Truck Cap vs. bed cover

[gagliano7]

For the guys with Caps has it affected your MPG?

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[bloodocean]

I've got an ARE Z2 (+ all of the options) on my platty powerboost. No change in mileage. The front Thule crossbar whistles a bit but I haven't tried anything to fix it yet. Paint match on the metallic white isn't perfect but it's not noticeable unless you're up close.

The dogs love it back there, I can throw a cargo box on the rails for big roadtrips, it's worked very nicely for me.

 

[Dale B]

I've got an ARE Z2 (+ all of the options) on my platty powerboost. No change in mileage. The front Thule crossbar whistles a bit but I haven't tried anything to fix it yet. Paint match on the metallic white isn't perfect but it's not noticeable unless you're up close.

The dogs love it back there, I can throw a cargo box on the rails for big roadtrips, it's worked very nicely for me.

Your truck looks sharp. I haul a lot of plants in nursery containers and have had to rent a box truck to keep the wind off of them during transport. I believe that a cap like yours will work well for me.

 

[Bossharp]

The older I get the more important easily seeing what's going on around me driving is..In fact one big reason I'm going with a new truck is all the safety features and nannies basically all new vehicles have. Just getting a back up camera on my 2015 Fit made me safer. I had one full size topper on a quad cab long bed that made seeing using the smaller outside mirrors difficult because of screens, tint and side window design of the topper. Especially at night. Be careful of too dark a tint on the topper especially if your truck windows are dark.

 

[Dale B]

The older I get the more important easily seeing what's going on around me driving is..In fact one big reason I'm going with a new truck is all the safety features and nannies basically all new vehicles have. Just getting a back up camera on my 2015 Fit made me safer. I had one full size topper on a quad cab long bed that made seeing using the smaller outside mirrors difficult because of screens, tint and side window design of the topper. Especially at night. Be careful of too dark a tint on the topper especially if your truck windows are dark.

Thanks, I totally agree. I had a 2023 F150 on order and cancelled it when I found out that the 2024 model would have blind spot monitoring and LED headlights standard.
I have never had a vehicle with a backup camera and am looking forward to it along all the bells and whistles that help keep you from running into things.
My concern with the bed cap is the loss of visibility behind you. I have wondered about the possibility of using the backup camera as a rear view mirror when you are driving forward. I know that there are systems to add an LCD screen to the rear view mirror to display camera angles behind the vehicle. I will have to play with it after I get it home.

Thanks for your insights.

 

[dogboye]

No change in mileage that I have perceived. I noticed it a bit on my Tacoma, but I got the MX version, with the hump. But not on the F-150.
I have not noticed blind spot problems, or rear-view problems, on either of the trucks, F-150 or Tacoma.
Maybe just me. I'm getting on up there in age, 57, almost 58. But I just haven't noticed a problem.
The ONLY thing that bothers me is I keep seeing the rear window defroster wires on the back of the truck cab, and think they are wires on the back window of the cap.

 

[bloodocean]

Thanks, I totally agree. I had a 2023 F150 on order and cancelled it when I found out that the 2024 model would have blind spot monitoring and LED headlights standard.
I have never had a vehicle with a backup camera and am looking forward to it along all the bells and whistles that help keep you from running into things.
My concern with the bed cap is the loss of visibility behind you. I have wondered about the possibility of using the backup camera as a rear view mirror when you are driving forward. I know that there are systems to add an LCD screen to the rear view mirror to display camera angles behind the vehicle. I will have to play with it after I get it home.

Thanks for your insights.

I can see well enough through the cap glass during daylight if i keep the glass relatively clean. At night you don't get detail but you can still make out headlights well enough.

You can use the rearview camera like a rearview mirror (just tap the camera button over the display while driving at speed) however it's wide angle and you don't get great depth perception.

 

[Dale B]

No change in mileage that I have perceived. I noticed it a bit on my Tacoma, but I got the MX version, with the hump. But not on the F-150.
I have not noticed blind spot problems, or rear-view problems, on either of the trucks, F-150 or Tacoma.
Maybe just me. I'm getting on up there in age, 57, almost 58. But I just haven't noticed a problem.
The ONLY thing that bothers me is I keep seeing the rear window defroster wires on the back of the truck cab, and think they are wires on the back window of the cap.

You’re still a young whipper snapper. It starts closer to 70.
The blind spots vary by vehicle. My SL is terrible with the top on. The location of roof supports makes a big difference. I’m glad to hear that the F150 doesn’t have a problem.

Thanks for your insight.

 

[Samson16]

I don’t know if it’s available for you guys, but the 360 camera system might be the best feature of any vehicle I’ve ever owned or driven.

 

[Dale B]

I can see well enough through the cap glass during daylight if i keep the glass relatively clean. At night you don't get detail but you can still make out headlights well enough.

You can use the rearview camera like a rearview mirror (just tap the camera button over the display while driving at speed) however it's wide angle and you don't get great depth perception.

I’m glad that activating the camera in forward is a simple procedure. My wife has a Fusion that she lets me drive if I ask nicely, but I know better than to change her settings. I am sold on blind spot monitoring and the backup camera.
I look forward to getting mine. The build week is 1/29. I figure that I’ll get it about the first of March.
Thanks for your input.

 

[Dale B]

I don’t know if it’s available for you guys, but the 360 camera system might be the best feature of any vehicle I’ve ever owned or driven.

Copilot 360 2.0 is now standard on all F150’s. That may not be what you’re referring.

 

[Samson16]

Copilot 360 2.0 is now standard on all F150’s. That may not be what you’re referring.

I’m not sure what that is. My XLT doesn’t have some things that ought to be standard for 60k lol.

 

[Dale B]

I’m not sure what that is. My XLT doesn’t have some things that ought to be standard for 60k lol.

This is the generic description:
What is Ford Co-Pilot360™*?

Ford Co-Pilot360 is a suite of driver-assist features that can help you drive more safely. The system includes:
Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking
BLIS® (Blind Spot Information System) with Cross-Traffic Alert
Lane-Keeping System
Rear View Camera
Auto High-Beam Headlamps
Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+

In addition, Ford is offering more premium driver-assist technologies, including:
Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go and Lane Centering
Evasive Steering Assist
Post-collision Braking
Visit the Ford Co-Pilot site for more information. Contact your local Ford dealer for product availability.
*Driver-assist features are supplemental and do not replace the driver’s attention, judgment, and need to control the vehicle. See your Owner's Manual for details and limitations.

 

[Samson16]

The system includes:
Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking
BLIS® (Blind Spot Information System) with Cross-Traffic Alert
Lane-Keeping System
Rear View Camera
Auto High-Beam Headlamps

I have all of that, but not the adaptive cruise. They confused me with “lane keeping assist”.

 

[Samson16]

The 360 camera package ( confusing they use 360 for different things) is a suite of well placed cameras that can be stitched together to provide a 3rd person bird’s eye view of your truck. I love it for maneuvering in and out of tight spaces. It’s amazing.

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