F150 Topper input, please.

[Mankato-Ice-Man]

I am thinking about putting a topper or cover on my 2000 F150 extended cab, short box.
I am looking at :

Topper- Best value for the money, but hard to take on and off, easy to break in to, really limits hight of stuff I can haul.

A roll back cover- How well do they hold up? Cant lock it, but would be the most flexible as far as letting me haul stuff. not the cheapest things in the world either.

A hard cover- can lock it, expensive, heavy, really limits stuff that I can haul, hard to take off by myself.

I will tell you that at this point, I am guessing the topper will win out, but would like to hear what others opinions and experiances are on your pickups.
I had a hard cover on my Ranger and loved that most of the time, but the cover needed for this truck would have to be painted, will be heavier, and will cost a little more.

Thanks in advance,
Jeremy

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Born to Fish, Forced to Work!

[delmuts]

i have had toppers on my last three my f 150's . yes there are times you are limmitted to stuff you can haul. but you can haul more and keep it dry and out of the wind. still your choice. and you need to decide how you will use it . then decide. del

[Guest]

I guess you need to decide how or what your going to use your truck for most often. Hunting/fishing , camping , hauling stuff like firewood etc or do you primarily use it to haul the family around and stuff like that.
Do you have a trailer you could use for those times you want to haul bigger items like furniture etc ?
There's no single perfect solution here but the topper offers a guy the most options I think.
I've had a topper on all my trucks over the years and never regreted it.

[Valv]

I have a topper on my Dodge Ram, I bought it when I got the truck. I looked at same issues as you, and decided to go with it.
1- Roll ups are not holding up to the time, I've never seen an older one (I mean 1 y.o) without tears or slack.
2- Tonneau cover, looks good, but limits A LOT cargo, plus costs almost as a full topper.
3- Regular fiberglass topper, my choice, I had it orderd matching truck color, used most of the year, except when I have to haul large items or hay, which I remove, not easily, but not that bad neither (1 person job).

I found out I would have liked better a full size bed, instead of short box, I am always hauling stuff longer than 6ft, but even with topper, I can leave tailgate up, topper door open, and let them stick out of back.

1 thing for sure, use a bed-liner.

[This message has been edited by Valv (edited 01-06-2003).]

[Mankato-Ice-Man]

Thanks all.
I will be using this mostly for ice fishing and hauling smaller things. We have new appliences throughout, so, knock on wood, I won't need to haul those, everything else should go in ok.
Thinking the topper will be the bestest choice here.

[Dave]

I've got the Access Roll-Up cover. Had it for three winters now and its held up great. I don't think I would get a hard topper.
This cover can be locked but can be sliced open with a knife.....the point? Any topper can be broke into fairly easily.

[Guest]

I have an actual "roll-up" cover on my Ford. I forgot the name, but it rolls up like an old window shade into a box that is bolted onto the front of the bed, behind the cab. It is not an "Access" brand.

I made it easy to remove when I haul my ATV or pick-up camper in the summer. It's made out of aluminum and it locks to keep the thieves out. You can literally stand on top of the cover and is practically indestructible. I can lock all the contents inside the bed, with the Ford's lock-able tailgate. I miss my topper on my old truck, but I can't have a topper now because I can't remove it everytime I haul all the toys!

I just did a search on the web and found it. It's called a Roll n Lock. Do a search on the web for this and you should find the HSOforum. Can't post the link. I love this cover, very durable.

[This message has been edited by CD (edited 01-06-2003).]