Truck cap visibility

Fellas-

I am very close to taking the plunge on a cap or canopy for my truck. I am debating between a Leer 100R/XR or, possibly, a Soft Topper. One thing I hd not considered is the possible negative impact of the topper on visibility, especially when backing up. For instance, I fish quite a bit during the season and am frequently launching an 18-foot fishing boat on public boat ramps. Those of you who have launched boats with and without caps, is it much more challenging with the cap due to visibility issues? Is overall visibility in daily driving significantly worse? Of course with a Soft Topper I could just take it off or fold it forward.

 

Backup camera.

 

I recently got one, I think the weight cancelled out the mpg gain if any. The visibility isn’t that bad but I find myself using the side mirrors more often now.

 

Softopper here. No visibility issues at all

 

I have not had issues. Granted, don't launch that big of a boat

 

Launched a lot of boats from small 15ft jon boats to 31' center consoles with my trucks with shells over the years. The cap will 100% impact your visibility but you will learn to adjust and use your mirrors significantly more.

 

That's what side mirrors & back-up cams are for. You'll have to get used to it. I did, and even without the cap I use the mirrors.
Besides, my neck can can no longer stand the contortions necessary to twist around and look thru the rear window.

 

You'll get used to it.
Not apples to apples but my Ford has an aluminum cap on it, at first I hated driving it, now I don't even think about using my rear view mirror.

 

Having a camera on this truck vs the last one without is so much nicer with tops on both. You can still see out the windows but there are definitely added blind spots as far as lane changes and stuff go- as others have said you use the mirrors a bit more since it’s harder to see over the shoulder. The camera makes backing into parking, etc. a nonissue. I don’t think the boat/trailer backup would be a big issue using mirrors, but I know some folks that reverse with the rear window open since the tint can make it harder to see what’s going on for early morning launches.

 

I've put Leer caps on both my old Ford Ranger and now on my Tacoma. They're the same model caps, but the proportions are different because the bed sides and tailgate on the Tacoma are higher. Therefore, visibility out the back on the Tacoma is noticeably more limited. But to offset that, the Tacoma has a backup camera. And to make the most of that, I installed an Anytime Backup Camera kit, so that I can turn on the camera by pushing a button on the dash even when not in reverse. I would say that mod is almost indispensable if you have a camper shell.

 

Thanks for the comforting input. Its taken me awhile to get used to launching the boat with the long wheel base of the LB but I've adjusted and suspect I can navigate with a cap. Popping the rear hatch makes sense. Will also look into the Anytime Backup Camera.

 

The only difference that I've found with a cap is that you have to square your corners. In other words when you approach an intersection that is not at right angles you need to turn to the right so that you are square to the intersecting road in order to see to the right.

Just make sure that you have your left turn signal on if appropriate so other cars don't think that you are turning right.

 

The camera is just about useless when backing a boat or trailer. I've popped the hatch on toppers before and it helps. Dropping the tailgate will also improve visibility when backing in the empty trailer.

 

Good way to put a crease in the top of the tailgate too.

I've had caps on every truck I've ever owned since the 1970's and pull a trailer enough that I never use the rear view mirror anymore. Learn to use the side mirrors.

 

I've been using my backup camera only with my trailer for the last 4 years, my topper and contents completely obstruct my rear window. I also back into parking spaces all the time. Just because it's so easy to do.

Reminds me of my MIL.... She bends and contorts herself to look out her SUV back window while backing up. I asked her why she doesn't just use the big 8" TV screen in front of her face. She told me "I don't trust it". Backup camera is fake news.... LOL

 

I use it for normal parking all the time along with the side mirrors, works great. With a boat/cargo trailer behind me all I see is the boat/cargo trailer which is pretty useless. The side mirrors are still easy to use so it's not a loss and the camera definitely doesn't work for doing tight backing like putting the boat into a garage from the street.

 

Yeah if you're kinda dumb that is a risk. Going straight down a boat ramp makes it pretty hard to do that and depending on the size/type of boat trailer you won't see it in a side mirror until it's well out of alignment.

 

Soft topper on mine…you can always roll it up or stow it away. Don’t think I’ll get a hard shell again. The thing only weighs like 30lbs!

 

I invite you to peruse the collected works of one Mr. Murphy. He is quite well known and even has a law named after him.

 

Wait what are we talking about here..


I've had a canopy on every truck, not once noticed any problem seeing out of any of them..
I think it's a rumour started by the tonneau companies..