I feel like I know you guys just from reading your posts. I searched in the general area for information on bed caps but didn't see anything that helped.

I 'think' I want to get a hard cover for my bed. My problem is I have a gooseneck stock trailer that I use 6-8 times a year and obviously would need to remove said cap when doing that.

Do any of them come off/go on easier than others? Is there one out there that can be installed/removed by one person?

Should I just forget it?

 

I put a Glasstite Raven shell on mine with the same intent. It comes off and on easily but takes two people. I haven't given it much thought on rigging up a sling or some other mechanism to make it a one man operation.

 

Try a retractable hard cover from Pace Edwards or Roll-n-lock. I would not buy a solid one unless you only use the trailer a few times a year. Things tend to "happen" to hard lids or caps taking them off and on. I have been selling truck stuff for 8 years and I get a lot of feedback from customers.

 

I bought a LEER R100. Nice cap. Very heavy.

Need 2 strong people to load/unload. 4 people comfortably.

 

dlpinkc:

I used a cap for years when towing a travel trailer. My shells were attached with heavy aluminum clips, for lack of a better word.

To remove the shell I sank four 4" by 4" posts in the ground. One on each corner of the bed, wide enough apart so I could back the pickup between them comfortably. I got 4 gate latches", heavy iron straps fashioned in a "Z" shape. I lag screwed the one latche into each 4 x 4 at an appropriate height and cut 2 pieces of 3/4" galvanized pipe long enough to go across the bed and drop into the latches.

I would get into the bed, remove the clips, raise the rear of the shell by stooping in the bed with my back against the top. By straightening my legs I could lift the shell and insert the pipe between the shell and the pickup bed into the latches on the 4x4s. Repeat the process at the front of the shell, drive the pickup out from under and the shell is off and hanging on the pipes waiting for the next time you want to install it. I put a couple of tie downs on the 4x4 and threw a rope over the shell to keep the wind from blowing it away.

A friend had access to some truck rims and welded 3"(?) pipes into the center holes and did essentially the same thing. He could roll his stands out of the way when the shell was on the truck. My post of course were permanent.

CLPF50

 

I moved it to here to the SD forum, in hopes of your receiving more input.

 

Also check out:
www.gaylordslids.com

They have a variety of styles that may open up some options for you. Happy hunting... I'm sure you'll find something suitable; lots of lids out there.

 

I had a Pace Edwards roll top on my F-150 & loved it. It takes up about 10" in the front of the box & pulls out over the back of the bed. Locks down in two or three closed/semi closed positions. MUCH!!! more versitle than a hard top or shell. Youu could even dump a load from a skip loader w/out hurting it. Box drains out through drain tubes & makes the bed really water resistant (hard but not impossible to get water in the bed - normal rain no, spray wash unit maybe.)

I really can't see putting a hard cover on a pickup. To me it cuts down on their versitility to much.

 

Go to this thread, read completely…. and post. Follow, on page 3..MLF250’s format, it is good…and easy!
Important update to instructions on page 6, 17 posts down from the top of page.

ODOMETER reading at time of problem is critical.
In addition, please read more instructions, bottom of first page, posted by Tim L
Tell as many as you can about this thread.
The simpler the writing (posting) of “problem/odometer” reading………….the easier it will be to collate. Do not need many words. I must reduce all the date into a usable format; extra words will take more time to complete.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...hreadid=185570

Thanks
Tim

 

One thought on shells: I bought one and let the dealer install it, he put the shell foam tape on the bed rails of the truck which looked stupid without the shell on and screwed up my paint. When I repainted the truck, I put the new tape on the shell which left my paint on the truck fine.

 

I hang mine in the shop, from chains, takes about and hour to get it off or on, remember to mark your bed, so you can get it back in place with no trouble

 

Get the roll-n-lock, I have pics in my gallery.I got it so I could put my sled or four wheeler in the back.But it is also a great idea if you have a goose neck or 5th wheel.