Open bed vs. Hardshell

Agree on the aluminum tops; easy for one person to take off, and doesn't add 200+ lbs to the truck. Harder to mount roof racks on is the only downside. I had one for a few years on my Ranger. No issues. Not sure why they fell out of use.

 

just got mine installed last week.

 

Very wise and much appreciated input, thanks

 

Love my topper. I have a snugtop rebel. Don’t have any input around comparisons, but I wouldn’t go back to an open bed

 

When I bought this Dakota it had the cap on it. I hated it at first because it was taller in the back, but then found out I could sit up in the bed out of the wind when taking a break during a winter surf session.

I've thought a few times about putting one on my Tacoma, but I think it looks better without one. They are damn handy thou.

 

Don’t know what’s better looking, the taco or the GSP! (I assume it is a gsp?)

 

I wish i could vote for both. I love the look of a shell but For my needs a shell doesn't make to much sense. Id be taking it off and putting it back on constantly.

Def jelly of you guys with shells on your DCLB's though

 

Everyone in this thread is a liar. The only reason to get a cap is to make your truck look like a SUV that you were too poor to afford.


Now that out of the way. The way I use my truck, I love my shell. If I need to haul something that won't fit, it goes on the rack or in a trailer.

 

It definitely depends what you put in the bed but my snugtop rebel was a game changer for me. I can throw just about anything in the back, lock it and know it’s safe. Before I was reluctant to bring larger things with me also due to weather, things could fly out etc.

but, if you haul motorcycles or use it for taller things it would be a pain to have a topper.

 

I think you just need to be honest with your needs. How often will you need an open bed for large, tall, or messy/dirty loads? What about security? And then consider if it is more advantageous to just have a trailer for those needs.

I started with a tonneau for some security and versatility but I realized I liked camping in the bed. Sold it for a bestop soft top to maintain the versatility but realized that I seldom carry big loads that cannot fit under my topper. I rarely folded it down. So i sold that for an aluminum work topper (ARE DCU) for security and ability to be customized for camping but still haul loads that are under cab height.

The beauty of a truck is that you can do anything you want to it to make it your own and to suit your needs. You just need to be honest with yourself and see what you want to use your truck for. "Just buy a SUV" is a stupid way to gatekeep people from one of the coolest automobile worlds you can be in.

 

2018 with are Z series. I love the look and I can still haul a good amount of cargo.

 

A snugtop was one of the first things i got for the truck, ive had to take it off once to haul a tall item, wasnt too bad. No ragrets!

 

I've been using a hitch mounted dirt bike carrier on my Tacoma to haul my wr250r. You need airbag suspension, but it allows you to have both the canopy and carry a bike. Love mine; way easier than loading in the back of the truck. I don't have any photos right now.

 

Get a T4R or a Sequoia...

 

The 180+ pounds of cap weight gave my truck a more balanced look and feel. Plus the bed is more useful during rainy or very hot days.

 

I'm getting a leer put on as we speak at Stuff For Trucks on Fern Valley. Where'd you get yours?

 

If you want to secure stuff and keep it dry a shell is great. I originally bought a soft topper but I was worried about stuff when I'd park at a trailhead. Not secure in the least and people are dicks so sooner or later someone would swipe stuff. I sold it and got a hard shell. Love it. Sure, someone could break into that too, but it's sort of like the locked bike vs the unlocked one. Most thieves go for the easy meat. I can also haul yard waste to recycling still. Even moved a sofa with it on. A refrigerator would be a challenge but that's what trailers are for.

 

OP, it looks like you have a garage. These hard toppers are super easy to get on and off if you have a hoist. You can build one on the ceiling of your garage for fairly cheap. I use a hand crank boat winch from Harbor Freight bolted to the wall and run the cable up, through welded eye bolts, and back down to the topper. 4 bolts, crank that thing up, and drive out. Takes 10 minutes.

 

Good in the snow is a plus.

 

I do like this idea, though. Guy buys a truck. Caps the bed. Rents a truck when he needs a truck. My man.