Truck Cap vs. bed cover

[Old Hat]

Out of genuine curiosity, for those of you who have bed rugs and caps to weather proof everything, why not buy an explorer or an expedition? Seems far more logical than a truck Imo.

Maybe they’re way more expensive? ?‍ I also get the “I just want a truck” too

Right. Plus you'd have the benefit of it being warm just like the cabin.

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[Samson16]

I just cleaned/conditioned the tonneau with 303 and I think it’s going to be my go to for it. Worked well ?

 

[JBHBILL]

I have a RCSB on order which I plan to use as a daily driver. I have had trucks in the past, but never used one as a daily driver. My plan is to add a cab height truck cap rather than a bed cover to be able to carry things out of the wind and weather and use a trailer to carry things that won't fit under the truck cap. My daily drivers for the last twenty-six years have been two seaters, but they do have trunks, small ones. I don't see many regular cabs on the road and few with truck caps.

I thought that it would be a good idea to ask you truck guys your opinions before I spent the money for a truck cap. Any words of wisdom for a new truck guy?

I had a Softopper for my '19 Ranger and it was great. I didn't get it for the 150 though, plenty of storage for me with just a tonneau cover. You can fold the Softopper up in a couple minutes or just take it off if you to haul something tall.

 

[Wallyo]

Crawling into them to reach the back and large item restriction are the main drawbacks. Color matched like @Kodiak looks great though ?

Many do not realize with toppers you can order all sorts of windows . I ordered them on my last ARE cap and on my current.

tilt up side locking windows.

Every one that sees my truck says one of 2 thing . “I did not know you can get them or I thought about it but went with fixed windows instead now I see I should have ordered them.

They will add about another 500 plus to the cost but worth every penny. You can also get a tilt down bulkhead window. Did so on my first cap used it once or twice salesman sold me on it by saying makes cleaning the cab window easier.

I found with a cap the rear cab window never got that dirty. This time I just ordered it with a manual slider since I have the electric slider on the f150.

The biggest dis with a cover pull it back in a torrential rain every thing is going to get wet.

My cap flip the windows up nothing get wet or just a little splash. And I have a trailer for bigger taller items that won’t fit.

 

[Wallyo]

New cap and truck

My old cap on the truck of the owner who purchased it.

 

[Samson16]

@Wallyo your truck looks great with that cap! Windows would help, but I wonder if a step is needed to really reach in there?

 

[ryanc111]

agreed. But a topper and a bed rug you aren’t throwing dead deer in. Thus, an suv. But I like trucks as much as the next guy so I get it for versatility ????

Ha, I've done exactly this. In fact, that was one of the main end uses for the truck. It's impressive how easily the bed rugs clean out.

 

[Wallyo]

@Wallyo your truck looks great with that cap! Windows would help, but I wonder if a step is needed to really reach in there?

Thank you I think ARE does a great job with styling. ARE is independent. They have over the years branched into other truck related markets.

Almost all the other companies are owned by Leer.

Quick side note on the red cap, right before my Sierra was hit and totaled, I realized ARE has a lifetime paint warranty, to original owner as long as the paint on the original truck is good. So it was off the truck at the ARE factory getting reconditioned.

Came back looking great after the accident! Since it was not on the truck at the time it was mine to sell. They even took care of some small issues with it that they did it need to address!

 

[Wallyo]

Sorry forgot to mention I am 6’1” with very long arms, so I do not not have much issue reaching things.

I purchased a set of 2 plastic folding steps at Home Depot on clearance just for this reason as well but 10 months later still in the packaging .

 

[JoeB]

I have a RCSB on order which I plan to use as a daily driver. I have had trucks in the past, but never used one as a daily driver. My plan is to add a cab height truck cap rather than a bed cover to be able to carry things out of the wind and weather and use a trailer to carry things that won't fit under the truck cap. My daily drivers for the last twenty-six years have been two seaters, but they do have trunks, small ones. I don't see many regular cabs on the road and few with truck caps.

I thought that it would be a good idea to ask you truck guys your opinions before I spent the money for a truck cap. Any words of wisdom for a new truck guy?

I have a 2021 crewcab with cab height cap that has been on my truck since day 1. Last truck I had was supercab without a cap. I like the cap much better and will always have 1 on my trucks from now on.

 

[Dale B]

Yes sir the Revo. I’m pretty pleased with it except the paint wasn’t 100% perfect. Needs to be buffed in a couple places but my truck is black and you can see every imperfection. I’m super picky about things. I really like the curved back glass and the look. The latch is good too. I’d purchase it again.
[/QUOTE
Yes sir the Revo. I’m pretty pleased with it except the paint wasn’t 100% perfect. Needs to be buffed in a couple places but my truck is black and you can see every imperfection. I’m super picky about things. I really like the curved back glass and the look. The latch is good too. I’d purchase it again.

I’m shopping for a cap and really like the ARE formed rear door. I’m trying to choose between the Revo and the Evolve. The question is do I really need side windows that I can open for ventilation? My truck is antimatter blue metallic which is pretty dark and I live in Georgia. Will anything in the back cook during the summer? What is your experience and thoughts?

 

[Kodiak]

I’m shopping for a cap and really like the ARE formed rear door. I’m trying to choose between the Revo and the Evolve. The question is do I really need side windows that I can open for ventilation? My truck is antimatter blue metallic which is pretty dark and I live in Georgia. Will anything in the back cook during the summer? What is your experience and thoughts?

I did not have mine during the very hot months but IMO the temp back there was cooler than the truck itself. ARE glass is very dark and may have some heat/sun blocking properties. Because of this the back stays cooler than the front.

When I got my CX Revo I got the better side windows with a slider/opening with a screen. When you open the slider the screen automatically extends with the glass slider so it is a one shot operation. I got this on both sides so I could get cross ventilation. I also got the front window that tilts down with another sliding window so I have a lot of air options, but never used them yet.

The biggest issue with the Revo is both a plus and minus, depending on how you look at it. The glass is shaped to fit the large tailgate (with step for me) so it sticks out slightly from the topper to make its seal. While this works fine it would be an area that you would keep an eye on as this seal area is where I can see will need attention or replacing at some point. However, I find the fact that the glass is one piece and covers the entire tailgate so no water can work in that way, a benefit. Personally I like this and I can deal with the seal. You can see this in the pic.

Color match was dead on (Atlas Blue). Good luck with your decision.

 

[Samson16]

Putting the Bedrug to the test. Wife surprised me with a nursery trip lol

 

[Wmflyfisher]

No issues for me ever with it getting too hot in the back and I’m in FL.

 

[Dale B]

Putting the Bedrug to the test. Wife surprised me with a nursery trip lol

I have to make a lot of those trips of several hundred miles with a bed full. I have to worry about the plants still having leaves when I arrive. That is why I have decided on a cab height cap.

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