TopperEZLift

Just an update on customer service - the TopperEZLift team in Minnesota is super easy to work with and really helpful. Pretty clearly still a small business who cares about customers FWIW.

 

Did you do your test?

 

First camping trip was a blast - very stoked on the setup. One small issue: I’ll need to tweak the position as rear corners are rubbing (i.e. shift camper to the rear ~3/8”). No big deal.

 

Where did you find that mattress? Perfect fit! I had to hack mine up pretty good.

 

IKEA futon mattress mentioned here on TW a few times. Unzipped the cover and cut notches in the foam for the posts.

https://m.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/art/20102074/

 

Thanks - looks like that wouldn't have worked for me either given the size of my bed setup.

 

This looks super cool and I've had my eye on it for a minute. Something that's been on my mind is: when the shell is down, how significant is the loss of storage/build space with the installed actuators, folded tent, etc? Seems like you pretty much lose the ability to use the lip of the shell to mount gear, etc. I'm planning on traveling for an extended period of time, so I'll need every bit of livable space I can get for my build, while still staying stealth.

 

You still have the ability to use the bed rails for mounting in between the actuators. It really just depends on what you are looking to store. Also worth noting that the sides velco in, so you could easily remove them before lowering instead of tucking them in.

 

@gnardoggie have you tried to wire up your shell’s brake light, etc.?

My shell has an electronic lock that will tie into the truck’s lock buttons & fob if I can get it wired up. I’m thinking of using some kind of coiled power cord run along drivers side rear lift post. Haven’t dug too deep yet.

 

From the guys who have installed these. I was wondering what your impressions are with rain? the company seems to think its not a big deal but I cant see velcrow working very well to keep rain out from the truck bed. Anyone have issues with their bedding getting soaked around the edges?

 

I also wonder about leakage at the seal where the cap and the rail meet, especially in the front at the cab when in the everyday "down" position going down the road. ?

Toyota seemed to think the sides of the bed and the front of the bed rails should be at different elevations

Do you lose access to the cubbies in the bed ?

 

Why "No Thanks" ?

 

Haha. I was just being sarcastic in a first post. I don’t have a Tacoma. The question was if there was interest.

 

Heh, heh, heh...... I thought you had some "special knowledge" !

Sarcasm is a dialect I speak fluently !

 

I've got about 40 nights in the back of my truck since install last July.

A few answers to the questions:

• Shell brake light is wired with the 3-prong harness. I purchased an extension from Amazon that works perfectly. I believe TopperEZLift sells these extension kits now too.
• I have not had any major issues camping in rain/snow. The outer canvas does get wet, but not soaked. As long as I am parked on a level surface, the overhang of the canopy allows the water to run down and over the gap onto the side of the body of the truck. If it's windy, you will get a bit of rain on the canvas and bed surface, but hardly runs inside. Due to how the actuators mount, my mattress and bed also doesn't extend all the way to left and right so if water were to run in my bedding would stay dry. Water will run through the velcro, but I have only seen minor instances of this being an issue.
• I have not experienced any leakage around the edges when in the down position. Using the foam seal they provide and mounting the velco in the right spots help to minimize this. Additionally, the actuators lock the topper down pretty tight.
• Cubbies are still accessible for the most part, but that depends on where you decide to mount your actuators. My left cubbie is maybe 1/3 blocked but still usable.

 

A promising technology. I hope it gets a little nicer and slicker, as well as staying hard to see (stealth) till deployed.
Hopefully, somebody will make hard sides to latch in place when the top is raised.

 

It’s pretty slick at current state. Hard sides would only add weight and impact your utilization of the bed when stowed. It’s a pretty dialed system as is.

 

Thanks for the update.... Why not treat the canvas with a stay-dry product ? Should take some of the sting out of it...

 

Yeah.... I say "no" to hard sides too...

 

Not a bad idea.