Truck Cap vs. bed cover

[ks54703]

Have had a cap on the personal pickup since hand building the first one for a 63 F250 pickup, 2 79's a F150 and F250, 2 98's RCLB & Scab 6.5'Bed, 2005 F150 Crew cab 5.5' box, 2007 1500 Silverado color matched 5.5 box and color matched bed liner, 2013 SLT color matched again cap and bed liner.

Enter 2016 when Ford went with a aluminum F150 Truck and thought well let's do a lightweight roll up tonneau cover and see how things go while deciding which cap to buy, now in a 22 XLT with a lightweight roll up tonneau cover and really do not see the need or have a want for a cap.

Easily got over the continued need to unlock the cap, to lower a tailgate, close tailgate to then re-lock the cap.

Watching some cap installer hack into my new wiring harness stopped years ago.

Carry a small in bed pop up tent for overnight trail camping.

The same rubber floor bed liner bought for the 16 F150 is now in the 22 and bought a new throwaway tonneau cover that saved monies for fun trips of fishing and hunting.

Idea here is run simple and out of sight is out of mind, have had to many of the oh where is the rear topper window only to find gear and tools funding some else's needs and wants.

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[mdn14]

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

 

[Atlee]

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

I tow a travel trailer a lot. IMO, the truck functions better as a tow vehicle. I also boondock a lot which means I had to take along a couple of Honda 2000 generators and the gas to run them. Generators/gas work better in a truck rather than a large SUV.

 

[Bossharp]

mdn14 if you have a Quad/extended cab you have all the passenger room needed (except 3rd row) and a VERY versatile storage area in the bed. Dead deer to fancy Gibsons you can set it up any way you want and have the ability to change that if your needs change. With a bedrug and a quality topper or tonneau cover it's as good as very large trunk. My truck (single cab short bed XL) will be about the lowest cost 2024 F-150 you can buy. All SUV's are at least 15 grand more. I consider it a Mustang with a very large trunk.

 

[musman]

I installed a Truxedo Sentry roll up tonneau cover and love it so far. To each their own i guess.

 

[hedge]

@Wmflyfisher I just want to verify that you have the ARE revo cap. I believe it is and would like to thank you for the pics as that's the one I'm considering... although I'll probably go Evolve for the windows.

 

[Wmflyfisher]

@Wmflyfisher I just want to verify that you have the ARE revo cap. I believe it is and would like to thank you for the pics as that's the one I'm considering... although I'll probably go Evolve for the windows.

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.

 

[Dale B]

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

I started my search for my next vehicle by shopping for a 4Runner. I need a vehicle to transport plants in nursery containers. When I looked at loading plants in the back of a new SUV, it just didn’t make sense to spend the extra and then treat it like a truck A cap will provide my cargo the shelter it needs and I can hose the dirt out of my bed even with a BedRug.

 

[mdn14]

mdn14 if you have a Quad/extended cab you have all the passenger room needed (except 3rd row) and a VERY versatile storage area in the bed. Dead deer to fancy Gibsons you can set it up any way you want and have the ability to change that if your needs change. With a bedrug and a quality topper or tonneau cover it's as good as very large trunk. My truck (single cab short bed XL) will be about the lowest cost 2024 F-150 you can buy. All SUV's are at least 15 grand more. I consider it a Mustang with a very large trunk.

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 ????

 

[Wmflyfisher]

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 ????

I wouldn’t think twice about throwing a deer on the bedrug unless it had been gut shot. Though soft it’s super durable and you can wash it off. Open the back and let it air dry a day or two. I’ve carried and spilt everything back there. A ton more room in the back of the bed vs the back of an SUV.

 

[Dale B]

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 ????

It’s as easy as carrying a tarp to lay down before you throw the deer in.

 

[Dale B]

Dale it makes it much safer to pass..or get away! I would choose a Roush over the Whipple from a cost standpoint. I never had a one piece tonneau cover until I got a 2006 SRT-10 Quad cab and the difference in visibility while driving was striking. That full size topper really blocks you from fully seeing the road and cars around you from the sides and rear. The functionality in my case was about equal. The tonneau cover was 99.999% waterproof but the topper was close. I REALLY liked the look with the little wing on the back too. But if you have to have the higher roof for what you want to carry regularly that's your only option. I found only a very few times I needed to raise the lid to fit a taller load and kept a few bungee cords for that reason to keep the top as low as possible. It was aluminum and fairly heavy so I didn't want to stress the hinges and drove slower on the rough field the 2 or 3 times I had to have the lid up. I really liked the one piece tonneau cover for security especially waterproofing ease of use and of course visibly. Plus (with a wing!) It just looks cool.

If I get crazy and decide that I need 700HP, I will look a little closer. I think one of the big differences is the inter cooler in the kits.
For now I’m looking forward to being able to buy regular gas. I’ve had to buy premium for the last three decades.
I propagate a lot of plants and grow them in nursery containers. I am active in a number of plant organizations and need to transport plants. I think a cap will work best for me. I won’t have to worry about keeping the wind off of the plants. I frequently need about four feet to be able to stand them up. A cap will allow me to not have to rent an enclosed trailer. I am hoping that BLIS and the other safety features will help me with visibility.

Thanks for your input.

 

[Popplemer]

If I get crazy and decide that I need 700HP, I will look a little closer. I think one of the big differences is the inter cooler in the kits.
For now I’m looking forward to being able to buy regular gas. I’ve had to buy premium for the last three decades.
I propagate a lot of plants and grow them in nursery containers. I am active in a number of plant organizations and need to transport plants. I think a cap will work best for me. I won’t have to worry about keeping the wind off of the plants. I frequently need about four feet to be able to stand them up. A cap will allow me to not have to rent an enclosed trailer. I am hoping that BLIS and the other safety features will help me with visibility.

Thanks for your input.

I find that tow mirrors are a big help if you use any sort of cap, bed rack or anything that potentially obscures your view. Tow mirrors coupled with all the new safety features on the truck should make for a nice easy drive.

 

[lynskynbnd]

I went with an ARE MX cap for the extra head room as I camp in my truck. Some people call it overlanding...
Every pickup I've owned I have put a cap on.

 

[Popplemer]

I went with an ARE MX cap for the extra head room as I camp in my truck. Some people call it overlanding...
Every pickup I've owned I have put a cap on.

That looks awesome!

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