Best topper/camper shell features

I've had this same SnugTop for ten years and it has served me well. Cost wasn't ever a criteria for me as much as looks were.

 

I dunno why, but camper shells seem like such an old guy thing to me. Probably because everyone I know who has one is older...

 

I'm a contractor, my truck is my daily driver. They are nice to have actually.

 

If you can find a Jason dealer, they are at a really good price point. I paid $1275 OTD installed for my cab-high with a tip-down rear window, carpeted headliner, and reinforced roof. The badges were a little fugly but I took care of that with a heat gun and WD40.

 

I have a SnugTop hi-liner sport.

I know it's been said a million times but here's another one for sliding vented WIN-DOORS....best money I've ever spent.

I also got fold down sliding front window and carpeted interior.

And ask about the roof load. When I was looking at SnugTop the salesman got up and walked around on top of the display model no problem and said that is standard strength, no upgrade required. Awesome.

To this day I wish I put the money down for roof tracks. I'll be going back in at some point for that addition.

 

I had my topper on my old Tacoma since age 25. I am 33 now with a 2013 model and again I find myself looking for a topper. I sleep in my truck bed when I camp sometimes so a topper is a huge deal for that. I also play in a band and being able to haul gear and have it covered it up/locked is real important. Toppers rule!

 

Two words: Explosive. diarrhea.

 

Ah true. I use a bed tent when I go camping and I've never had to put stuff in the back that was too large to toss in the back seats.

 

Old guys didn't get old by being dumb! I guess I qualify, I'm 58. But I've used a cap on all of my trucks since my 20's. There are the rare times when they are in the way. But I'm far more likely to be hauling camping gear, or other stuff that needs to be kept dry and secure than anything else. The truck + cap is still several thousand dollars less than a comparable SUV and I can, and do haul stuff like firewood, mulch or even trash back there. It is easy to hose it out afterward.

I finally got smart and bought a 5'X10' utility trailer. With the ramp it is far easier to load heavy stuff than to try to lift it into the bed of a truck. And I can haul more volume and weight than I could fit in the back of a 3/4 ton truck with an 8' bed.

 

That's true. I'd take a truck w/ a shell over an SUV any day, anyway. I was thinking about getting one some day, especially if I get a dog or something. I'm only my first truck and don't have a lot to haul or anything though, but I'm sure I'll get one eventually, even if I take it off and on.

 

I have the ARE Z Series, drop down front window, sliding window, reinforced top, sliding side windows with pet screens, led interior lighting, carpeted and single handle door mechanism....it is a great topper and it prevents my dog from ruining my leather seats....not to mention it's cleaner in the truck, no dog hair or wet dog smell.

 

Options on caps are endless these days and can be tailored to meet any & all needs. Based on your stated interests, I'd definitely do the following:

• Carpet lined cap (kids & dog)
• Removable & sliding cab window (ventilation & cleaning)
• Windoors with sliding windows (ventilation & bed access)
• Dog screens for windows (if an option)
• Rack track system (if not needed now, it's way better for future rack & accessory options)
• Upgraded LED interior lighting
• Interior roof cargo net (awesome for hanging/stashing stuff)

My 2 cents after owning trucks & caps for 20+ years.

 

Ive actually had the cap now since the end of June and it's served me quite well, there's no way I'd be able to haul all the crap I do without it. I opted for vented windoors on both sides (couldn't do pet screens), drop down front window, thule track system, headliner and dual LED lights (battery powered). the cargo net was a cool idea and in retrospect probably should have done that too!

 

Oh nice!

I totally missed the date of your OP.

 

No worries, totally forgot to update the post!

 

I really like that vented windoor design. That was one minor complaint about my SnugTop sliding windoors, that the screened door portion wasn't that large.

I plan to fabricate some velcro screens that I can stick to the carpet inside the shell and allow me to leave both windoors fully open while keeping bugs out.

 

I'm looking and want to know the benefits of a headliner vs no headliner. Im planning on doing a lot of camping in the back, worried about moisture on the headliner. Thanks!

 

Headliner keeps the moisture from dripping down on you.

 

What about the headliner getting moldy? Is that an issue?

 

Hasn't been for me. It's some type of indoor/ outdoor carpet.