Tonnaue vs topper help me decide...GO!

[Idaboy]

Tonnaue vs Topper

-I don't pull/rarely pull a trailer
-no ATV/bike to load
- don't sleep in my truck

Been running Tonnaue, never 100% water tight. No way to vent it and things can bake in there
-like that I can climb in/out easily to load etc
-drive a lot of dirt roads, so not great when I can't close it
-debating topper on my next truck
- I don't have a great place to store/remove topper, if I did I would probably go that route

 

[K9kodi]

Diamondback hard tonneau or bed cap huh?

Id always go bed cap but its more versatile

 

[WI in the west]

What kind of truck do you have? And bed size?
My last truck i had a tacoma with a small bed so the cap was a must. A tonnaue is almost useless my opinion when traveling with a wife and kid or a hunting trip. I needed the vertical height. I used a hard tri fold one for one trip with one other guy and it was more of a pain id rather of not had ot. The topper was super nice to have though. Loading whole deer sucked ass though cause you couldnt stand on the tail gate and deadlift it up.
My new truck which is a crew cab dodge with the 6’4” bed so far a tonnoue is perfect espeacially if loading deer in, and washing the blood put is way easier. And the bed and cab have so much more space its easy to hide away all the necessities like air pumps jumper cables battery packs etc and still have tons of room.

 

[Idaboy]

What kind of truck do you have? And bed size?
My last truck i had a tacoma with a small bed so the cap was a must. A tonnaue is almost useless my opinion when traveling with a wife and kid or a hunting trip. I needed the vertical height. I used a hard tri fold one for one trip with one other guy and it was more of a pain id rather of not had ot. The topper was super nice to have though. Loading whole deer sucked ass though cause you couldnt stand on the tail gate and deadlift it up.
My new truck which is a crew cab dodge with the 6’4” bed so far a tonnoue is perfect espeacially if loading deer in, and washing the blood put is way easier. And the bed and cab have so much more space its easy to hide away all the necessities like air pumps jumper cables battery packs etc and still have tons of room.

Full sized Ford 6.5 bed

 

[Machingeaneer]

Topper, hunting uses a lot of gear and it's so nice to have abundant secure and dry space. I couldn't live without one.

 

[Norcal18]

I’m in the same predicament, I really only need something during hunting season and when travel to go snowboarding with the family. I think I’ll end up going with a Flated inflatable topper. Cheaper than a real topper, easy to store when not using, more room than a tonneau cover. Obviously not as secure as a hard topper, but at the end of the day anyone who really wants in to it can.

FULL-SHORT CAP56

The FLATED® Air-Topper® CAP Full-Size Short 5.5' Bed - is a sleeker, cab height designed for the full-size short truck beds, compatible with models like the Ford 150, Chevy Silverado, GMC Sierra, Dodge Ram and Toyota Tundra.

flated.com

 

[Jake Larsen]

Topper. I just did one plus a bed rug last year on a 6.5ft ford and I’m absolutely kicking myself that I didn’t do it sooner. I know you said you aren’t planning on sleeping in the truck, and I never used to either until I did this. It just adds a ton of versatility and options to have at your disposal, and it’s dang comfortable. I got a 4” trifold memory foam mattress that fits almost perfectly between the wheel wells and fills the bed. It’s so freaking cush. I’ve got two little kids, which means some of my hunts are more broken up and closer to home fora a bit, and also I’m learning that staying more mobile for certain hunts is a huge benefit. I still do deep backcountry backpack style stuff, but having the option is amazing. Like I said, if I could go back in time, I would have put a huge priority on this setup long before I was forced to by circumstance.


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[WI in the west]

Topper. I just did one plus a bed rug last year on a 6.5ft ford and I’m absolutely kicking myself that I didn’t do it sooner. I know you said you aren’t planning on sleeping in the truck, and I never used to either until I did this. It just adds a ton of versatility and options to have at your disposal, and it’s dang comfortable. I got a 4” trifold memory foam mattress that fits almost perfectly between the wheel wells and fills the bed. It’s so freaking cush. I’ve got two little kids, which means some of my hunts are more broken up and closer to home fora a bit, and also I’m learning that staying more mobile for certain hunts is a huge benefit. I still do deep backcountry backpack style stuff, but having the option is amazing. Like I said, if I could go back in time, I would have put a huge priority on this setup long before I was forced to by circumstance.


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Coming from such a small box with a topper, i never thought of a mattress like that as an option. You got me rethinking it all!

 

[Idaboy]

Topper. I just did one plus a bed rug last year on a 6.5ft ford and I’m absolutely kicking myself that I didn’t do it sooner. I know you said you aren’t planning on sleeping in the truck, and I never used to either until I did this. It just adds a ton of versatility and options to have at your disposal, and it’s dang comfortable. I got a 4” trifold memory foam mattress that fits almost perfectly between the wheel wells and fills the bed. It’s so freaking cush. I’ve got two little kids, which means some of my hunts are more broken up and closer to home fora a bit, and also I’m learning that staying more mobile for certain hunts is a huge benefit. I still do deep backcountry backpack style stuff, but having the option is amazing. Like I said, if I could go back in time, I would have put a huge priority on this setup long before I was forced to by circumstance.


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Which topper did you go with?

 

[Jake Larsen]

Which topper did you go with?

A.R.E. - i also recommend the liner for the topper. It’s like carpet. Combined with the bed rug, it makes for a very comfortable space.


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[Jake Larsen]

Coming from such a small box with a topper, i never thought of a mattress like that as an option. You got me rethinking it all!

This is the mattress I got. Fits perfect length wise, and it’s about 2” too wide, which is fine because it squishes down between the wheel wells just fine. Folds up out of the way quick and easy. Cost me $89. For quick hit or mobile hunts this setup is honestly a game changer. Comfortable, the setup is about 2 minutes, and wherever your truck can park becomes camp.

Amazon.com: MLILY Tri-Fold Memory Foam Mattress Topper, 4 inch Full Folding Mattress with Collapsible and Washable Cover, Travel and Guest Mat, 75"×54"×4", Grey : Home & Kitchen

Buy MLILY Tri-Fold Memory Foam Mattress Topper, 4 inch Full Folding Mattress with Collapsible and Washable Cover, Travel and Guest Mat, 75"×54"×4", Grey: Mattresses - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

a.co

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[MThuntrrr]

I did the same thing as Jake last year with the bed rug and ARE topper. I’ve been really happy this decision

 

[akhunter3]

If you may sleep in it, or you bring every piece of gear under the sun- topper is the way to go.

6.5 foot bet you could easily get away with a tonneau otherwise. Personally I prefer the tonneau just because of the versatility to fold/roll it up quick and have some open bed space

 

[K9kodi]

Both have a place. My next truck will have a cap. For sure. With side windows that open like a full wing. Tired of hunting shit getting rained on, tired of dogs smelling up my truck after being at the farm, rather a cap

 

[wildwilderness]

I’ve always gone with the Softtopper. So easy

Softopper – Truck Tops, SUV Tops, Accessories

softopper.com

 

[wyosteve]

Not the answer for everyone, but I'm doing both. Diamondback and ARE topper. Easy to switch so I have the best for any circumstances.

 

[KnightExtreme]

Topper, But now that ATC is no more only Ranch is made by the parent company but works for me. Always have an HD Roof Rack (Rhino) to haul large ladders when needed (with reinforced topper roof). Like more room than a Tonneau offers.
But Toppers are some $ these days.
Like extra space for hunting and hauling stuff and keeping dry.
KE

 

[Upwolf]

Topper, have an ARE that's great. Just be patient and find one online secondhand. The prices of new ones these days are just insane.

 

[ThorM465]

Unless you're going to make good use of a topper, go with the cover. The prices of toppers have become absurd for what you're getting.

 

[longtail]

I have both. extended cab with 6.5' bed is the only way to go. I have a 4 wheeler honda rancher that fits perfectly in the bed also so its versatile. When i go out west I see these huge outfits with massive campers, trailers with side by sides, etc and I always just think man, i wouldn't want all that extra weight, tires, gas, more problems, etc, etc.
I don't really plan to sleep in the back in my topper because I would rather sleep in a warm bed in a hotel but I am prepared to if I ever have to. The peace of mind of sleeping under something with more of a hard structure versus the sound of the wind flapping my thin walled tent all night long.
All things you learn as you age in life. But each to their own also. Ive done to both extremes types of hunts and enjoyed both but as the older I get the realities user turn out better than the fantasy's.