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nrgtrakr · 07-13-2015, 04:01 PM

My vote ... shell, one that mimicks the profile of the truck like in the photo of the newer brown Ford 4dr above.

Mine is similar and after installing it my highway fuel mileage increased ever so slightly (2 mpg).

m.hony · 07-13-2015, 04:01 PM

The Diamondback is pretty cool, but it is as expensive as a cap- within $200 of the price of a cap. How much does it weigh?
Bike racks could be installed right on top of it, but the bikes would be out of the weather in a cap.
The silvery color one is too much bling! It would blind people.

slowmover · 07-14-2015, 06:25 AM

A cab height topper is hard to beat. Painted body color and without side glass it is akin to a garage on the one hand and doesn't exert too much of a mpg penalty on the other. It DOES increase truck sail area, so the rear suspension is occasionally more strained. I added a rear anti roll bar and up sized the front on my 2500 RWD truck. A Panhard Rod is next.

The topper and a plastic bedliner came with the truck. Plastic tubs and big truck Load Locks make it easy to use (except the front three feet on this 8' bed).

reelfastgreg · 07-14-2015, 09:11 AM

have had both on various trucks. the shell, if you get one with extended side windows, can be pretty handy but you will soon get tired of crawling around on your hands and knees putting stuff in and out. they also limit vision to the sides so be aware. a tonneau works well so long as you don't get a solid one that just lifts up from the back end. one that folds or rolls is far more useful and will allow you to walk into the truck bed and put stuff where you want it. get yourself some load separators as well to keep stuff from sliding around. spray in bed liner will also help to keep the sliding to a minimum.

Danattherock · 07-14-2015, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gpt

the shell, if you get one with extended side windows, can be pretty handy but you will soon get tired of crawling around on your hands and knees putting stuff in and out.

Considering a truck, and ARE Z cap, saw these online. Looks like a great way to access gear in the truck bed. Several manufacturers with load ratings from 1-2k lbs. Pretty slick.

bedslide

| CargoGlide

Cargo Ease | Cargo Slides

Dan
NC

urnmor · 07-14-2015, 10:50 AM

If I had to do it again I would purchase a cap as it allows yu to carry larger pieces in the bed and/or standup bikes. Also I have become the prime mover for when our children move and if I had the cap I could carry larger pieces under cover. The down side is one cannot carry refrigerators or other large appliances without taking the cap off. So I quess the bottom line is to purchase what you think will fit your long term needs.

m.hony · 07-14-2015, 02:35 PM

Century Cargolid tonneau $1,000+
Century Ultra cab high cap $1,300+
Century High C mid rise cap $1,400+
Looks like the mid rise is way more "bang for the buck".
add a Thule roof rack $300
add "windoors" $200
Have a coupon for free flip down front window for easy cleaning.
add 3 AMP Research steps, 1 on each side between cab and rear wheel well and 1 at the driver side rear corner, $200 each, $600-
Whew!

KJRitchie · 07-15-2015, 10:28 AM

I have the BakFlip VP tonneau since 2013. I've noticed some of the rubber gaskets between the panels start to peel off. I tried to repair one of them, about 3" long, using 3m double sided tape last year but the heat has caused that repair to fail. The rubber gaskets must be shrinking over time. I'm going to attempt to use some Adseal on that same peel off to see if that holds.

Based on this problem I can't recommend the BakFlip VP. I remember emailing BakFlip about this issue and a recommended adhesive but got no reply.

If anyone has had this issue with their BakFlip can you suggest a way to adhere the rubber gaskets if they start to peel?

Thanks

Kelvin

DC Bruce · 07-15-2015, 11:22 AM

I have a cheap, light American tonneau folding cover. So far, it keeps the rainout. Can be folded and strapped back to allow full access to the bed without crawling in, and can be totally removed in about five minutes. The rubber membrane is guaranteed for a long time. It will not deter a curious thief with a knife, but I understand that.
The bikes go on the back of the trailer.
Just another alternative.
DC Bruce

m.hony · 07-15-2015, 11:57 AM

I have pretty much ruled out the Bakflip.
I am probably going with a Century High C mid rise cap with Thule roof rack and "windoors", and 3 AMP Research folding steps.

Tater · 07-15-2015, 12:08 PM

I have a Bakflip VP and as a previous post mentioned the adhesive seems to be affected by the heat. I haven't tried to repair and it works fine. I have not had a leak issue. A cap gives you more flexibility I believe.

m.hony · 07-15-2015, 12:33 PM

For the small difference in price between the tonneau and cap, the cap wins. For the really small difference in price from a cab high cap to a mid rise cap, the mid rise cap wins.

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TinShack · 07-15-2015, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m.hony

For the really small difference in price from a cab high cap to a mid rise cap, the mid rise cap wins.

Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums

I had a higher than cab height shell on my previous 4WD truck and it made it hard to get into parking garages and car washes. Went back to a cab high shell on my new truck.

To move things around in the back I just use a boat hook so I don't have to crawl around. I also got the side windoors to make it easier to access stuff in the back.

slowmover · 07-15-2015, 01:52 PM

Higher than cab height will take an mpg penalty.

OldVwHunters · 07-15-2015, 02:00 PM

I have the LEER 100XQ, and if it were 2 inches higher the truck wouldn't go under the garage door.

RivetED · 07-15-2015, 02:20 PM

We originally had a Tonneau (circa 2004) but after our 1st summer traveling we changed to a raised camper shell. The extra space was worth it for us. The new truck is going to have a cab-high camper shell on it (on order now) with side opening windows & a rack system.

BTW: I had all 3 windows 'limo' tinted to keep eyes off the generators etc. That did hinder rear view when not towing. I haven't decided if I'll 'limo' tint the rear window on this new one but the sides will be.

SCOTTinNJ · 07-15-2015, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m.hony

For the small difference in price between the tonneau and cap, the cap wins. For the really small difference in price from a cab high cap to a mid rise cap, the mid rise cap wins.

Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums

I haven't priced out caps fully but it seems to me they are quite a bit more expensive than even a hard tonneau. Aren't most caps over $1300?

carver 1 · 07-15-2015, 03:31 PM

For RVing with an AS, having had a Roll n Lock and now an ARE topper,the topper wins hands down in my opinion.

>>ron<<

m.hony · 07-15-2015, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TinShack

I had a higher than cab height shell on my previous 4WD truck and it made it hard to get into parking garages and car washes. Went back to a cab high shell on my new truck.

To move things around in the back I just use a boat hook so I don't have to crawl around. I also got the side windoors to make it easier to access stuff in the back.

It's already hard to impossible to get into parking garages. The mid rise is only 3-4" higher, so I should still be able to get into the car wash around the corner from the house. If vans can go in there...

m.hony · 07-15-2015, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SCOTTinNJ

I haven't priced out caps fully but it seems to me they are quite a bit more expensive than even a hard tonneau. Aren't most caps over $1300?

The Century Ultra cap starts at $1,300. The Century Cargolid tonneau starts at $1,000.
For this reason, the cap wins. $300 to double the storage volume and make it easier to put things in and get things out of the truck bed.