Pickup Toppers

[Smokin J]

Hello-I need some help! I am planning on putting a topper on a 2001 Dodge Ram 1500. What would work best, aluminum or fiberglass? Is weight a problem with fiberglass? I will use the pickup to spend a few nights a year at the lake. A full size camper is not an option.
Thank You
Joe

[Andy]

If you are spending time in the topper for sleeping go with the fiberglass the condensation is much less in a fiberglass topper than a aluminun topper. I have had both and the condensation is real bad in the metal when It gets a little cold outside. I have a fiberglass topper now with the swingout side windows that make loading and unloading things into the bed of the truck much easier. I would also say make sure you get one that has screen windows so you can get some venilation when it is warm. I also think that the fiberglass toppers look much better. Good Luck!

[Box]

I have fiberglass after alum on last truck and like it much better. Weight is no prob. Fiberglass is quieter as well. Get the inside covered with the light-carpet-like material and it looks nicer and also has a bit if insulating if you plan to camp in it.

I have one window that opens like the rear window on the side, and the other side is a slider with screen. It seems to work when we stay in it.

You will like it a lot. If you are in MN, Give Topper World in Maplewood a try. They are good people.

Good luck,
Box

[wish2fish]

I have a Leer topper (2 yrs old) and I am not pleased with the rusting fasteners on the rear window. The lock no longer operates and the rear glass will not seal against the rubber weather strip (has about 3/8" gap at the bottom of window).

I also picked up a product called BedRug, www.bedrug.com. It is molded to fit your truck bed perfectly. I highly recommend this product.

I would go with fiberglass again, but I wouldn't go with LEER.

[Suzuki]

I second Topper World. I recently bought a fiberglass topper from Jason there and am very happy with it.

[Suzuki]

My post was not very clear. The manufacturer of the Top I purchase was 'Jason'. Topper world sells toppers built by the company-Jason.

[Ristorapper]

I have a Glasstite made in Dunnell MN. Wonderful useful topper.

The best feature I like about the topper is the back door. When I load my boat I drop the endgate of the pickup and open the topper door for better visibility when backing. The topper door has tracks on top of the topper so when I stand on the tailgate or jump from the dock to the tailgate(to crank up the boat) the topper door is not in my way. It swings open and if need be can be pushed up onto the top of the topper so it is out of harms way when standing on the tailgate. Wouldn't have any other. Very nice matching paint to my pickup and were it not for the wind damage last April would still be looking like new even if it is 4 years old. I do believe they make a liner kit and a tailgate kit to keep it cozy and dust free. Questions? e-mail me and I can try to help you out.

[WAeyes]

If you are getting a 4WD Ram then forget about the pull out windows, unless you are about 6' 5" or so. Those trucks stand very high and you won't be able to get anything out the side anyway, although I love my pullout windows but not on a Dodge. Get the fiberglass lined with carpet for condensation. I have a slider up front for ventilation. What I found was that to get screens on the side you have to get sliders on the side, no pullouts. As stated, Glasstite is probably the best$$, even out west. Put the Rhino Liner on the bed and your ready to go.

[Fin Addict]

I have a 10 year old Glasstite that is now far nicer than the truck. Replaced the hinges on the back window this spring and other than that it has been awesome. I sleep in the back of my truck frequently and would greatly prefer glass to aluminum for condensation reasons. Side windows w/ screens would be nice for this reason.

[Fritz]

I have fiberglass and the main reason is that it looks a lot better. Today I saw a truck excactly like mine with an aluminum topper, and it didn't look half as good. After spending a small fortune on the truck, going cheap on the topper does not make sense to me. And I am not overly concerned with looks.

My .02 worth.

Fritz

[Chartertalk]

If you are only going to spend a few nights a year to sleep in the back of your truck, why not try a Sportz truck tent. I have one on my GMC. I use it to go away for sshort trips. Thet cost about $150.00. You can find these at Bass Pro.

Bob

[CLM]

I just ordered a new fiberglass topper for my truck. Price was a big consideration with me and I went with one of the cheaper models I could find. The brand I went with was Astro. I got to look at one in the showroom and it seemed to be well constructed and looked nice. Does anybody have one of these toppers and if so, how has it held up. Thanks.

[Ernie]

On my '96 Ram 1500, I have a Pheonix fiberglass topper. It is color-matched and cab-high. I have the cab-slider and side slider windows. I put a rubber no-slide mat in the bed - not very expensive, but very effective in keeping loads from sliding around and protecting the bed bottom. It is a basic topper, but works well and looks great. I looked at AL toppers - less expensive but didn't look near as nice. The toppers that always caught my eye were those that required removing the tail gate, and had a glass door. These do not come in cab-high models, and I was just able to get into the garage with the cab.

Sounds like a nice truck. I baought mine new and have 130,000 miles with only minor issues.

[Don C]

If your truck has a sliding rear window consider buying a topper with a rubber boot connecting the topper to the truck instead of having an additional sliding front window in the topper. You eliminate the cost of the sliding window and you have direct access to the topper. I have had three toppers with rubber boots and none of them have leaked or presented any problems.

[Bob (OR)]

I have camped, in canopies for the last 25 years. Always had fiberglass canopies. Last abd best one was a Raider, quality throughout, they have various models. Each is made for the brand, model, and year of your pickup.

Ideas to think about. I always built a platform the full wideth of the truck bed (reg. size) and our queen size mattress would fit perfectly. I made the platform high enough that our big cooler and propane bottle would fit underneath along with other gear.
My last truck I had a sprayed on liner put in. It kept all the dust and moisture out.

I have no connection with Raider other than a completly satisfied customer.

Happy trails,

[Bob (OR)]

Forgot to mention Raider has a Web site, www.raider.ca

[JAG]

I bought a Raven(made by Glasstite) from Topper World back in 97, still looks great and no problems with the hardware yet. Was impressed with the service at TW. I tried to get a seamless look on my F-150, asked them to remove the black plastic bed rail. They tried it but the foam rubber seal kept bulging out at various spots. I brought it back a couple months later and asked them to mount it the conventional way. They pulled the topper off, put the bed rails back on and put new foam seal on. They woked with me to try something different, no extra charge and no complaints. I'll buy my next cap at the same place.

[Trapper]

I'm afraid I have to disagree with the people that say your best bet is a fiberglass topper. I have had both in the past and while fiberglassb looks nicer, is warmer and doesn't add much more weight, it is a major waste of your money. Fiberglass costs 2-3 times more than aluminum and is worth about the same amount when you trade or sell your truck. Also, aluminum goes on and off easier if you intend to remove your topper for hauling large items. Aluminum might not look as fancy, but it will give you same utility as fiberglass and you can spend the $600-$700 you save on important stuff like lures and fuel. I learned the hard way not to waste my money, but the decision is your's. Maybe I'm too practical?