Easy of removing a shell ???

My Tacoma is my first ever pickup truck. As such, I miss having a place to put "stuff" where it isn't subject to weather and having that "stuff" exposed and easily removed while the truck is parked.

I've been looking at either a tanneau or a shell. I think the shell has a little nicer look, and would hold things a little taller, but two or three times a year I will need to take the top off to haul some dirt and/or gravel.

The tanneau I was looking at says its light enough for two guys to pick up and put on a (included) wall rack. This would be a large plus.

So just how hard is it to take a shell off and get it back on? I do have a car port that some sort of pulley system could be set up on if that would help with the removal.

thanks

 

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/98994-anyone-have-truck-cap-topper-shell-hoist.html

Post #3

(Morning Scott )

 

This. My friend had one on an F-150 that was pretty easy to take off when needed

 

Hoist is the easiest way and above head storage is the best. Considered a folding topper? Soft topper? Rolling tonneau? If only 2-3 times a year, I'd personally buy/rent a trailer.

 

Thought about the different types of shells, but I really like the look and security of a hard shell.

As far as a trailer - We bought a "truck sort of vehicle" because we have a boat to tow. We bought a pickup instead of an SUV type specifically so it could do this occasional dirt/gravel haul. My wife would pop a gasket if I did something to the truck and it couldn't haul her precious dirt.

 

I have a LEER 100XL, it uses the accessory rail to fasten it down. Unscrew 4 bolts, put a guy on each side, lift it right off. There is sealing tape but its fastened to the cap, not the bed, therefore is all stays together.

 

I feel for you brother. If not for that 2 or 3 times a year dirt I would be driving a 4Runner. The things we do after 45 years of bliss.

 

Now I did buy the Undercover and we can pull or put it on in about 5 mins. Hanging on the wall; it came off and now lays on the wall.

 

I've had caps on previous trucks; they're nice until you need to take them off, doing by yourself isn't fun. My last one was for a long bed S-10; to take it off I'd slide it back while on the truck, climb under it and lift it off. Not the smartest way but young people are impervious, yes?

There's been an Access Limited roll up tonneau on the tacoma for a long time; it keeps 95% of the weather out of the bed; it leaks at the front and at the tailgate but I also have the rubber mat in the bed so any water that gets in from the front rolls underneath it. It covers the bed most of the time but rolling it up and secures at the front of the bed with straps.


As far as lockability- locks only keep an honest man out. I'm using a popnlock on the tailgate but I'm not foolish to believe anything I keep in the bed is safe.