Truck Cap vs. bed cover

[Samson16]

Because I don’t have experience with either the truck cap or bed cover, I am trying to develop that list of pros and cons..
What are the cons of a truck cap? I know that the appearance is different and that it adds more weight to the vehicle.
I have driven vans and box trucks in cross winds. Does a cap have the same impact on cross winds?
I would think that a cap would give more cargo room out of the elements than a cover, but is it as practical as I assume that it is?

Thanks for the input and pictures. Your truck looks sharp. Mine is being built 1/29/24. I have a RCSB 5.0, 4x4 on order and have wondered about the height. Fancy tailgates aren’t available on a regular cab. I will probably lower mine for ease of entry and better handling. Nothing drastic, but a few inches can make a big difference. I have thought about a Bedrug to make it easier on my knees, I am 71 and know what you mean.
I have tractors and trailers and have found that it is easier to load big stuff on trailers than a pickup. Pallets of fertilizer go on a trailer much easier than the back of a truck. I don’t even think that mine will even handle a one ton pallet in the bed. It’s been a while since I’ve had any thing other than a big truck with a trailer hitch.
Thanks for your words of wisdom.

I tore my rotator cuff years ago loading an ice chest over the side of a bed. I know that the trucks are too tall to do that today. I hadn’t thought about not really being able to access the bed from the sides these days.

We have caps on several of our work trucks and anything past arms reach is long term storage unless you have an under 30 trainee with you to climb up in there and get stuff for you ?

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[redline]

Because I don’t have experience with either the truck cap or bed cover, I am trying to develop that list of pros and cons..
What are the cons of a truck cap? I know that the appearance is different and that it adds more weight to the vehicle.
I have driven vans and box trucks in cross winds. Does a cap have the same impact on cross winds?
I would think that a cap would give more cargo room out of the elements than a cover, but is it as practical as I assume that it is?

I use a tonneau cover,
Pro
Visibity out of truck
stock like profile
flexiblity to load pretty much anything
cost they are pretty cheap
keeps bed dry and clean

Con
limits cover height to box height

i find the capper expensive, limit visibility, and my neighbours that have them seem to take them on and off their trucks all the time depending on what they are doing with the truck., and you have to crawl into the bed to get stuff out.

pro is double box height for covered storage

 

[dogboye]

ARE (and I think LEER as well) also have options for side windows that open. If you're tall enough, you can reach things inside through those.
Both my wife and I are short, so loading/unloading anything over the side of the bed of an F150 is a non-starter.

 

[2Lazy2P]

I use a tonneau cover,
Pro
Visibity out of truck
stock like profile
flexiblity to load pretty much anything
cost they are pretty cheap
keeps bed dry and clean

Con
limits cover height to box height

i find the capper expensive, limit visibility, and my neighbours that have them seem to take them on and off their trucks all the time depending on what they are doing with the truck., and you have to crawl into the bed to get stuff out.

pro is double box height for covered storage

I considered a cap but determined that it wasn't for me. I tried several tonneau covers (BakFlip MX4, RetraxPro MX) hoping that they would keep the bed dry and clean. Unfortunately, they did not. Both leaked during rain. The Bak Revolver 4s was a consideration but at that point I was gunshy about water getting in.

I ended up going with the UnderCover Elite LX which is great for dry and clean but as a one-piece it does limit bed utility. I also use the BedRug Classic Bed Liner which covers the gap between bed and tailgate and helps reduce water and debris from getting into the bed. It's also easy on the knees.

 

[Dale B]

ARE (and I think LEER as well) also have options for side windows that open. If you're tall enough, you can reach things inside through those.
Both my wife and I are short, so loading/unloading anything over the side of the bed of an F150 is a non-starter.

Since I had my shoulder replaced last year my days of reaching over the side of the bed are over. No matter which option I choose, no cover, bed cover, or cap, all of my loading will be done over the tailgate.

 

[Popplemer]

Since I had my shoulder replaced last year my days of reaching over the side of the bed are over. No matter which option I choose, no cover, bed cover, or cap, all of my loading will be done over the tailgate.

That's another reason the cap makes sense. While it's a bit clunky having to climb up into the bed for everything, it's a reality of getting older. I suggest getting the bed utility package if you can. The lights, tailgate step and tie downs are great. If you don't have the tailgate step on order i suggest a hitch step. My vote is for the cap and bed rug. This way you can crawl around in there and not have trouble crawling on that hard bed or bed liner. EDIT: this is my hitch step I used on my old truck.

 

[2Lazy2P]

Since I had my shoulder replaced last year my days of reaching over the side of the bed are over. No matter which option I choose, no cover, bed cover, or cap, all of my loading will be done over the tailgate.

I feel you. Had TKR for both knees and the BedRug really helps me kneel on the bed.

 

[Dale B]

I considered a cap but determined that it wasn't for me. I tried several tonneau covers (BakFlip MX4, RetraxPro MX) hoping that they would keep the bed dry and clean. Unfortunately, they did not. Both leaked during rain. The Bak Revolver 4s was a consideration but at that point I was gunshy about water getting in.

I ended up going with the UnderCover Elite LX which is great for dry and clean but as a one-piece it does limit bed utility. I also use the BedRug Classic Bed Liner which covers the gap between bed and tailgate and helps reduce water and debris from getting into the bed. It's also easy on the knees.

The BedRug is definitely on my list. It seems that no matter which route I take, I will be crawling around in the bed.

 

[Suns_PSD]

My opinion is that bed/ tonneu covers are useless, and toppers are very functional for some people (like me).

The Tonneu covers are too low to cover anything, not at all weatherproof, constantly have to be opened and closed if you use your bed, flap and make all sorts of noise, and any mpg change is miniscule to nonexistent.

Toppers obviously remove the ability to load large appliances or motorcycles into the bed of the truck. However, they are great for hauling pretty much everything else and keeping it secure. Really you can usually haul more stuff than you can with an open bed as the toppers hold things in. Right now, I have a very expensive Mountain Bike in my own topper at work in preparation for my after-work ride. Toppers are great for the dogs. They also improve the ride, traction & handling of the truck notably. I used to need 4wd just too pull out of my neighborhood (fast moving traffic) without spinning on any rainy day. Not an issue any longer. Toppers seem to make the truck quieter as well, wind noise or something, and have at least some positive effects on mpg.

I happen to think the right toppers look really nice as well (I like the ARE Z2).

GL

 

[Samson16]

We have to find you an easy way to get in and out of the bed. That makes all the difference imo. The sides are just too high lol. At 5'9" I can set and retrieve items that are tall like a 5 gallon bucket along the edges, that's about it, but my new paint is so nice why risk scratching it? There are some "seasoned" forum members who don't have the magic tailgate and they employ light step ladders that go with the truck for ease of ingress/egress. Gorilla makes some good ones that I use around the house etc. The BedRug is fantastic for knees, so cap or cover it's worth adding. My two cents.

 

[mdn14]

I have a LEER HF650M and it has been great. A little bit of water does get in through the car wash but I'm not trying to keep anything waterproof back there when I go through the wash.

It also provides great storage for hunting gear when stopping for a bite to eat (stays locked up) and it can easily fold out of the way when I need to use the truck bed to haul a mower or quad somewhere and don't want to screw around with a trailer.

Oh, and a bed rug is out of the question when deer and coyote start piling up in the bed.

 

[Dale B]

That's another reason the cap makes sense. While it's a bit clunky having to climb up into the bed for everything, it's a reality of getting older. I suggest getting the bed utility package if you can. The lights, tailgate step and tie downs are great. If you don't have the tailgate step on order i suggest a hitch step. My vote is for the cap and bed rug. This way you can crawl around in there and not have trouble crawling on that hard bed or bed liner. EDIT: this is my hitch step I used on my old truck.

I have never seen a hitch step before. It looks like a great idea. The regular cab is only available on a XL and there are no options available from the factory. I will definitely be looking into a hitch step.

 

[Samson16]

The Tonneu covers are too low to cover anything, not at all weatherproof, constantly have to be opened and closed if you use your bed, flap and make all sorts of noise, and any mpg change is miniscule to nonexistent.

I've been very pleased with my cover. Dry, secure and gorgeous

 

[Popplemer]

I have never seen a hitch step before. It looks like a great idea. The regular cab is only available on a XL and there are no options available from the factory. I will definitely be looking into a hitch step.

I wish you were closer I'd give you mine. It's just sitting here gathering dust as I got a new truck with the tailgate step. Here's what the step looks like in use and also flipped and closed up.

 

[Dale B]

We have to find you an easy way to get in and out of the bed. That makes all the difference imo. The sides are just too high lol. At 5'9" I can set and retrieve items that are tall like a 5 gallon bucket along the edges, but that's about it, but my new paint is so nice why risk scratching it? There are some "seasoned" forum members who don't have the magic tailgate and they employ light step ladders that go with the truck for ease of ingress/egress. Gorilla makes some good ones that I use around the house etc. The BedRug is fantastic for knees, so cap or cover it's worth adding. My two cents.

Popplemer mentioned a hitch step that looks very interesting and may be just what I need. I have had trouble getting up into the bed of trucks in the past, especially with wet bumpers. The regular cab just doesn’t offer any factory options.

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