|
|
03-14-2019, 09:43 AM
|
#1
|
2 Rivet Member
Currently Looking...
Theodore
, Alabama
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 33
|
Tonneau cover vs topper.
I finally found and purchased my future full time TT, an Avion. 34w(10.6 meter), now all I need to complete my rig is a bed cover/topper. Any and all pros and cons of tonneau covers, fiberglass toppers, etc. , and why and what you use would be appreciated. Thanks JT
|
|
|
03-14-2019, 09:47 AM
|
#2
|
Overkill Specialist
Commercial Member
2020 30’ Globetrotter
2014 23' International
Dadeville
, Alabama
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 4,516
|
Love my camper shell/topper. More room inside
|
|
|
03-14-2019, 09:49 AM
|
#3
|
2 Rivet Member
Currently Looking...
Theodore
, Alabama
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 33
|
What brand, and any upgrades, or mods? Thanks.
|
|
|
03-14-2019, 09:54 AM
|
#4
|
Overkill Specialist
Commercial Member
2020 30’ Globetrotter
2014 23' International
Dadeville
, Alabama
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 4,516
|
Mine is a Leer because I got it for $500 off Craig’s List. ARE also make a nice shell. We haul our bucks on top of ours.
Upgrades
Top rack
Carpet inside
E lock which locks shell with truck remote
Led inside lights
Sliding front window
|
|
|
03-14-2019, 12:12 PM
|
#5
|
Rivet Master
2017 26' Flying Cloud
Tampa
, Florida
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 7,620
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jtholland
I finally found and purchased my future full time TT, an Avion. 34w(10.6 meter), now all I need to complete my rig is a bed cover/topper. Any and all pros and cons of tonneau covers, fiberglass toppers, etc. , and why and what you use would be appreciated. Thanks JT
|
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.
|
|
|
03-14-2019, 12:16 PM
|
#6
|
Rivet Master
2012 27' Flying Cloud
W
, New England
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 7,402
|
Mollysdad has it about right. Gosh - I had a red 1970 Chevy CST-10 with one of those white painted aluminum caps - talk about gramps’ truck....
Anyway - I just recently swapped out my hard tonneau for a leer cap just to have more space for stuff. Loved the tonneau for all the reasons mentioned - need the space - and worry about break-ins - but honestly, you could pry open even a tight tonneau.....you just wouldn’t know if there’s a jackpot until you do.....
We’ll see....
|
|
|
03-14-2019, 12:18 PM
|
#7
|
Rivet Master
2019 30' International
Pennsylvania
, Pennsylvania
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 1,234
|
We're capped. I don't like my bikes out in the rain.
__________________
If you ain't havin' fun you ain't doin' it right
2017 Ford CCSB F250 XLT 6.2L Gas 4x4 Ruby
2019 International Serenity 30 Rear Twin
|
|
|
03-14-2019, 12:43 PM
|
#8
|
2 Rivet Member
2018 26' Flying Cloud
Falmouth
, Virginia
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 39
|
Tonneua cover vs topper.
Capped with a Leer. Bedrug in the bed. Same upgrades as listed above, I like ARE, but they didn't have as many options.
Actually sold a hard tonneau because I needed the space the cap provides.
|
|
|
03-14-2019, 12:45 PM
|
#9
|
Rivet Master
2018 27' Globetrotter
Apollo Beach
, Florida
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,401
|
I have an Access Lorado soft tonneau cover that works great for me. If it leaks, its never damaged anything carried in my truckbed. (I don't think it leaks.) I like that it rolls completely up so there is full access to the truck bed. I like reaching in over the sides to get things from the front of the truckbed, like my ladder in this picture: http://www.airforums.com/forums/f42/...ml#post2205359 . I've had several of these on different trucks and prefer them over my past tonneau covers. Access brand is very high quality and out lasts your pickup even in the harsh cold (Wisconsin) and blazing sun (Florida). It stays soft and functional in both environments. It can get hot to the touch in the Florida sun.
I had a topper on one truck with opening side windows. Even with the opening side windows it was difficult to reach in to get anything out of the truck bed from the side windows. It was also difficult to crawl in to get items out of the front of the truck bed and tall items were sometimes challenging.
I had two trucks with roll-up hard covers. I didn't like that it takes about 12" of truckbed away from a shortbed pickup. You even lose more truck bed access under a tri-fold hard cover, which I never owned.
With these new trucks getting taller and taller, its getting harder to reach in to get things in the truck bed. My new truck has a granny step which is really handy for access. My new truck's running boards are short and do not extend under the truck bed which really hurts side access.
Of course there are pro's and con's to each cover and you will have to decide which one will work best for you. I'm very happy with my Access Lorado tonneau cover. https://www.accesscover.com/
__________________
2021 Northern-Lite 10-2 & F350 DRW PSD, 600W Solar/Victron/600A BattleBorn
146 nights 31,000 miles (first 10 months!)
Sold: 2018 GT27Q, 74 nights 12,777 miles
Sold: 2017 FC25FB, 316 nights 40,150 miles
Sold: 2013 Casita SD17 89 nights 16,200 miles
|
|
|
03-14-2019, 12:49 PM
|
#10
|
2 Rivet Member
Currently Looking...
Theodore
, Alabama
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 33
|
Quote:
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’m looking hard at a retraction pro so I can put bike racks, canoe toter if I want, rolls up so I’ll have a 7’ bed to haul whatever in. JT
|
|
|
03-14-2019, 01:06 PM
|
#11
|
Rivets?
1992 29' Excella
2010 22' Interstate
Van By The River
, Georgia
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,361
|
This subject seemed very familiar (and recent) and I planned to point the OP toward a thread of the same subject... only to find the OP created the other thread too. Perhaps asking the same or similar question will result in better, more useful information.
Here's a link to the other thread for anyone interested:
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f463...es-191494.html
__________________
Lucius and Danielle
1992 29' Excella Classic / 2010 Interstate
2005 Chevrolet Suburban K2500 8.1L
2018 GMC Sierra K1500 SLT, 6.2L, Max Trailering
Got a cooped-up feeling, gotta get out of town, got those Airstream campin' blues...
|
|
|
03-14-2019, 01:50 PM
|
#12
|
Rivet Master
2017 28' Flying Cloud
2014 25' FB Flying Cloud
2008 25' Safari FB SE
Georgetown (winter)Thayne (summer)
, Texas & Wyoming
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 6,602
|
I have had Trifold covers on my last 2 TV's. Never had any leaks; purchased both from Ford. Not a hassle to take off or install if I need to, which happened only once when I was moving a lot of furniture and needed the entire bed. I like it because it is very secure when locked, strong, and I can open/access 1/3 to 2/3rds of the bed by just folding open. When I use Thule adjustable racks for my kayaks, I have to leave it open 2/3rds, and if it is a long trip, I will cover the exposed cargo in the bed with plastic tarp and stretch netting. Works fine. I have often considered getting a topper like Lear or ARE with rack on top for kayaks, but have not pulled the trigger...like others mention there are some concerns with this approach also in loss of outside vision from the cab and "grandpas truck" look, but that last part doesn't bother me so much anymore...I'm a grandpa now anyway...x7!
__________________
Empty Nesters; Gypsies on the road! 2017 28' Twin Flying Cloud
2017 F250 King Ranch, 4X4, 6.7L, Blue-Ox WDH
Summer-Star Valley Ranch RV Resort (Thayne, WY); Winter-Sun City (Georgetown,TX)
|
|
|
03-14-2019, 01:52 PM
|
#13
|
2 Rivet Member
2016 27' Flying Cloud
Little rock
, Arkansas
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 68
|
Tonneua cover vs topper.
[ATTACH]335688
Ready to roll. Z series ARE and a bedslide 1500CG. Boondocking next week so the generator and solar panel and lots of water loaded up
|
|
|
03-14-2019, 01:57 PM
|
#14
|
Rivet Master
2002 30' Classic S/O
Fleming Island
, Florida
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 4,667
|
I have had two tri-folds and one topper. The tri-folds allowed simple removal and installation for when I needed to haul tall items, but they limited space and leaked at the folds.
I now have a Century Ultrasport topper. I ordered it with roof rack rail inserts, fixed side windows, sliding front window, carpet, and LED light. I installed accessory hangers (for clothes on hangers), a switch in line with the LED light, and an electric lock that connected to my central locking system. The Century seems to be as well made as the ARE and LEER, but is less expensive.
If I got a do over, I'd get the Century again.
Al
__________________
“You cannot reason someone out of a position they have not been reasoned into"
Al, K5TAN and Missy, N4RGO WBCCI 1322
2002 Classic 30 Slideout -S/OS #004
2013 Dodge 2500 Laramie 4x4 Megacab Cummins
|
|
|
03-14-2019, 02:15 PM
|
#15
|
2 Rivet Member
2019 27' Globetrotter
Pleasanton
, California
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 31
|
I have had BakFlip's on my last 2 trucks. My current version is an MX4. I like the (nominal) security and the ability to use as a truck when I need to. Recommended and no association.
https://bakflip.com/p/bakflip-mx4-tonneau-cover/
|
|
|
03-14-2019, 03:52 PM
|
#16
|
2 Rivet Member
Currently Looking...
Theodore
, Alabama
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 33
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by nvestysly
This subject seemed very familiar (and recent) and I planned to point the OP toward a thread of the same subject... only to find the OP created the other thread too. Perhaps asking the same or similar question will result in better, more useful information.
Here's a link to the other thread for anyone interested:
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f463...es-191494.html
|
So far so good this time. I value ideas from anyone, as long as they’re good ideas. In the old thread I named TV and full time. We sold our home last summer and are now apartment dwellers for maybe 2 years max. Just bought my future home Tuesday and gathering info on the what and why in bed covers/caps for that expressed purpose. So appreciate any good ideas anyone has. Thanks, JT
|
|
|
03-14-2019, 04:25 PM
|
#17
|
Rivet Master
2007 22' International CCD
Corona
, California
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 9,180
|
Tacoma came with a one piece hard tonneau cover. Prior had a cab high topper. Hate the access issues and lack of height and space under the tonneau.
Next truck, probably a Tundra, will have a cab-high topper. Besides it flat looks better, imho.
__________________
Rich, KE4GNK/AE, Overkill Engineering Dept.
'The Silver HamShack' ('07 International 22FB CCD 75th Anniversary)
Multiple Yaesu Ham Radios inside and many antennae sprouting from roof, ProPride hitch, Prodigy P2 controller.
2012 shortbed CrewMax 4x4 Toyota Tacoma TV with more antennae on it.
|
|
|
03-14-2019, 04:39 PM
|
#18
|
2 Rivet Member
Currently Looking...
Theodore
, Alabama
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 33
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dtrentr
[ATTACH]335688
Ready to roll. Z series ARE and a bedslide 1500CG. Boondocking next week so the generator and solar panel and lots of water loaded up
|
How much clearance between bedslide and top of liftgate opening?
|
|
|
03-14-2019, 04:58 PM
|
#19
|
Rivet Master
1987 25' Sovereign
Fort Collins
, Colorado
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 582
|
We’ve had both. Cab-high topper offers a lot more flexibility for us. It mostly depends on how you plan to use the truck. And I really like the “grandpa’s truck” look — at least it gets a lot of compliments!
__________________
Alumacoot
“We are confronted with insurmountable opportunities.”
|
|
|
03-14-2019, 05:09 PM
|
#20
|
2 Rivet Member
Currently Looking...
Theodore
, Alabama
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 33
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dan and Liz
We’ve had both. Cab-high topper offers a lot more flexibility for us. It mostly depends on how you plan to use the truck. And I really like the “grandpa’s truck” look — at least it gets a lot of compliments!
|
I hear ya. I’ve been a P-paw for 17 years in May, and proud of it.
|
|
|
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
Thread Tools |
Search this Thread |
|
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
Similar Threads
|
Thread |
Thread Starter |
Forum |
Replies |
Last Post |
Mattress topper
|
danlehosky |
Airstream Lifestyle |
10 |
03-30-2012 05:17 PM |
Mattress topper
|
rochar3 |
General Interior Topics |
9 |
08-05-2010 10:15 AM |
Bed Topper
|
jcanavera |
General Interior Topics |
1 |
04-12-2005 08:10 PM |
Topper or boxes?
|
Cracker |
Tow Vehicles |
8 |
02-02-2004 08:52 AM |
|
Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|