Hard tops for truck bed camping?

Hey guys, I'm interested in getting a hard top for my 2019 Tacoma and was wondering which tops you all use for camping and have had good results with. I have a Softopper for my truck and I love it, just wanting a hard top now. Thanks!

 

Are you speaking of a camper shell? Or hard bed cover?

 

I think he means cap/camper based on having a soft topper already and wanting to upgrade.

@claytaco1 i have an Alu Cab contour shell and love it. Personally wouldn’t go with anything else

 

Plenty of hardtops available, check out the "tonneau cover, caps and shell" section.
Plenty of information, pictures of different types and styles.
Lots of options: metal or fiberglass, no lining or carpet lining. No window or with windows (solid windows, sliders, windoors), Cab height, mid height or high top, etc,etc,

 

The GFC was my personal choice for the best camping and daily driver combo

 

I love my leer 100XR. Sliding windoors and Thule tracks on top. The front window folds down for cleaning and the rear window locks with the key fob. If I was planning on camping in it…I’d probably go with a 180XR for added head room. I’m 6’4 and sleeping in a short bed wasn’t the plan. I did it once and will only do it again in the winters, I have a RTT for the summers here in Washington.

If I was going to do it all over again, I’d probably go with an Ali-cab just for the weight/strength ratio. Other than that I have zero complaints about the Leer

 

Thanks for the feedback everyone. Looked into the Leer 100XR.

 

It’s a great cap. I liked the look of a cab height but if I was going to spend time back there I’d for sure go with the mid height 180.

 

The 100XR is a great looking topper

 

The extra load capacity of the ARE HD models is well worth the additional cost.

 

I have the RLD. Single life of stainless. Super strong, and you can get creative with magnets. I got mine used. I’ve heard RLD
Company can be a pain to work with directly though.

mine had a cubby for recovery gear and all three doors open so easy access and I added lighting which is great

 

Only speaking up because I have not seen it stated. Does the leaf-pack need upgrading for a hard-cap?

 

I have had a basic ARE for about 3 years now with no issues. On my 1994 SR5 V6 I had a SnugTop and it leaked badly. Unless you want to start carrying gear on top of the shell, stick with what you have.

 

I don't see why you can't camp in a soft top. It offers many benefits a hard top does not have.

Also, fiberglass typically means very heavy, somewhat fragile. Including the glass.
not insulated from factory
expensive
and used means buying someone elses mistake who spec'd it wrong.

the overlap edge design of SnugTop took paint off my bed. Seems pretty common.

Normally you'd put a better leaf pack to handle added weight.

 

Mine didn’t need to be. It sort of leveled the truck a little and I feel like it rode better with the weight. I’ve since lifted the truck and will be putting air bags in the back for when I have the tent on.

 

You could go with a MOonlander canopy
https://www.radicaproducts.com/moonlander
never seen one in person

 

I’ve been camping in my Softopper for 8 straight months, all over Canada, Alaska, Central America, and now South America. No issues. Wasn’t going to waste weight on a topper that I could use in other ways. Just my 2 pesetas.

 

FWIW ... that recommendation makes me consider a soft-topper first for enclosing the bed.

 

Where I live (PNW) there are places you cannot camp unless you're 'Hard-wall' camping... Because.... Bears. In a soft top a grizzly just considers you a bag of Doritos.