Tonneau cover vs topper.

[gypsydad]

Originally Posted by Rain

Sung top with opening side windows, front slider, full truck rack is what we use on our F150 supercrew 4x4 eco boost. We have a full rack with welded wire top (800# + capacity) that goes from the front of the cab to the back of the camper. We haul anything on the roof using the amp side steps and built in tailgate step. We’ve hauled furniture, lumber, kayaks, skiis, bikes, you name it. The rack sits 6” over the shell and we have solar panels mounted under the welded wire keeping the rack top flush. 100W solar panels lose about 20W but we have room for 600W, currently just using one and that one with a Renogy Charge controller keeps the trucks dual batteries charged. We also put lights and an awing on the rack for night/day trip use. The rack/shell versatility is amazing.

The shell is a snug top (who custom made the rack) with side opening windows making accessing “stuff” simple. We have a bed rug kit, easy access swing boxes, and an ARB fridge in the shell and carry a tailgate tent and air mattress in the shell as well for emergency or overflow sleeping use. This combo is the best setup I’ve yet had on a truck, and this is my 5th.

The combination looks like this:

What is your max-payload in your drivers side door jam? Also, do you know what this extra topper and rack weigh? With my F150 EB 4x4 Platinum few years ago, it only was 1039lbs. The topper you show with your AS tongue weight, passengers, and what ever you carry in the bed likely would be quite a bit on the F150? Share your sticker payload if you can...just curious.

[BigSxyWhtGuy]

my .02, we went hard top camper because we have bikes, solar, grill, etc all in there and desired security. Wouldn’t do it any other way. Some people mentioned visibility on truck blind spot. We use tow mirrors 100% of the time and never look over shoulders or in rear view mirror both when towing or just driving. Fish eye mirror on bottom covers the entire side of your toe vehicle and big mirror covers entire side of trailer.

If you have no bikes, you can probably get away with roll top or just cover for your bed

[MotoMannequin]

I use the Pace Edwards Ultragroove. My criteria was that I wanted a hard/secure cover that allowed and was usable with a bike rack mounted. I lose about a foot of bed space for the rollup box but there's enough room under the box to fit tools, wheel chocks, tire chains, inflator, hitch balls, etc. which are always with me anyway, so I don't think I lose much usable space.

[perm10]

truck.pdf
I like the Diamondback covers. They are all aluminum and hold 1500 lbs on top of them. I carry our bikes and kayak on top of the cover. They lock closed and open from the front or back.

[Luigi123]

I have Snug Top with Bedslide that slides out for hard to reach inside items towards the front of bed.

[Freebird73]

I bought an inexpensive roll up tonneau made by Tyger for my Tundra for under $200. I installed myself. I like having the option to use the bed of the truck for hauling stuff. I am in hurricane country and sometimes my bed is filled with tree debris which needs to be hauled to the landfill. The cover does lock into place but could be easily cut by someone intent on stealing something from you. Of course, they could also pry open a window or break it.

[Kpope69211]

Having had caps on my pickups for 30 years I decided to set this truck up for my trips to The south with the Bambi. I bought a roll n lock tonneau cover and my first reaction was I missed my cap. Now that I’ve used it I’d never go back to a cap. You do have less space but nobody sees your items in the back and your not crawling in the cap all the time. I can reach most everything without jumping in the bed. I love the fact that I can see better without that cap in the way and also when I’m hauling wood no need to remove cap or jump in and out. I went with the roll and lock because it locks securely. Yes I’m sure someone could jump on the cover and break in but unlike a cap nobody knows what’s in there and it’s much more secure.

[Saguaro]

As a grandpa, I fail to see any problem with looking like one. The deciding factor is what is best for protecting your stuff. Then go out and cut your best deal.

[FloydCoVa]

We chose a cap, ARE Z model. Just got put on yesterday. We have a 1994 f250 with no cap as we have a gooseneck horse trailer/farm truck. We also when we were kids had a Ford Ranger with a cap and loved it. We camped with the Ranger then when we got horses we camped in the horse trailer. This truck and cap will allow us to haul all the fun extras plus our dog.

[rmkrum]

I must admit that part of my reason for a cap over the tonneau cover I have now is that my old Tacoma looked a lot better with a matching cap.

[gypsydad]

Originally Posted by FloydCoVa

We chose a cap, ARE Z model. Just got put on yesterday. We have a 1994 f250 with no cap as we have a gooseneck horse trailer/farm truck. We also when we were kids had a Ford Ranger with a cap and loved it. We camped with the Ranger then when we got horses we camped in the horse trailer. This truck and cap will allow us to haul all the fun extras plus our dog.

Attachment 336189

Very nice looking rig! Do you haul canoe or kayak on top? I was looking last year at Lear but have not looked at ARE that close. Expensive?

[sctinman44]

Originally Posted by Mollysdad

Okay, it comes down to two choices.
A hard Tonneau.
Pro: Looks great, good security, doesn't interfere with your vision.
Con: Hard to reach things in the front. Limited headroom, hard to remove to move a sofa or 30 bags of mulch!

Cap:
Pro: Lots of room. Easy to store large items, even room for a bed slide and bicycles!!
Con: Blocks your side view. Lets strangers see inside or break window. Looks like Grandpa's truck.

Optional:
Soft tonneau or rollup.
Less security, less headroom for large generators, leaks.

P.S. I have a hard Tonneau, a Leer 700. I love it except if I need to carry a sofa or washing machine.

I currently have a "extang" Solid Fold. It's 3/16" aluminum, it's rated for 250 lbs. I weigh 160 lbs and walk on it to place my magnetic base CB antennae on cab roof when traveling. I also have a 45 gallon collapsible (bladder-type) water tank that I've haul water ( slowly 5 mph) when dry camping for a week from source back to camper so as not to have to move camper. Water 45 × 8.33= 375 lbs. BTW. I can see out my rear window. Con: the #3 & #2 panels fold up onto the #1 panel. I have 2015 Ram 1500 ecodiesel with the "cargo management system ". I call them saddle bags. The next Ram I get I will get a Bak Flip Solid Fold. All of it's panels fold up and pin-secure behind the cab giving you access to the entire bed for mulch, etc. As far as access to what is toward the cab end of bed. I got a collapsible , folds up flat 2 step, step from C.W. $20 something. I use it to step up onto tailgate and from side of truck to reach over into area at front. The "extang" (brand) weighs approximately 55 lbs.

[sctinman44]

Originally Posted by sctinman44

I currently have a "extang" Solid Fold. It's 3/16" aluminum, it's rated for 250 lbs. I weigh 160 lbs and walk on it to place my magnetic base CB antennae on cab roof when traveling. I also have a 45 gallon collapsible (bladder-type) water tank that I've haul water ( slowly 5 mph) when dry camping for a week from source back to camper so as not to have to move camper. Water 45 × 8.33= 375 lbs. BTW. I can see out my rear window. Con: the #3 & #2 panels fold up onto the #1 panel. I have 2015 Ram 1500 ecodiesel with the "cargo management system ". I call them saddle bags. The next Ram I get I will get a Bak Flip Solid Fold. All of it's panels fold up and pin-secure behind the cab giving you access to the entire bed for mulch, etc. As far as access to what is toward the cab end of bed. I got a collapsible , folds up flat 2 step, step from C.W. $20 something. I use it to step up onto tailgate and from side of truck to reach over into area at front. The "extang" (brand) weighs approximately 55 lbs.

Forgot to mention, it has spring loaded latch handles inside at the rear #3 panel to secure it. When truck and tail gate locked just as secure as vehicle.

[FloydCoVa]

Gypsydad, thanks. My wife picked out the color Silver Spruce. We have a 17’ Colman canoe but thinking of getting a smaller canoe or maybe a tandem kayak or two singles. Not sure which. We will be going local renting canoeing/kayaking this spring to try out kayaks.

That cap was expensive I think...it’s the z model with fold down front sliding window,side sliding windows instead of crank out,and pet screening. Also the Yakima racks, $3500.

Hey I see you have a Blue Ox hitch too. Do you have the 2 1/2” stinger?

[gypsydad]

Originally Posted by FloydCoVa

Gypsydad, thanks. My wife picked out the color Silver Spruce. We have a 17’ Colman canoe but thinking of getting a smaller canoe or maybe a tandem kayak or two singles. Not sure which. We will be going local renting canoeing/kayaking this spring to try out kayaks.

That cap was expensive I think...it’s the z model with fold down front sliding window,side sliding windows instead of crank out,and pet screening. Also the Yakima racks, $3500.

Hey I see you have a Blue Ox hitch too. Do you have the 2 1/2” stinger?

Thanks for the info. Your question on Stinger/shank- no, the 2" with the shank sleeve works fine...opinions on this for sure! I confirmed with BO with my 28' and my F250 before I purchased and was told 2" works fine for my load. Some folks went to the 2.5" and point to issues with the pin hole elongating, or they don't like the "slop" sound; I am fine with no issues. This is my 3rd BO over past 4 AS's. (3 25'AS prior to the 28'); No issues with 2" shank after 2 years towing to/from MT and 15k miles.

Canoe-We have a 17' Old Town canoe; 87 lbs...a bear to load up, especially in wind. We purchased a couple of Old Town Kayaks few years back, 45lbs/each. I can load them by myself now without the wife; much easier. Wife drove that decision on Kayaks...said she was "tired of following me" around in the back of the Canoe! Wanted to "break out" and explore on he own...not sure what that means!

[FloydCoVa]

Thanks I’ll try the two inch stinger this year, yes I’ve seen others opinions and are valid too.

I think my wife is thinking different...she will have to paddle her self.

[Adiredneck]

After looking at caps, tonneaus, etc., I went with a Highway Products "Pickup Pack". You can configure them to suit your needs, I went with dual 8' tool boxes on each side, bed cover, bed roller, headache rack, and ladder/boat rack. I'm very pleased with how they've worked out - room for all my gear, tools, and "battle rattle"...

[sctinman44]

Originally Posted by Adiredneck

After looking at caps, tonneaus, etc., I went with a Highway Products "Pickup Pack". You can configure them to suit your needs, I went with dual 8' tool boxes on each side, bed cover, bed roller, headache rack, and ladder/boat rack. I'm very pleased with how they've worked out - room for all my gear, tools, and "battle rattle"...

That's a very nice looking Ram truck, what is it 1500, 2500, or 3500 ?

[gypsydad]

Originally Posted by sctinman44

That's a very nice looking Ram truck, what is it 1500, 2500, or 3500 ?

The other question is, how much does that stuff weigh and what is your payload on that RAM?? Appreciate the information...

[Ephraim]

I went with an ARE topper with a walk in door.

I didn't choose this because of the Airstream though. This truck is a work truck as well and before we had the AS, we did lots of car/tent camping. I wanted something that could hold my tools as well as be useful for camping (both hauling stuff and sleeping in it.) I started out with a tonneau cover and hated it so much that I bought the ARE. This is the third ARE I've owned (three trucks) since 1991.

You'll have to excuse the grime. We've been on the road the last couple of days.