Topper for my Ranger

[bruker]

I'm thinking of getting a used topper for my Ranger but I'm not sure what type to get. What's the pro's & con's with fiberglass vs. aluminum toppers?

 

[heptofite]

fiberglass is sexy.
aluminum is hick.

 

[06RangerXLT]

fiberglass is sexy.
aluminum is hick.

agreed 100%

 

[wakingtowinter]

I think work canopies are the way to go. Like a Gemtop canopy for a cable company truck or something. They're ridiculously expensive new but I got a used one in good shape for $200. They're a lot more durable, more secure, and if you want/need to you can modify them since they're made of steel.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

I have an aluminum cap for my Ranger. The reason I went with aluminum was that I needed something relatively durable that I could take on and off the truck as I needed to and that would have a ladder rack capable of supporting the weight of a bunch of lumber or ladders.

I've been told that if you take a fiberglass cap on and off a truck relatively often (as I did with my aluminum) that you can risk cracking the fiberglass because they have the most strength sitting on a truck bed instead of being carried or set on the ground.

I went with what was practical for me at the time. Now my Ranger sports a soft bedcover and the cap sits for now.

 

[koda6966]

Fiberglass is heavier. If you have alot of snow go with fiberglass. But it can crack, so aluminum CAN be more durable, though in ways it's not. Fiberglass also has better body lines, while aluminum is more blunt and is riveted or bolted together. Being bolted together can allow places to leak, but some silicone will fix that.

Go with fiberglass if you can find it. Especially on an 03. Aluminum would just look old.

They also make plastic caps, I have a black one for sale from my Ranger. It sucked IMO since it cracks from old age. Don't get a plastic cap.

And they make thicker aluminum contractor styled caps. Basically a normal cap but instead of windows it has tool boxes. Some even have a fullsized door in the back that takes the place of your tailgate. They get pricey though.

 

[strvger]

i vote for the aluminum topper like lil_blue_ford said.
mine is fiberglass and kinda sucks really. warped somehow and won't come together correctly at the lift window. finally took off the clamps holding it to the bed and used a ratchet strap to tighten it and bolted it through. not the best option, but my only one really. it closes better now, but still lets water in when it rains hard. wife hated aluminum toppers and as she paid for it, got the fiberglass one. last time that will happen for sure!

ps. if you do go fiberglass, get one that has an aluminum frame! the wood frame ones will eventually rot and make it a real pia to work with.

 

[MountainMike]

One thing I would recommend it if you go fiberglass is when you take it off the truck, build a special wooden pallet to store it on. One that has wooden supports on either side the same width as your truck box. I've seen many people take their canopies off in the winter only to have the back be wider than the truck come spring because the canopy has flexed outwards.

 

[darkspork]

How long do you plan on keeping it? Initial purchase price of aluminum is much less ($300-$600), but they sell for $50-$100 used. Fiberglass has a much higher initial purchase price (I was quoted $1200 for one that would match my Ranger) but they too sell for less, just not as much less (I paid $340 for the one I had, used prices seem to be between $150-$500). It seems to me you get what you pay for. I liked the weight of the fiberglass in the winter, but I hated that snow would get stuck between the cab and camper.

I wouldn't opt to purchase a camper again, I came to realize I could get the same utility from a wagon, wheras without it I can haul items taller than the cab of the vehicle.

Presently, I have an Extang Solidfold tonneau cover and I think it's great. It weighs about 50lbs, is made of aluminum so it won't puncture and it's secure. So far, no leaks and I've run it through the car wash. It folds 2/3s open if you don't need to haul anything big and you can take it off or put it back on pretty easily if you do need to haul something large (fits inside the bed lengthwise or it mightfit in the cab if you angle it in correctly). It was honestly a very good purchase, I like having it a lot more than a camper.