I have this topper for my truck - I got it used at a good price (50.00 bucks) and I want to know the best way to mount it - right now i have four C clamps securing it. However i found four bolt holes on each side in which the former owner drilled into the bed rails to mount it. I'm not sure if clamps will hold it or do I NEED to drill and bolt it down? What's you opinion?

 

I think c clamps will hold it on fine and will be easier to get off if you need to remove the cap. lube the threads up so they dont rust.

 

If you don't want to drill your truck full of holes, they make a clamp just for camper shells that work much better than c-clamps. You should be able to find them at an RV place for sure, they may even be available at some parts stores.. I think they come in a set of 4 but if I were going to use them I would rather have 3 on a side (I have been accused of going overboard on things though), that looks to be a fairly heavy camper shell.

 

What White 97 xlt said

Also if you decide to bolt it down, use eye bolts. It will give you more spots to tie things down

 

I would go to your local store that would sell these things and get the clamps that are designed for mounting toppers, I have a place near by that installs them when you buy one, so im not sure if they would sell them just by them selves, I would guess they do...

 

I'd find a set of topper clamps. They're better than the C clamps and you don't need to drill any holes to bolt it down.

 

Get the clamps. Also make sure the seal on the bottom of the topper is good and there's rubber or something to go between the bed rails and the topper. If there isn't the vibration will scratch the hell out of the paint. 3 clamps per side should be fine.

 

While I don't have a topper on my current truck, on my old Dodge I did something clever. I welded together a big "U" out of angle iron and placed it on top of the bedsides and front, then put my topper on that, bolting through the topper, the angle iron, and the bed sides.

Then, to the angle iron, I bolted on quite a few "D" rings down both lengths... it was great for tying things down - tool boxes, engines and other larger car parts, and so on.

 

Four C-clamps will be fine unless you rally your truck on the weekends. Put some foam tape on the bottom of the canopy to protect your paint and keep rain/snow out.

Six clamps isnt a bad idea but 4 will do. The special canopy clamps are cheap and usually come in just a 4 pack.

Scott

 

One of mine has a ladder rack on it so I bolted that one down. But my noisy in the rain aluminum one has the topper clamps.They work great.

 

All our service toppers on our 09 f150s at work are just held down with the clamps can't remember if there's 4 or 6 tho