Truck toppers/shells

[stenz]

Looking at getting a truck topper for my 2011 F150.

Want to see what the average price is. I am looking at something like this minus the roof rack.

https://www.google.com/search?q=F150+topper&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjP95bflIDKAhVDyGMKHQGFAPUQ_AUICCgC&biw=1366&bih=667#imgrc=HnWjv5POmti13M%3A

[Stevensje]

New you are looking at 1,500-2,500 depending brand model. Check classifieds for a used one and call dealer to see how much to match paint.

[fly boy]

New you are looking at 1,500-2,500 depending brand model. Check classifieds for a used one and call dealer to see how much to match paint.

What he said.

I put one on my Titan and it was $1400, and I put one on my 2012 F150 last November and it was $1400. They are all the same, so the cheapest price you can find - doesn't matter on brand. Once you find it, go online and get a manufacture coupon for an added bonus. I got a free headliner with mine. Looks great and was a $150 upgrade, but LEER has a coupon section and Voila! I have a solid glass tailgate window with a bulb seal.... looks the best.

63060

[stenz]

Looks great. I wish they weren't so expensive but man are they nice.

[Great-Kazoo]

Looks great. I wish they weren't so expensive but man are they nice.

Craigslist is your friend. Most folks who buy a topper, after the 2nd time taking it off. Stays off and goes up for sale.

[Invader zim]

63065I got mine from suburban toppers on colfax. I can't recall what I paid but it was pretty cheap.

[Martinjmpr]

If it doesn't have to be color matched and you want to save $$ go with CL. I've bought 3 toppers since 2007 and the most I paid was $300.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Jeffrey Lebowski]

I'm trying to order a snugtop rebel for a tacoma I am also trying to order.
Expecting to pay $1800 new, installed, with upgraded lock. [Dunno]

In another, oh, 3-4 months, well [Beer] I'll be set.

[roberth]

Craigslist is your friend. Most folks who buy a topper, after the 2nd time taking it off. Stays off and goes up for sale.

I've been thinking about a topper too, I was moving some stuff last weekend and was glad I didn't have one. There are soft top options out there that would be more flexible.

[Martinjmpr]

Hmmm...well I would never have a truck WITHOUT a topper. Can't lock stuff up, can't protect it from the weather. My DD is a little single-cab Mazda (AKA Ford Ranger) and it barely has room for 2 people in the cab.

I guess if I carried motorcycles a lot or moved large furniture items frequently the topper might get in the way but 99% of the time having the topper is a benefit and if it absolutely does need to come off, all it takes is 2 adults and 5 minutes.

[Harley-FXDWG]

I have a solid, tilt up bed cover on my truck and love it. Keeps everything nice and dry, locked up and out of sight and its easily removable if need be. Plus if I do need to remove it it doesn't take up half the garage for storage.

This is the brand I have. No complaints whatsoever. http://www.4are.com/

[Hummer]

Hmmm...well I would never have a truck WITHOUT a topper. Can't lock stuff up, can't protect it from the weather. My DD is a little single-cab Mazda (AKA Ford Ranger) and it barely has room for 2 people in the cab.

I guess if I carried motorcycles a lot or moved large furniture items frequently the topper might get in the way but 99% of the time having the topper is a benefit and if it absolutely does need to come off, all it takes is 2 adults and 5 minutes.


Me, too. All my trucks over the past 40 years have sported toppers. Everything inside stays clean, dry and (mostly) secure. First thing I did when I bought a new truck was to put on a Leer top and a BedRug. I like the easy access of the high back design, and the BedRug (http://www.bedrug.com/products/bed-liners/bed-rug.html) is great, easy on the knees and any cargo. When traveling I sometimes put a foam mattress in the back so we can camp or sleep on the road.

As for hauling equipment, farm produce, construction materials or gravel, I have a trailer for that.

There is a difference in quality of toppers, it pays to shop. I like SnugTop and Leer. This one's a Leer Browning Special Edition (http://topcityonline.com/ecatalog/caps-lids-and-tops/caps/browning-special-edition-from-leer) which includes a lockable storage box built in for tools, fishing poles, rifles & ammo, etc.


http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/COHummer/Guns/Vehicles/2003Tundra_zpsqnidw7xe.jpg (http://s59.photobucket.com/user/COHummer/media/Guns/Vehicles/2003Tundra_zpsqnidw7xe.jpg.html)

[Martinjmpr]

I've had ARE, Glasstite and Raven fiberglass toppers and for a year or so I even had a cheap aluminum topper (it was "better than nothing" but it sweated moisture badly which was a real problem when I lived in the rainy Pacific Northwest.) All of the 'glass toppers were decent.

Oh, one thing I have to say if you're shopping for used: NEVER, EVER under ANY circumstance should you get a Brahma or similar "thermoplastic" topper. These were common in the 1970's and 80's as a cheap alternative to fiberglass. They looked kind of like fiberglass but were made from a thin, cheap thermoplastic material and typically cost around 1/3 of what a comparable 'glass topper would have. I'm pretty sure they are no longer being made. Brahma was the most common name but they were sold under other names as well.

The material was marginally OK when new, but it broke down badly due to sunlight exposure and the passage of time. The ones you see on trucks now are in sad shape, most of them are broken/cracked in multiple places. I actually don't think I've seen one in a few years, I'm pretty sure they've mostly degenerated into trash by now but on the off chance that someone has what appears to be a crazy-low price, make sure it's not thermoplastic. They're easy to tell up close, the plastic is about 1/2" to 3/4" thick and often sags in the middle. Glass will be harder, thicker and have very obvious fibers in it.

Whether you're buying new or used, I would recommend that you NOT get one with the "SUV Style" all-glass back liftgate. Yes, they look good, yes they're slick. The downside is if they break, they are hella $$$ to replace and they are very prone to breaking because they don't have a frame around them. I actually got a very nice ARE topper for only $150 because the all-glass liftgate had shattered. I actually spent more replacing the liftgate than I did to get the topper!

Less expensive toppers have an aluminum framed flat window (like the one pictured above) which are not only less likely to break, but when they do break it's a simple flat piece of glass that is relatively cheap to replace.

[Erni]

Please explain to me the allure of getting a truck and turning it into a Suburban. Not tring to start a poo fest, I am really curious.

[Martinjmpr]

BTW my last two Craigslist toppers were actually color matched. Not a big deal on the white Tacoma as white is common, but my Mazda B2300 is a weird gold-ish color and the $200 topper I got is virtually the same color. You actually have to get up close to tell that the color is not identical.

This one was $300 on CL in 2008:

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z256/ZappBranigan/Toyota%20Tacoma/2008_0626_194410AA.jpg

[Martinjmpr]

Please explain to me the allure of getting a truck and turning it into a Suburban. Not tring to start a poo fest, I am really curious.

You mean what's the allure of not having your stuff out in the open where it can be stolen, waterlogged by rain or covered in snow?

I would guess it's similar to the allure of living in a house vs. sleeping in an open field. :rolleyes:

[Harley-FXDWG]

Please explain to me the allure of getting a truck and turning it into a Suburban. Not tring to start a poo fest, I am really curious.

Thats what I always wondered too! Ya put a topper on a truck and ya might as well just go out and get yourself an SUV!

[Martinjmpr]

Here's my $200 CL special. As you can see the color match isn't exact but for $200 I'm not complaining. Also you really can't tell when it's dirty (and it's ALWAYS dirty.)

http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a582/ujmrider/Mazda%20B2300/b230012_zps908cf286.jpg

[Martinjmpr]

Thats what I always wondered too! Ya put a topper on a truck and ya might as well just go out and get yourself an SUV!

Uh, no. My SUV has a nice interior with carpet, leather seats and nice, soft plastics. My pickup, OTOH, is junky and scratched and dented. I can throw a few bags of cement, yard fertilizer and lumber back there and not worry about damaging anything and it washes out with a hose.

I can also put stuff that's stinky or messy back there and not have to worry about dealing with it in the cab.

[Hummer]

BTW my last two Craigslist toppers were actually color matched. Not a big deal on the white Tacoma as white is common, but my Mazda B2300 is a weird gold-ish color and the $200 topper I got is virtually the same color. You actually have to get up close to tell that the color is not identical.

This one was $300 on CL in 2008:

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z256/ZappBranigan/Toyota%20Tacoma/2008_0626_194410AA.jpg



You got some great deals there, Martin! Love Craigslist, I buy, rent and sell through CL a lot.

[Martinjmpr]

You got some great deals there, Martin! Love Craigslist, I buy, rent and sell through CL a lot.

Every used topper I've bought has needed a little work. The ARE needed a rear glass ($250 or so). The white one on the Tacoma had locks but no keys. So I took one of the lock cores to Englewood Lock and Safe and they made me a couple of keys in about 15 minutes. The gold one on my Mazda had non-functioning gas struts for the lift gate. I bought replacement gas struts at Windish RV and installed them in a minute or two.

There are lots of toppers available on CL for the more common trucks (Tacoma, Ranger, Silverado, F150, etc.) The less common trucks like Nissan, S10, etc, or older trucks are sometimes harder to find and more expensive when you do.

[fly boy]

Please explain to me the allure of getting a truck and turning it into a Suburban. Not tring to start a poo fest, I am really curious.


Thats what I always wondered too! Ya put a topper on a truck and ya might as well just go out and get yourself an SUV!


This was the reason I actually did it. I had a truck and a growing family - both with Pets and Kids. Instead of buying an SUV and sinking money into a new car payment, and all that fun stuff, I spent $1300 and turned my truck into one. I toss the luggage and dog's in the covered bed, and in cab is free and clear with plenty of room. After doing it on the first truck, I will not have a truck without it. And if push comes to shove, I can have a buddy over and put the topper on the ground and voila - truck again if truly needed. I try my hardest to keep it on and call my truck an SUV.

just my experience.

[rondog]

Y'all got me thinkin' I need one now.

[Martinjmpr]

Y'all got me thinkin' I need one now.

If you never carry anything in your truck then I wouldn't think you need one. As the saying goes "an empty barn doesn't need a roof." :D

Some people rig up fancy hoists in their garage so they can lift the topper off when they don't need it. I've seen people do the same thing with hard-topped Jeeps.

Nowadays it seems like most pickups are either extended cab or double cab - those are basically like a big car with a large, open trunk. I can understand people not getting a topper on those since they can easily throw their groceries in the back seat or in the extended cab portion. But as you can see by the picture I posted earlier in the thread, my little Mazda is a compact, single-cab. If the wife and I go somewhere and buy anything it has to go in the back because there's no room for it in the cab.

[Marine24]

I've been planning on purchasing the Fold-a-Cover tonneau. Little more convenient when I need to haul oversized items, easy access to the back of the cab but not as weather tight as a traditional topper. After seeing that Leer-Browning Special edition, it has me rethinking this option but that is an expensive $600 option on top of the topper.

[fly boy]

I've been planning on purchasing the Fold-a-Cover tonneau. Little more convenient when I need to haul oversized items, easy access to the back of the cab but not as weather tight as a traditional topper. After seeing that Leer-Browning Special edition, it has me rethinking this option but that is an expensive $600 option on top of the topper.

I bought a Tonneau first for the luggage when I had my titan - but that was pre-kids. Worked great, kept the luggage clean and dry even running 3 hours in a Colorado blizzard.

[Jeffrey Lebowski]

Some people rig up fancy hoists in their garage so they can lift the topper off when they don't need it. I've seen people do the same thing with hard-topped Jeeps.


Several companies sell these ready-made for jeeps, including powered ones.
I had one for my 4 door Wrangler, but it is still a massive PITA to use and no amount of reinforcement ever made me completely trust it.

[Jeffrey Lebowski]

Oh, and for tonneau, I had a Retrax tonneau for my 2007 CTD. It was lockable as was the tailgate. It rolled into a box at the cab end of the bed so you could have an open bed if you desired. It ate up a ~1' by 1' section at the top half of the cab end of the bed, but that was well worth it as it was mostly waterproof except the most crazy of carwashes, etc.

Now I just have a cloth "American tonneau" that folds into 3s on the '13 Tacoma and it sucks. It'll be gone when my new truck eventually comes in.

No idea if I'll like the topper, but I personally take no offense to the wagon comment. I have a station wagon too. This just sort of separates things and can keep the dogs safely in back. I won't have the room I did in the CTD.

[sniper_tim]

$300 topper from craigs, matches, looks good, keeps the weather out. I take it off/on multiple times during summer, that's what teenagers are for. Previously had a tonneau, prefer the shell. Sorry I can't be helpful of brand specifics.

Cheers,
Tim

[Guylee]

I was considering getting one for my move here from Georgia to easily weatherproof and secure all my stuff, until I saw the price tag.

I went to walmart and got a tarp.

[Jeffrey Lebowski]

Oh, and for tonneau, I had a Retrax tonneau for my 2007 CTD. It was lockable as was the tailgate. It rolled into a box at the cab end of the bed so you could have an open bed if you desired. It ate up a ~1' by 1' section at the top half of the cab end of the bed, but that was well worth it as it was mostly waterproof except the most crazy of carwashes, etc.

Now I just have a cloth "American tonneau" that folds into 3s on the '13 Tacoma and it sucks. It'll be gone when my new truck eventually comes in.

No idea if I'll like the topper, but I personally take no offense to the wagon comment. I have a station wagon too. This just sort of separates things and can keep the dogs safely in back. I won't have the room I did in the CTD.

Searching for something else, but long term follow-up - I sure love having a topper!

[hollohas]

Please explain to me the allure of getting a truck and turning it into a Suburban. Not tring to start a poo fest, I am really curious.


Thats what I always wondered too! Ya put a topper on a truck and ya might as well just go out and get yourself an SUV!
It still has the capabilities of a truck, even covered. Can't tow a 30ft travel trailer with an SUV. Or a dump trailer full of a few tons of rock. With a truck and topper, the dog and all the gear can stay safe and dry in the covered truck bed, all while towing heavy stuff.

I went on a boys trip to the woods this weekend. Three trucks, I was the only one with a topper. 6 other guys had to put their gear in my truck because it was raining/snowing. A lot of good their trucks were to them...