Bed topper/camper shell/cap with tool boxes

[Chapap]

I’m thinking what I really need is a plain ol ladder rack and a tarp if I have sensitive stuff in the bed, but I really like the idea of these camper shells with tool boxes on the side (tool box is a must). That looks like a super handy toolbox location, but It seems that a camper shell makes the bed tougher to use. With the tool boxes it would cut into a lot of bed space too.

Anyone get a topper and find it to be an annoyance?

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I have a normal topper, if you have volunteers it isn't bad to just set it off when it isn't needed.

 

[Shran]

I've had toppers and I just don't like them. More windows to scrape ice off of, reduced visibility, dust seems to find its way in, things roll to the back and I can't just reach in and grab them...... personal preference though. I have a contractor topper on my work truck that has tool boxes on the sides, a rack on the top and big doors that replace the tailgate. Nice for keeping tools in, sucks real bad for visibility.

 

[sgtsandman]

It depends on the amount of tools you need to carry. One of those fold out deals that sit over the wheel well or ones that look like a jerry can might be a better option.

The box insert in a utility cap will stick into the bed about the same but be high up and block vision out the back, not to mention no visibility out the sides.

Depending on your needs, it might best to get an aluminum cap with racks off the used market.

Fiberglass caps look nicer and less noise gets in from the outside and from precipitation falling but to have a rack requires a reinforced roof so the cap doesn’t crack. Not to mention they are more expensive.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Ive had a fiberglass cap that i mounted home made roof racks to. Probably carried 500# or more every day of ladders and siding. Bought a rollout bed and that solved the problem of reaching to the back. Also made a plywood shelf that slid on the box rails for more storage. I dont have a pic handy on my phone and no longer use that setup.

 

[Chapap]

Think I’ll stick with the ladder rack. I don’t need tool storage bad enough to encroach on bed space. FB marketplace is going downhill like Craigslist tho. Tough to get a response. Looks like they added a shipping option and a “buy now” button that no one knows how to use. Tons of ads with $5 shipping for these massive racks. This could be the project when I get to learn to weld. If that’s the case, tailgaters beware.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

I have mixed feelings on it all. My first Ranger had an aluminum cap with ladder racks on it for years. It came off not long before the truck got wrecked. My F-150 has ladder racks with side boxes. I bought a steel ladder rack for it, then welded some modifications to it. Nice to use on a regular basis, but a big problem when you need to try and keep stuff in the bed dry. My green Ranger I resisted putting a cap on it for a long time but eventually got tired of needing to put stuff in the bed that sat higher than the bed rails and keep it dry. Until my red Ranger got totaled I was just running a bed cover and making do. Was starting to think about putting the cap on the red one and the bed cover on the green one when I finished the 5.0 swap on the green one so I could have both options at hand, but… now that I’m down the red one and the blue one is still wrecked… I dunno

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

For my full size work trucks I had an aluminum side rail made that i could bolt to the bed sides and the cap bolted to that. The ladder rack also bolted to it. It was made so it would fit both regular box and flair side box. That also allowed the plywood shelf i talked about to slid back and forth. If i find a pic I'll post it up.

 

[Chapap]

For my full size work trucks I had an aluminum side rail made that i could bolt to the bed sides and the cap bolted to that. The ladder rack also bolted to it. It was made so it would fit both regular box and flair side box. That also allowed the plywood shelf i talked about to slid back and forth. If i find a pic I'll post it up.

Are you taking about something like this? It seems like a good idea. These are super pricey tho. Wonder if wood can handle such a long drawer. On that note, wonder if a wood latter rack would work.

 

[RustyShackleford94]

I have a tool box in the front of my bed with a topper. It is quite annoying to crawl in there if i need something but it’s better than not having whatever it was i needed.

 

[Eddo Rogue]

 

[Eddo Rogue]

The guys run the Decked system and/or a ladder rack. I am in the planning stages of a ladder rack for my F150. Being a welder, I cant just buy one, I have to build it. Also I have free materials.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

This is on my old work truck I'm using for storage right now. Hope the pics are good enough to be self explanatory.

 

[bobbywalter]

I just dropped a canvas tarp on my cargo master setup back in the day....unless I was using the alum top. When I had to sleep in it regular I used the top in winter.

 

[Chapap]

Got a System One rack off of FB. It came off an F250, but it was easy enough to chop up the extrusions to make it fit.