GFC finally releases the new Topper

This is exactly where my head is at, my Tacoma is more of a work truck. I like these beefy, all metal toppers because I could load up the top of them with lumber. My plan was to attach an Alu-Rack directly on top of what ever topper I go with. I'm leaning more towards alucab now because of the added expense of the beef bars.

 

Right. My concern is with 16’ material which I’m carrying around often.

Still can’t decide. Maybe leaning toward SmartCap after seeing one in real life this weekend. A tiny bit more headroom and about $600 less.

 

I think the solution to the 16' material problem is adding a supplemental rack on top of your cab. I think the double rack look is pretty slick if you can get the two racks on the same plane. A lot of people on here have done it with Prinsus and Rhino Racks, but I'm not sure if I've come across a picture of a double rack set up, in alignment, using an RLD / Smartcap / Alucab. Someone please post that setup if they've seen it!

Here's an example on a Tundra:

https://www.tundras.com/threads/new-rhino-rack-platform-on-are-camper-shell.29983/

but I'm not going to stack lumber on top a fiber glass cap

 

@moon_taco_420 if you consider a short bed double cab setup with a camper shell rack.

Short bed full rack on top of camper is approximately 5’

Cab racks (we’ll use frontrunner specs) is about 64” in length

Let’s say there’s a 6” gap between the shell rack and the cab rack. It brings you to about 11’ in length which means youll have 2.5’ hanging off the front and rear of the complete rack setup. Reasonable?

This setup is what I have planned. GFC topper with beef bars and FR Cab rack.

 

Any pictures or independent reviews of these in the wild yet?

 

I poke around the web for an independent review periodically, have yet to find one. When they were giving out install dates, mid November was the earliest I was offered and I’m unit #2X. I’m sure there’ll be some YouTuber/influencer coming out with one soon

 

For those looking for cab racks that will meet beef bar height on the new topper.

Beef rack height at shark fin is about 4.25”

 

Got my topper installed yesterday. Got the Metallic grey.

 

Well, what do you of think of it?

 

I need to check if my truck is still here lol. Maybe I'll see you around town when I'm out there.

 

Damn that is sexy!!! Congrats! It’s a great addition

 

It is a really well made topper. Easy to open the side panels and having that much access to the bed is a game changer. I’m not sure yet about the translucent top, it does let light in but if you want to sleep back there it might suck in the morning. And hopefully it’s as cool as they say since I work in the desert on occasion in the summer.

The structure of it is super beefy. The way it mounts to the side rails makes me confident it won’t go anywhere.

The interior has a lot of mounting points for accessories. I might insulate the doors on the inside using outdoor carpet.

Even though I spent time sealing the bed, todays rains showed me I have water coming in at all corners. During the install they didn’t leave enough bulb seal at the tailgate so I have big gaps there and also where they cut the seal at the front of the bed. Should all easily be remedied though.

It is weird that the back hatch only sits on a small portion of the tailgate. They add extra weather stripping there to create a good seal. I hope it holds up though. As of right now I have to open my tailgate to open the back hatch because it’s a tight fit.

It seems many complain about the locks. My biggest complaint so far is that the orientation of the locks on all panels are different so I’ll probably never remember how to insert the key properly. It’s only cut on one side. But the locks themselves seem solid and open and close easily.

So far I really like it. I took a chance on the color and the product itself having no idea how it would look. And I’m very pleased! Looking forward to modding and utilizing the bed space now that I also have a superlite tent from them as well. The beef bars and all locks and accessories from them seem to be all back ordered or slow to deliver though, so I can’t use the tent yet anyway. Can’t wait to try it out on this topper.

 

Glad you are loving your topper! I had the same experience when i bought my platform camper from them, took a chance and couldnt be happier with my investment. You can do 2 things to solve to light coming in to the topper, one is to vinyl cover it, there are folks that make a sticker that covers the whole top. You can even get a custom design. Or fill it with solar panels, which is what i did and it helped cut down the light coming in. It’s not a lot, but if you are sleeping in there it might make a little difference in darkness. The side access is game changer for me, plus the lightness of the whole platform

 

I put some 3m strip chaulk in the front corner gaps. You should be able to stuff some up from the inside. The having to open the tailgate to get in the back concerns me. Ill be sleeping back there when I come to SD and don't want to make a seen getting in and out.

 

Youlllbe fine boon docking, ive done it for years in the back of all my pick ups. It all depends on your location selection

 

well i plan on spending a couple weeks in SD. Used to fulltime out of a van there so not too worried but a added step is a added step.

 

Yeah my corners are sealed like that too. It’s the bulb seal seam where they meet in the corner that’s leaking. I’ll just put some RTV there and should be good to go.

Im sure with some use the tailgate and hatch will work separately. Its already getting easier to open and close.

 

ok good to know

 

What is the overall height from the bedrail? I'm thinking about going this route plus adding a wedge RTT flush mounted on top so I can fit it into my garage. The GFC platform camper is just under 2" too tall.

 

are any of the panels easily removable? i'm more curious about the rear panel. could i take it off and put bikes over my tailgate? or are they pretty permanent?

is there spare between the panels and the support bars? like enough space to clamp something on there?