called mirrors that come in pretty handy ) I found nothing advantageous with a fabric tonneau cover. They are a pain to use when it's cold. Too small when you have any kind of a real load, and offer almost no protection against theft.
Don't use them. My wife's F350 pulls a goose neck trailer and we haul hay and feed in it. My F150 short WB has a tool box and I use it to haul wood and other items. It's like most other subjects "Some like it and some don't" RC
x2 for the Undercover. The locks are a nice feature as is the LED light that makes finding gear easier in the dark.
I had a roll back tonneau cover and hated it. I'm hoping to get a cap this fall for my truck. It has a 5th wheel hitch, but we only pull the camper twice a year so taking it on and off a couple times won't be a big deal. Really, there is no "alternative" to a cap. Unless you want it to only cover a quarter of what you could with a cap on your truck.
Christine, what do you think of limiting the number of trucks that would be allowed to have a topper? Lets say....ummm......10 maybe? And make folks show an ID to buy one...? On topic, I had 1 topper and found it to be more of an inconvenience than a necessity. All of my trucks since then have gone naked.
This looks like a viable option. It covers the load when I want it to and moves out fo the way when I dont need it and wont block by view. http://www.pickupspecialties.com/Tonneau-covers/tekstyle_snap_on_truck_bed_cover.html
Yes, everything I need covered. Its rare that a load I want kept dry and secure rises above the level of the side rails.
Well, obviously... all black toppers would be banned. (because they are scary looking). Also, high capacity toppers would have to go. (there's no reason to carry that much stuff!) They should all have large windows so concealing anything naughty would be difficult. Potential buyers would need state issued ID's and show a need to own one. Common sense stuff.
