Anyone with a topper / shell - any risk of paint damage?

Don’t mount it too far forward! Recently bought a snugtop Rebel off a Tacoma owner, who ran it for 6 years. It was installed by Snugtop dealer. When we lifted it off, this was exposed:

 

I've been debating one for truck. What's the life expectancy for a topper? Assume good care is taken and the environment is Southeastern US.

 

My ARE shell actually came with a lifetime warranty.

I was on the phone with the dealer asking some questions, trying to decide if I should pull the trigger. He happened to mention that it comes with a liftetime warranty for most parts and the paint and I immediately made my purchase.

 

These are all wrap over the bed style of toppers. Does anyone manufacture the old style that sits on top of the bed for a Gen 3

 

Good to know. Thx

 

Anytime!

 

The edges of some brands and models of canopy sit slightly below the top of the bed, others are on top or can be mounted where they sit slightly above. For example, my ARE CX sits slightly above the bed. The type and thickness of the foam sealant can affect this. I have seen 1/8" thick foam sealant that is very compressible and 1/4" thick density foam sealant that is not compressible and causes the canopy to sit higher.

Unless you are a serious off-roader, I do not think bed stiffeners are needed. As someone mentioned in another post, securing the canopy to the bed makes it stiffer.

Also, as I mentioned in another post, in my experience with canopies on different trucks, two clamps on each side have never been enough to secure it including my current Taco. I do not off-road other than drive gravel roads but still find that at least three clamps per side are needed. I suppose the type and tackiness of the foam sealant can play a role in whether the canopy stays in-place.

 

found this thread doing research trying to figure out what's going on

got rid of my shell. Time will tell whether I regret it or not.

It was a nice SnugTop, that wrapped around down and over the bedsides (2nd gen), I believe as their design to help keep water out, and look good

and for some reason, despite adjusting it to fit, to my surprise when I removed it, it rubbed the bedside(s) raw quite a bit. More than any of these pics.
Now, it's almost a 20yo vehicle. Doesn't matter.

But, if it's quick and cheap to fix, then why not.
I wonder: what are people doing? Is there a solution?
I don't mean paying a shop $3k for a paintjob.
I've used touchup paint before and it's kinda easy, but only on small little nicks and scratches here and there. Nothing like this which is basically a long line, almost as long as my forearm...
If using touchup paint, it'd probably stand out.

Might reach out to a body shop ask how much to put touch up paint then polish it smooth. Not an actual repaint.
Could even spray rust dissolver, clean/wash, and put clearcoat, just to try and prevent it from rusting

 

All of my trucks with fiberglass toppers gave my truck scratches. All of the scratches were 100% user error and a non-issue for me. Be careful with the overhanging lip the newer toppers have and you’ll be fine…assuming you fit it properly to start.

 

My overhanging-style Leer topper has rubbed in a couple spots. FWIW, it was not installed "professionally", but it was most definitely installed "correctly" with brand new seals when bought used. As others have said, whether installed professionally/correctly/whatever you wanna call it, # of clamps/type of clamps makes a huge difference. If you do any kind of offroading/frame flexing type of things, its likely gonna rub at some point though, no matter how many clamps or how well it was installed. Vibrations/bumps/flex all play a role in the topper shifting slowly over time, even if its by millimeters over a decade. Keeping an eye on the clearances on all sides will let you know if you ever need to loosen clamps and give it a nudge. Even if it does rub, its worth it. Toppers can't be beat.

 

So I installed it myself
And spaced the gap evenly all around

thing is I have KBvoodoo side rail caps, which means the shell would sit lower than stock

therefore closer to the bedsides ie rubbing
I wonder if that is why

 

My topper shifted during an off road trip and ended up scratch the paint at the back end of the bed. I have since added one of these

$33 AA-Racks P-AC-04N Utility Track System Mounting Clamp for Toyota Tacoma/Tundra Truck Cap/Camper Shell, Set of 4 - Black

clamps to either side of the topper and it hasn't shifted at all.

 

This. My Leer came with two clamps per side, that were bolted through the topper skirt. I added a third (actual clamp) on each side, plus two more on the front. I also have bed stiffeners, and I specified a bulb-type mounting gasket rather than simple foam tape. The topper hasn't shifted at all in the three years I've had the truck.

 

I haven't had mine shift, but have only had it for around a month professionally installed.

Leer 100r

I love it....