Open bed vs. Hardshell

The reason I'm asking is because a dealer near me is having a sale on Snugtops and I'm on the fence.

 

Do you put anything tall in the bed? The security of a topper is quite nice.

 

There is also a company that makes a canvas type top that can go in the bed and collapse down by the rear window end of the bed when not in use.
The company is Bestop.

 

I dont usually put anything large in the bed except when going on trips, and even then it's mostly luggage and gear. The added benefit of security is my main attraction

 

I had one on my last Tacoma and loved it except for when I needed to haul something big. I didn't have an easy way to take off the shell and store it

 

Ever considered a folding tonneau cover? Its kind of the happy medium. The metal ones are quite sturdy and lock down.

 

Just for reference, this is my current setup. Suites me nicely, but I feel like I dont use the rack nearly as often as I should. And I dont plan on adding a tent.

 

I always used to think the cap defeated the purpose of having a truck. However, the configuration I wanted forced me to buy a short bed, which is too short for bikes, 4wheelers and snowmobiles. So I got a cap, turned the back into a huge trunk and I don't have any regrets. Anything too big for the back goes on a trailer now.

 

I wouldn't get a softshell purely for the lack of security. I sometimes have valuable gear with me, and occasionally transport firearms. Although I dont usually leave the truck unattended if I do

 

Don't want a shell? Get a tonneau. Semi-secures the bed without the limits...or benefits of a shell.

 

I have a leer shell on my 19 dblcb and I love it. I don't disagree with anyone, they dont look as good as an open bed. But, I carry all the tools I can imagine needing, gear I wouldn't usually carry and it never phases me to leave equipment in the bed overnight or in places I'd be hesitant about leaving it to be taken by anyone walking buy.

 

I really enjoy having the cap, always a dry place to sleep on a road trip. There are definite drawbacks but only you can make that decision.

The rack limits you way more than a cap, I've never understand why those are so popular.

 

First thing I did was buy a shell. Built a platform for it so I could put stuff on top of that and put valuables (guns, laptops, etc) under the platform and with the tailgate locked the stuff is secure even if they break a window in the shell.

 

I have a Leer and love it. This guy has a nice comparison of various options:
https://www.desktodirtbag.com/different-truck-camping-setups/

 

Unless you use the truck as a motorized wheel barrow a cap is pretty versatile. You can get the lockable watertight storage of an SUV at considerable less cost even including the cost of the cap. And unlike a SUV you can haul nasty stuff in the back and hose it out. Unless you need 3rd row seating I'd much rather have a truck with a cap than a SUV.

I've had a cap of some sort on every truck I've owned going back to the 1980's. I initially started with aluminum which is easy to put on and take off with no help. They are still an option and I'd much rather have one over one of the soft caps. They cost less, are more durable and look better. I've had fiberglass on all of my trucks since the late 90's. They look nicer, but aren't worth the effort to take off. I just leave them on all of the time.

Tonneau covers are neither fish nor fowl. The cheap ones don't hold up and the good ones are almost as expensive as a cap. And you are really limited in cargo capacity.

When I made the change from a full size truck to a Tacoma the 1st thing I bought was a utility trailer. Even without a cap the bed size and limited payload of a Tacoma just wasn't going to carry much other than some luggage anyway. Best move I ever made. I can haul more volume and weight in the trailer than I could put in a 3/4 ton truck with an 8' bed. Plus it is easier to load and I don't beat up the bed hauling firewood.

 

If you only occasionally need to haul large things, get a cap and rent/borrow a trailer when something won’t fit.

 

The nice thing about a topper is you can put it on when you want to secure gear or camp in the back and take it off when you want to haul dirt bikes or firewood.



I would highly advise against a soft topper that folds down if you do any time on the highway or need to load heavy things that go all the way to the front of your bed.




I sold my soft topper just as fast as I bought it and replaced it accordingly.




Then bought the Pickup above as a “project” and never drive the 2012 anymore so sold it to a buddy. Still have the 93 Pickup to this day haha.

An SUV is much better for having the space be insulated and weather/dust proof.

Fact is, if you’re trying to convince yourself that you could get a topper because there’s a “deal” then you don’t need a topper. Keep your hard earned money.

Don’t buy things for the truck or other tools otherwise until the need already consistently arises. Save a lot of money and time that way. Just my two bits.

 

My experience with caps is that you will love them somedays and cuss them other days. Depends on what you use your truck for most often. I haul all kinds of shit of different sizes all the time so a Softopper made more sense for me. Now I dont even run that... just some big rubbermaid action packers if I need dry storage which are nice because I can take them in and out easily and lock em up w a snake lock. I do always have a cab height bed rack though for the super long stuff (kayaks, lumber, etc)

 

Why WOULDN'T you buy a canopy if you have room to store it? I love just looking in the rear view mirror and knowing that within 60 seconds, I can be curled up in my super comfy bed. The higher the top the better. Ikea futon mattresses are exactly the correct width, just use a breadknife and cut 6 inches off the length. My wife myself, and our 5 year old fit nicely in this setup.

 

I almost bought a hardshell, but I haul awkwardly-shaped things just often enough for it to be a pain. I still often think about getting a hardshell, or maybe one of those folding cloth tops.

I do like the way a shelled Tacoma looks. I think that it would be cool to bolt some rear-facing bucket seats in the back and have a shell over them, kind of like a big old-school wagon. I doubt a shell or bed seats would hold up well in a crash, though.