Truck toppers/shells

[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 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 which includes a lockable storage box built in for tools, fishing poles, rifles & ammo, etc.

[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:

[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.

[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.)

[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:

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