I recently purchased a '99 F-250 Superduty with a short bed and am looking for a high quality canopy with matching paint. What are your recommendations as far as manufacturers and preferred options? My truck is currently in Denver, CO.

 

Doesn't color match, but for the value and quality is outstanding for the Undercover unit on my F250... I've even walked across it with my lardy 275lb body with no issues, and the black color actually looks really good on any paint scheme.

 

I've not had a cap for a long time but I've had several tonneau covers over the last decade. I can't speak for what design you're looking for but I can tell you from a fitment and quality standpoint from their tonneau covers.


I did NOT like the ******* on my F-250 (poor mechanics, a lot of modification to fit the lid onto the bed, and seemed to be a generic cut to fit several different sizes)


I liked the Leer on my F-150 (ergonomics matched the style of the truck, good mechanics and good locking mechanism)


I really like the Snug Top that is on my F250 now (good mechanics, solid construction, great fit, and good locking mechanisms)


The Snug Top I have currently is by and far the best tonneau I've had. Again, I can't speak to the caps, but I am very happy with their tonneaus.

 

I love my A.R.E. and the white color matches my truck. I have the optional side glass that opens up like a service truck topper, makes it easy to get to stuff. Keep in mind if buying used the Superduty bed is tapered and used toppers to fit it are scarce.

 

Hawker97,
You might want to give us a little more info about what type of cover you are looking for (shell versus tonneau cover) and what type of stuff you plan on hauling around as that will drive the recommendations you may receive. I have owned a few covers in my time and am currently running one of these (HD version) for the past 12 years or so. Truck Bed Covers and Tonneau Covers : DiamondBack Truck Covers


They say it will hold 1600 pounds but I have had more than that on mine and have not had an issue. I once piled on 8 British Commandos during CAX at 29 Palms with full gear to drive them back to the main base and it handled them fine and that was well over 1600 pounds.

 

Be patient and search towns nearby on Craigslist. You have to buy Superduy specific. Our beds get narrow from window to tailgate.

I found mine after a month 45 mins away with matching paint. Had to replace my seals myself.

If new go Leer or A.R.E

 

The body of my truck is kinda beat so I wasn't spending $2500 on a new one. Took me about 8 months looking at used to find one to fit a Superduty. Bed length and tapered shape mean limited number to choose from. Found a Leer high top and it was same color as a bonus. First big rain and lots of water in the bed. Windows leaking on both sides. Did a little internet searching to see how to seal the windows and it turns out lots of folks have leak problems with Leer. Here's just one thread about it. https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...p-leaking.html

Might want to look at ARE or Eagle if you need completely dry.

 

Leer, A.R.E., SnugTop, and Raider are good ones.

As mentioned, they are a real bugger to find in the used market. They are either beat, the wrong color, the wrong taper, the wrong bed, or any variation of incompatible. It took months for me to find one, but I got it from CL for $350. It even matched my rear pass-through window.

 

I have two Leer tops, one on the Ford which I bought new and one on my Tundra which I bought used........very happy with both units. The AREs I have seen are pretty darn nice as well.

 

Had to drive 200 miles round trip and paid $550 for my A.R.E but well worth it, condition was great.







I made a steel shelf that straddles the wheel well and bolts to the top bed rail for ease of getting at stuff.

 

I haven't even seen my new truck yet except for pictures. I will be using the truck to pull a 28' boat and need a place to put my gear and haul my labs. I watched a YouTube video today that compared Snugtop, A.R.E. and LEER Canopies.
Based on the video I'm sold on the Snugtop...$2700. I don't want to do it over if I am not satisfied with another brand and the shipping charge to Alaska is $800.
Headed to Colorado to pick it up in two weeks.....34,000 miles on the truck, 7.3L Powerstroke.

The truck is stock, any recommendations on adding a tuner? Also I'm considering upgrading the transmission cooler to the one used on the
6.0 to provide additional cooling. Any recommendations are appreciated, this is my first diesel truck.

 

wow 34K? Were gonna need to know the details on that!

 

I have no idea what brand my topper is? My last 2 trucks had caps / topper on them and I'll never go bad to not having one. And if I need to haul anything that won't fit in the cap...well that is why they have trailers and it is a truck. For me I have always had big drooling dogs that were never allowed in the truck and I can leave tools and boating gear in the bed without it NOT being ripped off. Same with family trips I just tell my wife you can bring whatever will fit in bed and trust me she'll fill the bed. The biggest problem I have with my cap is leaks at the tailgate & rear hatch.
By the way I want to see a photo of your boat.
I want to go boating...oh I can't lake Michigan is frozen. I'm sure you know about Frozen !

 

I missed that..34k.. that is Crazy low I want to hear more and see more photos of what virgin looks like. That is just too Cool !!

 

Revealing windows is not hard. I bought my new seal tape at our local accessories shop. However Lowe's has some window seal tape that may have been a better choice. It's brownish orange and sponge lime.