Hard top or no hard top

I really can’t decide if I want to get a shell or not for a 5ft bed... it’s very tempting to have that extra room... help me decide haha

 

I would go for a hardshell! But i love having a open bed..... thats why i got myself a soft topper! Easy to take down and light.

 

Was never really a fan of the shell, ended up getting a Bakflip MX4 tonneau cover.

Fast forward a year, and I now realize a shell would be more practical for what I want.

Currently , looking into getting a shell.

 

Unless you're over 55 or hauling dead hookers into the woods no shell. I don't care for the way they look

 

I thought I wanted a shell on an old truck I had, so I bought one. I hated it. They block vision while driving, severe limit to size of load, and extra work for loading what does fit (hard on your back).

I would say, if your going to use your truck like a truck, don’t get a shell. If you want to use it like an SUV, a shell might be a good choice.

 

They block vision that badly?

 

No. Hyperbole to rationalize. Common tactic here. Move past that point.

 

Mine was on a Ford and it was bad. I haven’t driven a Taco with a shell. It might be worth checking out. I mention they block vision, never said badly. That’s a TW thing, put words in another’s mouth and belittle them for it.

How bad the vision block is, is relative to your expectations.

 

I love my hard top. Great for the dogs, travelling, hunting, fishing, and camping. Only thing that sucks is when you need to move furniture or something.

Now that I have thought about it, nothing sucks cause now friends wont ask me to help them move!

 

Nahh they can rent a uhaul! your Tacoma deserves more!!!

 

No they don't lol

 

Wrong, just so wrong.

 

I'm a contractor and love my shell. Only got it about 5-6 weeks ago but already went camping and off roading and really like it. It's not for everyone which I understand but for me it works well. If you have space in your garage/property it's easy to take off too... not like a softtopper but yeah...

 

Unless you need to carry bulky stuff often you effectively double your usable load space.


I have a tonneau because I run a RTT on a short rack, but if I’m taking 5 people camping having that much space to toss bags and stuff in sounds amazing

 

Also don’t pay attention to your poll, it really comes down to a personal choice.

Want to carry dirt bikes in the bed? Probably a bad choice. Want space for camping gear? Probably great

 

I traded in a Jeep for the bed capacity of a truck. Wouldn't really be reasonable for me to put a top on the truck now. However, if you cold make the top easily removable AND you had a good place to store it when it isn't on the truck?

 

I couldn't tell you the last time I saw someone hauling something taller than the cab in a pickup truck.

I have a shell. It completely blocks rear visibility as I have aluminum inserts instead of windows. I prefer that and I use my mirrors like a normal person.

If I am hauling something taller than would fit in my bed, I use my cargo or utility trailer as they are far better anyways. That does require space and such for a trailer, so not a great solution for everyone.

 

Very happy with my shell

 

Had a cover on bed for a couple of weeks and decided I would rather have a shell so made the change and love it.