Topper/shell? Undecided

Having to crawl inside to use the bed defeats the utility of the truck for me. I love the look of toppers but don’t want that problem or the loss of visibility as a driver. I use a trifold, and when I want a topper for a few days/weeks I put on my Softopper which is awesome. I got the available tent extension which makes the short bed usable to sleep as the tailgate goes down and the tent covers it.

 

Yeah if you don't have a trailer it can make things complicated. I had a 6'x12' trailer and the OP has a trailer that may come in handy when things are to big to fit under the cap

 

This is IMO the best looking shell for 3rd gen short bed! What I plan to eventually get.

+1 on the Softopper though. I love shells for camping and storage, but they are heavy and I don’t think I’ll get one until I upgrade my suspension…

Softopper has been awesome. Obviously no security but it’s versatile, weighs nothing, and looks pretty good.

 

I went with The GFC topper weight 135

 

I was just talking to a rep about this. I was looking into leer, ARE, and smart caps. The smart cap was about a grand more with wi doors etc. the ARE MX was about 300 cheaper with all the bells and whistles and they have been saying those are better quality right now. Something about leer changing the spot it’s built in. Snugtop is based in Mexico now and don’t do much business at least in California. Probably doesn’t help much but that’s just what the dealer had told me this last week.

I’ve decided to go ARE just haven’t decided on can height or midrise. That’s my hardest delima

 

Leer 100XR over here. It’s been great!!! My advice, windoors on both sides are 100% necessary if you plan on going camping and have a long bed. they just make packing/access wayyyy easier.

 

Absolutly!
I have a short bed, but with a lift and short arms n legs, can't reach all the way to the cab. As it works out- I found a used topper that had Windoors,,, that I now know are absolute must on my next topper. I can flip those windows open and pack things tight to the cab, and of course retrieve them too.

 

I've never owned a Leer but I had a Snugtop on my 1994 for 25 years and structurally, it held up well, but it leaked badly. I now have an ARE CX Classic that has been on my 2020 for 3 years and not a drop of water has come in from anywhere.

 

My Leer 180 Mid Rise has been on the truck within the first month of purchase and has never come off. Awesome for camping in, keeping things dry, and it still looks brand new after 12 years and lots of off-roading.

 

Good looking truck!

 

Why thank you sir!

 

Of course!

 

If money isn’t an issue , there is also the odd ball of the options . Leitner has the bed rack that works with the roll up bed cover . The rear of the rack slide forward so you could still haul large stuff if needed .
it ends up though costing nearly as much as a nice topper though so depends on what you’ll use the most.