School me on truck toppers/ truck capa

[Justin Crossley]

Smartcap is the only way to go imo. It was interesting that while I was in South Africa this summer, I only saw one or two fiberglass canopies. Everyone there uses steel canopies like Smartcap and a couple of other brands I can't remember off the top of my head.



And Decked drawers are also awesome if you're like me and prefer everything secure and organized.

 

[jdmaxwell]

I would also 2nd carpet the inside of topper. I bought LED strip light kit, used hot glue gun and velcro and ran them on inside my high top topper and wired toggle switch in back corner. Super bright and awesome.. also recommend front slider window and side windows if you have dog.

 

[RS_Non-Res]

I’m a big fan of them. I’ve had Snugtop, ARE and some other brands back in the day.

MPGs: I get a few more mpg’s compared to the open bed.
Height: My little trucks got high-rise shells. On ~F150+ cab-high has been enough for crash-n-dash camping. Also reaching the top (for big stuff) is easier on a cab height shell. I had my suppler install roof rack tracks so I can put the Yakimas up there and haul around my canoes and kayaks, and bikes too if the back is too full.
Material: I’ve heard that fiberglass is quieter than aluminum.
Tailgate Handles: I much prefer two handles on tailgate instead of some mechanical contraption of cables pullies and pushrods.
Windoors: I had them on the side of an F150 and only used them once to install a loft as a kids bunk bed. I could have just lifted the topper instead. The real problem with windoors for me is that I’d need a ladder to be able to reach in to get anything, so they are not useful. Also, I usually pack the back so that stuff that needs easy access is towards the tailgate or only blocked in by bicycles which are easily moved. Getting side windoors was wasted cash for me. I’ll probably go back to sliding side vents on the next iteration, but those generally don’t slide well either and the screen on the inside gets trashed.
Gas struts seem to last a few to several years. I’ve always replaced them myself, ordering from wholesalers/amazon based on model/serial numbers, not from the shell mfg. Sealing material between the truck bed and the topper is consumable. It’s just foamy tape, maybe double thickness.
Front window: Have had pass-through/sliding, solid, and fold down front windows. The fold down never got used and the solid only saved a few bucks. I prefer the pass through.
Dust: The problem with dust is the interior having lower pressure than tailgate. The Smartcap “Positive Pressure Air Vent” on the EVOa Adventure seems to be the best solution. Leaving the front window open helps for some.
Storage systems: I think the loss of volume taken up by deck systems is more of a detriment than the benefit of organization/access provided.
Rear-view camera on the truck doesn’t look up to the cap window, be careful backing into trees or up to the garage.
Lighting: I really like the double LED strip lighting I got in the last one. Besides a toggle switch near the break light, there’s a switch on the gas strut so they come on when the tailgate gets opened.

There are several very nice modular steel shells with lots of options. They seem to start at 25% more than a more typical fiberglass shell and that’s not how I roll.

 

[Coopsdaddy]

I do not like decked systems.
I want my bed totally usable,i dont like sleep platforms either.I have a fold up 4 inch mattress I can take and also sleep in the bed.I want to be able to sit up comfortably.
I have screens in my windoors so I can vent easily.
The fold down window isn’t needed but I cant stand not being able to clean both windows.

 

[RMontgomery84]

I didn't read the entire forum so I apologize if this has already been addressed.

We learned this one the hard way after my topper key broke off in the lock on the first day of a 4 day mountain trip and we had to send a kid through the back truck window every time we needed to access the back.

Absolutely I would recommend paying the extra money to get the topper lock integrated with your truck key fob. I think it cost $200 and it was money well spent. Not all locking systems are compatible to be wired for remote connections so that would be something to research as well.

 

[NVVAHunt]

If you need to take it on and off occasionally a softopper is the way to go. We have to pick up round bales for the horses every few weeks and being able to fold it down out of the way for bigger items when you need to is nice. Takes all of 5 minutes. If your not worried about putting oversized items in your bed too often than it’s a non issue, but if I had to take a truck cap on and off all the time it would be a much bigger inconvenience with how much some truck caps weigh.


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[htlt_surfboards]

I’m gonna throw out a suggestion I didn’t see mentioned which is the Alu-cab contour. I had an ARE on my older truck which was just ok. I got a new truck and was pretty set on getting a smart cap but couldn’t get over the three piece roof design and the weight. I felt having the seams on the roof was just asking for a leak eventually. Wound up getting the Alu cab which looks very similar and has a lot of the same features to the smart cap but is aluminum so is lighter and has a one piece roof design. I had to wait quite a few months to get it but am really happy with it since it’s been on and have no regrets.

 

[loganwayne]

I bought my truck with a leer topper on it. It has the leer locker, lights side windows that open and have vents. Front vent, led lights. The works.
Only thing im not a fan of us the bed is carpeted, nice to sleep on, but im in construction and have bird dogs that get it muddy all the time.

 

[AndrewMT34]

I have an ARE MX on my Tundra. I really like it, it’s nice to have the extra height with a decked drawer system in the back of my truck.

Looks wise I like the flush height shells, but the extra height of the MX cap with the decked system makes it worth it.

 

[jjentringer3921]

Get a tune m1

 

[Rusty Shackelford]

I’ve had a soft topper, Snugtop Rebel with the insulated top, win-doors, integrated light and key fob locks. I now have a SmartCap Evo Adventure. The SmartCap is by far better as far as functionality, strength, versatility and value. Windoors or side hatch access is a necessity in my opinion. The only downside is the appearance, a color matched fiberglass shell looks cleaner IMO.

The smartcaps drop ship from the warehouse when you order them. I had mine installed less than a week after I ordered it. The leadtime on my fiberglass shell was 4-6 months and that was pre-covid times.

Try to find a used one first, but if you’re gonna buy new I’d strongly consider the smart cap.

 

[Kelowna_Grizzly]

Im a fan of the Softopper. Only two years with it on the tundra but its held up really well so far. No problem holding heavy snow and it has kept the rain out really well. When riding with the dogs I remove one button up front on the rail and roll the lower corner up and back creating a triangle hole that the dogs love sticking their heads out. Easy one person removal. At $1,000, happy with my purchase. Only complaint so far are the top, middle buckles that hold up the sides when rolled up both cracked. Im guessing from exposure to the weather. I hit up the vendor and they sent out two new replacements and no charge. Good product and customer service.

 

[TSAMP]

I’ve had a soft topper, Snugtop Rebel with the insulated top, win-doors, integrated light and key fob locks. I now have a SmartCap Evo Adventure. The SmartCap is by far better as far as functionality, strength, versatility and value. Windoors or side hatch access is a necessity in my opinion. The only downside is the appearance, a color matched fiberglass shell looks cleaner IMO.

The smartcaps drop ship from the warehouse when you order them. I had mine installed less than a week after I ordered it. The leadtime on my fiberglass shell was 4-6 months and that was pre-covid times.

Try to find a used one first, but if you’re gonna buy new I’d strongly consider the smart cap.

This makes sense. I think many of us would consider smart cap but the windows arent sufficient for having dogs back there. Hopefully they make some adjustments for door options in the future.

 

[Backyard]

The smartcaps drop ship from the warehouse when you order them. I had mine installed less than a week after I ordered it. The leadtime on my fiberglass shell was 4-6 months and that was pre-covid times.

I bought my last ARE last Dec. color matched. Was told there would be a 4-6 week lead. It arrived in 3.


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[ChrisAU]

After having a couple of ARE caps on my last two trucks I took a leap of faith on the new offering from Rough Country. Really pleased with it so far! It’s about a billion times as secure as an ARE. I loved the windoors on the ARE on my Canyon but this new AT4X Sierra is too tall to access the bed from the side anyway, so the storage units make sense. Maybe the video link will work.

https://imgur.com/a/RXJl0Fy

 

[Thinkingman]

If you go with a topper always get a high rise model. You will never regret extra height inside.

This plus spend the money on getting the lock system wired in to your OE so the keyfob operates both.
I have a Leer 100 on my 6.5' F150.
I ordered the carpeted interior, LED inside lighting, side and front sliders. No regrets other than height. Unlike others, my struts are working fine after 8 years of use.
For sleeping, I rigged a rail system that has clearance under for coolers and bins and a 3/4" plywood platform that I covered with padding and carpet.
It's two pieces and is easily removed for full bed access.
Works great but wish I had gone mid height.
As far as the front slider window, my F150 has the rear slider and it works great for hauling 10' fly rods passed through the window...No break down and no crazy rodlocker on top.

 

[Jesse Jaymes]

Smart Cap users-

Been dragging my feet on this same exact issue. Doesn't look like Super Duty available yet, although I swear I've seen trucks with them on.

I see mixed reviews for Water Tight(ness). What's the real world verdict?

And On and Off. I don't really see the need. Feel pretty committed once it's on. I'll use a different truck or a trailer. But can one guy really take this off in under an hour if need be?

Any price breaks or it's right down the line at MSRP- $4500?

 

[RS_Non-Res]

And... I drove my truck from the dealer to my topper sales guy, placing an order the same day.
Then he loaned (not rented) me a shell that fit and installed it so I could go on a weeklong trip the next day.
6-week wait on the semi-custom build and color match didn't hurt so much with that process.

 

[Rusty Shackelford]

Smart Cap users-

Been dragging my feet on this same exact issue. Doesn't look like Super Duty available yet, although I swear I've seen trucks with them on.

I see mixed reviews for Water Tight(ness). What's the real world verdict?

And On and Off. I don't really see the need. Feel pretty committed once it's on. I'll use a different truck or a trailer. But can one guy really take this off in under an hour if need be?

Any price breaks or it's right down the line at MSRP- $4500?

I literally just took mine through a touch less car wash. Just a Little water came in thru the pressure vent but not bad. Was a pretty high pressure car wash too. Bulb seals on bed rails are much more substantial on my smart cap than on my fiberglass Snugtop.

 

[diamond10x]

We also get the side windows that open for access which is priceless when the bed is full.

This cannot be overstated. A side window is a must. I'll never own another topper without one.