Well since I haul 4 wheelers, dirtbikes, snowmachines, firewood, and about everything else out there I can't have a topper. I don't care either way on how they look. I'd take function over style anyways.

My dad used to have a company truck with a topper. It was nice for sleeping in, storing the baseball gear ect. Just a pain to haul anything big.

They have there use for some people. Course, it would be nice to have 2 trucks, one with a topper and one without. Wait a minute, I do have 2 trucks. Hmmmmmmmmm..........

One note. If you have one of those walk in campers for your truck bed, make sure they are bolted down good. On the Glenn HWY leaving Anchorage there is a bridge with a big hump at the end and a corner. Well there was what was left of one down in the ditch. Hope Aunt Hellen wasn't in there.

 

don't like the look and wanted the bed open (that's why I bought a truck)

 

I have had toppers on my two trucks. I like them because they allow you to store things out of the weather and if you really need an open bed, you just take it off. Mine also has very dark windows so it cuts down on unwanted eyes checking what you got.

In Oregon, it rains all the time, so without a topper you would need a truck box or just leave things in the rain. We also camp a fair amount and I prefer the topper with the 4 inch foam pad and wooden platform I built over sleeping in a tent, if we are doing car camping. I also sleep better there than I do in our 30 foot travel trailer. Camping in the shell is the fastest "get away" compared to tenting or trailering.

The topper I have is a glass Guidon brand which is painted the same color as my truck so it looks like the truck is almost one unit like a Suburban or a panel truck. BTW the quality of the Guidon is not up to my expectations, poor glue on the windows, poor paint and liner that is starting to peel. I might have been happier with a unit that cost half the price.

I also think I have seen studies where a shell slightly helps mileage since it smooths the flow of air. However glass is heavy so the weight penalty may cancel things out. Aluminum is lighter but not as pretty. A high top shell drastically affects wind drag and mileage according to a friend of mine.

On long trips, I let the kids play in the back. Arguing about the wisdom of this is a whole nuther thread. It does keep them much happier to have a space away from mom and dad, and it retains our sanity. The platform and cushion make for a comfortable ride. We also have a blowup donut between the cab and shell that allows you to leave the window open if you want so heat or cool can circulate and so the kids can communicate, not always a good thing. Caution on blowing up the donut... in hot weather and if the donut is inflated a lot, it may press the window of the shell out of it's gasket, PITA.

Just my opinion,

Jim Henderson

 

On my '96, there is a camper, that will be taken off as soon as I decide to earn a living again, and on the '02 there is a topper, which will probably remain there forever, as every time I want rid of it, I need it to keep something secure, or dry.

Theo

 

I prefer not to have anything on the back because it cuts down on utility. Though I had to have one as a paycheck courier. On my Ranger it was always too short and I hated it for the head banging. I ended up selling it. Though for camping in the woods, it was nice with the screens though you can not see the stars.

If I was to buy one again, I think a walk in one with two doors on the back would be the ticket. Crawling in for things that slide forward gets old fast, especially leaning over the tailgate.

 

I just love my slide-in camper for getting away on short notice. It's a heavy bugger, but has all the comforts the wife likes (easier to get away). It only takes about 15 minutes to slide in or out, then I have use of my (very muscular) truck.

 

Yikes. Went to the Radco website and found out that my topper is $575 new. I didn't think it would have been that much.

Anyway, I got the topper on tonight, but it was too dark to tell if I liked it on or not. I do like having all that garage space back. Now, time to put in some shelves.

 

I've decided to sell the topper. I was down by the river today and the truck just didn't look right with it on. Can't see anything out the back either.

 

I built a aluminum diamond plate tonneu cover for my Ranger. The back half folds over on the top half so I can carry something tall. It is built like Fort Knox and has a dead bolt lock. Soon to have a 3" flying saucer that spins for a handle. Best of all it only cost me about $150.

 

i don't like the looks of a topper and have never really found the need for one. it would look bad for my truck anyways. good luck selling yours.

 

Toppers are fine for keeping things safe and dry,also give you a dry place to sleep when camping.A slide in camper would be a load on a 1/2 ton pick-up{Ithink they make some for a 1/2 ton but they are not much more then a big topper}.So if you ues your truck to huel stuff I would go with the topper ,they are easy to remove and put back as neeed.JMO

 

...sold my topper, use a Pace Edward cover now.

Jens