Truck Caps

[Todd780]

The only reason I'd ever get one is if I hauled an ATV on top (because I didn't want to use a trailer). That's it. I can't see how it's better than a trifold cover. I'd rather have a shell with double the dry storage.

That's what I'm thinking. Trifold is my first pick. Followed by a shell with a cargo tray to make loading / unloading easier.

I've used my truck a number of times to haul large items where a shell would have been difficult to work with. I'm not sure how difficult shells are to remove either.

 

[michlong]

That's what I'm thinking. Trifold is my first pick. Followed by a shell with a cargo tray to make loading / unloading easier.

I've used my truck a number of times to haul large items where a shell would have been difficult to work with. I'm not sure how difficult shells are to remove either.

I have a trifold right now, Tonnopro, which is OK, until you want something that slides right to the back and you can potentially have the same issue with a truck cap. There is also cost, I was quoted $5200 for an ARE truck cap, they're nice but not that nice.... I also wouldn't bike being able to throw the dirt bikes / mountain bikes up on top.. (First world problems!!)

 

[phsycle]

That's what I'm thinking. Trifold is my first pick. Followed by a shell with a cargo tray to make loading / unloading easier.

I've used my truck a number of times to haul large items where a shell would have been difficult to work with. I'm not sure how difficult shells are to remove either.

Shells are probably about the same amount of hassle as the diamond back covers. Heavy, wide and awkward. Usually need 2 or 3 people. Unbolting is easy--4 clamps. But getting it off and stored is cumbersome.

I've actually been thinking of a modular shell idea, similar to the GFC. Instead of a tent up top, it would just be an aluminum (or fiberglass) panel, which would be removable. The rear bar would also be removable like the ladder rack below. This way, you can load large, oddly shaped cargo. Maybe someone already makes something like that.

 

[Todd780]

Shells are probably about the same amount of hassle as the diamond back covers. Heavy, wide and awkward. Usually need 2 or 3 people. Unbolting is easy--4 clamps. But getting it off and stored is cumbersome.

I've actually been thinking of a modular shell idea, similar to the GFC. Instead of a tent up top, it would just be an aluminum (or fiberglass) panel, which would be removable. The rear bar would also be removable like the ladder rack below. This way, you can load large, oddly shaped cargo. Maybe someone already makes something like that.

Maybe? As far as I know I've yet to see one. It's a good idea.

Really, I've no clue what the best solution is. It really depends on what you happen to be using the truck for that day.

I keep going back and forth between canopy with a boat rack on top or a trifold.

Edit: Found this:

EVO LEISURE | RSI SmartCap

www.rsismartcap.com

 

[michlong]

Maybe? As far as I know I've yet to see one. It's a good idea.

Really, I've no clue what the best solution is. It really depends on what you happen to be using the truck for that day.

I keep going back and forth between canopy with a boat rack on top or a trifold.

Edit: Found this:

EVO LEISURE | RSI SmartCap

www.rsismartcap.com

View attachment 564299

they look nice - wonder about the price - I don't see anything on their website about price aside from the comment on the giveaway being a base of $3900.... a Leer cap is about $3k and ARE quoted me $5200 yesterday (had a few extras)

the diamondbackhd was a shade over $2k

 

[phsycle]

Maybe? As far as I know I've yet to see one. It's a good idea.

Really, I've no clue what the best solution is. It really depends on what you happen to be using the truck for that day.

I keep going back and forth between canopy with a boat rack on top or a trifold.

Edit: Found this:

EVO LEISURE | RSI SmartCap

www.rsismartcap.com

View attachment 564299

Only modular, as you can bolt on different options. Install/removal would be as cumbersome as a regular shell. Plus, the mounting instructions call for removing the stock tie down points and installing proprietary brackets. No thanks. Totally different than what I was thinking of.

 

[phsycle]

they look nice - wonder about the price - I don't see anything on their website about price aside from the comment on the giveaway being a base of $3900.... a Leer cap is about $3k and ARE quoted me $5200 yesterday (had a few extras)

the diamondbackhd was a shade over $2k

Are you in Canada as well? That’s crazy high even considering the exchange rate.
I’d check out aluminum shells (not commercial shells). Cheaper and lighter than fiberglass.

 

[michlong]

Are you in Canada as well? That’s crazy high even considering the exchange rate.
I’d check out aluminum shells (not commercial shells). Cheaper and lighter than fiberglass.

Florida

 

[adaml]

Florida

View attachment 564389

Holy crap! What options do you have on that? I got a Snugtop Rebel (which I love) with most of the options and it wasn't anywhere near that.

 

[orion240sx]

^^^ Yeah, that's a crazy price.

I'm in NE Florida, and bought an A.R.E. Z-series with the fold down front window (only option), and it was a hair over $2300 (plus tax and install). This was for a 2015 F-250. 250 prices are higher than 150 prices, too...so would be less on a Chevy 1500 or F-150.

...just another data point.

- Brian

 

[bas157]

phsycle said:
Shells are probably about the same amount of hassle as the diamond back covers. Heavy, wide and awkward. Usually need 2 or 3 people. Unbolting is easy--4 clamps. But getting it off and stored is cumbersome.
------------------------------
Diamondback covers are super easy to take on and off by yourself. 4 truck cap clamps hold the center section on and since it comes off as three pieces, I have no trouble doing it by myself, actually never had anyone ever help me take mine on and off. Less than 10 minutes and its off. The parts are pretty flat so I just lean them up against my garage wall and sometimes down in my basement if its gonna be off for any length of time.

I've seen the RSI caps, they seems very well built. They are expensive but I think I'd rather get one of them then spend $5000+ for a new ARE cap. Used fiberglass caps don't seem to hold their value very well.I'd imagine an RSI will retain its value much better. March 27th the begin US sales for them according to a Facebook post.

 

[Martinjmpr]

$5k for a topper seems way out of line, unless you got the one with the walk-in door, since I know that feature by itself is about a $1500 add-on. I'd definitely shop around a bit and maybe even look at dealers in another region of the country.

Mine was just under $2500. True it was a "lower end" basic cap (I specifically did NOT want an all glass door so buying the "cheapie" was the only way I could get an aluminum framed rear door) but I added on a few options: Side opening win-doors, carpeted head liner, and the built in tracks for the Yakima/Thule rack.

As far as the topper vs. no topper conundrum, it all comes down to how you use it.

Me, I've owned 6 pickups in the last 35 years and they all had toppers on them. But that's because I use my pickups the way you would use an SUV. I don't use it for work (I work in an office), I don't haul motorcycles, refrigerators, tractors, ATVs, etc. By contrast, I DO often carry things that need to be protected from weather and theft (camping gear, hunting gear, personal stuff, etc.) So for MY uses, a topper makes sense and there are no real downsides to it. On those rare occasions that I might want to haul a motorcycle or a bunch of furniture, it would make more sense for me to just go out and rent a trailer than to try and take the topper off so I could haul it in the bed.

OTOH, my step son has owned nothing but pickups since roughly 2005 and he has NEVER had a topper and never will. He uses the bed of his truck to haul lawn equipment and needs to be able to access the bed from the side, plus he needs to be able to put things in the bed that are taller than a topper. So for him, a topper would interfere with what he needs the truck to do.

 

[Martinjmpr]

Shells are probably about the same amount of hassle as the diamond back covers. Heavy, wide and awkward. Usually need 2 or 3 people. Unbolting is easy--4 clamps. But getting it off and stored is cumbersome.

Yeah, I'll echo this. On my '04 Tacoma, I removed the shell ONE TIME to haul some furniture.

I'll bet most people with toppers have similar experiences: They might remove the topper once or twice but after that, they either leave it on or leave it off because the hassle of removing it, storing it, putting it back on, etc. just isn't worth it.

I did briefly entertain the thought of building a hoist system in my garage, you know the kind that some Jeep owners have to remove their hard tops. But ultimately I decided that the time/effort/expense wasn't worth it.

The modular is an interesting idea but unless they can get the cost lower, I don't think they're ever going to catch on. Modular toppers are kind of like the Chevy Avalanche and it's disappearing mid-gate: An ingenious "solution" to a "problem" that very, few people have.

 

[phsycle]

Yeah, I'll echo this. On my '04 Tacoma, I removed the shell ONE TIME to haul some furniture.

I'll bet most people with toppers have similar experiences: They might remove the topper once or twice but after that, they either leave it on or leave it off because the hassle of removing it, storing it, putting it back on, etc. just isn't worth it.

I did briefly entertain the thought of building a hoist system in my garage, you know the kind that some Jeep owners have to remove their hard tops. But ultimately I decided that the time/effort/expense wasn't worth it.

The modular is an interesting idea but unless they can get the cost lower, I don't think they're ever going to catch on. Modular toppers are kind of like the Chevy Avalanche and it's disappearing mid-gate: An ingenious "solution" to a "problem" that very, few people have.

I do wish I could make a shell work, as double the dry and secure storage over a tonneau would be welcome and be used 95% of the time. The other 5%, I need to haul an ATV and occasionally, a dirt bike. I don't own a trailer, nor have the space for one (even folding), so a truck bed is the only way I can transport it. And for 5% usage, I'm not willing to go through the hassle of removal/reinstall, even with a hoist system.

I would seriously consider a modular shell with a removable top, though. It'll have to be custom, if I were to pursue something like that. But more I think about it, more I think it would be a hassle and get very expensive.

 

[Martinjmpr]

I would seriously consider a modular shell with a removable top, though. It'll have to be custom, if I were to pursue something like that. But more I think about it, more I think it would be a hassle and get very expensive.

Yes, and that's the rub, isn't it? Anything good is going to be expensive. And anything not expensive is not going to be good.

I've often wished that manufacturers would make panel trucks again. Not vans, but panel trucks. Panel trucks have low load decks (like a van) but they don't sit as high as a van because the engine and front wheels are in front of the cab, not underneath it. A panel truck with a low load deck, removable seats, panel doors, and a truck-based 4wd system would be the perfect vehicle for me (and for many of us, I would think.) Because of the low load deck and high roof, you could roll a motorcycle or ATV into the back of a panel truck.

This old Chevy was the last generation of panel trucks made in the US. Circa 1967 - 70. 2wd of course although occasionally you do see a 4wd version. This one sat in my old neighborhood (Englewood, CO) for many years, though it's gone now:





I understand why manufacturers dropped panel trucks in favor of vans - for commercial users, vans offer the same utility as a panel truck but in a shorter (and probably less expensive) package. They did that by pushing the engine and front wheels back into the cab and pushing the driver's seat up, making a 4wd conversion more difficult and expensive.

I keep wondering if Nissan will offer a version of the NV1500 or 2500 van with the 4wd system from the Titan. If they did, it would be tempting, but realistically, the potential market is probably too small.