I saved a hell of a lot of money on hotel rooms. Been sleeping in my truck with a Leer cap since 2006 while on over night fishing and hunting trips. Very comfortable with an air mattress and a sleeping bag. I run a small fan on a power inverter on one of my deep cycle batteries when it’s hot.
I love my cap, it's my little home. I have a nice house, but spend the majority of my time in my cap. The tail gate is my dinner table. The truck bed is my bed.
1. Buy a small trailer 2. You have to arrange what you need in order. 3. Your number 4 makes 3 superfluous. Buy secondhand and take your time. 4. You keep it as long as you own the truck or sell it with the truck. Always have a shell with my truck....they’re great.
Another Con: Debris will get stuck in between the truck cab and the topper. As the leaves fall in autumn they just get stuck in that gap between the two. I always had to use the high pressure wand at a self serve car wash to blow out the debris. You can get a inflatable doughnut for lack of a better phrase to fit in between the two. Leaves usually didn't get stuck and if you had a pass-through windows it keep that passage dry. You could turn up the heat and let it go into the bed when you had to put your buddy who had a bit too much to drink that night when you were rolling him home. Another Con 2: Since the truck bed and topper aren't heated in snowstorms snow and ice would accumulate on the rear window blocking your view. Sometimes you had to get out and brush so you could see out back. I had both a topper and a tonneau cover on my old 94 Ford Ranger. I liked both, but each had pros and each had cons. If I ever buy another truck again I'm seriously thinking of a topper that goes about 3-4 inches above the cab so I could build some platforms and have a camping setup in the back. Sometimes I just really hate dealing with a tent.
Still have my shell on my truck for over 20 years, filled it with dirt, helped people move , refrigerator in it stove, bed , all while shell was on, still get in and out the back of it, all with on complaints , I am a happy camper.
You know you can rent a truck from Home Depot if you need to haul anything that won’t fit under your topper. Used to be $20 a day, probably more like $40 a day now. But still might be a better option than taking off the topper and putting it back on.
Researching the (nearly infinite!) options for storage and a topper is definitely a big one that I’m considering! One big con for me, that others have shared: it’s hard to carry mtn bike over the gate (which is pretty popular way to carry them here). I’m keen to get away from roof racks and hitch racks and look forward to putting bikes over the gate, lol! But I do like how much more stuff you can safely and securely carry - camping trips will be much easier (and I’ll have to use a hitch rack for bikes then).
I bought a hitch rack for my dirt bike and it's even easier to load/unload than a ramp up and down into the bed. That works great for me. Haven't bought a cap yet but I plan to.
To get to that stuff in your truck bed up against the cab… Get yourself some thick walled PVC or conduit and cut it to just under the length of your truck bed. Add some sort of hook to the end and now you won’t have to climb in to the bed of the truck to get to that stuff that’s out of reach. This will save your back, your knees and be a lot less frustrating. Thanks for the video. 🙏
does this assume that items are loose in the bed? what if you have items tied down to the back of the truck, you'd still have to get in and unhook everything, and if this optional add makes the bed floor slide under you while you are inside, wouldn't that be a pain?
I like my ARE topper, but there are cons. The dealer-installed seal does a poor job and has been squeezed out of place and allows a lot of water in. The clearance has been a problem a number of times. I bought my new in 2019 for $1100. I would recommend buying a heavy-duty version and having a factory installed roof rack. I love having the ability to: - sleep in the bed if/when needed. - leave gear in the bed all the time and have it protected from theft and weather.
New solution that I just got: WildTop 1) I installed and it tested taking it off myself. Easy 2) Access is only limited by two bars at the back, which isn’t a big deal. The sides are wide and back are wide open. 3) Less expensive than any soft or hard top + rack combo by a significant amount. 4) WT likely looses here. As a fabric I assume its resale will be trash.
All the pickups I have owned the past 35 yrs have had toppers. I love them. I use my trucks for mostly hunting and fishing, you can keep all your expensive gear secure (guns, etc), protect your dogs from the weather, and even sleep in there. When we go on out of state hunting trips that bed is loaded to the top with coolers, decoys, kennels, etc. Could not do that with a cover. I personally can't see any advantage of a cover.
I'm looking to get one for my truck. Thanks for this video! Your cons aren't really issues for me (I dont do lots of work, I really just want one for looks), so if these are the worst things someone with your experience can come up with, seems like I should get one!
lol I only got a truck topper because I’m tired of my dogs dirtying up my interior of my truck every time we go to the park so have them get all the way in the back l😂
Funny you should say that, I never saw those until I made this video! I had no clue they existed. Like you said, I'm sure they're probably pretty pricey. Thanks for the comment and watching Joe!
Buying used is a massive advantage. If you live somewhere populated chances are pretty high somebody has what you want it just might take a little time to find it. Bought a fully decked out work topper with boxes light's carpet the whole 9 for $800 an it was in mint condition. Same one new would be $4000.
Dang that is a score! Yeah, I would struggle finding that where I live or just wait a while. I'd probably have to look in a bigger city. Thanks for watching!
I have used a tonnaeu cover ($700 cnd) on my truck since brandy new for 7 years. Sometimes I do want a truck topper but its price turns me away. I do still want one from time to time though. lol
Lol, I totally understand where you are coming from! Topper, tonnaeu covers, and just an open truck bed all have their places with pros/cons. Thanks for watching!
@@SeanChandlerSF I've seen those and they have definitely caught my eye. I could see them being a great alternative! Thanks for the comment and watching!
I am really glad I saw this video. I never even thought about what to do if I wanted to buy a new or different truck and then my topper wouldn't fit. 🧐 Thanks!
Fellow Coloradan here! Thanks for pointing this stuff out. I am looking at toppers, but my truck is a very distinct blue. If I get a shell painted to match and decide to sell my truck down the line, I'd have to include it with for a very low return or struggle to sell it on its own.
Hey Johnny, always great to hear from other Coloradoans! When we sold our truck, we ended up selling the topper with the truck. Our topper only fit like 2004-2007 Dodge Ram 2500/3500 8' beds. If we lived near Denver, we might have been able to get rid of it. Thanks for the comment and watching! Enjoy your topper!
Lol I actually forced a cap off a 2004 dodge ram onto my 2000 silverado. Wasn't quite right, but hey, $250 for one of those utility caps with the tool boxes built into the side with side door access, I'm happy. Especially with an 8' box, its hard to find stuff that fits the box, and if you can they are normally expensive. Love that cap, I can fill the toolboxes with edc tools, and still have an empty bed
In terms of resale, try finding a local partner for one of the manufacturers (Leer, ARE, snugtop). Most of their partner retailers will buy and resell used ones!
Morning Brian. Xlnt point on specific camper shell for specific truck. Can't tell you how many people I've seen adapt shells to fit their truck. Doesn't look too pretty but probably not very safe? May I mention those fiberglass bed covers that are flush with top of bed, might be an option for some folks? Have a good one
Morning Jay! Oh man, I know exactly what you're talking about. You can spot a topper that doesn't match the truck a mile away! Like you said, probably not too safe. I can't imagine a non-matching topper would get secured on the truck nearly as well as a topper matched to the truck. Of course there a probably exceptions. Good call on those bed covers! I have never owned one, but I know exactly what you're talking about. Thanks for mentioning that!
Good point! I honestly never thought of that. When we had the truck and topper, I also had a truck for work without a topper. So if I needed to carry tall items, I would use my work truck or take the topper off. Thanks for the comment and watching!
@@ColoradoCamperman I've got Colorado ZR2 with 5+ ft bed and topper so I keep a little trailer around for junk or toys but it would be good for camping also.. It's a shelter if needed
@@RoryVanucchi That makes sense. That's a great little truck! I had an 07' Isuzu I-290 which is the same thing as a Chevy Colorado, it was a great truck!
I love the idea of a trailer. The down side to it is that not always you drive with a trailer around and you might be buying something at the mall that you need to haul away in bed weather right away. This is where the topper comes handy...
I figured out a really slick method to gain a grip on cargo loaded toward the cab. Just carry a long-handled garden hoe. Hook he blade over what ever you want to pull toward yourself by the tail gate.
We bought our 07 dodge 4x4 just for camping & traveling, we wanted a crawl thru an found Breezer Windows, i'm a skeptic but i couldn't be more pleased, the whole back window pops out giving us a large area to crawl thru an it does NOT leak.
That is awesome to hear! I would have loved having one of those for my old topper. I also had an old truck camper that it would have been great for. Thanks for the comment and watching!
Hi Jim, I want to do exactly what you’ve done with the Breezer. Any issues that I should be aware of? I haven’t seen too many people talking about them, but they seem to be the only solution for what I’d like to do. Still love yours?
@@sfsurfer1 Love it, when we travel the window is up (road noise) when camping it pops out with 4 snap type holders an lifts out an stores behind the seat, the only time it leaks is in the car wash, my solution to this is pipe insulation stuffed from up top (easy on-off) The design makes it hard for water to leak, but if it does it will fall into a channel to drain out, not into the cab or bed. They (Breezer Windows) were very helpful guiding me thru this, need a competent auto glass shop & a topper shop for this. Old school at its best!
The thing to keep in mind is that once you decide to install/use a topper.. than thats it! plan for how many years your going to need it/use it before it's removal. (If a person has strong ready and available hands at their disposal to help whenever needed to remove than it's a different story altogether ..also consider the weight of your topper and ease of removal.) To solve to many of your problems .. simply invest in the appropriate sized flatbed trailer for your needs/wants. Also if trying to put your topper (a used one in this case) on a a different truck.. and the fit is fairly close than there are modifications to be used to adjust the fit. (maybe some cutting/drilling of bolt holes etc) Interesting obvious points tho. Now i'm thinking of buying used..
You are right about it will take longer to sell because certain shells are designed for proper fitting and also especially for color matching as well. I saw a blue pickup with red camper shell. It looks awkward. It will cost more to have it painted to match, so a number of prospective buyers are limited.
Lol, I had someone tell me that after I bought my topper. Someone commented, "why didn't you just buy a suburban?" Someone else told me, "you should have just bought a utility van." I think toppers make a truck a lot more versatile. Thanks for the comment and watching!
Colorado Camperman I actually wanted a suburban but didn’t want to spend that much money. I got a new crew cab truck with a Lear top of the line topper with a bed rug. I love it. The downside compared to a suburban is no heater a/c back there. The Lear topper hatch feels cheap though considering how much it cost.
Just stumbled upon this when debating getting a topper for my Silverado.. didn’t think about having to crawl all the way back instead of reaching into the bed… that would get old. Side note I see your a broncos fan, Go broncos!
To pull it off easier, add a rack or rings on the top to hoist it up with a cheap winch. Then it's an easy one-man job. There are definitely pros and cons, but it's not like you don't have options, so it's still a good idea. But buying new is definitely expensive.
My ARE topper leaks along the truck bed inside. Cannot store anything that can’t get wet. The edge of the truck bed has rusted badly from the topper. WTF
I have had toppers on every truck I have owned since 1969. They double the amount of stuff I can put in the bed. Whatever is in the bed is protected from wind and rain and theft. When I need the full bed as when I owned a slide-in camper, I go to the Snugtop dealer where I bought the cap and they take if off the truck and store it for me until I return and have them put it back on the truck. They charge me $20 per month for this service. There is no secure storage in a pickup truck without a topper. Everything in the cab is in plain sight and cabs are very easy to break in and steal stuff. No worries with everything in the bed out of sight. Add in a locking tailgate and thieves are going to look for easier targets. Each time I sold my truck with the topper it was a package deal and I have not had a problem selling the two together. Having the matching color for the truck and the topper makes them look like they belong together.
Yeah, a trailer solves most of the cons. We have a larger topper (A Moonlander) now and a trailer. The larger topper makes a huge difference. Thanks for watching!
I delivery and pick up mail for businesses. I drive a F150 with a topper. I keep it super clean but I'm having a hard time cleaning in between the cab and the topper. They made it where you can't get in between it to clean it. It drives me crazy. I take a long gaff hook to reach my mail trays in the back.
Lol, I actually had two trucks about a year and a half ago. One for work and one for personal use. I actually ended up switching out my small work truck for a van (I run a painting business). Thanks for watching
All 4 reasons in addition to having to paint it most of the time to match your truck means this is a no for me. Number one con is the biggest. that said, I'm a week away from ordering an inflatable made by Flated. I'm impressed.
Those Flated toppers look awesome! I considered one of those as well. I ended up getting a Moonlander which is more of a camper topper. Enjoy the new topper and thanks for watching!
Someone on TH-cam did a cool way to remove the topper using 2 x 4's and a winch inside the garage. He would elevate the topper up to the ceiling and leave it there until he needed it again.
It's not that it just fits certain model pickups; It also will be less than terrible if it matches the color preference of the prospective buyer. If you put a blue topper on a green pickup, it can look pretty chintzy.
Is visibility also a con? Do you feel like the blindspots created by the cap are significant when backing up or just driving in general? Im considering one so really curious
Good question. The blind spots were never an issue for me. You get used to driving with the topper on and will make adjustments in your driving habits. There's a chance your rear view mirror may become obsolete, so having good side mirrors with a blind spot curved mirror will be very helpful. Hope that helps! Thanks for watching!
I bought my topper mind you needs TLC like seals and a actual window which I just bordered up with the piece of plywood that meets up with the cab couple of screens that's about it I bought that off of my insurance lady for $100 and that's all she paid for it but Heck what can I say
They damage the bedrails of your truck. Also the paint inside your bed will be less faded than the paint on the rest of the truck where the topper does not cover when you take it off - if you take it off. You may as well keep it on if you plan on getting it and keeping it on for the life of the truck. The locks on most of them can be "Bump Picked" in about 30 seconds just like 90% or more American deadbolts and front door knobs. Get custom locks and if you want more security, get an alarm system that has the sensors for the topper windows and back door/back window.
@@DoubleVthree No problem! A good way to help the fading is using a GOOD wax and keep waxing on a regular basis with a wax that has UV Protection. Some people if they sell the truck without the topper on, make sure you use a felt or neoprene type of lining/padding between the rail and the topper (rail and hardware/rail and hardware for a tonneau cover) And make sure it is placed correctly! - Also be sure to not let leaves and other junk get between the topper and the back glass of the cab in the fall/winter - Ice expands folks - and both windows or one or another can break - usually shatter into a billion little squares. Take care of your 2nd largest purchase you'll probably ever make in your life, your vehicle and what goes on it and it will hold its value! (Colorado Camperman - this should be a video in and of itself! )
Found a color matched leer cap topper for my pickup for 1000. Been searching for a used one for a while and finally found it. Like a lot of people I won't have many problems. Great video and I'm going to watch the pros of having one as well.
Good question, totally depends on what you're doing. I would probably get a Tacoma and a topper. With a Tacoma you could get a bed larger than the cargo area of a 4Runner and have a ton more room. Even a short bed Tacoma with a topper would probably have more cargo space than a 4Runner. I feel like there is a lot more versatility with a truck too. You could take the topper off and haul stuff around or even get a small truck camper. Thanks for watching!
There are plenty of cons against a open box or a tonneau cover as well . I've always owned a truck and after even a few month I'm hunting for a topper. There really are no cons to owning a topper.
I love the idea and look of a topper, but Con #2 accessibility is a deal-breaker for me. Too many memories as a kid of crawling into my dad's truck to drag stuff out from the front of the bed.
Lol, I did make a video on 6 Pros of Truck Toppers th-cam.com/video/dqC6Ap_nP2o/w-d-xo.html. I'd still recommend a truck topper. We put a Moonlander on our truck last July and haven't regretted it for a minute!
Yep, sounds about right! Someone recently commented on a truck camper jack video that I made 7 years ago. At the time, the jack was $100, now they are $350!
Yep, I bought a trailer. Only thing was it cost $2,500 and not $1,000. The days of $1,000 trailers are over, at least where I live. Thanks for watching!
I just listened to the video with a pair of headphones. I didn't hear any pops, just my son yelling in the background, lol! I think the sound you're hearing is my hand movement, I did hear that. Thanks for watching.
Lol, that is an option! I have a trailer that I use to haul my UTV. I use that if it is something big I can't fit in the truck. As a bonus, my trailer has a ramp, so loading large items is super easy! Thanks for watching.
Just got mine was like 4 grand. Thankfully its not my money, and bc the company paid for it. Some cons are wait times, right now the fiberglass ones have a 4+ month wait time. I was told thata bc the manufacturer changed resin providers and they didn't order enough. I ended up getting the heavy duty aluminum one instead and even that was a 2 month wait. So far it looks nice, but its squeeky AF. If anyone has any ideas on how to quiet that, I'll take em.
Yeah, mine took a few months as well. And this was probably 5-6 years ago. I've never had an aluminum topper so I can't help ya there. Thanks for watching.
Weather strip between bed rail and the topper. Have had a topper for 15 years. Eventually the seal will give out or if not installed correctly, you can get water inside during a rain. Sucks to pull everything out and dry it.
Glad you mentioned that! Our seal actually ripped off when we were taking the topper off the truck. We could have both a new seal where we purchased the topper, but then our 2nd engine failed and we bought a new truck.....lol! Thanks for the comment and watching!
Agreed, bought a used fibrobec for my 2012 f150. Company told me it will fit my truck, well not too sure...lol. So much water on the truck bed will have to remove the topper & put down new seals probably garage door seals as ive seen some people use. Or even removing the headrail add caulking than door seals.
My truck situation was a little different. My engine blew and so I was selling the truck as is. I tried to sell the topper separately to make as much money as possible. It didn't matter, lol! Thanks for watching!
I have no clue about Fayetteville NC. In general, I have found the best deals on craigslist and Facebook marketplace. Good luck and thanks for watching.
I have an ARE topper for an F150, opens like a hatchback and looks like a dog catcher or an ice cream truck lol. I bought a $20 tarp and bung it down with the hooks to whatever it hooks to. Airflow check, and then shut it up at night. so easy.
I've had terrible luck with my ARE toppers. The last 3 I've owned on 3 separate trucks the was always get in during even a simple rain. I'm sick of them
That is a big con! I have seen a lot of toppers over the years driving around with broken windows so I know you are not the only one. Thanks for watching.
For sure. I recently got a Moonlander, a large topper for my truck. I just purchased a utility trailer a few months ago to be able to haul our UTV with the trailer since I don't want to have to take my topper off. I love the utility trailer! Thanks for watching!
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Here is a pro of one of your cons. I never take mine off and people don't ask me to haul stuff on weekends.
Lol! Good points, thanks for watching!
You haul stuff for other people on weekends???? 😂😂😂😂😂😂. I usually fish with my phone turned off.
Haha I have an f350 my aunt is giving me when she gets her new 450. Already looking at toppers for this reason
I saved a hell of a lot of money on hotel rooms. Been sleeping in my truck with a Leer cap since 2006 while on over night fishing and hunting trips. Very comfortable with an air mattress and a sleeping bag. I run a small fan on a power inverter on one of my deep cycle batteries when it’s hot.
Heck yeah, that's sweet! Glad it's been working out for ya, thanks for watching!
I would love to see that fan set up!
Amen!
Yeah I’d like to see your fan set up
My neighbor riged up a system with pulleys and climbing line in his garage. Lifts the cap right up and holds it there. A one man job!
Heck yeah, that would be nice! Thanks for watching!
I love my cap, it's my little home. I have a nice house, but spend the majority of my time in my cap. The tail gate is my dinner table. The truck bed is my bed.
Toppers are pretty sweet in a lot of ways, glad you are enjoying yours! Thanks for watching!
Truck toppers are awesome. 30 years of owning trucks and luvin it. To each their own . I know what I like .
I agree! I have a Moonlander now and love it! Thanks for watching.
1. Buy a small trailer
2. You have to arrange what you need in order.
3. Your number 4 makes 3 superfluous. Buy secondhand and take your time.
4. You keep it as long as you own the truck or sell it with the truck.
Always have a shell with my truck....they’re great.
Thanks for watching
I like my gear dry and locked up. I've driven open beds for 30 plus years. Simply don't buy one if you don't want one! Cheers!
Thanks for watching
If I ever take mine off.... ill convert it for my child to play with as a fort or something.
That's a great idea! Kids would love that, thanks for watching!
Another Con: Debris will get stuck in between the truck cab and the topper. As the leaves fall in autumn they just get stuck in that gap between the two. I always had to use the high pressure wand at a self serve car wash to blow out the debris. You can get a inflatable doughnut for lack of a better phrase to fit in between the two. Leaves usually didn't get stuck and if you had a pass-through windows it keep that passage dry. You could turn up the heat and let it go into the bed when you had to put your buddy who had a bit too much to drink that night when you were rolling him home.
Another Con 2: Since the truck bed and topper aren't heated in snowstorms snow and ice would accumulate on the rear window blocking your view. Sometimes you had to get out and brush so you could see out back.
I had both a topper and a tonneau cover on my old 94 Ford Ranger. I liked both, but each had pros and each had cons. If I ever buy another truck again I'm seriously thinking of a topper that goes about 3-4 inches above the cab so I could build some platforms and have a camping setup in the back. Sometimes I just really hate dealing with a tent.
Thanks for the detailed comment and watching Brian!
Try some pipe insulation, just wedge it into the gap. You can't see it, works great.
Still have my shell on my truck for over 20 years, filled it with dirt, helped people move , refrigerator in it stove, bed , all while shell was on, still get in and out the back of it, all with on complaints , I am a happy camper.
Nice! Good to hear, thanks for watching!
You know you can rent a truck from Home Depot if you need to haul anything that won’t fit under your topper. Used to be $20 a day, probably more like $40 a day now. But still might be a better option than taking off the topper and putting it back on.
Someone mentioned that and it is a really good idea. Thanks for watching!
Absolutely I "Never" take mine off and no one ever asks me to haul crap for them.
Its $129 per day to rent a truck from home depot
Also rear visibility is reduced somewhat, and fifth wheel/gooseneck towing is out.
Good point, thanks for watching!
Researching the (nearly infinite!) options for storage and a topper is definitely a big one that I’m considering! One big con for me, that others have shared: it’s hard to carry mtn bike over the gate (which is pretty popular way to carry them here). I’m keen to get away from roof racks and hitch racks and look forward to putting bikes over the gate, lol!
But I do like how much more stuff you can safely and securely carry - camping trips will be much easier (and I’ll have to use a hitch rack for bikes then).
I never thought about not being able to throw a mtn bike over the tailgate, good point! Thanks for the comment and watching!
From what I hear, you can do 1 maybe 2. But it’s tight to fit the 2nd one through!
I bought a hitch rack for my dirt bike and it's even easier to load/unload than a ramp up and down into the bed. That works great for me. Haven't bought a cap yet but I plan to.
Ive seen bike carriers for the front of the truck. Maybe there’s a front receiver hitch that they use to mount the bike rack 😊
To get to that stuff in your truck bed up against the cab… Get yourself some thick walled PVC or conduit and cut it to just under the length of your truck bed. Add some sort of hook to the end and now you won’t have to climb in to the bed of the truck to get to that stuff that’s out of reach. This will save your back, your knees and be a lot less frustrating. Thanks for the video. 🙏
Good thinking Anthony! Thanks for sharing your tip and watching!
does this assume that items are loose in the bed? what if you have items tied down to the back of the truck, you'd still have to get in and unhook everything, and if this optional add makes the bed floor slide under you while you are inside, wouldn't that be a pain?
I like my ARE topper, but there are cons.
The dealer-installed seal does a poor job and has been squeezed out of place and allows a lot of water in.
The clearance has been a problem a number of times.
I bought my new in 2019 for $1100.
I would recommend buying a heavy-duty version and having a factory installed roof rack.
I love having the ability to:
- sleep in the bed if/when needed.
- leave gear in the bed all the time and have it protected from theft and weather.
Thanks for the comment and watching!
New solution that I just got: WildTop
1) I installed and it tested taking it off myself. Easy
2) Access is only limited by two bars at the back, which isn’t a big deal. The sides are wide and back are wide open.
3) Less expensive than any soft or hard top + rack combo by a significant amount.
4) WT likely looses here. As a fabric I assume its resale will be trash.
That's a sweet topper! I haven't seen those yet. Thanks for watching.
All the pickups I have owned the past 35 yrs have had toppers. I love them. I use my trucks for mostly hunting and fishing, you can keep all your expensive gear secure (guns, etc), protect your dogs from the weather, and even sleep in there. When we go on out of state hunting trips that bed is loaded to the top with coolers, decoys, kennels, etc. Could not do that with a cover. I personally can't see any advantage of a cover.
Toppers are definitely great for hunting and fishing! I agree, I am not a big fan of just a bed cover. Thanks for watching!
I'm looking to get one for my truck. Thanks for this video! Your cons aren't really issues for me (I dont do lots of work, I really just want one for looks), so if these are the worst things someone with your experience can come up with, seems like I should get one!
You're welcome, thanks for watching!
Can’t go wrong with a LEER or ARE topper.
lol I only got a truck topper because I’m tired of my dogs dirtying up my interior of my truck every time we go to the park so have them get all the way in the back l😂
Lol, that is a great reason to get a topper! Our dog rides with us in the cab and there is dog hair everywhere!
Get a decker installed. 2nd con debunked.
A topper with a retractable roof would be just the ticket!
Heck yeah it would be! Thanks for watching.
I’ve seen toppers with shocks that lift it straight up so you can get to mist anything a little easier, I’m sure it’s pricey
Funny you should say that, I never saw those until I made this video! I had no clue they existed. Like you said, I'm sure they're probably pretty pricey. Thanks for the comment and watching Joe!
ez lift - I think it is about $2K
Buying used is a massive advantage. If you live somewhere populated chances are pretty high somebody has what you want it just might take a little time to find it. Bought a fully decked out work topper with boxes light's carpet the whole 9 for $800 an it was in mint condition. Same one new would be $4000.
Dang that is a score! Yeah, I would struggle finding that where I live or just wait a while. I'd probably have to look in a bigger city. Thanks for watching!
I have used a tonnaeu cover ($700 cnd) on my truck since brandy new for 7 years. Sometimes I do want a truck topper but its price turns me away. I do still want one from time to time though. lol
Lol, I totally understand where you are coming from! Topper, tonnaeu covers, and just an open truck bed all have their places with pros/cons. Thanks for watching!
@@SeanChandlerSF I've seen those and they have definitely caught my eye. I could see them being a great alternative! Thanks for the comment and watching!
Should see the price of a lee topper today. Today the one I’m looking cost $4500🤑😵💫
Just bought mine. $3200 bucks. For a Leer 100XR
Thanks for an updated price and thanks for watching.
If anything i can just hook up my trailer 🤷🏼♂️
True, I mention that in my Pros of truck toppers video. Thanks for watching.
I am really glad I saw this video. I never even thought about what to do if I wanted to buy a new or different truck and then my topper wouldn't fit. 🧐 Thanks!
I'm glad the video was helpful! Thanks for the comment and watching!
Fellow Coloradan here! Thanks for pointing this stuff out. I am looking at toppers, but my truck is a very distinct blue. If I get a shell painted to match and decide to sell my truck down the line, I'd have to include it with for a very low return or struggle to sell it on its own.
Hey Johnny, always great to hear from other Coloradoans! When we sold our truck, we ended up selling the topper with the truck. Our topper only fit like 2004-2007 Dodge Ram 2500/3500 8' beds. If we lived near Denver, we might have been able to get rid of it. Thanks for the comment and watching! Enjoy your topper!
a lot of buyers will not care about the color they just want a good deal
@@dextermcgrubbin True. I mainly cared about it fitting properly and not leaking. Thanks for watching!
I keep a hitch and a trailer available. :)
Nice, thanks for watching!
Yes, easiest way when hauling something large that won't fit in truck bed with topper.
@@shreksexy6879 Yeah for sure, loading a flat bed trailer is easier too since they are closer to the ground
Lol I actually forced a cap off a 2004 dodge ram onto my 2000 silverado. Wasn't quite right, but hey, $250 for one of those utility caps with the tool boxes built into the side with side door access, I'm happy. Especially with an 8' box, its hard to find stuff that fits the box, and if you can they are normally expensive. Love that cap, I can fill the toolboxes with edc tools, and still have an empty bed
Good score! Not bad at all for $250. Thanks for watching!
4:58 Truck specific
and color match.
So even if it fits
your specific truck
it may not match,
And would need to be painted.
In terms of resale, try finding a local partner for one of the manufacturers (Leer, ARE, snugtop). Most of their partner retailers will buy and resell used ones!
Good point! Thanks for the comment and watching!
For gear accessibility, add a "Bedslide"
True, thanks for watching!
Morning Brian. Xlnt point on specific camper shell for specific truck. Can't tell you how many people I've seen adapt shells to fit their truck. Doesn't look too pretty but probably not very safe? May I mention those fiberglass bed covers that are flush with top of bed, might be an option for some folks? Have a good one
Morning Jay! Oh man, I know exactly what you're talking about. You can spot a topper that doesn't match the truck a mile away! Like you said, probably not too safe. I can't imagine a non-matching topper would get secured on the truck nearly as well as a topper matched to the truck. Of course there a probably exceptions. Good call on those bed covers! I have never owned one, but I know exactly what you're talking about. Thanks for mentioning that!
What about a small trailer utility stuff that doesn't fit in bed
Good point! I honestly never thought of that. When we had the truck and topper, I also had a truck for work without a topper. So if I needed to carry tall items, I would use my work truck or take the topper off. Thanks for the comment and watching!
@@ColoradoCamperman I've got Colorado ZR2 with 5+ ft bed and topper so I keep a little trailer around for junk or toys but it would be good for camping also.. It's a shelter if needed
@@RoryVanucchi That makes sense. That's a great little truck! I had an 07' Isuzu I-290 which is the same thing as a Chevy Colorado, it was a great truck!
I love the idea of a trailer. The down side to it is that not always you drive with a trailer around and you might be buying something at the mall that you need to haul away in bed weather right away. This is where the topper comes handy...
@@thegoodbyte understand. I lean towards can or trailer. Topper okay for few days only in my experience.
Added weight, reduced visibility, more glass to clean.
I figured out a really slick method to gain a grip on cargo loaded toward the cab. Just carry a long-handled garden hoe. Hook he blade over what ever you want to pull toward yourself by the tail gate.
We bought our 07 dodge 4x4 just for camping & traveling, we wanted a crawl thru an found Breezer Windows, i'm a skeptic but i couldn't be more pleased, the whole back window pops out giving us a large area to crawl thru an it does NOT leak.
That is awesome to hear! I would have loved having one of those for my old topper. I also had an old truck camper that it would have been great for. Thanks for the comment and watching!
Hi Jim, I want to do exactly what you’ve done with the Breezer. Any issues that I should be aware of? I haven’t seen too many people talking about them, but they seem to be the only solution for what I’d like to do. Still love yours?
@@sfsurfer1 Love it, when we travel the window is up (road noise) when camping it pops out with 4 snap type holders an lifts out an stores behind the seat, the only time it leaks is in the car wash, my solution to this is pipe insulation stuffed from up top (easy on-off) The design makes it hard for water to leak, but if it does it will fall into a channel to drain out, not into the cab or bed. They (Breezer Windows) were very helpful guiding me thru this, need a competent auto glass shop & a topper shop for this. Old school at its best!
@@jimburson2226 thanks so much! That’s what I wanted to hear. Now I just need to find a good glass shop and order it.
Thank you. My husband is lòking at these for camping nice to know this info.
Glad the video could help. Thanks for watching Lisa!
I've Never seen anyone giving one away wish I did I'd grab it an sell it!
That's not a bad idea!
The thing to keep in mind is that once you decide to install/use a topper.. than thats it! plan for how many years your going to need it/use it before it's removal. (If a person has strong ready and available hands at their disposal to help whenever needed to remove than it's a different story altogether ..also consider the weight of your topper and ease of removal.) To solve to many of your problems .. simply invest in the appropriate sized flatbed trailer for your needs/wants. Also if trying to put your topper (a used one in this case) on a a different truck.. and the fit is fairly close than there are modifications to be used to adjust the fit. (maybe some cutting/drilling of bolt holes etc) Interesting obvious points tho. Now i'm thinking of buying used..
Good points! I agree, a flatbed trailer solves many of the cons of a truck topper. Thanks for the comment and watching!
You are right about it will take longer to sell because certain shells are designed for proper fitting and also especially for color matching as well. I saw a blue pickup with red camper shell. It looks awkward. It will cost more to have it painted to match, so a number of prospective buyers are limited.
Good point, thanks for the comment and watching.
I think two different colors looks cool
I’m looking at one for my truck it’s $2900 leer xL
Dang, that is pricey! I remember pricing Leer toppers when I bought mine and they were more expensive than the ARE. Thanks for watching.
The only thing I don’t like about my truck topper is the look. It reminds me now of a suburban.
Lol, I had someone tell me that after I bought my topper. Someone commented, "why didn't you just buy a suburban?" Someone else told me, "you should have just bought a utility van." I think toppers make a truck a lot more versatile. Thanks for the comment and watching!
Colorado Camperman I actually wanted a suburban but didn’t want to spend that much money. I got a new crew cab truck with a Lear top of the line topper with a bed rug. I love it. The downside compared to a suburban is no heater a/c back there. The Lear topper hatch feels cheap though considering how much it cost.
I personally like the look of.toppers, kind of like the suv look but with the utilities of a pick up
Thank you,getting ready to move and buy a used truck, but haven't picked out the year of the used truck.
You're welcome, good luck with your purchase and thanks for watching!
Yep iv sold 3 toppers. never got more then $500 for current model year Silverado. All $2k+ new and in as new shape.
Unfortunately, that sounds accurate. Thanks for the comment and watching!
Just stumbled upon this when debating getting a topper for my Silverado.. didn’t think about having to crawl all the way back instead of reaching into the bed… that would get old.
Side note I see your a broncos fan, Go broncos!
I have a Moonlander now. I love it! It is basically a giant topper and a camper. Tons of room. Thanks for watching!
To pull it off easier, add a rack or rings on the top to hoist it up with a cheap winch. Then it's an easy one-man job. There are definitely pros and cons, but it's not like you don't have options, so it's still a good idea. But buying new is definitely expensive.
Yeah I tried doing that at our last house when I had a garage large enough to fit the truck. Easier said than done. Thanks for watching.
Fair points, well argued, great video.
Thanks for the comment and watching!
I bought mine at a junk yard for a hundred.i painted it in the back yard.looks great
That is one way to do it! Thanks for watching.
Everyone is selling there pickups for lifted 4x4 Suburban’s with trailers now a days.
Yeah, I've seen people doing that. Thanks for watching!
My ARE topper leaks along the truck bed inside. Cannot store anything that can’t get wet.
The edge of the truck bed has rusted badly from the topper. WTF
Sorry to hear that. Maybe try to replace / upgrade the seal between your topper and bed rail.
I have had toppers on every truck I have owned since 1969. They double the amount of stuff I can put in the bed. Whatever is in the bed is protected from wind and rain and theft. When I need the full bed as when I owned a slide-in camper, I go to the Snugtop dealer where I bought the cap and they take if off the truck and store it for me until I return and have them put it back on the truck. They charge me $20 per month for this service.
There is no secure storage in a pickup truck without a topper. Everything in the cab is in plain sight and cabs are very easy to break in and steal stuff. No worries with everything in the bed out of sight. Add in a locking tailgate and thieves are going to look for easier targets.
Each time I sold my truck with the topper it was a package deal and I have not had a problem selling the two together. Having the matching color for the truck and the topper makes them look like they belong together.
Thanks for watching.
I have a trailer so my stays on, plenty space for my hunting gear plus free space on the cab for the kids
Yeah, a trailer solves most of the cons. We have a larger topper (A Moonlander) now and a trailer. The larger topper makes a huge difference. Thanks for watching!
I delivery and pick up mail for businesses. I drive a F150 with a topper. I keep it super clean but I'm having a hard time cleaning in between the cab and the topper. They made it where you can't get in between it to clean it. It drives me crazy.
I take a long gaff hook to reach my mail trays in the back.
Good point! Thanks for the comment and watching!
get two pickups like me
Lol, I actually had two trucks about a year and a half ago. One for work and one for personal use. I actually ended up switching out my small work truck for a van (I run a painting business). Thanks for watching
Flated topper is lightweight and easily removed but obviously not as secure
Those are sweet! I would just worry about security. Thanks for the comment and watching!
All 4 reasons in addition to having to paint it most of the time to match your truck means this is a no for me. Number one con is the biggest. that said, I'm a week away from ordering an inflatable made by Flated. I'm impressed.
Those Flated toppers look awesome! I considered one of those as well. I ended up getting a Moonlander which is more of a camper topper. Enjoy the new topper and thanks for watching!
Someone on TH-cam did a cool way to remove the topper using 2 x 4's and a winch inside the garage. He would elevate the topper up to the ceiling and leave it there until he needed it again.
I think I've seen that video! Pretty sweet, I wish my truck could fit in my garage so I could do something like that. Thanks for watching.
It's not that it just fits certain model pickups; It also will be less than terrible if it matches the color preference of the prospective buyer. If you put a blue topper on a green pickup, it can look pretty chintzy.
Lol! Good point, I totally agree! Thanks for watching!
Ram 8' beds are hard to find used toppers for. I've been looking for years
That's why I bought mine new. Thanks for watching!
Is visibility also a con? Do you feel like the blindspots created by the cap are significant when backing up or just driving in general? Im considering one so really curious
Good question. The blind spots were never an issue for me. You get used to driving with the topper on and will make adjustments in your driving habits. There's a chance your rear view mirror may become obsolete, so having good side mirrors with a blind spot curved mirror will be very helpful. Hope that helps! Thanks for watching!
Hook up a backup camera on the back of your topper. You can go remote or hardwired.
I bought my topper mind you needs TLC like seals and a actual window which I just bordered up with the piece of plywood that meets up with the cab couple of screens that's about it I bought that off of my insurance lady for $100 and that's all she paid for it but Heck what can I say
$100 is a heck of a deal! Good Score! Thanks for watching.
Yes sir you're welcome and thank you
Solution to #1 - Tow a flatbed for moving items or bikes & etc.
That's a good alternative. Thanks for watching!
They damage the bedrails of your truck. Also the paint inside your bed will be less faded than the paint on the rest of the truck where the topper does not cover when you take it off - if you take it off. You may as well keep it on if you plan on getting it and keeping it on for the life of the truck. The locks on most of them can be "Bump Picked" in about 30 seconds just like 90% or more American deadbolts and front door knobs. Get custom locks and if you want more security, get an alarm system that has the sensors for the topper windows and back door/back window.
Good points! Thanks for the comment and watching!
Definitely some good advice thanks
@@DoubleVthree No problem! A good way to help the fading is using a GOOD wax and keep waxing on a regular basis with a wax that has UV Protection. Some people if they sell the truck without the topper on, make sure you use a felt or neoprene type of lining/padding between the rail and the topper (rail and hardware/rail and hardware for a tonneau cover) And make sure it is placed correctly! - Also be sure to not let leaves and other junk get between the topper and the back glass of the cab in the fall/winter - Ice expands folks - and both windows or one or another can break - usually shatter into a billion little squares. Take care of your 2nd largest purchase you'll probably ever make in your life, your vehicle and what goes on it and it will hold its value! (Colorado Camperman - this should be a video in and of itself! )
Found a color matched leer cap topper for my pickup for 1000. Been searching for a used one for a while and finally found it. Like a lot of people I won't have many problems. Great video and I'm going to watch the pros of having one as well.
Glad you were able to find one that matched! That can be difficult. Enjoy the topper and thanks for watching!
Rent a truck from home depot, not a big deal
Toyota Tacoma with a Top vs Toyota 4Runner? 🤔
Good question, totally depends on what you're doing. I would probably get a Tacoma and a topper. With a Tacoma you could get a bed larger than the cargo area of a 4Runner and have a ton more room. Even a short bed Tacoma with a topper would probably have more cargo space than a 4Runner. I feel like there is a lot more versatility with a truck too. You could take the topper off and haul stuff around or even get a small truck camper. Thanks for watching!
There are plenty of cons against a open box or a tonneau cover as well . I've always owned a truck and after even a few month I'm hunting for a topper. There really are no cons to owning a topper.
I prefer a topper as well. I have a Moonlander currently on my truck.
I love the idea and look of a topper, but Con #2 accessibility is a deal-breaker for me. Too many memories as a kid of crawling into my dad's truck to drag stuff out from the front of the bed.
Yeah, I have a Moonlander now and it is much better than a standard topper. The additional height is a game changer.
Yep its 4.6k USD with few accessories for small A.R.E cx revo for 5ft bed
Man, that is spendy. I got a Moonlander now and I couldn't be happier! Thanks for watching.
@@ColoradoCamperman which one is moonlander?
@@ia6980 th-cam.com/video/wFTh9k9dd08/w-d-xo.html
15 minutes ago I thought I needed a topper. 😂
Lol, I did make a video on 6 Pros of Truck Toppers th-cam.com/video/dqC6Ap_nP2o/w-d-xo.html. I'd still recommend a truck topper. We put a Moonlander on our truck last July and haven't regretted it for a minute!
@@ColoradoCamperman Thank you. Not worth the price and I would have to put it on and take it off myself. 😀
If you drive a 2 wheel drive it adds weight’
Do you mean it adds payload? 2WD trucks are typically not as heavy as a 4WD truck
$3,600 bucks now...
Yep, sounds about right! Someone recently commented on a truck camper jack video that I made 7 years ago. At the time, the jack was $100, now they are $350!
@@ColoradoCamperman crazy how much stuff is going up!
@Colorado Camperman yup and there actually built worse then the were. Cheaper components Cheaper materials.
Excatly so sad but so true.
Get a utility trailer. Problem solved!
That's an option, thanks for watching
Con......it affects gas mileage with the added weight.
That's interesting, I actually increased my mileage after putting the topper on. Thanks for watching.
Get a trailer. 1st con debunked
Got one! I also have a Moonlander now which is a lot bigger than your standard topper.
You can use a rake to get hard to reach things out of the back.
Good point, thanks for watching.
Get thousand dollar trailer don’t have take roper off
Yep, I bought a trailer. Only thing was it cost $2,500 and not $1,000. The days of $1,000 trailers are over, at least where I live. Thanks for watching!
sell your truck with the topper and make it their problem, lol
Lol, true! Thanks for watching.
Not being able to use an in bed tool box
Good point, thanks for watching!
is there a lot of audio pops and click in this video or is it my computer?
I just listened to the video with a pair of headphones. I didn't hear any pops, just my son yelling in the background, lol! I think the sound you're hearing is my hand movement, I did hear that. Thanks for watching.
I got one for free on Facebook Market place
Nice! Good score! Thanks for watching.
#1 i'll just buy another truck lol
Lol, that is an option! I have a trailer that I use to haul my UTV. I use that if it is something big I can't fit in the truck. As a bonus, my trailer has a ramp, so loading large items is super easy! Thanks for watching.
You can’t have a toolbox.
True, but the entire topper could be considered a tool box.
Very helpful video. Thanks
You're welcome, thanks for watching Anthony!
Another con is prices have gone way up. An ARE CX Classic with basic accessories is $4,100 installed. An ARE Z2 with keyless was over $6k.
Agreed, that is more than double what we paid for ours. Thanks for watching.
Just got mine was like 4 grand. Thankfully its not my money, and bc the company paid for it. Some cons are wait times, right now the fiberglass ones have a 4+ month wait time. I was told thata bc the manufacturer changed resin providers and they didn't order enough. I ended up getting the heavy duty aluminum one instead and even that was a 2 month wait. So far it looks nice, but its squeeky AF. If anyone has any ideas on how to quiet that, I'll take em.
Yeah, mine took a few months as well. And this was probably 5-6 years ago. I've never had an aluminum topper so I can't help ya there. Thanks for watching.
@DevilDog53 Sounds about right, mine took that long 5-6 years ago and we didn't have any supply chain issues then. Thanks for watching!
Trailer;)
Yep, that would help out. Thanks for watching!
Weather strip between bed rail and the topper. Have had a topper for 15 years. Eventually the seal will give out or if not installed correctly, you can get water inside during a rain. Sucks to pull everything out and dry it.
Glad you mentioned that! Our seal actually ripped off when we were taking the topper off the truck. We could have both a new seal where we purchased the topper, but then our 2nd engine failed and we bought a new truck.....lol! Thanks for the comment and watching!
Agreed, bought a used fibrobec for my 2012 f150. Company told me it will fit my truck, well not too sure...lol. So much water on the truck bed will have to remove the topper & put down new seals probably garage door seals as ive seen some people use. Or even removing the headrail add caulking than door seals.
I want to buy your truck topper!
Oh man, I sold that truck a few years ago. Thanks for watching.
1st mistake was buying a Dodge Ram 1500
It was a 3500, the Cummins engine is what sold me. Too bad the rest of the truck was garbage.
@@ColoradoCamperman
Good engine l dont blame for that
If you're going to sell your truck....don't bother selling the topper, keep it in the truck....that will just add to the price of the truck 😁👍🏼
My truck situation was a little different. My engine blew and so I was selling the truck as is. I tried to sell the topper separately to make as much money as possible. It didn't matter, lol! Thanks for watching!
Where’s the best place to buy used topper for 2014 Toyota Tacoma prerunner 4x2 , in Fayetteville Nc
I have no clue about Fayetteville NC. In general, I have found the best deals on craigslist and Facebook marketplace. Good luck and thanks for watching.
Average one bedroom apartment rent, in Boise,...$2000!
I think we can overlook a few things, to keep our topper right now, but thank youuu.
Ugh, that is expensive! Thanks for watching!
I have an ARE topper for an F150, opens like a hatchback and looks like a dog catcher or an ice cream truck lol. I bought a $20 tarp and bung it down with the hooks to whatever it hooks to. Airflow check, and then shut it up at night. so easy.
Thanks for the comment and watching!
I've had terrible luck with my ARE toppers. The last 3 I've owned on 3 separate trucks the was always get in during even a simple rain. I'm sick of them
That stinks, sorry to hear that. I only had mine for about 3 years before I got rid of that truck. No leaks during that time . Thanks for watching.
Con. Our rear window was broken. The company Ranch no longer stocks replacement Window. Solution is a new topper.
That is a big con! I have seen a lot of toppers over the years driving around with broken windows so I know you are not the only one. Thanks for watching.
Luckily I have a U-Haul dealer close by, so if I need to haul large, dirty, messy stuff I rent one of their open utility trailers.
That's a good option. Thanks for watching.
My F250 with a truck cap, if I want to load in something huge and tall, I pull my utility trailer.
For sure. I recently got a Moonlander, a large topper for my truck. I just purchased a utility trailer a few months ago to be able to haul our UTV with the trailer since I don't want to have to take my topper off. I love the utility trailer! Thanks for watching!