To cap or not to cap...

Didn't say I needed the whole area dry in OP, just wanted some feedback on real world experience.

 

Great looking Tacoma!! Love the black theme.

 

I've had a cap on every truck I've owned since the 1980's. With the newer 4 door trucks you have the most versatile rig you can buy; unless you need the 3rd row of seating. You get all the advantages of an SUV in being able to secure gear out of the weather. But unlike a SUV you can haul dirty stuff in the back and hose it out when done. A truck and a cap not only cost a lot less than a SUV, but they are worth a lot more down the road.

In my experience with my 07 the way the front bed rail is designed makes it more difficult to keep all the water out. Mine has always leaked just a little bit. But even with a hard rain we're talking just a few drops and the water stays in the lower part of the channels in the bed while the gear sits on the high part. I've never gotten anything wet back there.

I've had much better luck keeping things completely dry in other trucks.

 

I love mine. I found this SnugTop on craigslist a few months back that just happened to be color matched for my TRD OR. Not 100% waterproof as others have said, but I love it. It's better than nothing!

 

I have a softopper on my ‘09 Taco, and I’m switching to a hard shell on our ‘17. The softopper is nice, and excellent for weather, but it does nothing for cargo security, and you need a special rack to be able to store anything on top of it. Aside from costs, a hard shell will be better in every way for my needs.

 

Leer cap and dogs love it.

 

I have a 2016 TDR and the bed on 3rd gens are built a little different than previous beds. I put on a Leer and it leaked on each front corners. Took it back to Lear and he said finding leaks was his middle name. He fixed most of it ,but some still got through. I went to Central Hardware and bought some MORTITE weatherstrip and caulking cord. Did a fair job but driving in the rain some still gets in but not like before. Put a hand towel in each corner to catch anything that gets in and seems to do fine.

 

Bed mat, will keep stuff off the floor and let water run down under it.

 

I don’t live in rain country but I have the SnugTop Super Sport and have not had any issues with leaking. I love having the cap and would never go back. Good luck with your decision.

 

Thanks everyone for sharing advise and experience. Decided to take the plunge, just ordered Leer 100XR. Hopeful for an install before the end of the month!

 

Have a ARE C series on my 2nd gen, allows me to tentless camp, love that feature as well as haul stuff with the weather and security protection you mentioned. I persobally have never noticed any water intrusion. I run with the cap on about 50% of the time. It does restrict your pickup's "unlimited" vertical haul space but I think it's an amazing option to have.

TLDR Truck + cap = SUV but mo-betta.

Dry as a bone inside:

 

Leer 100XR. LOVE IT!

 

I have a Leer and it has kept me dry sleeping in the back during rain storms, no complaints. I would try to find a used one to save some cash.

 

Have an ARE and haven’t noticed any leaks and I live in Washington... ive always had caps on my trucks and couldn’t live without em with all the shit I haul around... I am selling this one but only because I want to mount a roof top tent on the bed and not above the cab

 

Had a cap on my gen1 no leaks at all, but I was constantly taking it off which was a pain in the ass, so I sold it.
I now use a softopper with a rack over it on my gen3.
Looks great, is dry, and it takes a few minutes to to remove rack fold back top and put tall items in.
Put the hard cap on if your not going to need to haul a bunch of tall stuff...they look great and are functional for how you discribed your needs.

 

Raider Vagabond and like others have said, leaks in the front corners a bit in the hard rain. The bed mat does a good job of keeping anything on the floor dry for the amount of water that gets in. Had a Leer XR on my 2nd Gen and I remember it leaked a bit in the front corners too

 

Snugtop HiLiner Sport

I wash my truck at drive up DIY pressure wash stations. Only place I've had water get in is if I really go at the side windows.

 

I'm a tonneau cover type of guy, but even going through car washes, they all have little leaky spots (Tonneau or Cap).

 

I had an '89 Toyota pickup (pre Tacoma) with a cap/topper, can't remember the brand-name, but it was a good fiberglass one. I drove that for about 4 years before going the mini-van route, young family. But I do not recall it ever leaking. I liked it for camping, but not much else.

My last truck (a Tundra) as well as this one, I've gone the tonneau cover route. Secure storage when I need it, easy to remove for when I don't and want to haul big items or lawn/tree debris. Doesn't work well for camping, however. I guess there are always trade-offs.

 

You should have been a Rocket Scientist!