truck opinions, please

[270man]

I bought a new Chevy Silverado 4WD pickup last summer and I'm having trouble deciding how to cover the bed. Choices have been narrowed down to a bed lid vs a cab-high camper shell. I see advantages and disadvantages in both.

The lid (hard tonneau or whatever the correct name is?) allows more visibility and looks better (the truck has a crew cab and short bed). It is clamped on and fairly easy to remove if one needs the open bed. The camper shell provides more protected gear space and it is easier to install a rack for carrying a canoe or ?? Disadvantages are reduced visibility and blocking of the bed light (top and back of cab).

Give me your experiences and opinions -- particularly with the lids. I've had a pickup with camper shell before and am pretty familiar with the pros and cons.

Thanks, 270man

[buckhunter]

I always used a camper shell. Usually one that stuck up about the cab a couple of inches. Protected everything you put back there. Never stored important stuff cause it was easy to get lifted.

[fabsroman]

When we say "camper shell", are we talking about a truck top? With the truck tops, you can get some pretty nice ones nowadays. I was looking at one from Leer called the 100RCC. It is a commercial cap that would work pretty nicely for my hobby needs (e.g., cycling, hunting, and fishing). It allows for a rack to be used on top to carry bikes around along with other gear. You could even put one of those black boxes on top. The interior comes with options for power and lights, so there isn't much worry about not getting enough light in there to see what you are doing. Plus, I like the side box that is a little harder to break into than the windows. However, I still would not leave anything of value in it for any extended period of time. There are even interior accessories for it and Leer offers three packages called the 1) Adventure Sports package, 2) Wilderness package, and 3) Fisherman's package. Even the non-commercial tops are pretty nice and offer a lot of options. On the non-commercial side I was looking at the 100XR. Still haven't decided on whether to get one or not because we are contemplating the purchase of a SUV. Time will tell.

[dovehunter]

I've always preferred the cap/camper shell as opposed to a toneau cover. Mainly becuase you can get more stuff under them - also taller stuff. As far as looks are concerned, I personally have always thought the caps looked better than toneau covers anyway but that's a personal opinionthing. Another reason I don't like them is I have seen several of them fly off the pickup bed. One such occurence occured while I was driving home from work and the fiberglass bed cover came off the truck in front of me and flew through the air. It was just pure luck that the durn thing didn't go through my windshield and kill all of us in my car. I would have thought this was a fluke but, as I said, I have seen the same thing happen on at least two other occasions.

[skeet]

Well having had a couple or more of each.. The Tonneau cover is the more pleasing in looks..better on gas mileage by far and it can be locked..without people being able to see what is under it. I have seen waaaayyyy more caps come off pickups than the tonneau covers..mainly I think because there are more caps. I even have a soft tonneau cover now that i hardly ever use..manily because of carrying a fuel tank in the pickup bed. Farm use ya know. I do have a cap on the old Chebby El Camino right now..but think I am going to remove it..mainly cause it is much better looking without the cap. When I had the auto accident in 2003 the tonneau cover flopped around a bit but was still attached after rolling the truck 5 times....probably still usable if not for the cracked area on one corner.. Not my truck...but i'd vote for the tonneau cover....cheaper better looking and much better for fuel mileage

[GoodOlBoy]

Problem with a camper shell is height for taller items, but you can always camp in the darned thing, and it is lockable. Problem with a hard cover (Turtle hull, teneau cover etc) is it is even shorter, and some of them are designed to be installed ONLY once. You remove it it never goes back on. The main holes for it are molded into the fiberglass. Myself if I don't care for either one. There are a few "soft" covers out there that roll away, etc. But some of them use bolt on or clamp on aluminum rails that get in the way. It all depends on what you want to do with it. My truck is a hunting and farm truck fuel milage don't really come into it, particularly since 3 out of 5 loads stick up above the cab (need to take an old fridge, old washer, and old water heater to the scrap yard this weekend for example)

GoodOlBoy

[270man]

Guys,

Thanks for all your comments and ideas. It was a tough choice but I finally ordered a cab-high camper shell. The hard tonneau looks better and provides better visibility but the shell holds more stuff, has a lighter door to lift up and is better for sleeping (for me, it will be emergency or rough-camping only). Another big factor was PRICE! I was amazed to find that the shell cost little more than the hard tonneau.

The shell comes with sliding side windows, interior light, brake light (high, above the lift-up door) and a fold down front window. The fold down window will allow me to clean both sides of the glass (both shell and pickup).

270man

[fabsroman]

Guys,

Thanks for all your comments and ideas. It was a tough choice but I finally ordered a cab-high camper shell. The hard tonneau looks better and provides better visibility but the shell holds more stuff, has a lighter door to lift up and is better for sleeping (for me, it will be emergency or rough-camping only). Another big factor was PRICE! I was amazed to find that the shell cost little more than the hard tonneau.

The shell comes with sliding side windows, interior light, brake light (high, above the lift-up door) and a fold down front window. The fold down window will allow me to clean both sides of the glass (both shell and pickup).

270man

Just wondering what brand you went with and what you paid for it. I sent Cap World a price request last spring on a Leer cap but never heard back from them. If you want to keep the price private but are alright with sharing it with me, send me a PM.

Thanks

[270man]

No problem Fab,

Mine is a Leer (haven't got it yet -- still on order) and the price was just over $1300, including tax. They didn't charge me for installation as some other vendors do.

270man

[fabsroman]

No problem Fab,

Mine is a Leer (haven't got it yet -- still on order) and the price was just over $1300, including tax. They didn't charge me for installation as some other vendors do.

270man

That is a pretty decent price. I was expecting to pay over $2,000 for one. Which one did you get, and what, if any, options did you get on it? I might actually have to check this out after tax season because I could really use a top.

How hard is it to install and take back off should I want to haul stuff like bricks or dirt? Guess I could get a trailer for that stuff.

[dovehunter]

...How hard is it to install and take back off should I want to haul stuff like bricks or dirt?...

I've got basically the same cap, though mine is a Raven brand. Most all these things are installed now using specially made c-clamps so they're extremely easy to remove. The problem though is that the fiberglass ones are heavy. The one on my Ranger Super Cab is cab height and about 6 ft. long. My son and I have removed mine (and set it on the ground by ourselves). However, when it came to putting it back on I enlisted the aid of two of my neighbors to help. It was much easier with four guys.

[newB]

Try to get a cap with single handle operation, less messing around with keys (keep all lock styles covered and oiled). Truck cab height avoids low clearance problems. A few draw backs on a cap is the loss of vision out the back and sides, you must rely on your side view mirrors 100% with a 99% look out the rear view mirror, on an extended or crew cab any reflection/distortion from all light sources makes using the review mirror impossible in low light.

Happy Thanksgiving.

God created we manage.

[fabsroman]

No problem Fab,

Mine is a Leer (haven't got it yet -- still on order) and the price was just over $1300, including tax. They didn't charge me for installation as some other vendors do.

270man

Told my wife about the $1,300 price tag and she said "That's all? That is pretty cheap!!" So, I might have the green light for this purchase come spring time.

[Rapier]

To bad I saw this late. I have a GMC as you describe, bought it last year. I took the taneau cover off and replaced it with a Folding Lock. I bought their top of the line model. They are pretty slick. They lock up tight, seal out the rain and you can fold them from the rear to the front in two moves, leaving the bed open. My unit cost me $800.
Ed

[270man]

Guys,

Can't argue against any of your comments. Each type of cover -- hard Tonneau lid or shell camper -- has its advantanges and disadvantages. I've had a shell camper before, so guess I won't ever know about the lid. Rapier and I found the same price on the hard, tri-fold lid. Just before I decided on the cab-high shell, I checked the tri-fold out and the quoted price was $800.

After 3 trips in my truck with lots of gear and an open bed, I'm convinced I made the right decision -- for me. My junk soared above the bed sides on all three of those trips. The single, center handle is probably better but I have friends with dual handles and they seem to have no problems with them. All of them should be kept clean and lubed.

270man

[Rapier]

270,
A clarification.

Sorry, I made a mistake, I do not have a Fold N Lock, I have a G4 Elite FoldaCover. As pictured here:

http://www.foldacover.com/Products/ViewPhotos/tabid/67/AlbumID/412-1/Default.aspx

I looked at the Fold N Lock and decided not to buy it VS the FoldaCover. But Fold N Lock stuck in my head.

Your comment about three folding sections made me think, wait a minute, I do not have a three folder. It actually has 4 folding sections. The FoldaCover front section folds front to rear, the three rear sections fold rear to front and both front and rear sections have a key lock with the rear section also locking the tailgate.
CRS, CRS.....
Ed

[270man]

I appreciate all the comments and suggestions on the choice between a hard tonneau bed cover vs a camper shell. I now have the cab-high shell installed on my Chevy Silverado and think I'll be happy with it. Just returned from a backcountry trip and my gear rose above the top of the bed sides. Packing would have been more difficult with only a tonneau.

Another reason I chose the shell camper is that I carry a canoe a couple of times each year. The only way I could see that a tonneau would work is to remove it and install a temporary "ladder" rack in the bed rail slots. Turned out these aren't real cheap -- at least the ones I checked. With the camper shell, a rack can be attached to the camper and even the top of the truck cab. I prefer not to do the latter and just use foam blocks if they are needed. A permanent rack installation on the shell camper is acceptable.

The place I bought my shell has a rack unit that bolts onto the shell but I was quoted a price over $400 -- too high for my limited needs. I won't need the rack for another 6 months, so I have plenty of time to check out options. If you have any ideas, please reply to the posts.

270man

[dovehunter]

I love my fiberglass cab-high camper shell but wish now that I had spent the extra money and bought one that is higher at the rear so I could haul taller stuff - maybe with my next truck.

[Rapier]

Yep, any truck cover is a problem as you know going in that it will not work for every application.
Glad you like the new shell.
Ed

[skeeter@ccia.com]

Inlaw has the hard cover and hates it..looks great but for hauling anything that sticks above the bed a little..Been wondering about the tri-folds...my tool box is bed level and would work great only if the last fold would lay next to the back window so have access to the toolbox lid. Only other option would be the taller camper shell so have enough room to get inside and open lid...and am always in the box for tools.....send a picture of your truck after get the cap installed..would like to see...also, friend of mine uses his alum cap with 6" extension for height but had to add cardboard on inside roof for winter camping...heat from heaters/cold air outside...yep..rain inside..short of truck camper, wonder if they make any with twin roof to avoid this? On my old truck, I had to add 0 hooks on sides ..rope over tree limb to remove cap myself..drive from under it..took off myself once but was tight squeeze out the open back window when laying on ground..lol..

[Rapier]

Skeet,
This is the cover I have, the G4 Elite

http://www.pickupspecialties.com/Foldacover/Fold-a-cover-main.htm

It has a tool box option that can be added under the front top section. The top locks at the front and at the rear. It is pretty secure and is fairly water tight for a top that does not go over the outside of the bed. I put 4 of the large kitchen rubber mats in the mottom of my truck which keeys stuff from sliding and should I get a small leak in a storm, it keeps stuff off the bed surface itself, which in combination has not allowed anything to get any water of any kind on it in two years of FL storms and rain. Oh, I also drove to Tulsa in the driving rain with a bed full of cased guns, not one got damp, much less wet.
Ed

[rainydays]

Well for me I went the route of a shell(topper), at least for awhile, till it became quite evident that when my wife drove the truck, having to use mirrors to back up....Well it wasn't good for the truck or anything behind the truck. A tonneau cover saved our marriage.:D

[skeet]

Well for me I went the route of a shell(topper), at least for awhile, till it became quite evident that when my wife drove the truck, having to use mirrors to back up....Well it wasn't good for the truck or anything behind the truck. A tonneau cover saved our marriage.:D

What?? a woman that uses a rear view mirror??..much less knows what it's for!!.. And put a trailer back of ya..they dont even know what the difference is ..just drive the same way.. Whatever is back there has to watch out for itself!! LOL... I must admit..there are some women who use mirrors..I saw one on the Baltimore Beltway one morning..doing her eyelashes ...at 70 MPH..looking in the mirror of course