Shell or cover with a rack?...pros and cons

My new Tacoma is my second truck with a cap!!! I could never go back to not having a cap. I'm a gear junky so I gotta have a place for my hunting, fishing and camping gear. Got Yakima racks as well to haul my yaks!!!

 

I did not. I dont plan to run anything over 200lbs on the roof. It will be used for hauling gear in pelican cases or similar type of storage containers. Any sleeping would be done in the shell but its been forever since I have slept in the truck. My trips are usually day trips to the desert but the shell gives me the option if I needed to camp out I have the capability to do so wherever and whenever. If I had a bedrack and didnt load the RTT that day, I wouldnt have the option.

 

Well i ended up going bed rack over the soft topper route. Setups look pretty killer and definitely should be enough storage for my needs. Orderd bed rack and soft topper today.
Also orderd some wheels

 

Sweet!!! What wheels you go with?

 

Went with 16" scs sr8s in dark bronze.

 

Nice I just sent vin a message yesterday. I think I'm going sr8 jet black when he gets them back in stock!!! What tire you gonna run?

 

Not to sure it i know im going with a 285/75 but im torn on tire choice. Heavly considering a falken wild peak at3. 55k mile warranty and the tread looks somewhat aggressive for a a/t tire. I may go mt though. Definitely undecided

 

I have a hard shell on my 2016 DBCBLB. I have to say, it makes the truck so much more useful. First off, I get that some people have trouble sleeping in the bed, but I'm 5'9 160 and my girlfriend is 5'5 120 and we love it back there. I spent extra on fancy side windows that having a sliding partition as well as flipping up and I'm glad I did. The sliding window is key when you're sleeping in back, and the flip up helps getting gear in and out of the bed. We recently did a skip trip with four people (and a 3.5 hour drive there!) and the shell makes it super easy to throw all your gear in the bed.

Driving through rainstorms or going through the car wash will result in a little bit of leaking into the bed. But normal rain and snow seems to be kept out.

 

I have a SnugTop Supersport with a frontrunner rack that I recently acquired and it was the best purchase I have ever made. Regardless of what you hope to do with your truck it is a big deal to have protected space in which you can guard your gear. With the rack on top I have loads of mounting options and additional storage space available to me. So far its been great being able to toss all of my goods in the back knowing that it is safe and not clutter the cab. I had a similar decision to make a few months back as to the route I wanted to take my truck, my goal is to go on a lot of trips and use my shell not only as a place for storage with drawers the entire length of my bed but also a sleeping platform on top of that in which I can sleep on during my trips. If you ask me thats something you can't get out of a bed rack.

And a quick note on cost, I was quoted $3,300 for this shell before all of the additional options. The rack is $1,200 before tax. Got the entire set up from a local TW member for half of that. Don't be afraid to look used, shells in awesome condition with very little fixing required.

Heres a pic of her with the shell on:

 

I was trying to decide as well, and then I found a good price on an All-Pro expo rack on Craigslist.

I plan on getting a Tepui kukanam XL, 4' awning off the back, 6' awning off one side, mounts for lights, jack, shovel, high lift, gas and water, and then it can all be removed at once.

If I find it's too tall I'll cut it down ~5"

 

Nice. Tell me about your custom decals. From @CBoy808 ?

 

I basically just asked him for 2016 brocelona TRD coloring, but to say SR instead of TRD. They came out pretty awesome.

I placed them 1" from the top of the bed, that way if I ever put a shell on, it won't cover the decals.

 

I have the wildpeaks at3 in 265/75. I'm going to them in 285/75 next week. Good tire. I found them in the 285/75 for $134/tire

 

That is dirt cheap!!! Ill definitely shop around and get prices when the wheels get here. They shipped the other day so just waiting on arrival. Also have to order my suspension. Going to wait till next week i have something coming up monday and dont want to order till after this has passed. Soft topper is also on the way and ive got a all pro pack rack over the top bed rack coming too but what has a leanthy build time. Ready to get everything in and on the truck

 

Is your window setup on your shell about like this: