Cargo Security/Safety with Topper

nubuilder

Why buy new when you can restore?
Joined
Mar 10, 2010
Posts
10,154
Reaction score
4
Location
La Crosse, WI
I'm probably going to be putting a topper on, one with locking handles and such, plus most likely a Pop & Lock tailgate handle lock.

Does anyone cover their stuff in their bed even though they have a topper (with windows)?

The mentality I've always had is "out of sight, out of mind." I leave non-valuable things under my tonneau cover all the time, but no one knows anything is there unless they open the tailgate.

I'd really like to find a retractable cargo cover for the bed, like station wagons and SUVs have. If that's not an option (so far I haven't been able to find one), I'm thinking of just keeping a cheap black blanket in the bed, or hanging something over the windows on the inside to block the view.

Any ideas or advice is greatly appreciated! :tmc:
 

nubuilder

Why buy new when you can restore?
Joined
Mar 10, 2010
Posts
10,154
Reaction score
4
Location
La Crosse, WI
Not bad, but I'm not looking to buy a brand new topper. It'll definitely be used and I have yet to see one of those.

I'm leaning more towards covering the cargo itself. The side windows really make a big difference for depth perception with the light they allow in.

Every time I search for retractable cover though for a truck bed, all I get is the tonneau covers that actually retract. Seems like I'm either going to have to go the black blanket route or somehow make my own retractable cargo/privacy cover.
 

Zembonez

живи свободно или умри
Lifetime Supporting Member
Joined
May 17, 2009
Posts
57,293
Reaction score
35
I had a Leer on my 96 GMC. Always covered up anything valuable with a black blanket I kept in the bed for hauling fragile stuff. Never had anybody bother it.

32552735828_336e308902_o.jpg
 

nubuilder

Why buy new when you can restore?
Joined
Mar 10, 2010
Posts
10,154
Reaction score
4
Location
La Crosse, WI
Thanks! Yeah, I think that's the route I'll end up going.

Side question: It looks like you had side sliding windows. Did you ever open them or find yourself wishing the sides were hatches (like the rear)?
 

Zembonez

живи свободно или умри
Lifetime Supporting Member
Joined
May 17, 2009
Posts
57,293
Reaction score
35
Thanks! Yeah, I think that's the route I'll end up going.

Side question: It looks like you had side sliding windows. Did you ever open them or find yourself wishing the sides were hatches (like the rear)?
The rear popped out about an inch only. Never opened them.
 

PenguinLTZ

Not a Mod
Lifetime Supporting Member
Joined
May 21, 2009
Posts
25,033
Reaction score
247
Location
Inland NW
I have had several canopies, or toppers as you middle earthers call them, and I end up selling them every single time. They are not cheap, either! I lose my ass every time.

I love the way they look, I love how they secure stuff...and then I hate not being able to stick taller stuff in the bed, or not being able to go over the side, or...anyhow, I just won't be doing it again for a daily driver.
 

Dartboy

I actually AM too lazy to Choose a Custom Title
Joined
Jan 24, 2012
Posts
1,681
Reaction score
3
Location
Connecticut
If you don't mind losing the visibility, simply spraying plasti-dip on the insides of the window will block any prying eyes. Easily removable if you change your mind. I find the side windows on mine are tinted well enough that you can't see in unless you're really right up on it trying to see in.

Problem with a rolling cover under the cap is the clamps holding the cap in place. I suppose if you're creative enough you could either bolt the top down through the rails or fins a way to mount the side channels of the cover to the bottom rails of the cap.

As for the pass though window, I can't say I've ever used it, though I don't often have things in the bed that I need to get to. Nice to have the option, I guess but it shouldn't be a deal breaker. I think I'd like side windows that could open, but those contractor caps pictured above usually have separate compartments on the side, you're not accessing the actual bed through it.

Buy used, depreciation on caps is ridiculous. $1k+ new, $300 used, it helps if you're not too picky with color matching. Black goes with everything :)
 

nubuilder

Why buy new when you can restore?
Joined
Mar 10, 2010
Posts
10,154
Reaction score
4
Location
La Crosse, WI
I definitely plan on going used. No way I'm paying the price of a new one.

Visibility is important to me so covering the windows permanently is not an option. Trucks already feel different with a topper on, let alone with no visibility back there.

Since no one makes a retractable cargo cover for the bed of a truck (like they do for wagons and SUV's trunk areas), I'll probably just stick to a black blanket.

Yes, a topper/cap/lid/canopy does limit you from tall items, but I don't haul too many things that are tall. I'm more concerned with hauling everyday stuff and keeping it dry and secure. If I do need to haul something tall, 4 or 6 clamps + 2 people = topper off.

As for the side windows, the non-contractor style ones that actually have windows and swinging side windows don't have compartments inside the side windows.
The reason behind the opening/awning style side window would be so that I can reach stuff in the front of the bed without having to get through everything in the back of it first, especially on an 8ft bed. On a short-short bed (5'8"), I'm not that worried.

I don't really get the point of the side windows with vents/screens in them. Yeah, maybe if I had a dog back there in the summer for a long trip, but that's the only reason I'd see any use of them.

Thanks everyone for all your inputs and ideas!!!
 

Members online

No members online now.

Forum statistics

Threads
28,830
Posts
1,105,834
Members
4,763
Latest member
whitepete1990
Back
Top