Buyers remorse...

I am not sure exactly what this post will accomplish, but I'm posting it anyway!

I originally bought my Tacoma without a shell and had the bed naked for a few weeks while the cap was being produced. During that time I made a platform for my dog in the back seat (many posts about the DCSB dog platform).

Now that I've had the shell (bought primarily for the dog) on for a few weeks, I think I prefer my dog in the cab with me instead of the shell. In addition, I just think my truck looks WAY better without the shell.

I may just get a soft roll-up tonneau cover now, and keep the shell stored in the garage. I can always put it back on for long trips, moving, and/or hanging with a bunch of people. It's just me and dog about 95% of the time.

 

I'm sure your dog will like being in the cab with you too lol.

My pup loves my truck I have an access cab and I stuff the extra space between the seats with blankets and she just hangs out with me. I probably should make a platform for her too, but I have to much tools in my back seats. I agree with you too I like a truck without a shell.

 

I wouldn't be without the shell if given the choice. Remove the windows and install a rubber gasket between the cab and shell and your doggie will love it even more!

 

Cute pup!

 

To me this is like the DC vs. AC debate. I bought the DC for utility but I think the AC looks a bit sexier. Trucks, in general, look better w/o a cap, I think. But... if you need the cap then the utility will outweigh the loss of sexiness. IMO There's nothing wrong with a DC with a cap and a rack on top of the cap. That shit is straight up truck.

editL: if I had a big ass dog like that I would get a cap too.

 

are we supposed to talk you into keeping the cap ?

 

I only have a tonneau on my truck and my pup always rides in the back seat. I'd much rather have him in the cab with me.

 

Your dog is beautiful!

 

If I had a DC, I would not have a cap.
When I had the AC Tundra, I had a hard tonneau.
I had a cap on my CC Duramax simply because my job at the time required carrying a bunch of tools and equipment that would not fit under a tonneau.

Now, I no longer have a need for that, and the lockable storage of a DC or even an AC provides room for shopping trips and tools.

 

i agree. that's the way me old truck is. it was great for traveling across country.

 

What tonneau did you get?

EDIT: Never mind...I found it on your "My Build" link.

 

Not necessarily. I think I'll keep it, but I'm taking it off after my road trip in a couple weeks and see how I like the tonneau cover approach with the dog.

 

Destroys the paint on the back of the cab.
I had that on my '94 (kept the slider) and when I pulled the shell to help a buddy move, the back of the cab where the seal rested was worn through to the metal.

I'm sure you could get a 3M clear sheet to protect it now, but it would need to be replaced periodically.

 

I agree it looks better without the shell, I have a hoist in the garage that I use to remove it when I get tired of it. But with 2 extra large dogs it is necessary.

 

Ya.. if I had a home with a 2 car garage, I'd build a hoist to store my cap above the truck.

 

I find the shell to be much more useful than the tonneau cover- mine had a Leer tonneau cover on it when I bought it and I removed it shortly thereafter (it's for sale in the marketplace but it's for a regular bed). I leave camping gear in the back of my truck and sleep back there as well as carry kayaks on top so it makes more sense for me.

 

Couldn't live without my cap

 

Not a fan of caps, but they have their uses. I don't need one.

 

i've got a cap on my reg cab, my dog always rides shotgun, he's never ridden in the back, there's no room for three ppl but room for two with the dog in the middle. i like having the cap for camping.

 

What's the correct term for these. Older folks tend to call them toppers, I hear cap a lot, but always referred to them as a shell or camper myself. Either way, I see why people like them and there's a market for it. I feel like if I was going to permanently add one to my truck, I'm better off with a 4Runner or CUV type of vehicle.