Got a new Tundra - topper & bedliner recommendations

[gspman]

Hey,

I took delivery of a new Tundra today. I need to get a topper & also spray in bedliner but it's been a very long time since I've had a pickup. Any recommendations or advice? What to watch out for or avoid? Any other accessories that are must haves for a pickup?

Thanks,

gspman

[Alagnak]

Seat covers! Radco in Burnsville/Savage off 13 is decent.

[Lund79]

I have a Rhino lining spray on bedliner. I like this better than Line-X because it seems to have more raised bumps and is not as hard as the Line-X. Stuff does not move around a lot in my bed as compared to my brothers truck with the Line-X. Anyway, you can't go wrong with either one IMO.

I have a Tonneau cove ron my truck and if I had to do it again, I would get a nice roll-up cover. This way you can roll the cover up and haul bigger stuff instead of taking the cover off. If you're looking at toppers, I don't have any experience with them.

[BoxMN]

Congrats on truck! For topper, I recommend the side opening cargo/contractor windows on both sides. For the dogs, they now have them with a screen in each. I have a full screen on one side, and a full contractor window (whatever they are called, like a door that opens all the way) on the other. They didn't have screens built into them 13 years ago when I got my topper but I wish they did.

Also, get the inside of topper carpeted, it is prolly standard now, but was option when I got mine. It keeps dust and noise down back there, and just looks tons better.

Even if you get it sprayed, I recommend getting a rubber mat for the bottom. Easier on knees or dogs and can take it out to clean after having bloody deer in there

Enjoy new truck!

[LMITOUT]

Depending on the color of your truck I'd be careful about a topper with side opening access doors. You'll find yourself using them, well, because they're there, which will likely lead to the sides of your box being scratched (belt, coat zipper, buttons, etc.). I was going to do the same thing until a coworker showed me his. He never realized it until one day he just happened to take a closer look and saw all the scuffing and scratches. By then it was too late. A lighter color will hide these blemishes better than a dark paint so thats why I asked about the color of your new ride.

[Alagnak]

Just depends on if you use your truck as a truck or a minivan I guess. If mine don't have some scratches and dents when I'm done with them I didn't need to buy the truck. ;-)

[gspman]

Thanks Gents! Good stuff! Anyone have thoughts on rustproofing? I need to make this one last as long as possible.

[Ufatz]

Skip rust proofing-redundant. For a topper check out the ARE models. They are as good (maybe better) than LEER without all the cost. And be sure to get the ones with the little side windows and screens. Don't worry about a scratch here and there-good grief! the truck is supposed to be used as a truck, not driven to the country club. I've had many many trucks and various toppers. Leer and ARE are the best, hands down, but ARE less expensive. A nice one for our new Silverado short box crew cab (great truck) was $1100 with full lining, flipper side doors and interior lights.

Have fun with the Tundra but don't take it on the (real) tundra. You'll drop out of sight!!

[BoxMN]

FWIW, my truck is a '98 with dark green color. It probably has some scratches and small dents under the flipper window, but honestly it still looks fine to me, and I have a belly that hits the truck all the time, ha! I use it all the time, the best thing is built a little shelf just inside that window that goes across the truck, so putting stuff on it is slick and easy to get at, and it still allows me to slide stuff under it from the rear of the truck, or lets the dogs lay under it. I can squeeze more stuff back there with easier access when I need to.

Not sure if you have it in the new tundra or not, but a power inverter or at least heavy gauge wiring to the back would be nice. Most have portable cordless tools now, but would be cool to have the option to run a skill saw or even a decent fan from back there

[Back2Dakota]

I just went through topper shopping for my new truck. Went with Leer. I did not like ARE at all. They still used the trim on the edges-same trim that pulled away on my ARE tonneau I had on my F-150. The Leer came with the carpeted liner,pressure light,front slider and some stupid hanger in the back. It was a deal they were running.

[gspman]

Seems like ARE & Leer are popular choices. I went with ARE. Hopefully I'll have good luck with it. Getting Line-X tomorrow and Nerf bars this weekend. Kinda fun getting it outfitted.

[BoxMN]

Cool! Have fun with it, you will love it I am sure. Another thing I use in mine, is the bed load bar, but I put mine at the top so I can hang stuff from it. New toppers prolly have that built in, but I got mine at Menards I think, for about $12 and they work great. Lots of cool stuff you can do to customize a topper interior for your uses

[fivebucks]

Welcome to the Tundra club. I'm on my second one, a 2010. My 2000 got 235k on it before I smucked it up. I got 2 toppers up in Rogers at Country Side Covers. I don't know the brands but they carry several and are fair. A good thing to get is the rubber gasket to put on the tailgate to keep the dust out. It is about $35 of money well spent.

[fatcat45]

luv mine too,except the gas bill..whats that bed load bar?

[gspman]

Quote:

A good thing to get is the rubber gasket to put on the tailgate

Good idea! Where can I find something like that.

[Back2Dakota]

Radco has em

[fivebucks]

I got mine where I got the topper, up in Rogers (pretty close to Cabelas also) but I bet anywhere that sells toppers should have them.

[sweept]

Gsp man,Fiberglass I have had Leer,and Century. In Alluminum I have had Radco. I have hands down been happier with the Leer's. If an ARE would have been available for my truck I would have purchased an ARE. Oops see you already pulled the plug. Enjoy. A Rubber tailgate seal is a good investment. Also check to see if you box sides have any holes under the top rail that will allow dust to penetrate. My 08 Silverado was terrible till I spent the time to plug all the openings.

[gspman]

I think I'll spring for the tailgate seal. I don't see any other openings for dust so hopefully that'll cover it. The topper should be here in a week. That's the last thing I'm going to do for now.