Canopy? Bed Rack? Some hybrid combination of the two? Nothing at all?

Hello guys and gals!

While I've been content with the bed setup on the truck, I've been pondering for over a year now about changing things up. I'd really appreciate some practical input in this regard. The truck is a daily driver, and thus has to function as both my work truck (own a construction company) and weekend exploring/base-camp rig.

Aspects of it work great, but other points of it are quite a hindrance.

First off, here's the current truck bed setup:
-Snugtop Super Sport Canopy
-Prinsu Rack
-Removable homemade storage/sleeping platform
-GMC Envoy XUV Tent









What I like:
-Lockable, secure storage.
-Mostly dry/weather-proof (some small leaks).
-Looks nice. Simple and clean.
-Prinsu rack is amazing!
-With Envoy tent and platform, plenty of room for storing gear and sleeping. Great for camping; gets you off the ground and it's especially nice in inclement weather

What I don't like:
-Canopy is not easily removable. Heavy and awkward.
-Rearward visibility is non-existent.
-Severely limits size and type of cargo carried in bed (due to low roof height).
-No side "win-doors," so access is strictly from the rear; PITA to get stuff at the front of the bed.

So, with all that said, what are your suggestions? Is there anything out there that will better fit my needs? Perhaps stay with a canopy, but get a different kind (side access, commercial style, etc)? Or forego the dry, lockable space and get a bedrack, so I'll still be able to utilize the Prinsu? However, I'd lose the sleeping area and the Envoy tent would become pointless (can't afford a RTT, so I'd be tenting on the ground). But these would still limit cargo size/type due to height restriction.

Appreciate the help. I realize that there's probably no "best" option in this case (besides having the canopy/rack for camping adventures, and then taking them off for work duties) but I look forward to hearing what you all have everyday experience with, and the pros/cons of various setups.

 

You look like a handy guy make the top of you platform slide.

 

What exactly would that solve?

 

Getting stuff in the front of the bed

 

The sleeping/storage platform is only in there a few times a year when I go camping. I take it out to keep it from getting damaged/moldy.

 

I am curious where you got the Envoy XUV tent for the truck. I am looking for one for my rig also.

 

Snagged it off of eBay a couple years back for cheap. Wasn't sure how well it'd work, but I've been impressed. Fits great, all things considered, and adds some very useful space with the tailgate down.

 

Any kind of camping set up is a compromise. Add that your daily driver is your base camp, it adds to it. If you have room somewhere that you can build a topper rack that would help. One I particularly like is 2 parallel bars just above bed height (easily made with 2 upright 4"×4" with one spanning the tops. All together about a foot shorter than the bed. You have 2 of these frames wide enough to pull your truck between. 2 more 4x4 to span across those. Loosen the topper, climb in the bed of your truck, lift the topper with your back and slip the 4x4s cross spanning and suspending the shell off the truck, drive the truck out from underneath)...sounds harder than it actually is. This mames the conversion easier.
Something else I like to use in good weather is the reliable old military shelter halves and some schedule 80 pvc to build the frame out of. Best of all, it fits the bed of a pickup like a covered wagon. Simple, cheap, breaks down small, easy to store. Build the frame to fit the truck and you're sheltered, it's almost tall enough to stand up in and very roomy. The bad thing is you have a few minutes of setup time and it's not secure but you aren't having to put the topper on every time, just the times you want it there (wet weather, need security, etc.).

 

Some kind of canopy rack would definitely make the on and off process much easier. Would love to have a hoist, but no structure/space available for that. And I'll have to keep the PVC shelter in mind.

There will always be compromise. I was just looking to get some other input and perspectives from folks that use canopies, bed racks, etc, on what they've found works best; perhaps there's something that I haven't considered?

 

I'm struggling with some of the same issues. I have a DCSB so sleeping in back is tight for one, impossible for two. So I have an RTT on top of my shell. But, as cool as that seems, it's a hassle to set up and take down if you're doing "base camping" and want to use the truck after you've set up camp. And for the 40 weeks a year I'm not camping, I'd like easier access to an open bed; either shell or tent removal is a feasible (but not easy) one person job; but removing and replacing (and storing) both is a headache. I may go back to a ground tent, and considering a SoftTopper, and maybe just put a rack on the cab rooftop if needed (easier with a double cab). But, curious to hear more ideas ...

 

After much thought, I've decided to sell the canopy. As it sits (due to being an xtra cab), it's not a great people hauler, and with the canopy on it really limits its truck hauling aspects as well.

For now, I'll be holding on to the Prinsu and seeing if I can figure out some kind of bed rack system that is easy to take off/put on.

Looks like I'll be going back to ground camping, unless I can find a bed rack I like and a RTT that isn't outrageously expensive.

*Edit* So, with this being said, anyone interested in the Envoy Tent system or the storage/sleeping platform, send me a message. I'd ship the Envoy tent, but the platform would be local pickup only.

 

Sold the canopy today. After having it on for the last 5 years, seeing it without the cap is quite different. No more dry/lockable storage or camp/sleep area, but at least I can load the back up like a proper truck now.



Need to get it Line-X'd.

Also looking for an expo-style rack that has removable top crossbars (so I can load tall objects). Anyone know of one? Been looking, but haven't found anything the fits the bill yet.