Hard Topper pros/cons

You're right about older and rounder and for that reason I keep in the bed a 3 foot long piece of pvc pipe with a small hook attached to the end to help me retrieve things i can't reach. I call it my groper stick.

 

I absolutely love my cap, and will always have it. Having the dry, locking storage is unbeatable. I will say if you get one, get at least on windoor. That's where the window on the side doubles as a door, and lifts up allowing you to reach in from the side. Makes life a lot easier.

 

You're also cleaning the rear hatch window a lot in the wintertime. It's a habit you'll pick up evey time you gas up.

 

Line-x from the factory, ARE offers it on all there products now.

 

Thoughts on the Airlift? I have OBA already, plus a cap, plus a little extra stuff in the back. This might be a great solution for me.

 

those who went with a hard top:

1. What sort of impact do you see in gas mileage.....

1A) No impact on mileage. What degradation there would be due to weight, is offset by aerodynamic improvement.

2) If you need to haul branches to recycle or anything larger than the internal space, how much of a hassle to remove it? Do you do it often or only if you really can't avoid it?

1) If you remove....
2A) I NEVER remove it.

3) What do you primarily use it for?
3A) Why do I have/want/need?
Dog, (no dogs in the cab), security for contents, looks, personal preference, etc, etc, etc...
4) AAL?
4A) No. Since the shell basically leveled the truck, I beefed up the rear with Sumosprings.
Reason? To support the 300lb tongue weight of my A-Frame Chalet, and camping gear.
My satisfaction with this mod/accessory? 99%!
Note: I had Firestone airbags for the same purpose on my '02 SR5, but these Sumos have done EVERY bit as good as the airbags without the install/maintanence hassles.

5) Cost? Accessories?
5A) $1900-$2100... Can't remember.
Slide front window and both sides, Dog screens, carpet interior lining, interior 12v lighting.
Satisfaction with this Snugtpp Rebel?
100%
Would I buy again? Yes. Would I prefer a different make/model? Probably not, unless someone proved a better reason.
Oh, I forgot, the front window also hinges down. A MUST to clean the windows. Rear of truck/front of shell glass).

 

My truck came with a century when I purchased it. First time I have owned a truck with a cap and LOVE IT. The dog is safer traveling, my stuff is locked up. Sits level with it on, but I plan on adding a RTT to the top so I know with that I will be upgrading the suspension. Mine does not leak but I do notice dust inside after being on the trial.. gonna seal up my tailgate with some weather stripping and see if that helps. I LOVE my cap. My gas mileage is still stellar. Wish I had a cap on my previous trucks - there is no reason not to own a truck with a cap, its the best of both worlds and if you need the bed you just pull it off in 20 mins with two people.

 

I have a Leer 100 and although I didn't do any before and after measurements my truck doesn't seem any lower in the rear.

 

I've had a topper on both my trucks (92 pickup and 2006 SR5 DCLB) and plan to get one on my 2018 OR DCLB that should be in any day now. My 06 has an ARE CX model. I don't notice any difference in the gas mileage, and it didn't cause the truck to sag that I noticed. I've never had to remove the topper, as I always seem to get what I need into the bed with the topper in place. I mainly use my truck to haul around my fishing/cycling/kayaking/canoeing/outdoor gear. I need to keep the gear dry and secure. I installed a roof rack on top for the canoe, kayaks, and the longer fishing poles. The only downside I've found has already been mentioned: Difficulty getting to the gear closer to the cab of the truck. My new cap will have windoors on both sides. Crawling into the truck gets to be a pain.

Also, I sometimes sleep in the bed for overnight fishing trips. There's room enough for two back there, and it doesn't feel claustrophobic. That's a big plus as well. Good luck!

 

So I tried to build an ARE topper on their site and I like the option of the windoors but one of the images shows a windoor with a screen but it didn't seem to be an option when actually building it.

Can you have a screen in a windoor with ARE or any other brand? Definitely want the screens for cross breeze/venting for the dogs but also like the side access (that side access is one thing I really like about the Softopper).

Not off topic. This is my current situation. I have the Softopper and the factory tonneau. Tonneau on all the time except the 1% when I put the Softopper on for camping.

I'd love to be able to toss stuff in the back that is bigger than the bed height without opening the back and I'm not going to put the Softopper on just taking the dogs with me. While it's only 10 mins or so it's just not something I want to take on and off all the time.

 

They do exist, but I want to say you can't get them for a short bed cap. I could very well be wrong, but in another cap thread, someone was having issues with that. Can't remember the brand. Your best bet is to call them, or a couple dealers (not all dealers are the smartest).

 

If I remember correctly, when you get the windoors that have sections, the middle section has a screen. I think they call it a pet screen or something to that effect. The regular windoors do not have screens.

 

No mpg impact for me, either.

I did drop about 1/2 to 3/4" in the rear, but now I have airbags for hauling/towing ... solved that issue. That's the only con I can think of, everybody else has the pros covered.

 

I got a quote on an ARE CX. Is this reasonable or should I shop around?

$1690 CX base
$180 x 2 vented windoor
$110 front fold down slider window
$200 dome + switch + 2 LED strips
$200 track for future rack
Free headliner

$2560 installed + tax

They said if I ever wanted a rack it would void the warranty unless I had the factory track installed.

I was hoping less than $2K. Seems pricey. I could save $125 and just get the dome light and switch and add lights later. Still pricey.

 

That's basically what I paid in November for the exact same thing (minus vents on the Windoors.

 

Check on a Ranch brand topper. My local dealers sell ARE, Leer, SnugTop, and a couple others. But the Ranch looked just as well made and was about $4-500 less with similar options.

 

It's the Southern Style Off-road Slimline Hybrid bumper.

 

I have a ARE V-Series, Yakima bars and sliding rails, carpeted interior with sliding window and screens.

1. Haven’t noticed any impact on fuel but full disclosure I had the truck for less then a week before getting the topper.

2. Will likely never take mine off, may loosen it and slide it forward to clean windows when doing a full detail on the truck.

3. N/A

4. My wife and I are sea kayaking coaches so the truck is primarily used just for that, this is not daily driven as I have a company vehicle I drive daily or when I don’t want to put miles on the truck. Having lockable storage that keeps our thousands of dollars worth of gear dry and safe is awesome. Also not having to ride with wet and smelly gear is perfect.

5. If anything this leveled the truck out. If I start towing often might look at adding a leaf.

6. Alright so I have a small secret, look for what a dealer calls a factory second. This means two things, the cap was damaged upon delivery or rejected by the customer who ordered it. Mine was rejected by the guy who ordered it. Came in as a short bed and he had a long bed. My dealer holds the warranty not ARE, so it doesn’t have the lifetime warranty but let’s be real here it’s a big piece of fiberglass, so if you don’t abuse it what could really happen. I paid $1200 brand new and installed!

 

Thanks for the tip. Seems there is a local dealer so I'll see how prices compare.