Anyone with a topper / shell - any risk of paint damage?

I’m considering a topper from LEER, ARE, or Snugtop; but heard that running a topper runs the risk of it shifting and rubbing paint off the bed corners. Or, even if it doesn’t shift, but if the bed flexes enough. Does this actually happen even if installed correctly? Really would like to get a topper, but not wanting to have to worry about damaging the paint on my 22.

All feedback is greatly appreciated.

 

I feared that when looking at how the fiberglass tops are made and fit…

No such issues with the smartcap.

I have seen paint rubbed off on some trucks due to movement or flex… not appealing.

 

I've only ever seen toppers get scratched, not the tacoma bed.

We ended up using bed liner on the bottom edge of my buddies topper to make it more durable.

 

I scratched my tailgate because I opened it wenr the topper was not aligned. My operator error. Get bed stiffners and extra clamps though.

 

I had a Leer 180 on my '06 TRD OR from the beginning. After a few year I notice that the rear window/door's bottom weatherseal flap began wearing the paint off my tailgate. Since the worn spot was under the flap I really didn't give it much thought as no one but me could notice it. FWIW it never showed signs of rust.

 

i've had at least four trucks with toppers in my lifetime. there is no greater risk of paint damage with a topper if installed correctly. i will add that all my trucks have had either a 6 or 8 foot bed and every topper required additional clamps (or in one case bolts) to secure it.

in my experience every dealer installed two clamps per side. that has never been enough to secure the topper even if not going off road. i would recommend installing at least three clamps per side and don't be afraid to tighten them pretty snug.

one more word of advice, make certain you or your topper dealer knows how to seal a tacoma bed before installing the topper. it is not hard, but it takes a few more steps, some good sealant or caulk, and about an extra 30 minutes of time.

 

A lot of this ^^^^^^
I had a Leer on my 2nd gen DCSB and it had 2 anchor spots (2 per side), no paint rubbing on the body and the topper held up very well (paint, hardware etc.) for 7 yr - then the truck was totaled. On the 3rd gen went to a Snugtop Hi Liner, I like the quality and features (e.g. water is channeled around the rear window, not so much on the Leer) and it has a single handle in the middle of the glass. The Snugtop also comes with a hardwired light and 2 USB ports included in the cost (this may be a dealer thing, not sure). It also has 6 anchor points. The dealer takes off the rails caps (same dealer on both installs) and puts sealant down then reinstalls to insure the inside stays dry.

 

Snugtop. If you have a shell that has a rubber gasket that touches the cab I would recommend putting some clear vinyl down to protect the paint

 

Okay OP this is my personal experience.

My ARE shell was installed using foam tape. Over time, and many miles of dirt road later, the crappy foam tape flattened and the shell eventually started rubbing my bed. I could even hear the squeaking of it rubbing the paint while driving down gravel roads.

I went back to the shell dealer and he replaced the foam tape with some of that thicker weather stripping. Haven't had a problem since.

 

I have an ARE shell. Haven’t had it for long but no issues at all with paint scratching. I could definitely see how @boston23 ’s post could become an issue though, my cap is mounted with the same foam tape near the cab.

Pic for fun.

 

Check you clamps from time to time, there is a gap to keep it from coming in contact with the bed sides. If the truck sees heavy off-road use where the frame is being twisted a lot, and a bunch of vibration causing the clamps to loosen, probably go with a cap that has no overhang such as a Smart Cap, Alu-Cab, or that new GFC.

 

Just removed my Leer 100XR this past weekend in preparation for picking up my GFC camper.
I found a couple spots where the shell had contacted the body and rubbed paint off to the bare metal. I’m guessing the foam seal the dealer used flattened out over time. My truck has also seen lots and lots of miles on rough dirt roads. It’s not a huge deal, I just touched up the bare spots and called it good.

 

Samesies.

 

It it's mounted correctly...CORRECTLY...there is no way it can scratch the truck. This assumes the topper is made for the correct year, make, model and bed size that it is mounted on. I have run toppers for years with no
issues and currently have them on my '22 Ram 2500 and my '22 Tacoma. Handy as a pocket on a shirt when needed and can be lifted off in 10 minutes with a buddy if not needed.

 

For what it's worth... I have a Snugtop ... Had it for 16 months now. The place that installed it, ran some of that flat (About a 1/4" thick, about 1 1/2' wide) foam wheather-stripping around the top rails of the bed. Mounted the shell (Rock solid) and the bottom edges of the shell, you can run the edge of your pinky finger around it and there is nothing coming even close to the paint. Works for me..

 

I've got a tiny, tiny line across the edge of the top of the tailgate from the canopy door foam rubbing.
Like invisible unless you are less than 2" away.

 

Mine was installed by the shop and I have bed stiffiners just in case. Absolutely no movement from mine and I have driven many bumpy gravel roads.

 

I think that these are one of those things where 'I'm gonna trust the guys who have installed these a ga-zillion times' thing. They should know what they're doing, right? LOL.
I didn't install any stiffeners on my bed ... Because I thought that having a 200 lb. shell, bolted tighter-than-tight, should stop a lot of any kind of flex. (Or at least minimize it) and so far, so good.

 

I think I rubbed some paint off one of my corners when I first installed the cap too far forward. To be safe, run some foam tape or that bug/rock guard film along the rear corners before putting on the cap. I do not run bed stiffeners.

 

Good info