Looking for reco on toppers

[RangerDoug805]

Hi
I have a 2020 2WD 6 ft bed - standard cab

I want a topper / shell with windows (ideally fiberglass or alum) more for simple camping (not commercial/tools etc.)

Interested to hear folks' views on best options?

 

[sgtsandman]

Fiberglass is more quiet when it comes to rain and things falling on it like sticks and acorns. They will insulate better as well. If you have experience with metal sheds or patio roofs, that will give you an idea how noisy an aluminum cap would be. Then imagine trying to sleep in it with rain or things dropping on it.

If you are looking to be able to carry a load on the roof, make sure the roof is reinforced for it.

Of course, fiberglass is more expensive as well.

The other option would be a tent designed to be setup in a truck bed.

I would not consider an aluminum cap to sleep in.

 

[Uncle Gump]

These caps nowadays are really expensive. Personally I would buy once... cry once.

There was a company in Canada I believe that made a highly configurable set up. I'm going to have to find it and book mark it again. I lost my hard drive not that long ago. I don't remember the price... it wasn't cheap but it was a pretty dreamy set up IMHO.

 

[JohnnyO]

The major manufacturers are Leer, A.R.E., and Ranch. Ranch tends to be the least expensive but the window trim isn't as sleek as the others.
I bought a used Ranch cap for my old Sport Trac and it was nice. The fit chart shows models for the '19-up Ranger.
You may need a third brake light module to keep the light on the cap from blinking with the turn signal. Amazon, about $16.

Truck Caps and Tonneau Covers - Ranch Fiberglass - Truck Caps, Toppers, Campers Shells and Tonneau Covers

Browse our entire selection of high quality crafted truck caps and tonneau covers built to the highest quality for your vehicle.

www.ranchfiberglass.com

 

[Uncle Gump]

This is really the camper I mentioned above... Turns out it's a pop up camper and not a top. Still something I would consider if camping was the objective.

Project M Topper - Four Wheel Campers

The Project M is the newest camper from Four Wheel Campers is the perfect pop up truck topper for the minimalist adventurer.

fourwheelcampers.com

 

[19Walt93]

I bought a new ARE cap for my 2004 and a Leer for my 2011. Both were fiberglass, the Leer cost $1400 in 2011 and I forget what the ARE cost, the Leer was a better quality piece. If you plan to take it off an aluminum cap is much lighter but will make a lot more wind noise. I suspect you could do something to make an aluminum cap less noisy in the rain.

 

[sgtsandman]

You can minimize the noise some with Dynomat or similar material. The base issue still sits there though. Metal, while lighter and cheaper, is noisy.

A.R.E. caps are made by the same company that makes Pace caps. Comparing my Leer cap on the 2019, the cap I had on the 1998, and the Leer I had on the 2011 before the current Pace cap, I don't notice much a difference in quality. The Pace was significantly less expensive than the Leer. I think there may be a bit of brand name premium with Leer over the other brands.

The Pace in 2012 or 2013 was $1800 for the 2011 with a 6 foot bed. The Leer for the 2019 with a 5 foot bed was $3000 in 2019. Granted, it did have a couple of amenities like carpet lining a power block, top net, and lights that come on when the hatch is open but the bed is 12 inches shorter and the cap is at least 4 inches shorter due to the height of the bed sides. The Leer I bought before the Pace cap for the 2011 was bought off Craig's List for $300. So, I have no Idea how much it would have cost new.

Both came with a reinforced roof and load bars. So, with a significantly smaller cap, I don't think seven years difference in purchases should make that much of a difference in price.

Other manufacturers have probably come up with their own products for the 2019+ Rangers by now. While I do like the Leer in many ways, I would encourage shopping around.

One thing I do not like about the Leer, with the fold down front window option, is that is is not captured. So, unless you are careful, the window assembly will fall out if you don't hold it. The Pace design is much better.

 

[JohnnyO]

Personally I'm too tall to comfortably sleep in the bed if I had a cap. At best I'd have to sleep diagonally which wouldn't leave much room for the wife or camping gear. Uncle Gump showed a nice unit that doesn't cost a lot, also Capri Camper makes a smaller unit for mid-size trucks and A/C is an option. We have a nice tent that is big enough to stand up in, says it sleeps 6 but actually sleeps 2 comfortably, $99 at Walmart. Depends how well you fit. The Sin Rumbo channel on YouTube, guy has a nice setup in his Ranger but he's in South America where you can get a regular cab and 7' bed. Has good ideas though you can check out.
The wife and I are at the point where we'd like A/C so I purposely got my new Ranger with the tow package so we can buy or rent a trailer. Not a fan of pop-ups but I've seen A-Liner trailers at the RV show and they're pretty nice.

www.capricamper.com

 

[Roert42]

I will always recommend a softtopper.

They are essentially a very heavy tarp fitted over an aluminum frame. Kinda like a tonoe cover shaped like a topper?

They are designed to be easy to fold up and put back up. I like them because if I am out and need to use the bed I can fold down in two minutes by one person, as opposed to driving home and getting your cousin to help lift the thing off, then driving back.

They have options for screened windows and expansions for when you fold the tailgate down ect.

Had one on my F150 for years before it got totaled. loved it.

 

[Uncle Gump]

The soft top Is one I tend to forget about.

If I didn't have my Leer and was in the market... I would put one in the running.

 

[superj]

softoppers are awesome!! i have not had one on a pickup but i put one on my wrangler and almost sold my hardtop because i liked it so much. they are very well made tops and the company is great to deal with

 

[Roert42]

I saw this today while I was at lunch seems similar to what @Uncle Gump posted earlier .

It's just an empty topper, no camper stuff or anything, but it looks like the hard top flips out over the cab making a platform with a tent top.

 

[sgtsandman]

Flip Pac does indeed have the roof flip over to make a tent. I believe they are no longer making them. So, it would be a used market only. Doing a quick search, I didn't see another maker building them. Great concept if you don't need to carry anything on the roof. Why they didn't catch on, I don't know. Maybe it was because you can't carry anything on the roof?

 

[HenryMac]

This is cool... link ... Seems like TRS is always sending me down interesting rabbit holes

"The original was called a Barr Top. Dwight L. Barr sold the rights to 6-Pac who rebranded it the Flip-Pac." per WVORD at above link

I've never been a fan of roof top campers. But this one has enough space that it appears to be functional, and doesn't look hideous when stored away.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Flip Pac does indeed have the roof flip over to make a tent. I believe they are no longer making them. So, it would be a used market only. Doing a quick search, I didn't see another maker building them. Great concept if you don't need to carry anything on the roof. Why they didn't catch on, I don't know. Maybe it was because you can't carry anything on the roof?

Not many toppers haul much on the roof anyways.

My topper is probably close to 30 years old and has never had any mounts added.