Topper/shell? Undecided

Getting sick of my BAKFlip MX4 - I've only had it 4 years now on my 2020 TRD Pro and its starting to show its wear. Chipped/dented and sick of cleaning snow off it. I'm not a tradesman so I don't really need a shell for protecting my tools or anything like that, but the extra storage space sounds nice. I do have to go to the dump weekly and occasionally buy lumber/move furniture around. I have a small trailer for moving my ATV/snowmobile around.

There's a LEER dealer about 10 mins from me and I can get a new one in 3-4 weeks. Its something like $3k, but thats fine.

Also, the Alu-Cab looks nice, but I suspect it'll take forever to get: https://www.alu-cab.com/product/5-short-bed-toyota-tacoma-explorer-canopy/

Has anyone regretted a LEER and wish they got one of the fancier/lighter weight options that are starting to roll out?

 

I have had Leer shells several times for over 40 years. I have never had a problem with them. Having said that I would spend some time thinking about what you will eventually do with your truck. If it will become a camping or travel platform the thought about what you may want to do next is really the question. If it is just putting on a shell, then go with whichever available option meets your aesthetic needs. If other build items are in your future then evaluate the ability to expand to support those things. For example, if you "may" get a Roof Top Tent or want a Roof Rack and storage then you need a Leer with the ability to hold that weight. That may take the cost of the shell up to making the difference in costs less an issue. In the end, what do you like and what will it do.

 

I have a Leer100XR

complete shell has been replaced once because they incorrectly drilled the roof rack holes and then covered them with a sticker and painted over them…

Both windoors have been replaced because of leaks, and they still somewhat leak

the shell itself leaks on the sides and corners. There are ways to mitigate this if you put in effort to sealing the bed rail caps.

overall quality is not good and I paid $4000.

 

Unbolt the bed and put it to the curb. It’s flat bed time.

 

I love my bed topper, but it does make loading/unloading big stuff a challenge to slide in/out, or you can't fit things under there. BUT, you have a trailer to haul things, as long as you don't mind the extra step,, I'd rather do this, as it saves truck from damage.
Another thing to consider, the fiberglass toppers are 200# or more, so some rear settling is likely, if you add more things, you can easily progress to a sag.

 

I loved the cap on my old Taco. Definitely better than a tonneau for keeping big items dry and if you have a trailer you can transport whatever doesn't fit underneath!

 

Get it, join the crew!

The only drawback is you gotta remember to take the trash and recycling to the dump or it's gonna get mighty stinky in there...

 

I used to hate caps and always opted for an open bed or a rigid slat rolling tonneau like you have OP...I decided to get an Alucab for my third gen, and you cannot beat it for securing gear/items and keeping stuff dry. Function over form, but the looks have grown on me, and the Alucabs look WAY better in person.

If you ever plan on mounting an awning or other items to your topper, the Alucab is also stout (not to mention lighter weight) with a built-in rooftop and interior track system.

I'm unsure where you are located, but Asheville Vehicle Outfitters (AVO) in North Carolina recently had some in stock. I waited about a month for mine to come in when I ordered it.

 

I got an alucab contour this year. Ordered in June, came late November, got it installed early December.

Today is the first day it has come in handy putting Christmas gifts in my bed and not worrying about the wind or anything. I'll put a rtt on it this spring/summer.

 

I made the exact switch you’re talking about (almost…I went with ARE instead of Leer). I had the MX4 and wanted/needed more space for all my gear because I use the truck for a lot of long road trips.

You obviously know what the MX4 looks like so here’s a pic of my truck recently with the ARE shell:



I’ve had it for about a year/ year and a half now and I love it. I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Especially when you customize it, it’s such a great addition. I bought it during the end of the covid supply and demand problems so I paid $4K for it new. It’s a ridiculous amount of money but I use it so much that I haven’t ever regretted the purchase.

 

more pics just because…

 

Same situation here. I have a long bed and am interested in the Leer 180 or ARE MX. Problem is, the local ARE dealer here wants almost $4k for a shell (not even with all the bells and whistles). There's a Leer dealer about 50 minutes away, and it appears as if their estimate is about $3200-ish, but I hear a lot of folks complaining about the leaking with 180's and I plan to use it for camping so I hesitate. Is there something you can do to help prevent the leaking (i.e. liner/seal/etc)? Otherwise, I may just shop other brands.. or just continue looking for 2nd hand.

 

I have an ARE not Leer but I used marine grade silicon to help seal mine around where it meets the bedsides. It’s worked great for the last 25K-ish miles.

 

Any idea if they make that cabinet on the driver side with a door to access it if you were like being a hobo and living out of it? lol

 

lol So you mean like access it from inside the bed?

You can, it’s just not designed for it and it’s hard to reach. You can reach up over the top of the bin from inside the bed. It doesn’t go all the way to the ceiling. It wouldn’t really be practical as a way to access it though because there’s no way to see what you’re reaching for…I just use the exterior windoor as the access point.

I haven’t ever seen anything that would allow you useable access from inside the bed.

I’m sure you could find someone who could cut out a little door or something.

 

That alucab looks nice, even in pics.

Road_Warrior - thanks, I was just curious. Idk, I kind of find myself leaning towards wanting to save up for a topper camper now that I saw some at a meetup

 

Getting something heavy 200lb fiberglass stuck on your bed is max ~$1200.

$3k is Ute tray or metal territory such as GFC, RSI Smartcap, etc.
not to mention aluminum commercial caps that can be roomier, look better, and have full doors.

easier to add insulation to a bare material. Shells do not come insulated. If you add insulation that means figure out how to put a 200lb shell upside down in a yard to rip off the headliner, glue insulation, and upholster.

Metal is lighter, stronger, and carries gear stock without need for $1k Sherpa rack.

another option is Softopper with or without bars
Because it doesn’t add weight, can withstand off roading, and folds up out of the way easily when needed or comes off entirely.

shells exist because it’s basic old technology to lay fiberglass down like it’s a boat in 1980 before better things came out.

and, shells don’t look that good


Ute tray can lengthen bed to usable without messing up departure angle
and have the ability for flat loading when needed

shells also don’t have storage compartments
They’re just that. A shell.

an SUV works and looks like a shell. But it’s cheaper, with pass through, more luxury, and shared temp inside.

 

i like a canopy and wouldn't own a truck without one. i have owned about 4-5 leer and 1 ARE. the leer was better but it seems complaints with both brands have increased within the last 2-3 years.

i suppose it depends on the model but to me, it seems the cab-hi leer model fits and looks better on the 3G tacoma than the ARE.

 

I had a topper on my gen 2. Loved how it looked and how it was easy to put tools in. Now for the BUT. I had to carry some larger things sometimes that required the removal. A PITA. For my money I put on a hard trifold. It locks down so tools are secure and unseen. Need to put something tall in…fold or fold and 1 person remove.

It’s your call of course so good luck.

 

Get a softopper cheaper than a shell ,lighter and comes off quickly when u need your bed .