Hard tops for truck bed camping?

I roll with an RSI smartcap

 

makes sense
I'm not sure if fiberglass is bear-proof
but if it has to be hardshell, metal is probably better than fiberglass.

in addition to that, if you have to cut into a topper to add something, that's easier to do on metal
and metal ones seem to come as a load bearing surface on top, stock.

With fiberglass, you're hoping it already came with roof tracks, if it's even the right model to handle that
and just adding a Sherpa rack onto that is probably $1k.
Not to mention more weight.
And metal shells usually being newer than any fiberglass if buying used.
Easier surface to put solar on as well

I wonder what the best metal setup is.
-GFC
-Ute tray. Not sure whateven fits atop them
-RSI smartcap
-aluminum ARE DCU
-RLD
-AluCab
-DIY
-whatever else might exist

some of these metal caps seem about the price of doing a Ute tray that offers more…

 

Bears tear through windows on cars and mangle doors of cars to get them open. "Gentle Ben" and "Smokey The Bear" are not always so agreeable".

 

I think it depends on the weight. The RLD is only like 160lbs, but I have a rack and some other crap and I tow a small trailer off road so I ended up adding and icon leaf pack. I like how the truck sits. I don’t think it’s necessary, but if you have extra weight, tow, or add a tent I’d probably consider it.

 

If you're talking only about toppers, the bigger options are rsi, rld, and alucab.

I'm not sure I would consider gfc all metal, it has the metal internal support structure with those honeycomb panels on the outside. It's probably stronger than the others, but just a note on the difference.

I went with the alucab contour for strength to weight and the front sliding window.

Rsi is really nice. I almost went with this but it weighs more than I'd like.

I thought rld wasn't making the cap anymore. Not sure it was just a post COVID thing or what.

The aluminum are is new to me. I'll look into that, it sounds interesting.

Ovs is making a metal cap. I'm not sure when it's coming out.

The new kuat rack is sort of bridging the line between a bed rack and topper with their removable panels.

Dirtbox overland is a newer company out of Denver making a unique shell for trucks now too. I would have considered this if I knew about it.

Then there's the bynd cap that no one recommends too. Seems to be conflicting information from the company regarding where it's built and other details.

 

GFC TOPPER

 

Love everyone's rigs and tops they have, these trucks belong with a topper

 

Forgot to mention GFC topper weighs 135lbs

 

I verify GPS signal data for several government agencies. In the 5’years I’ve been doing this I get dropped by helo and spend 5 to 13 days on my own in the regions they need verification. In those 5 years I have photographed and documented 127 bears. 35 black bears, 56 grizzlies, 21 polars, and 25 Russian brown bears ( like our grizz). I walk everywhere, use a ground tent and have never had an issue with bears. But I grew up in Alaska north of Nome so I have a different feeling about bears.

 

metal looks better, may retain value better.

plus the honeycomb on fiberglass is thick.
And covered with carpet. Adding things to metal is probably easier.
Whether that be slapping on insulation, or adding a vent or fan

windows and mesh is probably better than a flat panel, for ability to breathe, lower temp, and not have condensation

NHO is working on a tray and top system but I don’t know the dimensions

overlandingunderbudget made his own that basically turned 5’ shortbed into 6’ without sacrificing departure angle. but no swingout present.

a tray with something on top would allow for a removable top, flat working surface, better clearance, good looks, and more storage area

 

Well, that's kinda' why I also have 12 gauge with sabot slugs...

 

Ride Rite air bags.

 

When we go up to polar bear territory it’s 475 Linebaugh for pistol and 460 weatherby magnum for rifle. Used to be 600 nitro express but rounds got to be ridiculous. Even reloading. The 460 is no slouch at 7380ftlbs vs the 600s 7586. The 460 gives you range and a chance for a second shot. Not the 600. It kicks your ass the first (only)shot.

 

We like our wedge canopy

 

Who makes this? That looks awesome!

 

It’s just a standard contractor canopy, this one is made by ARE.

 

If you feel you need a hard shell canopy (and weapons) to "protect yourself from bears" while camping you should probably just stay your ass in the city lol

Bears are not wandering around the PNW looking for humans to eat. Hang your food outside in a tree and don't be an idiot, you'll be fine

You've got a better chance of dying in a car wreck just driving up the highway

 

The psychological comfort is nice, but yeah, don’t be stupid.

 

There’s a lot of dos and donts that people ignore about bears. Like fishing alone in Alaska when the salmon are running. Thinking the back of their car is for food storage. That’s why the bears “ rip through windows and mangle doors”. And a whole host of other shit.

If you go up to where the big white bears are you better read and heed what you are told. They do come after humans to eat if they are hungry. They will rip your Tacoma to shreds. Your 4 to 6 thousand dollar hard shell topper won’t do shit against them. You better have a big game rifle. That can drop rhinos. Or charging elephants. In one shot. And you better be fast on the draw aim and fire as they make a grizz look slow

Best defense against any bear is common sense. Wait it’s 2024. Make that uncommon sense. People watch a you tube video and think they can climb Everest.

 

Black bears are just big raccoons. Grizzly behavior is very misunderstood.

(I’ve never seen a wild bear in person. I’m actually really sad about that.)