Truck topper, aluminum or fiberglass??

[huntsonora]

I got rid of the topper that was on my little 93 Toyota pickup when I bought it as it was beyond repair. I'm thinking of going with another one and wanted opinions. This is my truck...


The first is an aluminum topper and I like that the side windows open up...


The second is a fiberglass topper that's fairly tall....


Any opinions on aluminum vs fiberglass? Any thoughts would be appreciated. Both of these are priced within $50 of each other

 

[Rot Box]

I've had a few of each on my F350 and Hilux over the years. I'm a fan of aluminum personally mostly because of the weight difference. They're usually much lighter and I can remove/install them myself if needed (although it's much easier with two people). I've noticed the alum is louder during a rainstorm compared to fiberglass when sleeping under it..

 

[huntsonora]

Here are a few more pics of the aluminum topper. Doesn't look too terribly bad











I do like the fact that the side windows have access to be able to get to a cooler, a bow or rifle or a hunting pack.

Anybody know anything about that brand?

 

[aerofab]

I say Aluminum, but they meet my needs better. Having had a truck similar to yours and also having had both types of toppers, to me its a no brainer.

Depends a lot on what you want out of a topper though. If you just want things covered in your bed a fiberglass topper is great and they always look good with the design of the truck. Aluminum toppers don't always look as good, but offer much more in the versatility department. I loved the doors on the side for grabbing things easily and I had a sleeping setup for camping, so was nice to open them in the morning while still laying inside. The aluminum toppers also have a framework on the inside so it makes it easy to attach things and personalize a lot more. Same goes for attaching things to the outside of it. Just fasten to the framework and its on solid. I could stand of top of my ARE. Don't do that with a fiberglass topper!

 

[p nut]

Do the aluminum toppers get super hot in the summer? May be an issue if you have coolers and such stored in the back. But I guess you could also line it with some insulation as well.

I love windoors, so that's the way I'd lean. They are so convenient.

 

[huntsonora]

If I go aluminum I would probably try to insulate it a bit to keep it cool and to quiet it down

 

[Ducky's Dad]

I've had both and much prefer the fiberglass. Fiberglass is more aerodynamic, quieter, easier to paint and to keep clean, generally stronger if you mount a rack or basket on top, warmer in the winter, and almost always better looking. If the choice is between the two units pictured, the fiberglass one gives you more interior volume because of the bumped up roof. I had a earlier Toy and a cab-high shell does not give you much space to move around inside. Those pop-open side windows on the aluminum unit may present some security issues that the sliders on the glass shell don't have. If the glass unit already has a factory carpet headliner in it, that could make the decision a no-brainer if you plan to sleep in it. The headliner eliminates your breath condensation dripping on you while you sleep.

I could stand of top of my ARE. Don't do that with a fiberglass topper!

I have three trucks now with SnugTop fiberglass shells. One has a Yakima rack system that has carried 800 pounds of lumber without failure (the Yakima bars are badly bent, but the shell is fine). Another truck has a shell that will be getting a similar rack system for the same type of use. The third truck has the same Yakima cross bars with a 4.5x5 Con-Ferr basket mounted to it. Mounted to the Con-Ferr are an Ez-Awn Bat Wing on one side and a 16-gallon water tank on the other side, with the basket open for cargo. I have stood on the basket floor for long periods while glassing on hunting trips with no adverse effect on the fiberglass shell. SnugTop and others offer reinforced roofs as an option, but none of my shells have that reinforcement.