Should I get a Topper?

[LakesAZ]

I have been thinking about getting a topper, specifically a SnugTop Rebel. What I would like to know is it worthwhile to get one or should I just stick with my tonneau cover. What are your thoughts, good and bad, plus and minus.

 

[Mr. Hindsight]

I’d say na. But it really just depends on how you’ll use it. I’ve never been a fan of them and they just scream old man. But they do have their purpose for some people tho. Just my opinion.

 

[rotts4u]

Here is a magazine article I wrote on the topic and used my 2019 Ram in. I personally prefer a camper shell/topper . Strengths and weaknesses of each type of bed cover are in the article.

The Ultimate Dinghy Vehicle - RV.com

Is it a Jeep? A Honda CR-V? Surprise! The ultimate dinghy towing vehicle is a pickup truck, and here’s why: Have you ever noticed how often you see pickups being flat towed behind a motorhome? It’s no accident that pickups are some of the more popular dinghy vehicles behind Class A diesel...

www.motorhome.com

 

[Huskymush]

I’d say na. But it really just depends on how you’ll use it. I’ve never been a fan of them and they just scream old man. But they do have their purpose for some people tho. Just my opinion.

I don't know about that.....don't think my truck screams old man....@lakesAZ my top is a snugtop rebel

 

[Malodave]

I ordered a LEER model 122 High Rise for the new 2021 Laramie Crew Cab
with 6'-4" Bed from the Leer Factory Outlet in Milton PA. I deleted the four
standard windows and upgraded to two large Slider WinDoors on the side.
Headliner, Painted and installed for $2700. Local dealers were quoting
$3500 and up.

Yeah knocking on 57 I guess I fit the Old Man Truck Stereotype.

Adding an AUX fuel tank to the truck and making a sleeping Bed in the
Back for when I travel. At 30+ MPG with the EcoDiesel with the 33 Gallon
Tank and the AUX tank, I will have over a 3000 Mile range. I need to
install a Pilot Relief Tube!

Malodave

 

[LakesAZ]

I don't know about that.....don't think my truck screams old man....@lakesAZ my top is a snugtop rebel
View attachment 71453

I agree that looks the opposite of old man! Very nice truck Huskymush! And the Snugtop looks like it came from FCA as an option.

 

[LakesAZ]

I ordered a LEER model 122 High Rise for the new 2021 Laramie Crew Cab
with 6'-4" Bed from the Leer Factory Outlet in Milton PA. I deleted the four
standard windows and upgraded to two large Slider WinDoors on the side.
Headliner, Painted and installed for $2700. Local dealers were quoting
$3500 and up.

Yeah knocking on 57 I guess I fit the Old Man Truck Stereotype.

Adding an AUX fuel tank to the truck and making a sleeping Bed in the
Back for when I travel. At 30+ MPG with the EcoDiesel with the 33 Gallon
Tank and the AUX tank, I will have over a 3000 Mile range. I need to
install a Pilot Relief Tube!

Malodave

Wow, that is some serious gas mileage and range. You are ready for the Apocalypse my friend!

 

[Brad460]

Depends how old you are versus how old you want to look? If you’re over 60 you should be good.

 

[Malodave]

I do a fair amount of long distance driving. I can pick and choose when to fill up
where there is cheaper diesel. My 2008 1500 Big Horn has a 26 Gallon Main Tank
and i took the bottom 8" of the tool box and made an AUX tank in it. The AUX
tank adds an additional 36 Gallons. I could get about 950 miles range.

Malodave

 

[LakesAZ]

Here is a magazine article I wrote on the topic and used my 2019 Ram in. I personally prefer a camper shell/topper . Strengths and weaknesses of each type of bed cover are in the article.

The Ultimate Dinghy Vehicle - RV.com

Is it a Jeep? A Honda CR-V? Surprise! The ultimate dinghy towing vehicle is a pickup truck, and here’s why: Have you ever noticed how often you see pickups being flat towed behind a motorhome? It’s no accident that pickups are some of the more popular dinghy vehicles behind Class A diesel...

www.motorhome.com

Great article and I do like the look of your A.R.E. topper. I like the solid windows on the side as opposed to the sliders. If you don't mind me asking what was your total cost for that one.

 

[LakesAZ]

Depends how old you are versus how old you want to look? If you’re over 60 you should be good.

Guilty as charged.

 

[Richard320]

I have been thinking about getting a topper, specifically a SnugTop Rebel. What I would like to know is it worthwhile to get one or should I just stick with my tonneau cover. What are your thoughts, good and bad, plus and minus.

If you want to sleep in the bed, a topper makes more sense than a tonneau. If you carry bulky parcels, a topper allows bigger ones.

The downsides: people can see if there's something inside. If you need to carry something really big, a topper is a lot harder to remove. Rear visibility is reduced but maybe that's not such a big deal with the camera.

 

[zlman]

I love having a topper, anything I put in will be protected.
See avatar above ^^^

 

[Mr. Hindsight]

I don't know about that.....don't think my truck screams old man....@lakesAZ my top is a snugtop rebel
View attachment 71453

I hear ya. Whatever someone likes is really all that matters. Just not for me tho.

 

[antwon412]

Perhaps a Softopper would work for you?

 

[NorthStar]

I've had one on every Ram I've owned going back to 1994 and will purchase one for my new 2020 in the next several months - before hurricane season starts again. I'm not old but I am prudent in that I can put a ton of stuff in the back of the truck during hurricane evacuation and we can even sleep in the back if hotels become scarce. Best option for a hurricane evacuation rig in my opinion. I've had SnugTop, Leer, ATC and even the old Raider's from Canada when I lived in Alaska (no hurricanes but great for hunting/fishing) and my favorite was my SnugTop Rebel.

 

[millerbjm]

I use my truck for hunting, camping and family trips and would never go without a topper. I sleep in it all the time, carry smelling hunting dogs out of the cold and elements, and can still haul decent amounts of mulch, soil etc. If I need to haul a lot of landscape materials or a bulky object it is much easier to use a trailer anyways. Solid locking tonneau covers are nice but not enough room for gear for me and not for sleeping under! If you are worried about taking the topper off it isn't too hard to rig-up a system to back under and lift the topper for storage etc. I have never had an issue with security but I also made fabric curtains for camping that can block the windows to hide contents.

 

[COSPILOT]

Back in my Colorado construction days I always had one. I was fortunate to have a 10,000 sq/ft building for the times I didn’t need it, and a forklift with extensions to remove it by myself. Still haven’t decided if I will buy one, not because I don’t need one sometimes, but my wife questions where it would go in the garage.

I’ve always had a gripe though, why has no manufacturer figured out a heated rear window with wiper/washer?

 

[outdoorco75]

These are spendy but have a unique look and cool options.

SmartCap EVO

Forged from stainless steel (not fiberglass)... it could be correctly said it’s built like a truck, not a boat. But this bruiser is more than brawn my friend. From the tools of the trade to the utensils on the camp stove, the SmartComponents let you organize your truck bed to fit your life. Plus, you…

www.rsismartcap.com

 

[NorthStar]

I’ll add another gripe. What happened to the toppers that were vertical at the tailgate and not at an angle toward the cab of the pickup? You lose a good 4” to 7” of vertical space because it slants toward the back of the truck. I was told by the local topper company that it is for aerodynamics. I laughed and explained I’m driving a very heavy steel brick on four wheels with a 5.7L V8 engine...aerodynamics aren’t required when you have all that working against you!