Which way to go

Looking for some input if you guys dont mind. I have been going back and forth on where I want to take my truck, mostly whether or not to get a topper(Camper Shell).

If I got a topper I would build a bed platform similar to what some have done in the overland thread

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/of...land-expedition-pics-specs-bs-thread-168.html

This would be useful and I could store quite a bit of stuff underneath and lock mostly all the belongings I need. It would be a great camp setup.

On the other hand I ride mountain bikes a lot, shuttle people with the bikes hanging over the tailgate (This could be solved with a bike rack on the hitch.) But I also haul my dirtbike in the back sometimes. (Again could be solved with a hitch rack but only 1 bike, I would need a trailer to haul 2) And last but not least the truck has been very convenient to move friends and family along with myself.

I currently run a roll up soft topper which I have liked to a point. The rails that overhang are annoying and when I haul MT bikes around they did scratch one of my frames. There is no way of saying the items in the bed are "secure" as someone could just knife the cover open.

Just wanted to see anyone opinions, I know people have pry gotten a topper and didn't like it or loved it. What are your pros/cons of having/not having a topper?

TIA

 

I had a shell on my old truck and I also mountain bike and ride dirtbikes. Mountain bikes werent an issue but the only time I hated having the shell was with my dirtbikes. In the end I bought a hitch carrier for $100 and started using that (did a 1,500 mile roadtrip the first time with it and no issues). I think you can still hang your bikes on the tailgate too. I used to hate the shell but I ended up loving it and the benefits outweighed the cons of having it. It was perfect for camping, keeping gear, coolers, gas cans, etc locked up when out riding, keeping surfboards locked up at the beach, and great for the dogs on roadtrips.

I originally got mine for just moving and now I wish I had one for my tacoma too.

 

They make hitch dirt bike racks for two. i currently own one, had it for a while so couldn't tell you where to look. it disconnects and you can carry just one as well.

 

If I was carrying two I would probably just get a small trailer to be honest, I love the hitch set up for one though

 

I would stay away from a shell. If you have to buy a trailer just to haul a couple dirt bikes, it defeats the point of having a truck. If you have something that needs to be locked up, put it in the cab.