@Calicamper, it's an interesting conversation topic for sure! Intitively, something that has a welded aluminum frame with a protective skin over it seems like it would be more "structural" than fiberglass. I get that there's all sorts of reinforcement in the fiberglass that makes it stronger, but if the fiberglass cracks, it's all over. If the aluminum skeleton is damaged, if you have a TIG welder, or a MIG with a spool gun, or some rivets, you could patch, fix, and reinforce. Plus, contractor toppers seem to hold up to serious, serious abuse. Ever see a contractor be nice to his truck? It's just part of the job!
Plus, I feel like I could add\modify the topper to my needs more easily. Simple little things like adding a fishing rod rack to the roof would be SO much easier.
As far as the rack, I've been trying to get in touch with Leer; it seems they have bolt plate reinforcement on their non-welded ladder rack options. I'd rather get a track based, more standard roof rack, that I could even add a third crossbar to in order to spread out the weight more evenly. Three crossbars on a aluminum-frame topper should be able to hold ANYTHING that I'd reasonably want to put up there.
