Topper with side mounts for Maxtraxx etc

Apologies if this has been addressed somewhere but for the life of me I couldn't find it.

I'm thinking of a topper mostly for hunting/camping etc. I don't want to sleep inside, but I want to maximize space inside (for a freezer maybe for long distance hunt trips etc). So is there a hard shell topper that:

1) has attachments points on the side? I am thinking something similar to how some guys have their maxtraxx, rotopacks etc on the side of the frames they install in the bed of their truck.
2) has side access for stuff near the front of the bed
3) is water tight (or close)
4) available in Canada
5) not a bajillion dollars.

I can't seem to find anything like that...if you know of a topper or a way to get to where I'm trying to hear, I'd appreciate any help/advice.

 

1) has attachments points on the side? I am thinking something similar to how some guys have their maxtraxx, rotopacks etc on the side of the frames they install in the bed of their truck. Hmm, if you want to mount things outside the canopy you could look at a boat/ladder rack that goes over/around the canopy. Or build your own like Richard did.

2) has side access for stuff near the front of the bed These are called windoors, options on most canopies.
3) is water tight (or close) Depends on install/installer. Front bed rail needs sealing along with corners.
4) available in Canada Yes! Look for local brands instead of shipping from the US.
5) not a bajillion dollars. Both my canopies were around $2000, about half of the best quote I could get on a Leer/ARE.

We shopped all over for a canopy when we first got our 2nd gen, ended up ordering from Arrow in Summerland BC, I drove down on a Saturday and the owner installed it himself on our truck- it was half the price of the Leer/ARE quotes I was getting from the dealership and CapIt.. Plus I could custom order parts and options. It was their Mark I model with 70/30 windows, front slider, and rack clips;




When we moved to the 3rd Gen eight years later I started back at Arrow, but back then they didn't have the 3rd gen mold (they do now) so I went just down the street to Range Rider, also made in Summerland BC. Picked a Cruiser again with 70/30 windows and front slider;



Have been super happy with both Canopies, they are basic, nothing fancy, but they work and have had no issues.

 

Good luck with your specs. I have doubts that you're going to find what you want at a price you'll find acceptable.
If you go with a fiberglass cap, don't carry a lot of weight on top of the cap for any duration. You will crack the paint on the cap between the roof and the sidewalls. This occurred on my 14 year old Leer cap on my '06 TRD OR AC.
If you ARE go to carry a lot of weight (cap + whatever) through the top of the bed sides, definitely install bed side stiffeners. This will be added to my '21 TRD OR AC after the cap is installed next week. This cap will have a roof rack.
EDIT: Watertight is possible and likely depends on the skill of the installer. The rear door was a problem on my '06, but the rest of it was tight.

 

If you have the rail tracks on top you can place some hooks in between the bolt and op of the headliner and strap them to there.

Personally I’d rather have my recovery gear a little easier to access than on the inside of my bed with a topper. Just something to consider.

 

Nice setup! Do you happen to have a link for that net on the roof of your cap?

 

Don’t have the exact part I ordered but something like this.

ABN Cargo Net with Fasteners and Hardware, 24 x 45in (Stretches to 60in Long) – Trailer, SUV, Motorcycle, ATV, Roof

$16 ABN Cargo Net with Fasteners and Hardware, 24 x 45in (Stretches to 60in Long) – Trailer, SUV, Motorcycle, ATV, Roof

https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B01IIPP3M8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_W5M5Q4HKAPEF70GNQTJV

But honestly I wouldn’t recommend it. It is really elastic and almost nothing can go up there because it just weighs the netting down. I’m going to switch to something more like this that won’t stretch.

US Cargo Control Extra Short Pickup Truck Bed Cargo Net with Cam Buckles and S-Hooks - Net Size: 42 Inches by 50 Inches with 6 Inch by 6 Inch Holes

$80 US Cargo Control Extra Short Pickup Truck Bed Cargo Net, 42"es by 50"es, Durable Cargo Net with S-Hook Fittings, Cam Buckles for Adjustment, Ideal for Pickup Truck Beds

https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B07W7XQHLJ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_3RR9Q5A8470XPJ1NR6HW?psc=1

 

Cheers all...yeah I wasn't sure what I really wanted existed. I have seen some rack/soft topper combos, but with guns in my truck when I'm hunting, a soft topper is a no go for me. I think i will have to get a normal topper and just pack really carefully lol. The reason I wanted the side mounts was really to take things like a highlift and gas cans etc out of the bed so they are easier to get without unpacking/moving stuff. But I guess if you're stuck, you're already there for a bit, what's a few more minutes lol

 

Check out Sterling Overland on Instagram. He built his own rack system for the side of his shell and it came out SUPER nice

 

That is exactly what I want! Awesome thanks man!

 

Of course! I was wrapping my mind around how I wanted to accomplish this and I just so happen to see his page on instagram. If you DM him he can send you more detailed pictures of how he made it work and what he used. He was very helpful

 

Did you do something similar too? I know that I am going to stress drilling through a new canopy lol

 

Nothing yet. I'm too nervous too LOL

 

dooooooo it.















then tell me about it

 

Not sure if you considered a platform system in your bed to go along with your topper. Once you get your topper of choice (used is always a good option to save money), you could build a platform on one side or 3/4s of the bed space that will allow you to slide the highlift, Maxtrax and possibly other longer items on the bed floor under the platform, and all of your other gear on top of the platform. You could also add as many tie down points as needed to the platform for your gear.

The idea of 3/4 of the bed being platformed will allow you to put your fridge/freezer on the bed floor in one of the rear corners of the bed so you don't have to reach so far up to gain access to your cold bois.

If you are crafty, you could possibly build to one side of the bed on top of the platform some kind of vertical mounts for your Maxtrax to slip into if you didn't want to put them under the platform. This way if your topper has side windoors, you could reach them from the side of the truck, or from the rear and they would be secure out of visual from the outside.

To keep the platform sturdy enough for your gear, yet not add a ton of weight to the bed, just take a 1" -2" hole saw to some 3/4" ply and basically make a giant peg board out of it. Either seal it and install outdoor carpet over that, or paint it with some kind of bedliner material (aka...Duplicolor Herculiner) to protect it and give it some antiskid properties.

 

I have a platform built in the back of my bed but the drawers are being occupied by recovery gear, tools, extra medical supplies and clothes. I wanna keep traction boards and possible recovery tools such as a shovel on the outside to prevent the inside from getting muddied up.

 

Can you tell me what hardware and size you used for the hooks on your track bolts for the net?

Love the idea of something non elastic up there.

 

Heavy Duty Truck Bed Tie Down Anchors Rings Trailers Hook Cargo Bolt on V Ring Pickups Rail Accessories (4 Pack)

$10 Heavy Duty Truck Bed Tie Down Anchors Rings Trailers Hook Cargo Bolt on V Ring Pickups Rail Accessories (4 Pack)

https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B07Q2H38F6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_1N118S2F8HW64VTR56PR

 

For my topper, I was thinking of sourcing an aluminum utility Windoor for one side. That could easily become a mounting spot for maxtrax on the outside by drilling through the aluminum panel and installing a mounting system. If rigidity were a concern, one could use bracing on the inside, like large “washers” to spread the load where the mounts are through bolted.

I found that my ARE can accept a utility windoor, but it’s like $400.00. I also was able to find some stronger gas struts that would aid in opening the windoor with things mounted to it.