Advice on topper

I will be going on a trip from Texas to Utah over Christmas and I'm trying to figure out how I can take my dogs with me. The only option I can come up with is to buy a topper. I know almost nothing about these. The first part of my question is what is the best option without breaking the bank? The second part of my question is what are some options to keep my dogs warm back there? I'm looking for any input you guys have. We would just take my girlfriend's car but it's only two wheel drive and that would really suck going through the canyons on snow and ice. Thanks in advance.

 

Aluminum toppers are cheap and easy to install/remove/lift/carry

Fiberglass is more expensive but also more secure

 

A bit drastic, but here's your heat for your dog.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/vented-cab-into-bed.194300/

 

Find a used one on Craigslist, keep in mind it’ll have to match up your cab type. A paint matched fiberglass shell might take a while to find but totally worth it if you do find one.

 

They make a blowup donut thing that you put between the glass of the cab and cap, once blown up it seals so you can use the sliders as a pass thru for heating the dogs or cooling.

 

Yeah that is pretty drastic. I don't like the idea of cutting a hole in my bed but it's a great idea.

 

Yeah I just started looking and it doesn't seem like there are many available anywhere near me right now. I will definitely keep looking though.

 

Are the dogs too big to fit in the cab?

 

I saw a guy that used layers duct tape to "seal the gap" between truck and topper. Rear glass slider and the glass slider in topper were open.....sort of a sealed tunnel between topper and truck.

It was a temporary thing for his big dog in the back.

 

I found a nice used fiberglass leer topper on craigslist...I looked at the lists as far away as I was willing to drive. It didn’t match but only cost $450...I had it painted to match for $300 later when I had the cash. Looks perfect.

I use a 26”x 2.4 mountain bike tube blown up between the cab and cap and keep the windows open so my pooch doesn’t freeze. Works perfect!

 

It would be rare to just go to a dealer and find a cap that works on your truck. You go in and order one built with the options you want. They build it to match the paint on your truck and you go back 4-6 weeks later and get it. Probably not time if you need it Christmas.

Used ones do pop up at bargain prices and if you can live with a different color temporarily then that is a good way to go. Sometimes you get lucky and find a used one in the right color. One of my wife's brothers has an F250 that is dark red with gold trim. He found a gold colored cap used that perfectly matches the trim. It works on that truck.

 

Here you go.

https://dallas.craigslist.org/ndf/pts/d/05-15-tacoma-camper-5ft/6371903766.html

 

Yeah they are definitely too big. My daughter will be in the back seat and they are both pits. One weighs 90 pounds and the other weighs 80 pounds. And my male has no regard for others personal space. Lol. My daughter would have an awful time.

 

Yeah I saw that one. I just don't think I can swing $1500 right now. I was hoping to find something around $800 or less. That might not be realistic though. Worst case I would have to find a dog sitter and leave them home. I really don't want to do that though.

 

A silver one that you might be able to get for $800.

https://dallas.craigslist.org/ftw/pts/d/2005-totacoma-camper-shell/6375333079.html

 

If you can keep them in the cab you could always remove the seats and build a platform like mine:
My two 55lb dogs sleep in there while we camp. I used to have a canopy but got rid of it to get a bed rack for my rtt.

*Never mind, just saw you responded saying the dogs are too big.

 

$750

https://houston.craigslist.org/pts/d/toyota-tacoma-bed-camper/6388301154.html

 

I have no rear window in the camper, the rubber gasket between the camper and the cab, have had this for 3 years, spent time in heavy snow and rain and never have had any noticeable moisture in my bed. This allows me to open my rear slider on the truck and the heat will flow to the bed.

If you buy a camper shell and don't want it after the trip, you can re-sell it easily for what you paid for it, if you can afford the carry on the cost for the time you'll be using it.

 

All these recommendations are for proper fiberglass fitted caps.

You just need something cheap and temporary. Find a crappy little aluminum shell, throw a space heater in it. Set.

 

This would work if my daughter wasn't back there too.