Tonneau cover vs topper.

[Njg]

Originally Posted by mtbackpacker

I’ve done the topper thing in the past but won’t be doing it this time around. The topper was great for the dog and hauling a bunch of gear out of the elements and made a natural translation from the way I used my Tahoe. It was such a pain to deal with it almost never left my truck despite the lift I purchased to hoist it up to the ceiling in the garage.



The topper wasn’t great for all the uses that made me get a truck this time around over an SUV. Namely any kind of shoveling or hauling heavy stuff, loading and unloading, etc. A topper is just in the way at that point.



I am going with a Peragon hard aluminum tonneau this time around. I haven’t used it enough to know if it will be worth recommending but it is very light weight ~40lbs and removes easily.

I went with the Peragon also. I used it all last season and have had it on for a year, holding up well..

Tonneau Cover for truck
http://www.airforums.com/forums/show....php?p=2030184

[Adiredneck]

Originally Posted by sctinman44

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

It's a 3500. I ordered it new, as I wanted a manual transmission, and found that the price difference between a 2500 and a 3500 was around $450. That was a small price to pay for 2,000 lbs *more* payload...

[Adiredneck]

Originally Posted by gypsydad

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

The rated payload is 4,289 lbs. The tool boxes/cap/bed roller come in at around 600 lbs.


Fully loaded for our cross-country runs, we average around 17,500 CGVW for truck and trailer, with CAT breakdown last trip as follows:


Front axle: 5040 lbs (rated for 6000 lbs)
Rear axle: 5760 lbs (rated for 7000 lbs)
Trailer axles: 6640 lbs (rated for 9000 lbs)


So, well within safety standards and limits. Also, with the Cummins, we average 14.5 mpg at that weight running the length of the Appalachians twice a year!

[RamblinRose1]

Roll top Tonneau. Don't get the hard one. I've watched so many people cuss while they try to retrieve their stuff from inside!! It all depends on what kind of storage you need. I chose the rolltop because I also use my truck for work. I roll that thing open and I've got a regular truck again - dump runs, friends moving, tools in the back, etc. My Honda 2000's fit in nicely along with several large bins for off season clothes, bags of dog food and a Yeti go in there when I'm hooked up and on the road!

[lsbrodsky]

I had a BAK flip hard tonneau on my previous truck. It would flip out of the way for hauling of junk, big stuff, etc. It worked OK but the height was not enough for some stuff I wanted to carry. With my new truck I went with the std height ARE topper and I love it. Secure storage for my bike and a few other tall things. With its windows, it really does not impair visibility and even though the rear view is darker, when towing you can only see the trailer in any event. I would never go back to a tonneau.
Larry

[KK4YZ]

I have a Retrax rollup tonneau cover which I generally like. But last year we bought e bikes. With the retrax you lose about 10” or so of bed length which make it a royal pain with the bikes.
So I have an A.R.E. topper on order. I’ll be able to fit the bikes and keep ‘em out of the elements.

Hello 1980’s ......

[GSansoucie]

I’ve had the same Tonneau cover on the past two trucks, a Bak Revolver. It works for us. However, I really want a cap. Wife was against a cap before, but as we approach full time, she is open to it.

[GSansoucie]

Originally Posted by moosetags

We prefer a topper vs. a tonneau cover. I need the height to accommodate my Honda 3000 generator and all of the other tools and stuff that we carry on our Airstream journeys. What I don't think that I can do without is my driver side tool box built into the topper. The full length door on the passenger side of the topper provides pretty good access to most items in the front of the truck bed.

Our topper has a somewhat commercial look, but I kind of like this appearance over the more streamlined prissy look of most toppers.

Brian

This is pretty much the exact setup I want. Cap with the tool box side access, but just one on each side. All the setup stuff in the back of our FC 28RB would be staged in the cap. We’d have way more room for our stuff in the bed with the added height of the cap vs a Tonneau.

[Too tall]

Originally Posted by GSansoucie

I’ve had the same Tonneau cover on the past two trucks, a Bak Revolver. It works for us. However, I really want a cap. Wife was against a cap before, but as we approach full time, she is open to it.

Similar needs here. I'm looking at the commercial ARE caps. These can be ordered in various heights. I'll measure three times to be sure my bicycles will fit with front wheels off. Also, they have some really nice side door options.

It's either this or just get a one ton van.

[SYC2Vette]

For our TV we have a Leer cap and a bedslide. The BedSlide was a great addition. Make sure you get the removable window so you can easily clean your back window. Also got the Thule rack setup which is a bit difficult to add after the fact. On my K2500 I have the hard section folding bakFlip which I really like (and locking tailgate).

[gypsydad]

Originally Posted by SYC2Vette

For our TV we have a Leer cap and a bedslide. The BedSlide was a great addition. Make sure you get the removable window so you can easily clean your back window. Also got the Thule rack setup which is a bit difficult to add after the fact. On my K2500 I have the hard section folding bakFlip which I really like (and locking tailgate).

All this sounds very nice; guess we need to see some pictures of all this stuff so we can get a better idea of your descriptions.

[BigSxyWhtGuy]

Here’s the inside of my 8’ bed. Built a bed slider system to go below the bikes and boost everything on top to maximize useful space.

Mountain bikes
Portable solar
Ladder
Grill
Scuba gear for 2
Snowboard gear for 2
Save a drive kit
Save a dive kit
SUP paddle
Life jackets
Tools

Basically all the stuff that doesn’t fit in the airstream fits perfect in our truck Bed. $200 in lumber and two days of measuring and cutting was well worth it. Love the 8’ bed, wouldn’t have it any other way.

[BeemerPilot2]

I've had two BackFlips on two FX4's. They don't leak. They give access to the front of the bed. They allow tall items to be loaded into the bed by only folding one or two flaps. Original view to the rear with no obstructions.

Although they're secure, they could be broken into if someone is determined. For FT, I'd go with a cap: you need all the secured space you can get. I'd even look into some commercial toppers which could be the most secured. Even ones with lockable side panel/toolboxes for easy access to those things you always need while "camping". Good luck!!

[Collins92]

I ruled out a truck cap, because I'm not planning to transport tall pieces of cargo, and I don't want my Ram 1500 to look like a minivan. So I want to buy a tonneau cover, and I'm thinking Leer 700 or Ranch legacy. I read an article - https://tonneaucovershub.com/leer-700-series-review/ It says that you can't buy a new Leer online, you got to visit the dealer. But, from what I can tell, a Ranch cover also couldn't be bought online. So what are the real pros and cons?

[gypsydad]

Originally Posted by Collins92

I ruled out a truck cap, because I'm not planning to transport tall pieces of cargo, and I don't want my Ram 1500 to look like a minivan. So I want to buy a tonneau cover, and I'm thinking Leer 700 or Ranch legacy. I read an article - https://tonneaucovershub.com/leer-700-series-review/ It says that you can't buy a new Leer online, you got to visit the dealer. But, from what I can tell, a Ranch cover also couldn't be bought online. So what are the real pros and cons?

I have the Xtang tri-fold cover on my F250. I also had one for 6 years when I had my first AS's with my F150. This cover works pretty well, secures easy enough with our tailgate locked, and easy to access without taking off. I can also take off by myself if needed. There are lots of choices as you likely know. Good luck!

[Baby Zeppelin]

I've had the Truck Covers USA tonneau cover on my F250 for two years now and am quite happy with it. It's solid and secure. Our Briggs & Stratton generator and all other camping gear fits just fine under the aluminum roll up cover.

Didn't want something like the Leer cap because I have enough trouble backing up the trailer without something blocking the back window and the camera mounted above it.

[FishByFly]

Roll n Lock

[Soready]

Went with the Leer tonneau. Have had a Suburban or Tahoe for many years and didn't want to give up the "pickup" look.

[Fjord F-150]

I recommend diamondbackcovers
https://diamondbackcovers.com/collections/covers

Very secure, water tight, can carry kayaks, bikes, and ~400# load on top.