Pros and Cons of a Hard Topper?

From '89 until '17 I had trucks where I swapped between lumber racks in the dry season and a shell in the winter(same shell, same rack both trucks) no cracks. I don't need a full rack anymore so on this one it's shell only and I haven't had it off yet in 2 years and it's carried plenty. It probably will come off at some point though. A major difference between 4R and truck is the cab wall. For some, the continuous space is more important.

 

I think a lot of the benefits of a shell show up in wet or snowy climates. A bed quickly becomes useless when it has a foot of snow in it. Or even when you get rain on a regular basis.

 

That's why I want a topper, but getting one for a good price on Guam is next to impossible

Benefits are being able to help deter meth heads with sticky fingers from my stuff (factory tonneau cover works for now) and keeping my stuff dry that I want to keep in the back. Sucks not being able to get one here.

 

Price is a big factor. I’m not going to lie, had I not got a sweet deal on mine used I don’t know that I would have one. Now that I do I don’t think I will ever Go without again.

 

Bet

 

Older and wiser. Open bed is fine when mom and dad are helping with the payments.

 

I used to hate the way shells looked but the versatility of them is awesome! I rarely move large items that would require me to remove the shell. It provides a great sleeping setup no more flapping tents in the wind, no zippers, no canvas to dry out. Carries water toys that used to take up the entire bed allowing me to carry minimal gear in the bed. Perfect platform for a 270 awning. I can throw just about anything back there without having to worry about upholstery like a 4 runner.

 

Couldn't agree more!! I was afraid my ARE MX would turn my truck into an old man rig, but now it just looks like a beefy overlander

 

what kind of roof rack are you running over your cab?

 

I got a hard top (SnugTop Rebel) for a few reasons:

• I work as a contractor and need to be able to store tools and tool boxes securely. A bed cover severely impacts total height and I dont wanna have to unload every day
• I wanted to be able to sleep in the bed since a RTT was going to be out if the question.

So pros were major and I have been very happy with my top so far. Onto the pros/cons specifically.

Additional Pros -

• Levelled the rear end automatically
• Can store anything that fits in it securely
• With windoors I can still access stuff from the side of the bed
• Wont get as many "Hey since you have a truck, can you help me move my couch?" requests from relatives.

Cons -

• My snugtop's rear window hinges are a hair under 4ft so I have to drop the gate to haul sheet goods. Thankfully I dont do that enough to care
• Without side windoors, it can be a bit more of a pain in the ass to clean so if you're buying new, I highly recommend windoors.
• Really impacts rearward visibility, god bless back up cameras though.
• Aforementioned "you'll regret it when you gotta haul a fridge!" (Just rent a u-haul trailer unless you're in the fridge-moving business)

 

A couple of you mentioned hauling fridges. I’ve done a couple. Just lay them down. When you get where you’re going leave it standing up for at least as long as you had it down before you plug it in and you’re good to go.

 

They’re*

 

You guys think this RLD Design longbed canopy looks cool, or too much like a Schwan's ice cream truck?
https://www.rlddesignusa.com/p/toyota/tacoma/tacoma-truck-cap-canopy/

 

AWESOME looking truck!

 

I stole the photo off the RLD site. I agree!

 

I battled this debate for a couple years on my Gen 2, with a quick tri-fold vinyl toneau cover. But, was constantly jammed into the Access Cab with stuff I wanted to keep dry. So, I found an exact color match cap on C/L figuring if I hated it, I could flip it for the same price. Well, it was just way too convenient. I have a trailer for tall stuff (though I've never in my life moved a refrigerator). I do haul a couple motorcycles regularly. So, when I traded for a Gen 3, the first thing I did was add an ARE CX, paying full price for a new one. Still have the trailer to move that tall stuff when necessary. But mostly move motorcycles, mulch, firewood, my ATV, or my tractor. The low load height, and the dry back of the truck for the equipment I'd rather not get wet is a perfect combination for my use:

 

Topper + utility trailer = zero cons and endless pros. I have always, and will always, have a topper on every truck I own/ed.

Latest iteration.

 

I had one on both of my Tacomas at various points. The cap rear hatch on my 2013 scratched my tailgate, so I had to add film to the edge of tailgate to prevent this. When I purchased the cap for my 2016 I went into it prepared and filmed my tailgate. Despite being plenty tight the cap still shifted and scratched a part of my bedside. The 2013 had a much wider bedside cap so contact would have been much less likely.

My 2013 was totaled with the cap on, so I don't know if I would have kept it for the winter, but after seeing the scratches on my 2016 I pulled the cap almost immediately and sold it. The only good thing about that was I paid $400 for the cap on the 2016 and sold it for $750.

 

Love the look - that topper is $500 more than a similar Leer, not sure if it's worth the added cost though.