Pros and Cons of a Hard Topper?

Darn! Some really good prices on them too. Figured it had to be to good to be true.

 

Had hard topper on a 1988 2x4 ranger. Was nice because most of the bed was full of sand bags for winter weight. Con was when the salt/h20 starts to cake on, one can not see at all. Nice for space if you dont haul atvs etc.

Used to see toppers like this in my youth. Economy has strengthened here since late 80’s.

 

For sure. That’s why I tried. I found a great condition leer for $250. The guy was nice enough to help me try it on but no dice.

 

Love my topper. Truck only went 2 weeks without it. It’s perfect for my needs. Sleep in the back camping, don’t worry about surfboards, can dry wetsuits inside, etc.

 

That’s definitely a con! That back window gets covered pretty quick in inclement weather.

But that’s the beauty of a backup camera. Just throw that bad boy in reverse when you’re rolling down the highway and instant view out the back.

 

Yes. Would have been sci fi wizardry back in 1995 to have a backup cam on a ‘88 ranger. Main problem was checking blind spot when checking lanes.

 

The 3rd gen trucks have taller bed walls, so a 2nd gen top would stick way above the cab of the truck. This worked in my favor with the softopper, as i didnt like how high the 2nd gen softopper sat.

 

I am partial to the Leer 180 since its 4" over cab hi and gives you more room inside to work with, sleeping, dressing, etc yet I can still mount kayaks on top. My last 5 Tacomas have had Camper shells. They are very useful, more so than a 4runner since I can run with the tailgate down and haul 3 kayaks inside tied down. I camp a lot in remote desert areas and due to high winds tents are not an option, not to mention the creepy crawlers that come out at night.

 

The 180 is what I am looking at if I go with a 3Rd Gen Taco, glad to see the cap looks good on the trucks with long beds.

 

Old man truck...‍♂️

 

Actually, it has to be a permanent camper conversion with cabinets and toilet to do that.

One benefit to having it commercial is you can park and leave it for longer legally in yellow zones like in front of malls, etc!

 

Salisbury bags for Arc-Flash-Rated protective clothing. Great duffle bags. Whatever vendor made them for Salisbury did a great job. Super strong zippers and canvas. I retrieved them from a dumpster at a place I was working at the time if you can believe it. The AFR coveralls were getting old, so the whole works, bag included, was being tossed in the trash.

I’m not above a little dumpster diving it seems.

 

Well next time I’m drinking whisky with her I’ll let her know I’m actually a sensitive fella.

 

You can sleep on an angle in a pinch

 

Well that’s one hell of a camp setup. Bet you sleep amazing on that thing!

 

No no. Bullshit. Not in Cali. That’s fucking ridiculous. You don’t need a toilet and cabinets and a wife , 2 1/2 kids, dog and a fence. Just a “permanent top” which can be removed. It’s not freakin plumbed into the truck frame. That’s retarded! If you have the California dmv link that states you need a shitter and cabinets please share with us. I provided my link to dmv web site. And no your cannot leave you fucking Tacoma parked in a loading zone because you have commercial tags. Thats for class B and A vehicles. This is a commercial class C. Only homo depot has a loading zone that you can park as long as you want , even shit heads with compact cars park there. Park your Tacoma with your class C commercial in a loading zone “in front of the mall all day” and I’ll sent you the directions to the tow yard to pick up your truck. Those truck have different plate and registration for the purposes of loading and unload not for you to do shopping in your little truck. Don’t listen to this dude or you lll get your shit towed and you can tell the tow yard Tacoma world said I could. And sure as hell don’t put a shitter and Kmart cabinets in your truck like this guy

 

Whoa man. Right or wrong, let’s dial that back a few notches please.

 

Here you go friend, sorry if I made any mistakes. I didnt know about the commercial classes so that may be an error, but read the parts I included about adding a basic camper shell from DMV.

https://www.sandiego.gov/sites/default/files/legacy/economic-development/pdf/park101.pdf



How to Change from Commercial License Plates to Auto License Plates Check List
If you have a station wagon, pickup with a camper permanently attached, a van modified for human habitation, or a multipurpose vehicle you can change from commercial plates to auto plates. The requirements are:

California Certificate of Title (Pink Slip).

A completed Certification of Vehicle for Human Habitation (REG 256A).

The commercial license plates on the vehicle.


https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/?...ntent_en/dmv/vr/checklists/commercial_to_auto



And here is the part where one must be careful what they call a “permanent” camper by simply adding a shell to their pickup:

• Pickup with Camper—A pickup with a camper (previously defined) is a camper that is permanently attached to a pickup for human habitation or camping purposes. Do not verify facilities for human habitation. A pickup with a camper temporarily attached is not a housecar. Adding a camper shell to a pickup truck does not necessarily constitute the vehicle being changed from commercial to auto registration.
  
  The addition must meet the definitions for human habitation or camping purposes. Otherwise, the vehicle owner may be subject to citation from law enforcement for not meeting the definition for auto registration.
  
  Human habitation is defined as living space which includes, but is not limited to: closets, cabinets, kitchen units or fixtures, and bath or toilet rooms. Refer to Chapter 13 for additional instructions.

https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/?1dmy&urile=wcm:path:/dmv_content_en/dmv/pubs/reg_hdbk/ch6/ch6_12


And a little present:

 

Pro: makes it look like your dad’s truck
Cons: makes it look like your dad’s truck