Fiberglass topper/shell

I'm looking at buying an 08 DCLB with a Leer (I think) shell. How much do these things weigh and how big a pain in the backside is it to take one off or put it back on?

To be honest I don't like the looks of a shell on a truck and worry about reduced visibility. However when taking trips we would need a generally waterproof luggage zone.... and it comes with the truck, so...

 

depends on how strong you are lol. i can remove them by myself easy. but two people make it stupid easy. figure a normal top weighs around 120 lbs.

 

With 2 guys it's no big deal. By yourself, you risk blowing a grape. It sux!

Like you, i find bed caps useful at times, but don't want one on the truck full time. I opted for a Soft Topper. It gives me the best of both worlds...and i don't have to worry about getting a hernia putting it on or taking it off.

 

How tall is what you're going to carry? Think it would fit under a hard tri-fold cover?

 

Yep 99% of the time something like a tri-fold would work. However the shell comes with the truck like I said and I'd prefer not to buy a tonneau type cover if I have the shell available..... plus my fiancé is 200% certain that anything besides a shell will let everything get soaked if it rains.... I'm not even going to try to convince her otherwise right now. Picking your battles, and all that.

 

Sell the cap, buy a quality tri-fold & tail gate seal, keep extra cash from sale.

FWIW, working on 25 years of marriage. The first few years is fun, after that, not so much... Get what you want and if you get any gripe, tell her "we're not married yet you know"

 

@vssman Thanks! Was married for about 22 years the first time around. That was time not well spent. This one has her opinions but doesn't try to stop me with anything and even better doesn't get pissy if I choose my own way. I'll look into the tri-fold. Thanks again.

 

I went from a roll-up tonneau to a shell. Found myself playing Tetris with gear on long trips too often to make everything fit under the tonneau - and 95% of the time I needed an open bed, the item was bulky/heavy enough that I would just borrow a trailer for the haul.

Personally I prefer the extra secure storage area of the shell. And if the dogs roll in something fragrant, I can toss them back there instead of their usual spot in the back.

As others said, easy enough to remove/install with two people. Someone will buy the shell - good ones go quickly on CL.

 

Unfortunately I can only like your post one time!