Keep the Shell or Remove the Shell?

HELL YEAH KEEP IT!!!!! It looks badass. It's my #1 thing on my want list. Yer lucky you got one. It matches, tinted windows and all.....keep it man!

 

I have by-passed this for a while .... opened it up to take a look .... a decent looking cap ..... we have all seen some that you know right from the bat that it is a mess.

I like your's. So the question is ...... how do you use it and how often do you use it? I say, if you are happy, stick with it ..... once again ... a good looking cap.

 

I think it looks great.

Question for topper owners with dogs:
Does the topper shelter the dogs from the weather at all? I'm primarily concerned about the cold. Will my boxer be alright in the winter on a drive from Kansas City, Missouri to Grand Rapids, Michigan (~600-650 miles)? The summer is also a consideration with the high heat and humidy here, though we'll typically be driving the car (no 4x4) during that time of year.

Does anyone keep the window open and allow their heat/AC flow back there as well? Not sure if that would even work or just make the Cab equally miserable.

 

keep it.

 

People keep telling me to take mine off, but I LOVE it for stashing shit and I sleep in the back whenever I go to the desert. I made security/sunlight curtains and have a BedRug and Futon. Mine's heavenly.

RZ Rob
PS: I'm not a fan of the Bullbar.

 

THAT IS A SWEET CAP RIGHT THERE!! Love the way it mirrors the cutback on the back window at the front of the caps side window - trick look!!

 

If you dont like it, I would be interested in buying it! I have been wanting one, but not sure if I can afford a new one right now. I think if I cant find a deal on a used one by winter I may bite the bullet and buy a new one.

 

I know I couldn't live without my shell so the 2mpg decrease in fuel mileage I observed doesn't bother me one bit. My truck is much more functional (to me) with it on there.

If you use it, keep it...if not let it go to a home where it will be appreciated. I wouldn't base your decision on looks - a truck in my mind is about functionality.

 

dude that looks really good. im a cap man.i usually hate red but i like yours alot. keep the cap.i miss mine

 

I designed a Port-a-gee one-man shell lift system using a bed rail height table in the backyard.
1. I back up to the table with the tailgate down and the shell's back window open.
2. I lay on my back in the bed of the truck and use my legs to lift the shell off the bedrails about 2 inches.
3. I gently slide the shell off the bed rails onto the table.
4. Once the shell is half off the truck and half onto the table I stand in the bed and pickup the front of the shell and slide it the rest of the way onto the table.

Now, if you want to buy a real system for $250 go to Quadratec. They make a garage roof mounted cable lift system to remove a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Hard Top. I had seen a used setup for sale on CL Austin for $125.


Hey - now Quadratec has one for $125. but this one does not include the frame like the more expensive model.
http://www.quadratec.com/products/12020_1000.htm


Here is another option using a come-along.
http://sanantonio.craigslist.org/cto/1884001817.html

 

thanks helmutt

 

thanks guys totally keeping it

 

X2

 

Keep it. Love mine. Besides, I can just take it off if I need to move something that doesn't fit, otherwise I have somewhere to lock my beer.

 

Like most people are saying, if you use it keep it. I kind of need one on a pickup. I work in carpentry and in the rainy west coast so a truck bed is of marginal usefulness to me without one. Keeps my tools, materials and camping stuff dry and away from prying eyes. I do want to make some kind of rack for on top along with some sort of frame for inside it though. That way I can carry long stuff, like 14' trim, on the roof, and then inside I'd like to be able to store a hi-lift and axe or something up against the roof and also mount some lights to be able to see inside when it's dark.

As for temperature and stuff, don't expect it to stay real warm in there in the winter with no heat source. I've camped in the back of other trucks and it'll get nice and warm if you run a propane lantern or something for a while before you hop in but it's not insulated or anything. It will cut the wind and keep the dog from jumping out, as well as offer some shade in the summer. I have had some snow and ice buildup near the tailgate on other trucks during winter highway travel in other trucks where the tailgate doesn't seal up real tight on the bed sides.

That said my boxer rides in the backseat of the cab with her seatbelt on.

Here's my canopy/shell:

 

I'll say loose it you got a truck not a sequoya Show it like it is

 

Mike- found your post while surfing thru the site, quick question- do you have a lift on front and or back. noticed you have 18" wheels, i have similar needs as you -that is carpentry tools and dogs etc etc.

 

If you click on his user name and look at his pofile page you would see that the last time he was on TW was Aug 10, 2014. I wouldn't look for a reply from him anytime soon.

 

This! I did not realize my dcsb looked kind of stubby until I put the shell on it. Truck looks bigger and longer with it. As others have stated, like getting a new truck. Did I mention that it is very functional?

Do find the extra weight seems to make the truck feel like it takes more throttle to accelerate with the shell. Have no measurements to quantify that though. Possibly a faulty butt meter.