canopy or not?
Moderator & parts slinger
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 50,148
Likes: 5,783
From: S/W Missouri, Polk county
Are you ever a camping kind of guy? Its quicker and better than a tent IMO. If you take it off, there goes your weather protection of anything ever put in the back. And you live in rainy ol WA right?
I doubt the Craigslist will get you much for it, but you never know. Try finding one to fit that truck before you take it off and sell it, that could be a chore.
I am not a camper shell/topper guy by no means, so my opinion is really one sided, ditch it.
I doubt the Craigslist will get you much for it, but you never know. Try finding one to fit that truck before you take it off and sell it, that could be a chore.
I am not a camper shell/topper guy by no means, so my opinion is really one sided, ditch it.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,037
Likes: 9
From: Kasson, Minnesota
I'd keep it just for the reason mentioned...weather protection for the cargo. I think you'll regret getting rid of it. However, they do limit vision a bit. I just think canopies make these trucks look awesome, but that's me. Unless the canopy is in bad shape. You might get $50 to 150 for it on craiglist. I found a pretty much flawless one (not year specific) for my supercab for $100.
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 2,595
Likes: 5
From: Pasadena, Ca
I drove/owned work vans for the last 20 years, so owning a truck without a camper shell, feels more like a truck.
I think you should dump it. Your truck is lifted, so actually getting up in there and crawling to the front to get stuff is a pain. And having a topper gives you a reason to "store" stuff in your truck, not cool.
It is kinda nice that it matches your paint job, but thats no reason to keep it. We hold onto stuff cause it is valuable to someone else, lol.
Offer it up on craigslist, and if someone rolls up with a dentside, give em 10% off and a beer, and be happy with your truck.
I think you should dump it. Your truck is lifted, so actually getting up in there and crawling to the front to get stuff is a pain. And having a topper gives you a reason to "store" stuff in your truck, not cool.
It is kinda nice that it matches your paint job, but thats no reason to keep it. We hold onto stuff cause it is valuable to someone else, lol.
Offer it up on craigslist, and if someone rolls up with a dentside, give em 10% off and a beer, and be happy with your truck.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 19,311
Likes: 97
From: Waterloo, Iowa
'Round here they are called "toppers" sometimes. When needed they are great. They cost money to buy, but can't give them away if ya don't. Hard to store in suburbia.
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Senior User
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 341
Likes: 1
From: Lingle, Wyoming
I can say that if you have it you wont need it, but when you sell it, some A-hole called Murphy will find a way to make you NEED one
. They take up very little room to store. I hung mine from the ceiling in the garage set so that I could just back up under it, drop it on, lock it down and go. I was always amazed at how many times I wound up using it, and now that I have a dent, I'm looking for one that fits. You're too far away, or i'd try to get yours, cuz they're useless
. They take up very little room to store. I hung mine from the ceiling in the garage set so that I could just back up under it, drop it on, lock it down and go. I was always amazed at how many times I wound up using it, and now that I have a dent, I'm looking for one that fits. You're too far away, or i'd try to get yours, cuz they're useless
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MSEE
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,386
Likes: 35
From: Austin, TX
It depends what you're going to use your truck for. It's nice when carrying small loads because you don't have to worry about a tarp or stuff flying out. It's bad for large loads or things that require access to the side. I had a canopy on a Ford Ranger for a long time and hated it. I set it out in my front yard with a sign that said FREE and it was gone that same day.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,678
Likes: 82
From: NorCal
As a tinkerer, I'd keep it and build a knock-down frame with a sling out of queen-size bed frames (lots of free frames on CL) for easy, one-man installation & removal.
Alternatively, a system like below. It can also be adapted to a knockdown frame.
Alternatively, a system like below. It can also be adapted to a knockdown frame.
Believe Nothing
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 7,513
Likes: 394
From: W. Central FL.
You can fabricate a similar place to hang it outside by planting four 4x4s and install a couple cross bars. Drop four pieces of chain and some S hooks and one man can lift the corner of the topper. Place an eyebolt at each corner of the topper and an S hooks fits into each one. One man easy on and off.
